Restore Metal Pans: Clean And Shine

Metal pans are a staple in any kitchen, but they can be a pain to clean. Burnt-on messes, water spots, and discolouration are common issues, but with a few household ingredients and some elbow grease, your pans will be shining like new. Here are some tips and tricks to tackle the most common problems.

Use a spatula or paper towel to remove excess oil

Using a spatula or paper towel to remove excess oil is the first step in cleaning and shining metal pans. This is important because it prevents the oil from burning onto the pan and creating a more difficult mess to clean later. It is also a safety precaution, as oil left in the pan can become rancid and create harmful fumes if heated again.

To use a spatula to remove excess oil, simply tilt the pan to one side and use the spatula to gently scrape the oil into a container for disposal. If there is only a small amount of oil, you can also use a paper towel to carefully soak it up and then throw the paper towel away. This method is more effective when the oil is still hot as it will be in a liquid state and easier to pour out. Make sure to protect your hands with oven mitts or a towel if the pan is still hot.

If you are using a non-stick pan, be extra gentle with the spatula to avoid scratching the coating. You can also use a paper towel to absorb the excess oil before wiping the pan clean with a soft cloth or sponge. This method is safer for non-stick pans as it reduces the risk of scratching the coating.

After removing the excess oil, the next step is to deglaze the pan by adding some hot water. Cleaning a hot pan is easier, and adding hot water will not damage it. However, always let the pan cool down before fully submerging it in cool water to avoid thermal shock, which can cause warping.

Once the pan has cooled, use a long-handled dish brush or a soft sponge to loosen any remaining bits of stuck-on food. Then, proceed to scrub the pan with a mild dish soap and warm water. Rinse the pan thoroughly and dry it off completely with a clean towel before putting it away.

Loosen stuck-on food with a dish brush

A long-handled dish brush is an excellent tool for loosening any bits of stuck-on food. After scraping out excess oil with a spatula or wiping it out with a paper towel, deglaze the pan by adding some hot water. Cleaning a hot pan is easier, and adding hot water won't damage it. However, always let the pan cool down before fully submerging it in cool water to avoid thermal shock, which can cause warping.

Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape away all the burnt bits of food and sauce. The heat and steam should have loosened them for easier removal. Turn off the heat, remove the pan from the burner, and let it cool down. Add a squirt of dish soap to the pan, and use a long-handled brush to remove any remaining food bits and break down the oil.

Move your stainless steel pan to the sink. At this point, most of the grime should simply rinse away. Using a soft sponge and warm, soapy water, wash the entire pan, scrubbing in a circular motion. Rinse the pan thoroughly to remove all soap and dry it off completely with a microfiber towel before putting it away.

Wash with a scouring pad or sponge, dish soap, and hot water

To clean and shine your metal pans, you can use a scouring pad or sponge, dish soap, and hot water. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide:

Firstly, fill your sink with hot water and add a generous amount of dish soap—enough to create a soapy solution. You can also do this directly in the pan if it is too big for your sink. Ensure you use a non-abrasive sponge or scouring pad to avoid scratching the surface of your pans. A soft sponge, such as a Dobie pad, will leave fewer scratches but will require more effort.

Next, submerge the pan in the hot, soapy water and let it soak for a while. The duration of the soak will depend on how dirty your pan is. If you are cleaning a pan with burnt or stuck-on food, it is recommended to soak it for a few hours. For pans with lighter stains, a few minutes should suffice.

After the soak, use your sponge or scouring pad to scrub the inside and outside of the pan. Apply some elbow grease and use a continuous circular motion when scrubbing. Remember to always scrub in the direction of the grain of the stainless steel to avoid scratches.

Once you are done scrubbing, rinse the pan thoroughly with clean water to remove all the soap. Finally, dry the pan off completely with a microfiber towel or a clean, absorbent towel before putting it away.

By following these steps, you can effectively clean and shine your metal pans using a scouring pad or sponge, dish soap, and hot water.

Dry pans with a towel before putting them away

Drying pans with a towel before putting them away is an important step in the pan cleaning process. This is because water spots can form on stainless steel pans if they are not dried properly. Water spots can be removed by dampening the surface of the pan, rubbing it with a moist sponge that has been sprinkled with baking soda, and then rinsing as usual. However, it is best to dry pans with a towel immediately after washing them to prevent water spots from forming in the first place.

When drying pans with a towel, it is important to use a clean, absorbent towel to ensure that the pan is thoroughly dried. It is also important to avoid using abrasive towels or cloths that could scratch the surface of the pan. Stainless steel pans should also be dried in the direction of the grain of the stainless steel to preserve the finish.

Remove tough stains with baking soda or Bar Keepers Friend

To remove tough stains from metal pans, you can use baking soda or Bar Keepers Friend. Both are effective cleaning agents, but Bar Keepers Friend is more powerful and better suited to tackling the most stubborn stains.

If you opt for baking soda, create a paste by mixing it with water. The paste should have a similar consistency to toothpaste. Use a sponge to cover the stain with the paste and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, rinse the solution off and clean any remaining residue with a sponge. You may need to repeat this process for best results.

Bar Keepers Friend is a commercial cleaner that contains oxalic acid, which is great for removing rust. To use it, first, wet the pan, making sure the burnt food is saturated. Sprinkle the cleaner onto the bottom of the pan to form a paste. Scrub the paste into the scorched food with a non-abrasive scrubber or soft cloth. Rinse the pan with clean water and repeat the process if necessary.

Both baking soda and Bar Keepers Friend are effective at removing tough stains from metal pans. However, for the most stubborn stains, Bar Keepers Friend is the better option.

Frequently asked questions