Cody Casey
Stainless steel pots and pans are durable, excellent at conducting heat, and extremely versatile. However, they are not impervious to burnt-on messes and discoloration. With everyday use comes stains, water spots, and other stubborn marks, so it's important to know how to clean them properly. Here are some tips and tricks to help you keep your stainless steel cookware looking pristine and performing its best for years to come.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Pots and Pans
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaners | Bar Keepers Friend, Mauviel's Inobrill Stainless Steel Cleaner, baking soda, lemon, vinegar, dish soap, water |
| Tools | Non-abrasive sponge, scrubber, scourer, scouring pad, brush, scraper, wooden spoon, spatula, paper towel, toothpick, towel, oven mitt, bucket, rubber gloves |
| Techniques | Soaking, simmering, scrubbing, polishing |
| Tips | Avoid harsh or abrasive chemicals, hand wash, preheat pan, avoid using metal utensils, prevent thermal shock, use protectors when stacking |
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What You'll Learn
Cleaning stainless steel with lemon
Stainless steel pots and pans are durable and excellent at conducting heat, but they can be tricky to clean. To keep them in good condition, it is recommended to wash them thoroughly after each use to avoid grease buildup.
Lemon is a great natural ingredient to clean stainless steel. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean stainless steel with lemon:
Step 1: Prepare the lemon mixture
Depending on the severity of the stains, you can use either lemon halves or lemon juice. For tougher stains, cut a lemon in half and submerge it in water, then bring it to a boil for about 10 minutes. Once the water is cool enough to handle, use the leftover lemons and juice for the next step. If your pan has lighter stains, you can simply squeeze the juice of one or two lemons and mix it with four to five tablespoons of hot water.
Step 2: Apply the lemon to the pan
Once you have your lemon mixture ready, it's time to apply it to the pan. If you boiled lemon halves, use them to rub the sides and bottom of the pan. If you're using lemon juice, take a soft cloth and wipe down the pan, going along the grain of the steel. You will hear the lemon sizzle as you apply it.
Step 3: Scour and rinse the pan
After applying the lemon, use a wet pot brush or copper cloth to scour the dirt off the pan. Rinse the pan with warm water to remove any remaining lemon juice and dirt.
Step 4: Final clean and polish
For a final clean, wash the pan with washing-up liquid and a sponge. To restore shine and make your stainless steel look new again, you can use a stainless steel cleaner like Mauviel's Inobrill.
Lemon is a great natural alternative to chemical cleaners, and it can effectively remove stains and discolouration from stainless steel. It is important to note that lemon may affect the colour of the steel, so always test it on a small area first.
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Using baking soda to clean stainless steel
Stainless steel pots and pans are durable and excellent at conducting heat, making them a kitchen essential. However, they can be a challenge to clean due to the buildup of burnt-on food and grease. Here are some detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to use baking soda to clean your stainless steel cookware:
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Soda
Begin by sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda (also known as bicarbonate of soda) over the surface of your stainless steel cookware. You can do this by placing the cookware upside down on a tea towel and sprinkling the baking soda over the back of the pan. For even sprinkling, use a tea strainer.
Step 2: Add Water and Soak
Add water to the pan. The water level should be enough to cover the bottom of the pan or submerge any stuck-on food. Let the pan soak for a few minutes to loosen the food particles.
For more severe stains, you can create a boiling solution by first sprinkling the baking soda and then pouring hot or boiling water over it. The water should come about a quarter of the way up the pan.
Step 3: Boil the Solution
Turn on the heat and bring the water and baking soda solution to a boil. You can also place the pan in a larger pot or roasting pan filled with water and baking soda, and then boil the entire pan. This method is excellent for removing years of grime and scorch marks.
Step 4: Scrub the Pan
As the water boils and evaporates, it will leave a film of baking soda on the walls of the pan. Use a long-handled brush, scouring pad, or pot brush to scrub the dirt and stains away. For tougher stains, you may need to scrub while the pan is still hot, so be sure to use gloves and grip the pan with a towel or oven mitt.
Step 5: Rinse and Final Clean
Rinse the pan with warm water and use washing-up liquid and a sponge or cloth for a final clean. If desired, you can also use a stainless steel cleaner, such as Mauviel's Inobrill Stainless Steel Cleaner, to polish your cookware and restore its shine.
By following these steps, your stainless steel pots and pans will be left sparkling clean and looking as good as new!
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Removing heat stains from stainless steel
To remove heat stains from stainless steel, you can use a few different methods. One popular method is to use a combination of lemon and water. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice over the pan, adding more lemon juice if needed. You should hear it sizzle. Use a wet pot brush or copper cloth to scour the dirt off the pan. Rinse the pan and clean it with washing-up liquid for a final clean.
Another method is to place one or two halves of a lemon in a pan, submerge it with water, and bring it to a boil. Let the lemons boil for about 10 minutes. Once the water is cool enough to handle, pour it out and use the leftover lemons and juice to rub the sides and bottom of the pan. Then, use a scourer (like a pot brush or copper cloth) to wipe away any remaining stains and rinse under warm water.
