How to Remove Egg Smell from a Pan

From scrambled egg curry to omelettes, eggs are a great delicacy that can be prepared for lunch, brunch, or dinner. They are also go-to meals, especially if you are tired or want a quick meal.  

The only problem is when the pan smells after frying eggs, even after washing it with a fragrant dish detergent.

If this is the case, here are the five effective ways to remove the egg smell from a pan.

1. Wash with baking soda and soap

Baking soda is a natural odor absorber containing active ingredients that eliminate the omelet egg smell. To get rid of the omelet smell:

  • Pour two tablespoons of baking soda into the pan and let it rest for an hour.
  • Next, clean the pan thoroughly with soap or liquid detergent and rinse it in clean water.

Alternatively, you can:

  • Soak the pan overnight in a water solution of baking soda.
  • Wash it with soap and rinse it off in clean water.

In addition to eliminating the omelette smell, baking soda also removes stubborn egg stains that won’t come off.

2. Use lemon

lemons
Image by: Flickr/Kiem Soat

Lemon is another effective and readily available ingredient at home you can use to neutralize egg smell. Moreover, you can use leftover lemon to clean the pan or utensil.

Here are the steps you can follow to get rid of the egg smell:

  • Squeeze some lemon droplets onto the pan and add a cup of warm water to form a solution.
  • Wait for about three to five minutes for the solution to mix.
  • Wash the pan thoroughly with water and soap.

Alternatively, you can try this if you don’t have a lemon:

  • Pour liquid soap that contains lemon as an ingredient into the affected area of the pan.
  • Leave it to soak for three to five minutes.
  • Wash the pan thoroughly and rinse it with clean water.
  • Rinse the pan in clean water.

3. Use white vinegar and soap

Heinz White Vinegar

White vinegar is a safe and effective ingredient that makes your pan shine when cleaning.

Its strong, pungent smell also removes the egg smell from a pan.

Below are the steps to follow to wash a pan using vinegar:

  • Wash the pan with soap and water.
  • Pour a few drops of white vinegar on the pan’s surface, or use an equally effective vinegar spray.
  • To make vinegar spray, add 1 cup of vinegar to 300 ml of water in a spray bottle and shake it for the solution to mix.
  • Leave the pan to soak for an hour or overnight for full effectiveness.
  • Wash the pan well with water and soap, then rinse it cleanly.

4. Sprinkle some gram flour on it

Follow to remove the egg smell from a pan using gram flour:

  • Sprinkle two tablespoons of gram flour and rub it around the pan.
  • Leave it for three minutes for the flour to absorb the smell.
  • Wash it with fragrant liquid soap and rinse it with clean water.

The pan will be free of the strong egg odor and have the gram flour’s earthy aroma.

5. Wash with ground coffee

Coffee grounds
Image: Andrea Tummons

Once you finish your coffee drink, you can use the coffee brew or remains as an egg odor remover. Here’s how to do it:

  • Sprinkle two teaspoons of ground coffee in a pot filled with water.
  • Let the pot heat for a few minutes for the solution to mix.  
  • Pour the coffee solution into the pan and let it settle for about 10 or 15 minutes.
  • Wash the pan with a fragrant dish soap and rinse when done.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

These are the most common questions about egg odors.

Why do eggs leave a smell on dishes?

The foul smell is from the breakdown of proteins in egg whites and the sulfur compounds.

This gas is released from dishes, even when washed with soap and water. It, therefore, leaves a faint smell on the dishes when the food particles break down in warm water.

What is the best dish-cleaning soap for egg smell?

While there are many great dish-cleaning soaps for egg smell, the preferred ones should be gentle, good-smelling, and remove stubborn stains.

As such, the best one contains lemon, orange, or lavender ingredients since it naturally removes egg odor. We prefer Dawn Dish Soap Ultra or Mrs. Meyer’s Liquid Dish Soap.