How to Remove Melted Plastic from a Frying Pan

Last Updated: July 2, 2020

If you've accidentally left plastic in your hot pan while cooking, you've more than likely melted plastic into the pan. It's a hassle to have to go out and purchase a new pot or pan due to a tiny, fixable, mistake you've made. You would be much better off learning how to simply remove the melted plastic from your pot. Right?

Steps

1
Place the frying pan with the melted plastic in a freezer. Leave it to chill for at least a couple of hours so that when you take out the pan, the plastic must have hardened.
2
Meanwhile, find a non-marring object like a piece of wood, plastic mallet etc. You can use anything with some heft, but it should be softer than the metal of the frying pan.

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3
Remove the super-cooled frying pan from the freezer. Make sure the plastic has hardened.
4
Place the frying pan on a flat surface, with the bottom side turned up. Its better to do this job on floor that kitchen shelves. Whatever surface it is, it should be able to withstand a great amount of force.
5
Using the striking tool, gently tap the bottom of the frying pan in the area where the plastic is pooled. Do not tap too hard. It can cause damage to the pan.
6
If this fails, repeat step 5, but not quite as gently. Be patient with this job. Gradually the plastic will separate from the pan. Once it is removed, wash the pan before any use.

Community Q&A

Question

If the melted plastic is outside at the bottom of the frying pan, is it possible to remove it?

Community Answer

Scrape what you can off with a butter knife, then put baking soda in a big pot of boiling water. Using oven mitts, put the pan in just for a minute or two. Remove the pan and the plastic should wipe right off.
Question

Can I remove the plastic if it's outside on the bottom of the pan?

Community Answer

Yes! Wait for the plastic to set fully, then heat it up slightly and scrape most of the excess off. After that, cool the pan again and use a baking soda and vinegar solution on what's left. Let it sit overnight and rub it away the next morning.