Stainless Steel Pans: Keeping Them Sparkly

Stainless steel pans are a common choice for commercial kitchens because they're durable and non-reactive with acidic foods. However, without proper cleaning and care, they can become pitted or rusted. To keep your stainless steel pans looking brand new, it's important to follow some simple guidelines. Here are some tips to keep your stainless steel pans shiny:

- Always hand dry your pans with a clean dish towel after washing. Leaving them to air dry can cause water spots.

- To prevent water spots, get to drying as soon as possible. If spots appear, dampen the surface, rub it with a moist sponge sprinkled with baking soda, and then rinse.

- Avoid using salt or salted water in your pans before boiling, as it can cause pitting corrosion, leaving tiny but irreparable pockmarks.

- Always heat your pan before adding oil, and then add food once the oil is hot.

- Allow cold food to come to room temperature before adding it to the pan, as cold food is more likely to stick.

- To prevent warping, allow the pan to cool completely before washing.

- Only use non-abrasive cleaners and sponges to avoid scratching the surface.

- For chalky white spots caused by calcium buildup, boil a solution of vinegar and water in the pan, let it cool, and then wash and dry as normal.

- For general buildup, fill the pan with hot soapy water and let it sit for a few hours before scrubbing with a non-abrasive sponge.

- For stuck-on food bits, scrub the pot with a non-abrasive sponge, fill the pot with enough soapy water to cover the food, bring to a boil, and scrape the food away.

- For discoloration, splash some diluted white vinegar into the pan, swirl it around, and wipe away the stains with a non-abrasive sponge.

- For burnt-on grease, remove it by boiling equal parts water and vinegar in the pan for several minutes, then use paper towels to remove any grease that floats to the top.

Use baking soda and vinegar to clean stainless steel pans

Vinegar and baking soda are effective ingredients for cleaning stainless steel pans and removing unsightly stains and discolouration. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use these common household items to clean your stainless steel pans:

Step 1: Prepare a vinegar solution

Combine one part vinegar and three parts water in your stainless steel pan. The amount of vinegar and water you use will depend on the size of your pan.

Step 2: Boil the vinegar solution

Place the pan on your stove and turn the heat on. Bring the vinegar and water solution to a boil. The acetic acid in the vinegar will help break down tough food particles and remove discolouration.

Step 3: Cool the solution

Once the solution has boiled, turn off the heat and let the pan cool down completely.

Step 4: Rinse and wipe the pan

Pour the vinegar solution down the sink and rinse your pan with warm water. Use a soft sponge or cloth to wipe the pan, removing any remaining vinegar residue.

Step 5: Sprinkle with baking soda

After rinsing, sprinkle some baking soda onto the surface of the pan. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that will help to remove any remaining stains or discolouration. You can also make a baking soda paste by mixing it with a small amount of water.

Step 6: Scrub the pan

Use a non-abrasive sponge or scrubber to gently scrub the pan. Be sure to scrub in the direction of the polish lines (also known as grain lines) to avoid scratching the surface. If you're using a baking soda paste, apply it to the affected areas and scrub until the stains are removed.

Step 7: Rinse and dry the pan

Once you've finished scrubbing, rinse the pan with warm water to remove any remaining vinegar, baking soda, or food particles. Dry the pan thoroughly with a lint-free dish towel or microfiber cloth.

By following these steps, you can effectively clean and shine your stainless steel pans using vinegar and baking soda. Remember to always dry your pans immediately after washing to prevent water spots and discolouration.

Avoid scratches, scrapes and deposits of chlorides from cleaners, hard water or salt

To keep your stainless steel pans in good condition, it's important to avoid scratches, scrapes and deposits of chlorides from cleaners, hard water or salt. Here are some tips to help you achieve this:

• Use the Right Tools: Always opt for a non-abrasive or "stainless steel-approved" scrubber. Stay away from mechanically abrasive scrubbers like steel wool or wire scrubbers. Stainless steel becomes vulnerable to corrosion when scratched.
• Scrub with the Grain: Stainless steel has polish lines that resemble grain lines. Make sure to always scrub in the same direction as these lines.
• Avoid Chlorides: Over time, exposure to chlorides can cause pitting, making the surface susceptible to rust and corrosion. Chlorides are present in salt, hard water and chlorinated cleaning products.
• Avoid Salt Water: Do not add salt to water before it has come to a boil, as this can cause "pitting corrosion", which leaves tiny but irreparable pockmarks in the bottom of the pot.
• Avoid Abrasive Cleaners: Do not use coarse scrubbers or harsh cleaning solutions like bleach or household cleaners, as these can scratch your stainless steel pans and damage their finish.
• Avoid Steel Wool: Although baking soda and fine steel wool can be useful for cleaning burnt pans, they may void your warranty. They can also make your pans more susceptible to corrosion.
• Use Baking Soda: To remove tough stains, create a paste by mixing baking soda with water. Apply this paste to the affected areas and leave it on for several hours before washing and drying as normal.
• Use Vinegar: Fill your pan with a mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water and bring it to a boil. Allow the mixture to cool, then empty the pan and wash as normal. This will remove any white calcium build-up stains.
• Use Commercial Cleaners: For burnt-on food or scorch marks, try a gentle commercial cleaner like Barkeeper's Friend. Sprinkle the powder onto the bottom of the pan to form a paste, then scrub it into the burnt areas with a non-abrasive scrubber or soft cloth. Rinse the pan and repeat if necessary.
• Avoid Oven Cleaners: Do not use oven cleaners on your pans, as these can be abrasive.
• Avoid Chlorine-Based Cleaners: Stay away from chlorine-based cleaners like Comet and Ajax, as chlorine is corrosive to stainless steel.
• Avoid Bleach: Do not use chlorine bleach on your pans.
• Avoid Abrasive Sponges: Do not use abrasive sponges or scrubbers, as these can strip away the protective layer on your pans and make them vulnerable to corrosion and rust. Instead, use a plastic scrubber.
• Add Salt After Boiling: When adding salt to water, always bring the water to a rolling boil first, then stir well. This will prevent pitting.