You can also use baking soda, or bicarbonate of soda, to remove heat stains. Sprinkle the surface of your pan generously with baking soda. Add enough water to cover the stuck-on food and bring it to a boil. Pour out the dirty water and use a scourer to wipe away any remaining stains.
For more severe stains, you can try a commercial cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend or Mauviel's Inobrill Stainless Steel Cleaner. Apply the cleaner to a sponge and lightly rub with the grain until the burn marks are gone. Wipe away any remaining residue with a clean, damp cloth or sponge.
To prevent heat stains in the future, it is recommended to heat your stainless steel pan on low to medium heat for two to three minutes before adding oil, fat, or food. You can also prevent scorch marks by moving the food around frequently with a spoon or tongs, ensuring that the food doesn't sit at the bottom of the pan and cooks more evenly.
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Cleaning stainless steel with vinegar
Stainless steel pots and pans are durable and excellent at conducting heat, making them a kitchen essential. However, they can be prone to discolouration and burnt-on food from frequent use.
One way to clean stainless steel pots and pans is with vinegar. Distilled white vinegar is best, as it contains acetic acid that cuts through grease, grime, and oils.
- Ensure your stainless steel pot or pan is cool before running it under cold water. The temperature shock can cause permanent warping.
- Rinse off excess food with warm water.
- Boil some distilled vinegar for a minute or two.
- Pour the boiled vinegar into the pot or pan.
- Use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe away fingerprints, smudges, and grime.
- Rinse the pot or pan with warm water.
- If there are still bits of burnt-on food, sprinkle the surface with baking soda.
- Fill the pan with enough water to cover the stuck-on food.
- Bring it to a boil.
- Pour out the dirty water.
- Wash the pot or pan with washing-up liquid and a sponge for a final clean.
It is important to note that vinegar is acidic and can damage stainless steel if used for too long. Always test vinegar on a small, inconspicuous area first.
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Using Bar Keepers Friend to clean stainless steel
Bar Keepers Friend is a popular product for cleaning stainless steel. It is available in a few different forms, including Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser, Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser, and Bar Keepers Friend MORE Spray+Foam. Each of these products is non-abrasive and won't harm the chrome oxide barrier when used properly.
To use Bar Keepers Friend to clean stainless steel pots and pans, start by making sure the pan is cool. Then, wet the pan and pour out any excess water. Sprinkle on a generous amount of the Bar Keepers Friend powder and scrub with a non-abrasive sponge or scrubber. Rinse and dry the pan thoroughly with a soft cloth or towel to keep moisture from sitting on the surface and to prevent streaking.
Bar Keepers Friend is particularly effective at removing baked-on oil and burn marks, restoring shine to stainless steel, and removing calcium deposits from hard water. It can also be used to clean stainless steel appliances, such as refrigerators, but it is important to spot test a small area first, as it may not be suitable for all finishes.
In addition to Bar Keepers Friend, some other recommended methods for cleaning stainless steel pots and pans include using lemon, vinegar, or baking soda.
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Frequently asked questions
First, scrape out excess oil with a spatula or wipe it out with a paper towel. Then, deglaze the pan by adding some hot water. Cleaning a hot pan is easier, and adding hot water won't damage it. But always let your pan cool down before fully submerging it in cool water to avoid warping. Next, scrub your stainless-steel pot or pan with hot soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge. If stuck-on food bits remain, fill the pan with enough soapy water to cover the residue, bring to a boil, and scrape with a spatula or wooden spoon.
Baking soda is a simple and inexpensive way to clean burnt stainless-steel pans. Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the pan and add enough water to cover the burnt areas. Bring to a boil and simmer until most of the water has evaporated. Turn off the heat and wait until the pan is cool enough to handle. Scrub away buildup with a non-abrasive sponge and wash in hot, soapy water.
Remember that cold foods are more likely to stick to a hot pan, so allow refrigerated ingredients, such as ground beef or chicken, to sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking. To prevent food from sticking, preheat your pan before adding oil, then wait until the oil is hot to start cooking.
Heat up your stainless-steel pan on low to medium heat for two to three minutes before adding oil, fat, or food. This will help prevent or reduce burns. You can also prevent scorch marks by moving the food around frequently with a spoon or tongs.
Mix equal parts water and white vinegar in the pan, bring to a simmer, then remove from heat. The acidic solution naturally breaks down burnt residue, making cleanup significantly easier.
Additional Tips:
- For tougher stains, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can work wonders. Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the pan and add a small amount of white vinegar. Let it sit for a few minutes, then use a soft sponge or cloth to scrub the pan gently.
- To maintain the shine of your stainless steel cookware, regular polishing is necessary.
- To clean a stainless steel pan that you've just used, you can also use a commercial cleaner such as Bar Keepers Friend, following the manufacturer's directions.
