A pan scraper is a small piece of hard plastic, nylon or bamboo that costs less than lunch and saves a lot of scrubbing. You hold it in your palm and push it under the burnt rim of cheese in a quesadilla pan or the crust left in a skillet after fajitas. The stuck food comes off without the scratches a metal tool or abrasive pad can leave behind.
This guide is about those small hand scrapers for pots and pans at the sink. It does not cover long-handled scrapers for flat-tops, covered in the griddle scraper guide, grill grate scrapers, or the flexible bowl scrapers bakers use. The makers tell you little about these tools, so we say “Not stated” often and focus on shape and material.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications, verified buyer reports and the makers’ own details. We have not used these products ourselves.
Quick verdict: which pan scraper to buy
For most kitchens, the best pan scraper is the Lodge Polycarbonate Pan Scrapers two-pack, made for cast iron with several angles for corners and curves. If you own nonstick, buy the Kohler Pot and Pan Scraper, which has a soft silicone edge for coated pans and a hard nylon edge for everything else. If you want a plain small nylon square, the Norpro My Favorite Nylon Scraper is the simple pick.
Five pan scrapers at a glance
Five picks side by side, one for each kind of pan, with what each maker or listing states. All eight are reviewed below.
| Pan scraper | Best for | Material | Named for (per listing) | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lodge Polycarbonate Pan Scrapers, 2-PackBest overall
|
Cast iron, most kitchens | Polycarbonate | Cast iron skillets, griddles, cookware | View on Amazon |
Kohler Pot and Pan Dish ScraperBest for nonstick
|
Nonstick and steel together | Nylon edge and silicone edge | Baked-on food; nonstick with the silicone edge | View on Amazon |
Norpro My Favorite Nylon ScraperBest plain nylon
|
A plain small scraper | Nylon | Stainless steel, nonstick, glass | View on Amazon |
Bambu 2.75-inch Bamboo Pot Scrapers, 5-PackBest natural material
|
A wood-tool kitchen | Bamboo | Pots, pans, nonstick, stainless, cast iron | View on Amazon |
Lodge Grill Pan Scrapers, 2-PackBest for grill pans
|
Ridged grill pans | Polycarbonate with teeth | Modern Lodge grill pans | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Uses are as named on each listing; check your cookware maker’s care guide.
Our picks for the best pan scraper
All eight here are hand-held tools for pots and pans. We looked at material and shape first, because that is about all that separates them, and we named the third-party sellers, since many of these listings are small.
1. Lodge Polycarbonate Pan Scrapers, 2-Pack – Angles for Corners and Curves
Lodge sells this little tool for its cast iron, and it is the obvious starting point. It is two polycarbonate scrapers, one red and one black, with several angles and edges to reach the corners and curves of a skillet or griddle. It is meant for repeated use, and the listing says it simply helps clear residue from cast iron cookware.
Stiff polycarbonate pushes through crusted food without the scratches metal leaves, and it does not take seasoning with it the way steel wool can. Buyers on retailer pages describe it as stiffer than they expected, which works in its favor. Note that Lodge’s related grill pan scraper states a heat limit of 275°F, so let the pan cool to warm rather than scraping it hot. This listing gives no limit of its own.
Why we like it
- Made by a leading cast iron maker
- Multiple angles and edges, per Lodge
- Two scrapers in the pack
- Sold by Amazon at last check
Key specifications
| Model | SCRAPERPK |
|---|---|
| Material | Polycarbonate |
| Size | About 4.7 inches, per listing |
| Count | 2 |
| Heat limit | Not stated on this listing |
| Named for | Cast iron skillets, griddles, cookware |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
If you cook on cast iron, this is the first one to buy, and the two-pack lets you keep one at the sink and one with the camping gear.
Skip it if you want something soft for a fragile coating, in which case look at the Kohler.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Reaches corners and curves
- Maker of the pans it suits
- Useful on griddles
Cons
- Hard edge may be too stiff for coated pans
- Heat limit not stated here
- Small for big griddles
2. Kohler Pot and Pan Dish Scraper – Two Edges, Two Jobs
Kohler, better known for faucets and sinks, makes a clever little scraper with two edges. One is hard nylon for baked-on food. The other is soft silicone, which Kohler says is safe for cleaning nonstick cookware and heat-resistant to 400°F. It has a hanging hole so it can sit by the sink.