Remove burn marks with baking soda

To remove burn marks with baking soda, start by making sure your pan is completely dry. Flip the pan over and sprinkle baking soda evenly over the bottom of the pan. Use a dry cloth to rub the baking soda into the burn marks. You can also add a small amount of water to the baking soda to make a paste. Once you're satisfied, rinse off any excess baking soda and dry the pan.

If you have gentle dish soap on hand, simply make a paste using dish soap and baking soda. Apply the paste to any affected areas and leave it on for several hours. When you're ready, simply wash the pan thoroughly and dry it as normal.

Another option is to use a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice. First, wet the surface of your pan with water and sprinkle the pan liberally with baking soda. Cut a lemon in half and use it to scour the stains. You may see some fizzing, which is fine—it's just citric acid creating sodium dioxide and sodium citrate when it combines with the base.

If you're looking to remove stubborn burn marks, you can pair baking soda with vinegar. Bring about half an inch of vinegar in the pan to a boil and then simmer for about five minutes. Move the pan off the heat and add one cup of baking soda. This will create a bubbling effect. You can then dump the mixture and scrub the pan to get rid of the marks.

Use a commercial cleaner like Barkeeper's Friend

If you're looking for a commercial cleaner to restore your stainless steel pans to their former glory, Bar Keepers Friend is a great option. This gentle yet effective cleaner is designed to clean stainless steel without scratching or damaging the surface. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving shiny stainless steel pans using Bar Keepers Friend:

Step 1: Moisten the Pan

Start by wetting the pan, making sure to saturate any burnt-on food or stubborn stains. This step is important as it helps to loosen and soften the residue, making it easier to remove.

Step 2: Apply the Cleaner

Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend onto the bottom of the wet pan. You want to create a paste-like consistency, so adjust the amount of water and cleaner as needed. The paste will allow for more concentrated cleaning power and help lift those stubborn stains.

Step 3: Scrub the Pan

Now it's time to grab a non-abrasive scrubber or a soft cloth. Gently scrub the paste into the burnt-on food or scorch marks, using circular motions. This step may require some elbow grease, especially for tougher stains. Work the cleaner into the surface of the pan, ensuring you cover all the affected areas.

Step 4: Rinse and Repeat

Once you've scrubbed the pan, it's time to rinse it with clean water. Observe the results and repeat the process if necessary. If the burn marks are still present, don't be afraid to give your pan some extra attention. Simply reapply the cleaner and scrub again until the stains are gone.

Tips for Using Bar Keepers Friend:

• Bar Keepers Friend is designed to be gentle on stainless steel, but it's always a good idea to test it on a small area first, especially if your pan has a non-stick coating.
• While Bar Keepers Friend is effective at removing tough stains, it's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for use. They recommend wiping the product off after a minute to avoid discolouration.
• Always wear cleaning gloves when using Bar Keepers Friend or any other commercial cleaner to protect your hands.
• For extra shine, you can polish your pans with a stainless steel polish and a clean, soft cloth after cleaning.

By following these steps and using Bar Keepers Friend, you can effectively remove burnt-on food, scorch marks, and tough stains from your stainless steel pans, leaving them shiny and like new!

Prevent water spots by always drying pans immediately after washing

Water spots are a common issue with stainless steel pans, but there are ways to prevent them from forming. The key to preventing water spots is to dry your pans as soon as possible after washing them. Leaving stainless steel pans to air dry will result in water spots, so it's best to use a clean dish towel to hand dry them.

If water spots do appear, there are a few methods to remove them. One way is to dampen the surface of the pan, rub it with a moist sponge sprinkled with baking soda, and then rinse as usual. Another method is to mix a tablespoon or two of baking soda with warm water, dip a soft cloth into the mixture, and wipe the inside and outside of the pan. For stubborn spots, a damp, clean toothbrush or vegetable brush can be dipped into baking soda and used to scrub the affected area. Rinse and dry the pan afterward.

To prevent water spots from forming in the first place, it's important to rinse and wipe down your pans after each use, even if they don't appear very dirty. This will help to remove any food debris, grease, or water spots and keep your pans looking their best. It's also recommended to stick to a routine and clean your stainless steel pans after each use to avoid buildup.

Frequently asked questions