How to Clean a Ceramic Pan (Without Ruining It!), According to Experts
There’s a lot to like about ceramic cookware. Its nontoxic, nonstick surface releases food so easily, and it’s compatible with multiple cooktops. Plus, from a purely aesthetic perspective, ceramic cookware sets tend to just be so beautiful, you’ll want to keep them on your stovetop even when not in use.
However, unlike caring for stainless steel or aluminum pots and pans, ceramic cookware requires a more careful approach to maintenance. I spoke to two cleaning experts to get the scoop on how to keep your ceramic cookware going strong for years to come — and it’s easier than you might think.
How to Clean a Ceramic Pan (Step-by-Step)
Some kitchen cleanup tasks will give you an arm workout, not ceramic cookware. Mónica Taher, chief operating officer of Avanti Green Eco Cleaning, walks us through how to clean a ceramic pan gently and effectively:
- 1. Rinse the pan with warm water to loosen up food.
- 2. Clean with a soft sponge and a few drops of dish soap; Taher recommends going with an eco-friendly option like Ecos Dish Mate.
- 3. Rinse, then dry with a soft towel or let it air-dry.
Pro Tip
Use gentle, circular motions when cleaning ceramic cookware. “You’re not supposed to force it. That’s key,” Taher says.
How to Remove Burnt-On Food from a Ceramic Pan
Even with a nonstick surface, burnt-on residue still happens to the best of us. When it does, Robin Murphy, chief cleaning officer of Maid Brigade, offers tips to remove it easily:
- 1. Soak the pan in warm water with a squirt of dish soap, then let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes or longer, if needed.
- 2. Use a soft nylon brush or a silicone spatula to gently scrape up the softened residue.
- 3. Repeat as needed.
For especially stubborn residue, Murphy says you can put the pan back on the stovetop with warm water and soap and let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to loosen everything up. Taher says patience is key when cleaning ceramic cookware. Leave the pots and pans to soak in the sink for as long as you need. For really burnt-on food, you can even leave it to soak overnight, she says. She cautions not to use an abrasive scrub pad on ceramic cookware or you may remove the coating.
How to Remove Stains from a Ceramic Pan
You can prevent food stains on your ceramic cookware with a little work. Murphy offers this technique for removing stains:
- 1. Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda with 12 drops of dish soap, then add enough water to make a spreadable paste.
- 2. Apply the paste to the stain and let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes.
- 3. Wipe with a soft sponge. Murphy recommends a light touch to avoid scratching or removing the ceramic coating.
Taher agrees that baking soda is the way to go for cleaning ceramic cookware, whether you make a paste or sprinkle it on as you gently scrub: “Baking soda is safe. Nothing is going to happen to the pan,” she says. But she adds that you definitely need some dish soap mixed with it to loosen the gunk.
What Not to Use on Ceramic Cookware
While ceramic cookware is built to last, keep these items far away from it to ensure that you don’t scratch the nonstick surface:
- Abrasive cleaning powders
- Steel wool or other harsh scrubbers
- Metal utensils
- Bleach
Murphy always recommends handwashing ceramic cookware, even if it’s labeled dishwasher-safe, because the dishwasher “will dull the finish and shorten the lifespan.”
How to Keep Ceramic Pans Looking New
Aside from cleaning them properly and protecting them from abrasive scrubbers, Murphy says there are a few other things you can do to keep your ceramic pots and pans looking as good as the day you got them:
- Cook only on low or medium heat.
- Never preheat an empty pan — especially if you’ve forgotten the first rule and turned the heat up high.
- Don’t run cold water over a hot pan. The shock in temperature can cause microcracks on the ceramic surface, Murphy explains.
- Use only silicone, nylon, or wood utensils.
- Store stacked pans with a dishtowel between them to prevent scratching (a tip from Murphy’s mother!).
Source: The Kitchn
This article was originally published by The Kitchn on February 26, 2026.
How to Clean a Ceramic Pan (Without Ruining It!), According to Experts
