Cleaning Sticky Stainless Pans: Tips For A Sparkling Finish

Cleaning stainless steel pans is a simple task that can be done with common household ingredients. To remove stuck-on food, fill the pan with soapy water, bring it to a boil, and scrape with a spatula. For tougher stains, a paste made from baking soda and water can be applied and scrubbed off. To remove discoloration, a diluted vinegar solution can be applied to the surface of the pan and scrubbed with a non-abrasive sponge. It is important to avoid using abrasive tools and harsh cleaners as these can damage the surface of the pan.

Use vinegar to remove blue-ish rainbow stains

To remove blue-ish rainbow stains from your stainless steel pans, vinegar is a great, inexpensive option.

First, dilute some vinegar in water—the exact measurements aren't important, but a ratio of around 1:3 vinegar to water should work well. Next, pour the diluted vinegar into your pan, ensuring that you've added enough to cover the discoloured areas. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes. Then, remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool. Finally, scrub away any remaining residue with a non-abrasive sponge or scrubber, rinse the pan with clean water, and dry it with a towel.

If the blue-ish stains persist, you can repeat the process, or try a commercial cleaner designed for use on stainless steel, such as Bar Keepers Friend.

Use baking soda to clean burnt food

Burnt food on stainless steel pans can be a real headache, but baking soda is a versatile and effective solution. Here's how to use it to clean your pans and remove those stubborn burnt bits:

The Baking Soda and Water Method:

• Start by removing as much burnt food and debris from the pan as you can. Use a spatula or paper towel to get rid of any excess.
• Create a paste by mixing baking soda with water. The ratio should be 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Adjust the amount as needed to cover the burnt areas of the pan.
• Apply the paste liberally to the burnt areas of the pan. It should be thick enough to fully coat the surface.
• Let the paste sit for a few hours or even overnight. The longer you leave it, the more effective it will be at loosening that stubborn burnt food.
• After letting the paste work its magic, scrub the pan with a non-abrasive sponge or scouring pad. Be gentle to avoid scratching the pan's surface.
• Wash the pan with warm, soapy water to remove any remaining paste and burnt residue.
• Finally, dry the pan thoroughly with a clean towel or cloth.

The Deglazing Technique:

• As with the previous method, start by removing as much burnt food and debris as possible from the pan.
• Put the pan back on the stove and turn on the heat.
• Add water or a mixture of water and white vinegar to the pan and bring it to a boil. The amount of liquid will depend on the size of your pan.
• As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the pan, loosening the burnt food from the surface.
• Pour out the liquid and sprinkle the bottom of the pan generously with baking soda.
• Let the pan cool down, then scrub it vigorously with a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush.
• Wash and dry the pan as you normally would.

The Baking Soda and Vinegar Method:

• Start by removing as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Fill the pan with enough white vinegar to cover the bottom with at least 1/2 inch of liquid.
• Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes.
• Remove the pan from the heat and add baking soda. You'll see a fizzing reaction as the vinegar and baking soda interact.
• Set the pan aside and wait for the fizzing to stop. This may take a few minutes.
• Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge. Add more baking soda if needed to remove stubborn burnt food.
• Rinse the pan clean and dry it thoroughly.

The Baking Soda and Lemon Method:

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Keep a thin layer of water in the pan and sprinkle baking soda liberally over the bottom.
• Cut a lemon in half and use the fleshy side to scour the pan, combining the lemon juice with the baking soda. This combination may create a slight fizzing reaction, which is normal and effective for cleaning.
• If your pan has a copper bottom that is tarnished or blackened, turn the pan upside down and use the lemon and baking soda to remove stains and restore shine.
• Rinse and scrub the pan as needed to remove any remaining burnt food or stains.
• Wash and dry the pan as usual.

Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can effectively remove burnt food without damaging your stainless steel pans. It also has an alkaline pH, which helps neutralize the acidity of burnt foods. By combining it with other household ingredients like vinegar, lemon, or water, you can create powerful yet gentle cleaning solutions that will leave your pans looking like new.

Use lemon to clean the inside of the pan

Lemon is a great natural ingredient to use when cleaning the inside of a stainless steel pan. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1:

First, squeeze half of a lemon into your dirty stainless steel pan. Don't worry about the seeds, and add the lemon rind to the pan as well.

Step 2:

Next, pour in some baking soda and white vinegar. The exact amount isn't specified, but you can adjust based on the size of your pan and the severity of the stains.

Step 3:

Place your pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Bring the mixture to a boil. The boiling concoction will help to melt away any stubborn stains and residue.

Step 4:

Stir the mixture for about one minute. Yes, that's it! Just one minute of stirring is all it takes.

Step 5:

Rinse the pan under running water. As you do this, you'll see the magic happen as the stains disappear in a matter of seconds.

Additional Tips:

If you want to give your pan an extra deep clean, you can also add a few tablespoons of white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar to the boiling water. Additionally, if you're looking to remove those pesky blue-ish rainbow stains that sometimes appear on stainless steel pans, simply apply some white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar directly to the affected area, dilute it with water, and rub it into the pan with a sponge or soft cloth.

So, the next time your stainless steel pan needs some extra love and care, reach for that lemon in your kitchen and give it a refreshing clean!

Use Bar Keepers Friend to clean tough stains

To clean tough stains from a stainless steel pan with Bar Keepers Friend, start by wetting the surface of the pan. Then, sprinkle some Bar Keepers Friend onto the bottom of the pan to form a paste. Use a soft cloth or sponge to scrub the paste into the scorched food in a circular motion, starting from the centre and working your way outwards. Finally, rinse the pan with clean water and repeat the process if necessary.

Bar Keepers Friend is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product that can be used to remove rust, tarnish, mineral deposits, and tough stains from most surfaces. It is particularly effective at removing tough stains from stainless steel pans, although it can be used on other surfaces too.

When using Bar Keepers Friend, it is important to wear gloves to protect your skin as the product is abrasive. Additionally, Bar Keepers Friend should not be left on the surface of the pan for longer than a minute, although you can scrub for longer than this.

Use a non-abrasive sponge to scrub the pan

To clean a sticky stainless pan, you'll need to use a non-abrasive sponge to scrub the pan. This is important because stainless steel is vulnerable to scratches, which can lead to corrosion. Here's a step-by-step guide:

First, fill your sink with hot, soapy water. You can use regular dish soap for this. Submerge the pan and let it soak for a few minutes to loosen any stuck-on food or grease. If your pan is particularly greasy, you can add a few drops of dish detergent to the pan before filling it with water.

Next, grab your non-abrasive sponge. These sponges are designed to be tough on dirt but gentle on surfaces. They are usually made from soft materials like cellulose, polyester, or a combination of both. Some sponges have a scouring pad on one side, but you should avoid using that side on your stainless steel pan, as it could scratch the surface.

Gently scrub the pan with the sponge, paying extra attention to any stuck-on food or grease. You can use a circular motion to ensure you cover all areas of the pan. Rinse the sponge and pan frequently during this process to remove any loosened debris.

If you're dealing with stubborn stains or burnt-on food, you might need to use a stronger cleaning agent like baking soda or a commercial cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend. Sprinkle the cleaner over the affected areas of the pan and scrub gently with your sponge. Rinse the pan with warm water to remove any residue.

Finally, dry the pan immediately with a clean towel. This will help prevent water spots and keep your stainless steel pan looking its best.

Frequently asked questions