That two-sided design is why it earns its place, if you own both coated and bare pans. It is also the longest scraper here, at roughly 6.75 inches on the listing, which gives you more to hold. Kohler gives a one-year limited warranty. A hard nylon edge can still mark a soft coating, so turn it to the silicone side for those pans.
Why we like it
- Hard edge and soft edge on one tool
- Silicone edge safe for nonstick, per Kohler
- Heat resistant to 400°F, per Kohler
- One-year limited warranty
Key specifications
| Model | K-8624-0 |
|---|---|
| Material | Nylon and silicone |
| Size | About 6.75 x 3.8 inches, per listing |
| Count | 1 |
| Heat limit | Silicone edge 400°F |
| Named for | Baked-on food; nonstick with the silicone edge |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
The most adaptable pick here, and the one to buy if your cupboard holds a mix of nonstick and steel.
Skip it if you need a very small scraper for tight corners, since this is the largest one here.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Works on coated and bare pans
- Stated heat limit
- Hanging hole
Cons
- Only one in the pack
- Larger than most
- Hard edge must be kept off coatings
3. Norpro My Favorite Nylon Scraper – A Plain Square That Fits the Palm
The name is a good summary. This is a plain 3-inch nylon square with rounded corners, and the listing says it scrapes cookware clean, including stainless steel, nonstick and glass, and is easy to hold when wet. It also clears a cutting board or prep area. It is dishwasher safe.
Being plain is the appeal. A small hard square gets into the bend of a pot in a way a larger tool cannot. Color varies by listing, and this one is sold by a third party, so read what you are buying. Norpro also sells a three-piece set if you want spares.
Why we like it
- Named for stainless, nonstick and glass
- Easy to hold wet, per the listing
- Dishwasher safe
- 3-inch size fits the palm
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Material | Nylon |
| Size | 3 x 3 x 0.5 inches |
| Count | 1 |
| Heat limit | Not stated |
| Named for | Cookware, cutting boards, prep areas |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
A good small tool for a saucepan or a skillet with tight corners, and a low-stakes first scraper.
Skip it if you want a stated heat limit, as this listing gives none.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple shape
- Goes in the dishwasher
- Names several surfaces
Cons
- One color on this listing
- Third-party seller at last check
- No heat limit stated
4. Handy Housewares 3-inch Nylon Pan Scraper – Grip Built into the Back
Handy Housewares adds an anti-slip plastic handle to a nylon blade, measuring about 3 by 3.25 inches. The listing says it removes grease and caked-on food from pots and pans without scratching, and names nonstick cookware and delicate surfaces.
It ships in a random color from a list of six, so do not buy it to match your kitchen. We found no independent review, and there is no stated heat limit or dishwasher guidance on the listing, so the case rests on the listing and on the fact that the design is simple.
Why we like it
- Anti-slip handle
- Nylon blade, named for nonstick
- Small and easy to store
- Sold directly by the brand
Key specifications
| Model | Scraper |
|---|---|
| Material | Nylon blade, plastic handle |
| Size | About 3 x 3.25 inches |
| Count | 1 |
| Heat limit | Not stated |
| Named for | Pots, pans, nonstick, delicate surfaces |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Choose this if a flat square feels slippery in soapy hands and you want something to hold on to.
Skip it if you want a specific color or a dishwasher-safe statement.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Handle helps in soapy water
- Compact
- Low stakes to try
Cons
- Random color
- Listing is thin
- No heat limit stated
5. Bambu 2.75-inch Bamboo Pot Scrapers, 5-Pack – Thin Bamboo for Any Pan
Bambu makes these 2.75-inch squares from bamboo, and the listing calls them lightweight, gentle and compostable. It names pots, pans, nonstick, stainless steel, cast iron, stoves, sheet trays and countertops, and says thin edges and different angles help them get into stuck-on food.
