Scrubbing Stainless Steel: Removing Stubborn Grease Easily

Cleaning baked-on grease from a stainless steel pan can be a challenging task. The good news is that there are several methods to tackle this problem, and most of them use common household items. One popular method is to use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, which acts as an abrasive agent to break up the grease bonds. Another option is to boil water and dish soap in the pan, which softens the grease and makes it easier to scrub. For lighter stains, baking soda or vinegar alone can be effective. More intense stains may require a commercial cleaner such as Bar Keepers Friend, which contains oxalic acid, a compound that breaks the bonds of stains at the molecular level. With some time, patience, and a bit of elbow grease, your stainless steel pan can be restored to its former shiny glory!

How to Clean Baked-On Grease from a Stainless Steel Pan

Boil water and dish soap

To clean baked-on grease from a stainless steel pan using water and dish soap, follow these steps:

First, fill the sink with hot water and add a few drops of dish soap. Mix it until suds form. Next, place the greasy pan in the sink, ensuring it is fully submerged in the soapy water. Allow the pan to soak for at least 20 minutes, but you can leave it overnight for more stubborn grease. The hot water and dish soap will help loosen the grease.

After soaking, use hot water and a sponge with a scrub pad to remove the remaining grease. If baked-on grease persists, create a solution of one part white vinegar and two parts warm water and spray it onto the pan. The vinegar's acidity will help break down the grease bonds.

Repeat the above steps as needed until the majority of the grease is gone.

For an even more intensive cleaning method, you can try the following:

Fill the greasy pan with enough water to cover the residue and place it on a stove. Turn on the heat and bring the water to a boil. Add a few spoonfuls of dish soap to the boiling water and continue boiling until the water has mostly evaporated. Turn off the heat and let the pan cool until it is safe to handle. Finally, scrub away any remaining grease and wash the pan with hot, soapy water.

Use baking soda

Baking soda is a simple, inexpensive way to clean burnt stainless-steel pans. It is a versatile cleaner that can be used on tough stains and lighter stains.

To use baking soda to clean baked-on grease from a stainless-steel pan, start by sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda across the surface of the pan, focusing on the areas coated with baked-on grease. Then, add enough hot water to create a paste. Allow the paste to sit for about 20 minutes. The alkaline properties in the baking soda will begin to break up the grease bonds.

Next, dip a sturdy soft cloth in clean hot water and begin rubbing the grease stains in a circular motion across the surface of the pan. Repeat this process until the grease stains have come off. If the stains are particularly tough, you can let the paste sit for longer (even overnight) and try again.

Once the grease stains have been removed, clean the stainless-steel pan with soap and hot water, and then give it a final rinse or spray with vinegar solution before drying and putting it away.

For bigger, tougher stains that climb up the sides of a saucepan or skillet, you can try the following method: add a small mound of baking soda to the centre of the pan and cover it with about 1/4 cup of water (adjust the amount of water if you're using a bigger pan). Bring this mixture to a boil and let it simmer until most of the water has evaporated. As the water boils and evaporates, it will leave a film of baking soda around the walls of the pan that you can then scrub off. When most of the water has boiled off, turn off the heat and let the pan cool down. Then, use a long-handled brush or scouring pad to scrub off the mess. It is best to do this while the pan is still hot, so using gloves and gripping the pan with a towel or oven mitt may be helpful.

Alternatively, for pans with years of built-up grime, you can try submerging them in a pot of boiling water and baking soda. Choose a vessel that will 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 hearty amount of baking soda (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup) and then carefully place your pan in the water. Reduce the water to a gentle boil and let the pan cook for about 15 to 30 minutes, flipping or rotating it if necessary, so that all sides are boiled. You should start to see brown residue flaking off. Using tongs and silicone oven mitts, remove the pans carefully. Then, to create an abrasive slurry to help break down the rest of the stains, add more baking soda and water to the pan and scrub quickly while the pan is still hot.

Always remember to dry your cookware immediately after washing to prevent water spots.

Try Bar Keepers Friend

Bar Keepers Friend is a highly effective and popular cleanser for removing baked-on grease from stainless steel pans. It is an old-fashioned cleanser that can be purchased for a low price at most American supermarkets. The active ingredient in Bar Keepers Friend is oxalic acid, which works at the molecular level to break the bonds of stains.

To use Bar Keepers Friend to clean your stainless steel pan, first, turn the pan upside down in your kitchen sink and spray it with plain water. Then, sprinkle the cleanser over the bottom and sides of the pan. For better coverage, you can mix the cleanser with water to form a not-too-thick solution and pour it over the pan, letting it run over the sides. Let the solution sit for about 5 minutes.

Next, use a non-scratch sponge or soft cloth to gently scrub the pan in a circular motion. You may need to repeat this process a few times, allowing the pan to rest for a few minutes between scrubbings. Finally, rinse the pan with soap and hot water and give it a final spray of vinegar solution before drying and putting it away.

Bar Keepers Friend is a versatile cleaner that can be used on various surfaces beyond stainless steel pans, including copper pans, sinks, tiles, porcelain, and natural stone. It is a trusted brand that has been used by homeowners, professionals, and businesses for over a hundred years.

Vinegar and water solution

Vinegar and water are a great combination to clean baked-on grease from your stainless steel pans. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Vinegar and Water Solution

Mix equal parts white vinegar and hot water in a spray bottle. The hot water will help the vinegar penetrate the oily stains, softening them for easier removal.

Step 2: Spray the Vinegar Solution

Spray the vinegar solution onto the grease stains. Make sure to completely cover the surface, focusing on heavily stained areas. Soak the grease stains with the vinegar solution.

Step 3: Let it Sit

Let the vinegar solution sit on the stains for a while. This will help to soften and lift out the grease, oils, and burnt food residue. You can leave it for 15 to 30 minutes, refreshing the solution if it dries up.

Step 4: Scrub the Grease Stains

Use a sponge, nylon scrub brush, or even steel wool to scrub away the stains. They should come off easily at this point. If the stains persist, reapply the vinegar and water solution and let it sit for a longer period.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry

Rinse the pan with a soft cloth dampened with water to remove any remaining residue. Then, dry the pan thoroughly with a towel.

Optional: Season the Pan

You can choose to season the pan with a neutral-tasting oil to seal the surface and prevent food from sticking and burning in the future.

This method is an effective, inexpensive, and food-safe way to clean your stainless steel pans without the need for harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaners.

Lemon and salt

Step 1: Slice a Lemon in Half

Slice a lemon in half. You will only need one half of the lemon to clean your stainless steel items, so you can store the other half in the fridge for later use. Lemons contain high amounts of citric acid, which dissolves soap scum and hard water spots, and also breaks down grease and oil stains.

Step 2: Dip the Lemon in Salt

Dip the lemon in a mixture of fine and rock salt. Using purely fine salt is inadequate as it cannot provide enough abrasive action, while rock salt may not be able to reach into small dents and scratches. Using a combination of the two gives you a powerful scrubber that can be used on any surface!

Step 3: Use the Lemon as a Scrubber

Use the lemon as a scrubber, and squeeze a bit of juice over the stain. As the juice works to dissolve the stains, the salt will scrub them out. Apply firm, circular motions, or follow the grain of the stainless steel surface to avoid leaving streaks.

Wipe the solution away with a damp cloth (dampened with warm water), then dry the surface with a soft cloth. Apply an oil sealant to protect the stainless steel item from moisture and dust.

Frequently asked questions