I love making hard candy in my kitchen, from lollipops to caramel apples. When I started making candy, I was lost on how to remove the melted candy and sugar from my cookware.
The first thing I tried to do was scrub it out of my pan, but I quickly realized I was going nowhere with this method. It took some trial, error and research, but I have finally mastered the art of removing hard candy from my pan.
I have researched several websites, forums and videos to help with my sticky situation, and I have decided to put the information together in a guide for others. After all, you may find yourself in the same situation after making hard candy.
Now, some of the methods I found can apply to the utensils as well. This is great because attempting to get caramel off a spoon was quite the adventure in my kitchen.
spoons are very hard to clean caramel from. apples are basically edible spoons.
— Kyle Boon (@kyleboon) September 7, 2016
As you read through my guide, you can find:
– Tips on how to get hard candy out of pan.
– Advice to make it easier to remove the candy.
– Videos that show you how to remove the candy from your pan.
When it comes to removing hard candy from cookware, I have found tips ranging from boiling water to using dish detergent.
Did you know that hard candy was originally used for medical purposes?
According to National Days Today,
The lemon drops and the peppermint drops were given to patients suffering from stomach-related ailments.
I think I have an idea for my next hard candy adventure. In the meantime, you can learn how to remove hard candy from your pan by checking out my guide.
8 Methods on How to Get Hard Candy out of Pan and Utentils
I have found eight methods on how to get hard candy out of pan. The wide range of methods makes it easier to find one that works for you.
- 1. Using Hot Water from the Kettle →
- 1.1. How to Clean Burnt Sugar from a Saucepan →
- 2. Boiling Water in the Pan →
- 2.1. How to Easily Remove Your Candy from Your Pot →
- 3. Using Baking Soda and Vinegar →
- 4. Using Different Detergents →
- 4.1. How to Clean Your Pot After Making Candy Apples →
- 5. Using Water and Oil →
- 6. Using the Microwave →
- 7. Use Rubbing Alcohol →
- 8. Break the Hard Candy →
- 9. Useful Resources →
To give you a sneak peek at the advice waiting for you, I wanted to share a quote that I wish I had found when I first tried to remove candy from my pan.
According to Serious Eats,
Trying to scrub away that mess with brute force is an exercise in futility. Mercifully, candy cleaning enlightenment is this simple: Don’t scrub.
I enjoy sharing various cooking tips. In this article, I explore whether you can deep-fry frozen chicken wings.
Now, here are eight methods for removing hard candy from your pan and utensils.
Using Hot Water from the Kettle
When sharing tips on how to get hard candy out of pan, I want to start with a simple solution of using hot water from a kettle.
1. Boil the water in a kettle.
2. Once the water has boiled, pour it directly onto the sugar. Fill the pot to the brim with hot water.
3. Let the water sit for about 20 minutes.
The boiling water should cause most of the candy to dissolve.
How to Clean Burnt Sugar from a Saucepan
It never hurts to look for a visual aid for certain cleaning methods. In this video, The Vintage Kitchen shows viewers how to remove burnt sugar from a saucepan using boiling water from a kettle.
Boiling Water in the Pan
Another tip is to boil the water directly in the pan rather than in a kettle first. It only takes a few steps to remove the hard candy using this method.
1. Fill the pan with water.
2. Place the pan on the stove until it boils.
3. Pour out the hot water to find a candy-free pan.
4. If need be, use soapy water to remove any excess candy. You do not need to scrub any leftover residue.
Boiling water in the pan is an easy, effective method of removing hard candy.
To quote Emma Christensen of Kitchn,
The warm water will gradually melt the sugar from the sides of the pot, leaving it syrup-free with absolutely zero work on your part.
How to Easily Remove Your Candy from Your Pot
In this video, Apple Boss shows you how to remove hard candy from a pot with boiling water. She boils the water directly in the pot before pouring it into the sink. You can see the result at the end of her video.
It is important to take care of your cookware. You can click here to find out if metal can be placed in the oven.
Using Baking Soda and Vinegar
There are many uses for baking soda and vinegar, so it should not come as a surprise that these household items can be used to remove hard candy from cookware.