Bamboo is softer than nylon or polycarbonate, so expect a gentle edge and a shorter life. Bambu says to hand wash and to avoid long soaking, and not to put them in the microwave or dishwasher. With five in the pack, you can replace one as soon as it wears down.
Why we like it
- Bamboo, compostable per the maker
- Named for nonstick, stainless and cast iron
- Five in a pack
- Thin edges, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 057100 |
|---|---|
| Material | Bamboo |
| Size | 2.75 inches |
| Count | 5 |
| Heat limit | Not stated |
| Named for | Pots, pans, nonstick, stainless, cast iron, sheet trays |
| Dishwasher | No; hand wash |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
A good match if you prefer wood tools, or if you do not want more plastic near your food.
Skip it if you want a scraper that goes in the dishwasher, or stuck-on food is heavy and frequent.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Natural material
- Plenty in a pack
- Gentle edge
Cons
- Hand wash only
- Avoid long soaking
- Softer edge wears faster
6. Prepara Thumb Scraper, Set of 2 – Angled Thin Edge
Prepara’s thumb scraper uses an angled, thin-edge blade that the listing says gets into corners, edges and seams. It is food-grade nylon, sold as a set of two, and the listing names nonstick, ceramic, cast iron and stainless steel, and calls it dishwasher safe and heat resistant.
“Heat resistant” is not a number, and the listing does not give one, so let the pan cool first. The same applies to the claim that it will not scratch any surface: it is a sensible thing to expect from nylon, but it is the maker’s statement. It is sold through a third party.
Why we like it
- Thin, angled edge
- Food-grade nylon, per the listing
- Two in the set
- Dishwasher safe
Key specifications
| Model | TS-25960 |
|---|---|
| Material | Food-grade nylon |
| Size | About 3 inches, per listing |
| Count | 2 |
| Heat limit | Not stated as a number |
| Named for | Nonstick, ceramic, cast iron, stainless steel |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Handy if corners and seams are your problem, such as a square griddle pan or a sheet pan edge.
Skip it if you would rather buy from a seller closer to the maker.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Reaches tight spots
- Two in the set
- Named for four surfaces
Cons
- Heat claim has no number
- Third-party seller at last check
- No independent review found
7. Lodge Grill Pan Scrapers, 2-Pack – Teeth for Ridged Pans
If you own a ridged grill pan, a flat scraper will not clean between the ridges. These do: each polycarbonate scraper has two sets of teeth designed to fit any modern Lodge grill pan, plus straight edges and curves for the flat parts. Lodge rates them heat resistant to 275°F and dishwasher safe.
The teeth are spaced for Lodge’s own ridges, so they may not fit another maker’s pan. Our grill scraper guide covers outdoor grates, which are a different job, and includes a separate Lodge combo; this pack is the two-tooth version.
Why we like it
- Teeth fit between grill pan ridges
- Heat resistant to 275°F
- Dishwasher safe
- Two in a pack
Key specifications
| Model | SCRAPERGPK |
|---|---|
| Material | Polycarbonate |
| Size | About 4.7 inches, per listing |
| Count | 2 |
| Heat limit | 275°F |
| Named for | Modern Lodge grill pans |
| Dishwasher | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
A clear choice if you have a Lodge grill pan and have been cleaning its ridges with a fork.
Skip it if you do not own a grill pan, since the plain Lodge scrapers are better on flat skillets.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Purpose-built shape
- Stated heat limit
- Sold by Amazon at last check
Cons
- Only for Lodge ridge spacing, per the listing
- Teeth are not useful on a flat pan
- Two packs may be overkill
8. Sullins Pan Scrapers, 3-Pack – Silicone Grip Three-Pack
Sullins sells a set of three hard plastic scrapers with a silicone grip, which the listing says stops them slipping. It describes them as pan, bowl and dough scrapers, with a heavy focus on cast iron, Dutch ovens and camp cooking.
This is the listing we trust least. It is written for keywords, and it does not give a size, a heat limit or any care instructions, and Sullins appears to be a small Amazon-first brand we could not verify elsewhere. We include it because the grip is a useful feature and three in a pack suits a family or a camp box.
