Tillie Doyle
Brown stains on pans are usually caused by burnt-on oil and grease. While these stains don't affect the pan's performance, they can be unsightly. To remove them, you can try a variety of methods, including using baking soda, vinegar, aluminium foil, dishwasher tablets, dryer sheets, lemons, or specialised cleaning products.
Baking soda and vinegar
To clean your pans using this method, start by filling your sink with hot water. Add in equal parts of vinegar and baking soda—about half a cup each. The mixture will start to bubble and fizz due to the chemical reaction between the two. Carefully place your stained pan in the sink and let it soak for 30 to 60 minutes.
After soaking, use a scouring pad, the rough side of a scrubby sponge, or steel wool to scrub off the grime. Be aware that steel wool may leave scratches on your pan. If you prefer a less abrasive method, use circular motions when scrubbing to make any marks less noticeable.
Once you've removed the residue, wash the pan with dish soap and warm water, then dry it thoroughly.
This cleaning method is not only effective for pans but also helps clean your sink drain.
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Bar Keeper's Friend
Bar Keepers Friend is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product that can be used to clean brown stains from pans. It can be used on stainless steel items and is ideal for removing tough stains, grease and oil from most surfaces.
To use Bar Keepers Friend, first dampen the surface of your pan with water. Then, make a paste using Bar Keepers Friend and water. Apply the paste to the pan using a soft cloth or sponge and let it sit for one minute. Do not leave the paste on the surface for longer than this. Next, rub the paste in a circular motion from the centre of the pan outwards. Finally, wash the pan in hot soapy water, rinse and repeat as needed.
When using Bar Keepers Friend, always wear gloves to protect your skin as the product is abrasive. It should not be used on non-stick surfaces as it can scratch the coating. It should also not be mixed with other cleaning products, especially bleach or ammonia, as this can create toxic fumes.
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Lemon boil
Preparing the Pan and Lemons
Before you begin, ensure you have two or three fresh lemons. Rinse your dirty pan with hot water and drain any excess liquid. Next, cut the lemons into quarters.
Boiling the Lemons
Place the quartered lemons into the pan and add enough water to just barely cover the lemons. Turn on the stove and heat the pan on medium-high heat. Bring the lemon-water mixture to a boil. You'll want to maintain this rolling boil for around 5 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on the pan during this process.
Removing the Stains
You'll know the pan is ready when you start to see food particles and stains floating to the surface of the water. At this point, turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stove. Carefully discard the lemons and drain the water. You may want to use a strainer to catch the lemons and any large food particles.
Final Scrub and Rinse
Rinse the pan with hot, clean water. Use a scouring pad or brush to loosen and remove any remaining burnt-on bits. If needed, you can also apply some gentle dish soap to aid in this final scrub.
Drying and Polishing
Once your pan is free of stains and burnt-on food, dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth or paper towel. You can also let the pan air dry. Finally, to add some extra shine to your stainless steel cookware, rub the bottom and sides with a cloth dipped in undiluted white vinegar. Rinse and let the pan air dry.
Your pan should now be looking as good as new! This lemon boil method is a great, natural way to remove tough stains and burnt-on food from your pans without the use of harsh chemicals.
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Dishwasher tablet
Firstly, cover the bottom of the pan with a small amount of water and warm it up on low heat. Then, remove the pan from the heat source. Carefully rub the dishwasher tablet over the burnt areas of the pan. Wear gloves during this step for protection. The tablet will act as a scouring pad, breaking down the burnt-on food. You may need to heat the water a little more to facilitate this process.
The water will turn dark brown as the food residue is removed, and the tablet will also change colour. Once the tablet has completely dissolved, leave the powder residue on the pan for about 10 minutes. Finally, wash the pan with hot, soapy water as normal.
This method is a quick and easy way to remove burnt-on food from pans, and it is also very affordable. The cost of a dishwasher tablet is usually under 50 cents.
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Steel wool
If you are set on using steel wool, it is important to note that it may leave small scratch marks on your pans. It is also important to consider the type of pan you are using. Steel wool can be used on aluminized steel pans, but it is not recommended for use on non-stick pans as it will scratch the coating.
When using steel wool, always exercise caution as it can damage the finish on your pans. Test it on a small area first if you are unsure.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several methods to clean brown stains from pans. One of the simplest methods is to scrub the stains with crumpled-up aluminium foil. If that doesn't work, you can try making a paste from baking soda and water. Cover the stains with the paste, wait a few minutes, and then wipe it off with a heavy-duty steel scrubbing pad. You can also try rubbing the stains with a cloth dipped in undiluted white vinegar.
You can use nontoxic cleaning powder, such as Bon Ami, combined with steel scrubbing pads to get rid of almost any stain. You can also use Bar Keeper's Friend, a popular powdered cleanser, with a 3M pad or the rough side of a dish sponge to remove brown stains.
To avoid getting brown stains on your pans, use a lower heat when cooking. Brown markings on pans are usually caused by butter smoking due to high heat.
To clean brown stains from non-stick pans, you can use a dishwasher tablet. Cover the bottom of the pan with a tiny bit of water and warm it up on low heat. Then, remove the pan from the heat and scrape the tablet across the burnt-on bits. Finally, rinse and wash the pan with warm soapy water.
