Cleaning Stainless Steel Pans: Sparkling Results

Stainless steel pans are a kitchen staple, but they can be a pain to clean. Luckily, there are several ways to clean them without too much effort. Here are some tips and methods to help you get your stainless steel pans sparkling clean again.

First, it is important to note that you should never clean your stainless steel pan while it is still hot. Allow the pan to cool down completely before washing it to avoid warping. Once the pan has cooled, you can start by scraping out excess oil with a spatula or wiping it with a paper towel. Then, deglaze the pan by adding some hot water.

For everyday cleanup, you can scrub your pan with hot soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge. If there is stuck-on food, fill the pan with enough soapy water to cover the residue, bring it to a boil, and scrape it with a spatula or wooden spoon. Allow the pan to cool, then wash as usual.

For tougher stains, you can use baking soda, Bar Keepers Friend, or vinegar. Sprinkle some baking soda or Bar Keepers Friend on the surface of the pan, add a little water to make a paste, and scrub the stained areas. For Bar Keepers Friend, let it sit for a minute, then rinse. Repeat if necessary. For vinegar, sprinkle it over baking soda, and the mixture will fizz. Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub gently.

Always dry your stainless steel pans with a soft towel immediately after washing to prevent spots and keep them looking brand new!

Removing stuck-on food

To remove stuck-on food from a stainless steel pan, first, let the pan cool down before cleaning. Never use abrasive tools like steel wool or harsh cleaners like bleach or oven cleaner, as these can permanently damage the surface. For everyday cleanup, scrub your stainless-steel 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 it to a boil, and scrape with a spatula or wooden spoon. The food should come away easily. Allow the pan to cool, then wash as usual.

For tougher messes, including burnt food or oil, you might require a more abrasive cleaning method. Baking soda is a simple and inexpensive way to clean burnt stainless-steel pans. Add a few spoonfuls of baking soda to your scorched pan, along with enough water to cover the burnt areas. Bring this 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 the buildup with a non-abrasive sponge and wash in hot, soapy water.

Another method for removing stuck-on food is to use a commercial cleaner such as Bar Keepers Friend. Sprinkle some on the surface of the pan, add a small amount of water to make a paste, and scrub the stained areas. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse. Repeat if necessary. Bar Keepers Friend is known to be more effective than baking soda for removing the toughest stains. However, it should not be left on the pan for extended periods, as it may discolour the cookware.

To remove years of built-up grime, you can try a method suggested by Wirecutter senior staff writer Michael Sullivan. Choose a vessel large enough to fit your pan, such as a large stock pot for small skillets or a roasting pan for larger ones. Fill it with enough water to submerge (or mostly submerge) your pan and bring it to a boil. Add a generous amount of baking soda (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup), then carefully place your pan in the water. Reduce the heat to a gentle boil and let the pan cook for about 15 to 30 minutes, flipping or rotating it to ensure all sides are boiled. You should start to see brown residue flaking off. Using tongs and silicone oven mitts, carefully remove the pans. To finish, create an abrasive slurry by adding more baking soda and water to the pan, and scrub while the pan is still hot.

Using baking soda

Baking soda is a great option for cleaning stainless steel pans. It is a non-toxic, inexpensive household ingredient with mild abrasive properties. It can be used to eliminate burned-on food and tough stains. Here are some methods you can try:

Baking Soda Paste

Wet the pan with water and add baking soda to form a paste or slurry. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes. Use a scouring pad or the scrubby side of a sponge to scrub off the crusty food or burned-on oil. Repeat the process or leave the paste to sit overnight if the stains persist.

Boil Water and Baking Soda in the Pan

For tougher stains, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of water to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil. As the water evaporates, scrub off the film of baking soda and food residue with a scrubby sponge or kitchen scrub brush while the pan is still hot.

Submerge Pan in Boiling Baking Soda Solution

For removing years of burned-on stains, you can try submerging the entire pan in boiling water and baking soda. Fill a large pot with enough water to submerge the pan. Add the pan and bring the water to a boil. Then, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda, reduce the heat, and let the pan cook for about 15 to 30 minutes. Brown residue should start to flake off. Remove the pan from the boiling solution and scrub away any lingering stains with a paste made by adding more baking soda and water.

Removing Water Spots

To remove water spots, simply dampen the surface of the pan, rub it with a moist sponge sprinkled with baking soda, and then rinse as usual.