Why we like it
- Silicone grip, per the listing
- Three in a pack
- Pitched for cast iron and Dutch ovens
- Simple shape
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Material | Hard plastic with silicone grip |
| Size | Not stated |
| Count | 3 |
| Heat limit | Not stated |
| Named for | Cast iron, Dutch ovens, dish pans |
| Dishwasher | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
Worth a look for a camp box or a large family where scrapers go missing.
Skip it if you want a clear listing and a known maker; the Lodge pack is the safer choice.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Grip for soapy hands
- Three in the pack
- Multi-use, per the listing
Cons
- Keyword-heavy listing
- Amazon-first brand
- No size or care details
How to choose a pan scraper
1. Match the material to the pan
Hard polycarbonate and nylon are good on cast iron, stainless steel and enameled surfaces. For a nonstick coating, take the softest edge available, such as Kohler’s silicone side, and check your pan maker’s care guide. Bamboo is gentle but wears faster.
2. Think about shape
A scraper with several different corners, like the Lodge, fits more pans. A plain square fits the palm and gets into the corners of saucepans. A toothed scraper is only for ridged pans.
3. Check heat limits, and let the pan cool
Plastic softens with heat. Lodge rates its grill pan scraper to 275°F, and Kohler gives 400°F for its silicone edge. Most other listings give no number, so wait until the pan is warm rather than hot. Warm water helps too.
4. Think about size and grip
Small scrapers give you control; larger ones are easier on the hand. If you have trouble holding a flat tool with wet hands, look at the Handy Housewares handle or the Kohler.
5. Buy more than one
These are cheap and easy to lose. A second scraper in the camping box or by the grill is useful, and if you do a lot of griddle cooking, read our griddle scraper guide too.
Using a scraper without hurting the pan
Run warm water into the pan, push the scraper at a low angle and let the edge do the work. On cast iron, clean with the scraper first and then dry the pan and wipe on a little oil, as we explain in our cast iron skillet guide. On stainless steel, a short soak first helps. On nonstick, use the softest edge you own and no force. If the food still will not move, simmer a little water in the pan, then try again once it is warm.
How we picked these eight scrapers
We looked for hand-held scrapers made for pots and pans, from identifiable makers, in stock from a new Amazon offer, and not already on our griddle, grill, bench or bowl scraper pages. We read each listing for material and stated surfaces. We left out Pampered Chef’s popular nylon scrapers and Tovolo’s because they were low in stock when we checked.
A search for independent tests of these tools turned up only retailer listings and buyer comments, with no America’s Test Kitchen or Serious Eats review we could confirm, so these picks rest on listing and maker details. We have not used them ourselves. A CPSC recall search by brand name found none of these scrapers listed; Kohler’s listed recalls cover generators, engines and shower doors.
Pan scraper questions, answered
What is a plastic pot scraper for?
It removes stuck-on food from pots and pans without soaking overnight or using a metal tool. It is especially useful on cast iron, where harsh scrubbing can take off seasoning.
Will a pan scraper scratch nonstick?
Makers of nylon scrapers say theirs will not, but hard edges can still mark soft coatings. Use the softest edge you have, like Kohler’s silicone side, and use little force.
Do pan scrapers work on cast iron?
Yes. Lodge makes its scrapers for that purpose. Dry the pan afterward and rub on a little oil.
Can pan scrapers go in the dishwasher?
Some can. Norpro, Prepara and Lodge’s grill pan scrapers are listed as dishwasher safe. Bambu says not to. Others do not state it.
Can I use a pan scraper on a hot pan?
Let it cool first. Lodge’s grill pan scraper is rated to 275°F, and a pan on a burner can run far hotter than that.
Our last word on pan scrapers
Start with the Lodge two-pack if you own cast iron, and the Kohler if you own nonstick too. They cost very little and will save you a lot of scrubbing. To go with them, see our lead guide to the best cast iron skillet and the chainmail scrubber guide. If you would rather leave the pans to someone else, Julia’s is at 5402 N Highway 6 in Houston: call to order.