Ella Walter
Stainless steel is a durable and attractive material for cookware, but it can be challenging to clean and maintain. To clean a tarnished stainless steel pan, it is essential to act quickly and choose the right cleaning products and methods to remove stains and restore the pan's shine. Here are some steps to clean and maintain your stainless steel pans:
- Soak the pan: Fill the pan with warm water and a mild dishwashing soap and let it soak for a few hours. This will help loosen any crusted or burnt food residue.
- Use baking soda: Sprinkle baking soda generously onto the stained areas of the pan. You can also make a baking soda paste by mixing it with a small amount of water. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then scrub with a soft sponge or cloth. Baking soda is mildly abrasive and effective in removing stains without scratching the surface.
- Boil water and vinegar: For tougher stains, fill the pan with water and a generous amount of white vinegar and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for about 20 minutes, then dump the mixture and scrub the pan clean.
- Use specialised cleaners: Products like Bar Keepers Friend, which contains oxalic acid, are designed to clean and restore stainless steel. Make a paste with water and gently scrub the pan with a non-scratch sponge.
- Dry and polish: After cleaning, dry your pan immediately with a soft cloth to prevent water spots. You can also use a specialised stainless steel polish to restore its shine and protect the surface.
Remember to always hand-wash your stainless steel pans and avoid using steel wool or abrasive scrubbers, as they can scratch the surface. With regular cleaning and maintenance, your stainless steel pans will stay in good condition for years to come.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soaking time | Overnight |
| Soaking solution | Water, Vinegar, and Baking soda |
| Cleaning solution | Water, Vinegar, Baking soda, Dish soap, Club soda, Olive oil, Lemon oil, Baby oil, Barkeeper's Friend, Bon Ami, Zud, Cream of tartar, Tomato juice, Enzyme washing powder, Astonish paste, Bleach, Ajax scouring powder, Glass cleaner |
| Tools | Sponge, Scouring pad, Paper towel, Soft cloth, Microfiber cloth, Steel wool, Coarse steel wool, Wooden spoon, Plastic spatula, Scourer, Soft sponge, Stiff brush, Toothbrush, Scouring powder, Power buffer-polisher |
What You'll Learn
Soak the pan in warm, soapy water
To clean a tarnished stainless steel pan, you can start by filling the pan with warm, soapy water and letting it soak for several hours or even overnight. This will help to loosen any crusted or burnt-on food, making it easier to scrub away. After soaking, use a sponge or scouring pad to scrub the pan and remove any remaining food particles. If there are still stubborn stains or burn marks, you can try using a mild abrasive cleaner or a paste made from baking soda and water. Rinse the pan thoroughly with clean water and dry it with a soft cloth or towel.
It is important to note that you should not use steel wool pads or copper-based scrubbers as they can scratch the surface of your stainless steel pan. Instead, opt for a plastic or wooden spatula to remove stuck-on food, and a soft sponge or cloth for drying. Additionally, always wash stainless steel pans by hand instead of using a dishwasher, as this can damage the finish and reduce the lifespan of your pan.
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Use baking soda to clean burn marks
To clean burn marks from a stainless steel pan, you can use baking soda. First, ensure the pan is completely dry. Then, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the surface of the pan. You can also add a little water to the baking soda to create a paste. Use a dry cloth or sponge to rub the baking soda into the burn marks. Leave the baking soda on the pan for several hours or overnight. Then, use a cleaning brush to scrub the pan. Rinse the pan and check if the burn marks have been removed. If not, repeat the process.
You can also use a combination of vinegar and baking soda to clean burn marks from a stainless steel pan. First, remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, add enough vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan 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 1 cup of baking soda. This will create a fizzing reaction. Once the fizzing stops, dump the mixture and scrub the pan.
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Remove water spots with club soda
Water spots are caused by minerals in the water, not the water itself. These will occur more frequently if you live in an area with mineral-rich water, but water spots can also result from added compounds like fluoride. If you air-dry your pans, water spots are likely to occur.
To remove water spots with club soda, swish some around in the pan, then rinse and wipe dry with a clean cloth. Alternatively, you can rinse the pans with club soda as soon as you take them out of the dishwasher and dry them with a soft cloth.
If you don't have club soda, you can try one of the following methods to remove water spots:
- Soak the pan in vinegar, then clean as usual with a mild detergent and soft cloth.
- Boil a mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water in the pan, then clean with soap and water.
- Sprinkle the pan with baking soda, then wipe with a damp sponge.
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Boil water and add salt to clean stubborn stains
To clean stubborn stains from a stainless steel pan, you can try boiling water with salt. This method is particularly effective for removing burn marks.
First, fill the pan with enough water to cover the damaged area. Place the pan on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Once the water is boiling, add a few spoonfuls of salt. Then, turn off the heat and let the pan sit for several hours. Finally, dump out the water and try scrubbing away the stain with a scouring pad. If the stain is still there, you can repeat this process.
It's important to note that you should only add the salt after the water has reached a boil. Adding salt to cold water can pit the metal. You can also try using lemon juice, white vinegar, or tomato juice instead of salt.
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Polish with a cookware polish
If you want your stainless steel cookware to shine, you can polish it with a stainless steel polish. Apply some polish to a clean cloth and buff it into the cookware. You can also use a glass cleaner and paper towel or a soft cloth to remove fingerprints from the outside of stainless steel pots.
It is sometimes possible to buff out small scratches on the exterior of the pots using a paste of water and a non-abrasive cleanser or baking soda. However, it is important to note that some polishes contain oils, which could affect the flavour of your food. Therefore, it is recommended to only use polishes that are safe for food contact on the inside of your cookware.
If you are looking for a more intensive clean, you can try using a scouring powder containing oxalic acid, such as Barkeepers Friend, Bon Ami, or Zud. These products, along with steel wool, can help restore stainless cookware that has burned or otherwise discoloured.
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