26 Feb 2026 How to Clean a Ceramic Pan (Without Ruining It!), According to Experts

By Barbara Bellesi Zito

See the full article on The Kitchn

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. (More on that below.)

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.