Removing Discoloration

Mix baking soda with water to form a paste. Using a soft sponge, apply the paste to the pan and scrub in a circular motion. Wash the pan, rinse, and dry it thoroughly.

Using vinegar

Vinegar is an effective cleaning solution for stainless steel pans. It can be used to remove stuck-on food, burnt food or carbon buildup, unsightly discolouration, and white calcium buildup stains.

To remove stuck-on food, fill the bottom of your pot or pan with water, enough to cover the stuck-on food. Then, add one cup of vinegar and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, remove from the heat and add two tablespoons of baking soda. Briefly mix the solution and empty the pan. Use a non-abrasive sponge or scrubber to rid the pan of any remaining food particles.

For burnt food or carbon buildup, the process is similar. Fill the bottom of your pot or pan with water, add one cup of vinegar, and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, remove from the heat and add two tablespoons of baking soda. Briefly mix the solution, let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes, and then empty the pan. Use a non-abrasive sponge or scrubber to remove any remaining food particles.

To remove discolouration, simply wash your pan with vinegar and rinse with water.

For white calcium buildup stains, make a mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water and boil in the affected pot or pan. Allow the mixture to cool, empty the pan, and wash as normal.

Note that vinegar has a strong scent, so if you are sensitive to smells, you may want to opt for a different cleaning solution.

Cleaning without scratching

To clean stainless steel pans without scratching, it's important to use the right tools and techniques. Here are some detailed instructions to help you clean and maintain your stainless steel pans:

General Tips:

• Always let the pan cool down before cleaning. Stainless steel pans should never be immersed in cold water while hot, as the temperature shock can cause warping.
• Avoid using harsh cleaners like bleach, ammonia, or oven cleaner, as they can damage the surface.
• Stay away from abrasive tools like steel wool, wire scrubbers, or harsh sponges, as they can scratch the stainless steel.
• Always use a non-abrasive or "stainless steel-approved" scrubber.
• When scrubbing, follow the polish lines or "grain" of the stainless steel.
• Avoid exposure to chlorides, which are present in salt, hard water, and chlorinated cleaners, as they can make stainless steel vulnerable to rust and corrosion.
• Dry the pans immediately after washing to prevent water spots and ensure thorough drying before putting them away.
• To prevent food from sticking, bring refrigerated ingredients to room temperature before cooking, preheat the pan, and add oil only after the pan is hot.

Removing Stuck-On Food:

• For everyday cleanup, scrub the pan with hot soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge.
• For stuck-on food, fill the pan with soapy water, bring it to a boil, and use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape away the food. Then, allow the pan to cool and wash as usual.
• For tougher messes, use a commercial cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend or a natural alternative like baking soda. Sprinkle the cleaner onto the bottom of the pan, add water, and bring it to a boil. Simmer until the water evaporates, then scrub away the buildup with a non-abrasive sponge and wash with hot soapy water.
• For burnt-on food, remove as much food as possible with a non-abrasive scrubber, then fill the pan with water, add dish soap, and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for a few minutes, then remove from heat and let it cool. Scrape away the loosened food and repeat if necessary.
• For stuck-on food that results from adding cold food to a hot pan, fill the pan with hot soapy water and let it sit for a few hours before scrubbing with a non-abrasive sponge.

Removing Discoloration:

• For rainbow-colored discoloration caused by overheating, add vinegar to the pan and wipe it with a soft sponge. Rinse and dry the pan thoroughly.
• For white calcium buildup or cloudy residue from hard water, boil a mixture of one part vinegar and three parts water in the pan. Let it cool, then wash with soap and water.
• For general discoloration, dilute a small amount of vinegar with water and use a non-abrasive sponge to wipe away the stains.

Drying and preventing water spots

To prevent water spots on your stainless steel pans, it is recommended to dry them as soon as possible after washing. If you don't get to it soon enough and spots appear, simply dampen the surface of the pot or pan, rub it with a moist sponge that has been sprinkled with baking soda, and then rinse as usual.

To avoid water spots in the first place, be sure to dry your cookware immediately after washing. You can use a cloth towel or paper towels to avoid marks of water. Air-drying is also an option, but depending on your water, you might end up with some hard water stains.

If you're using a dishwasher, it's still a good idea to dry your pans straight after the cycle finishes. If you let them air-dry, you may end up with spots.

It's also important to note that you should always let your pan cool down before washing it. Submerging or soaking a hot stainless steel pan in cold water could cause irreparable warping.

Frequently asked questions