1. Deglaze your pot by filling it with dish detergent and hot water. Place a lid on the pot, and soak the pot in the mixture for an hour. After an hour, rinse the mixture out of the pot.
2. Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar into the pot.
3. Boil the mixture for about 10 minutes before pouring it out.
4. Sprinkle some kosher salt into the pot.
5. Scrub out the burnt candy.
If you are only using baking soda, use the following steps to remove the hard candy from your pot. This method is best for removing crystallized sugar.
1. Sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of your pan.
2. Fill the pan with enough water to cover the crystallized sugar.
3. Boil the mixture, and let it simmer for 15 to 30 minutes.
It is easier to remove the burnt sugar after it simmers because it loosens the residue.
I always want my readers to stay safe when cooking. You can find my guide on how hot a stove top gets by clicking here.
Using Different Detergents
I have also found a method for using dish detergent to remove the hard candy from your cookware and utensils.
1. Fill your pan with the hottest water possible until it covers the candy residue.
2. Toss any metal utensils you used into the pan as well, but be sure to double-check that these are heat-safe products. Keep in mind that this method is not safe for plastic utensils.
3. Place the pan on the stove, and bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Allow the mixture to simmer for five to 10 minutes.
5. Dump out the water, and rinse off your cookware.
6. Use a sponge and a few drops of dish detergent to remove the excess residue.
7. Rinse off the detergent, and allow your cookware to air dry for a few hours.
While you do need to boil and simmer the mixture before using the detergent, I feel this is a good method for removing the residue from your cookware.
How to Clean Your Pot After Making Candy Apples
Candy Queen Bee Baker shows you how to remove the residue from candy apples in this video. She actually boils the detergent in the water, which can help you save time when cleaning your cookware.
Using Water and Oil
If you can use oil to prevent your candy or food from sticking, you can use an oil-based solution to remove the residue from your cookware.
1. Pour boiling hot water into your cookware.
2. Next, add a large amount of cooking oil.
3. Let the mixture sit in your cookware for several hours.
You should be able to remove the hardened residue without even scraping it.
Using the Microwave
You may be looking for a method on how to get hard candy out of pan that does not require you to boil water. Luckily, you may be able to use a microwave to remove the residue from your pot.
Of course, I am not suggesting placing your pot in the microwave.
1. Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water.
2. Place the bowl inside the microwave, and heat up the water until it is hot enough to remove the residue. You may need to do several minutes at a time to determine if it is hot enough.
3. Pour the water into the pot, and let the pot soak for about 20 minutes.
4. This is similar to pouring the boiling water from a kettle into the pot, so it should cause the candy to dissolve.
I feel this may be a time-consuming way to remove the candy, especially if it takes a while to heat the water. However, you do have this option if you need an alternative to using the stove.
Use Rubbing Alcohol
Now, rubbing alcohol may not be your first choice to clean your cookware. It was certainly not my first choice for cleaning my pots and pans.
However, I did try this method for removing the hard residue, and it works like a charm.
You do want to wear gloves for this cleaning method.
1. Pour some rubbing alcohol into your pot.
2. Cover the pot with a lid to keep the rubbing alcohol from evaporating.
3. Let your covered pot sit overnight.
4. The next day, use a clean spatula or similar utensil to scrape the residue off your pot. You need to do this before rinsing off the rubbing alcohol.
5. When you are finished, rinse out your pot with clean water.
6. Let your pot dry for a few hours.
Once you try the rubbing alcohol method, it may become one of your top choices for cleaning your cookware.
Break the Hard Candy
If you would rather remove the residue manually, you can always use a heavy object to break off the layer stuck to the bottom of your cookware. A hammer may do the trick for this method.
It is important to be careful if you are breaking the hard layer to avoid hurting yourself or damaging your cookware.
Useful Resources
Choose the Best Method for Removing Hard Candy from Your Cookware
As you can see, there are several tips on how to get hard candy out of pan. These methods range from boiling water to using rubbing alcohol. You have your pick of the bunch when choosing a method that makes it easier to clean your cookware.
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