Erase Burn Marks From Your Stainless Steel Pan

Burn marks on stainless steel pans can be a pain to remove, but it's not impossible. There are several methods you can try, depending on the severity of the burn. The most common methods include using baking soda, vinegar, lemon, or a combination of these ingredients. For example, one method suggests using a paste made from baking soda and water, while another recommends boiling vinegar and water in the pan before adding baking soda. These methods take advantage of the chemical reactions between the acidic vinegar or lemon juice and the alkaline baking soda to help loosen and remove burnt food. For lighter burns, simply using dish soap and water may be enough to do the trick.

Baking soda and water

Step 1: Remove Food and Debris

Use a spatula or scraper to remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Make a Baking Soda and Water Paste

Make a paste by mixing 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Make enough to cover the burnt area of the pan. For a whole pot bottom, try 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water.

Step 3: Apply the Paste

Liberally apply the paste to the burnt pan. It should be thick enough to fully coat the area. Alternatively, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water, then add enough baking soda to create a paste.

Step 4: Let the Paste Sit

Let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight.

Step 5: Scrub the Pan

After letting the paste sit, add more baking soda and scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge.

Step 6: Wash and Dry

Once all the burnt bits and stains have been removed, wash and dry the pan as normal.

Baking soda and lemon juice

To clean burn marks from a stainless steel pan using baking soda and lemon juice, follow these steps:

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Keep a thin layer of water in the pan.
• Sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda.
• Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan with the baking soda slurry. The combination of the acidic lemon juice and the alkaline baking soda may fizz slightly, and that's okay! It's just citric acid creating sodium dioxide and sodium citrate when it combines with the base.
• If your pan has a copper bottom that has become blackened or tarnished, turn the pot upside down and use this method to help remove the stains and restore the shine.

Dish soap and water

To clean burn marks from a stainless steel pan with dish soap and water, follow these steps:

• First, remove as much of the burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Next, fill the pan with warm water and add a bit of dish soap. You can also fill your sink with soapy water and submerge the pan.
• Using a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth, scrub the pan to lift as much of the stain as possible.
• If necessary, scrub the pan between soaks until the discolouration fades.

For a more intensive cleaning method, try the following:

• Fill the pan with water and add a couple of tablespoons of dishwasher detergent.
• Soak the pan with the hottest water you can obtain for at least a couple of hours.
• Finally, scrub the pan hard.

Vinegar and baking soda

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Firstly, remove as much of the burnt food from the pan as possible. Use a spatula or scraper to dislodge any large pieces of food. It is important to get rid of as much debris as you can before proceeding to the next steps.

Step 2: Boil Vinegar

Fill the bottom of the pan with vinegar, ensuring it covers the burnt areas by at least 1/2 inch (1 cup of vinegar is usually sufficient). Place the pan on the stove and bring the vinegar to a boil. Let it simmer for a few minutes. The acetic acid in vinegar helps break down tough, burnt food particles.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Remove the pan from the heat and add 1 cup of baking soda. This will create a fizzing reaction, so it is advisable to do this step over the sink. The alkaline pH of baking soda helps neutralize acidic burnt foods, and its mild abrasive properties aid in lifting and removing stains.

Step 4: Let it Sit

Set the pan aside and wait for the fizzing and bubbling to stop. The chemical reaction between vinegar and baking soda will help loosen the burnt residue, making it easier to remove.

Step 5: Scrub the Pan

After the reaction has subsided, discard the liquid and scrub the pan thoroughly. Use a nylon scrub brush or a non-abrasive scouring pad to remove any remaining food particles and burn marks. You can also add more baking soda to the pan and scrub it with a wet scouring sponge if needed.

Step 6: Rinse and Dry

Once all the stains and scorch marks have been removed, rinse the pan with clean water and dry it thoroughly. Your stainless steel pan should now be free of burn marks and ready to be used again!

This method is an effective way to clean burn marks from stainless steel pans without resorting to harsh chemicals. With some elbow grease and these simple household ingredients, you can restore your pan to its original condition.

Lemon juice and salt

To clean your burnt stainless steel pan using lemon juice and salt, follow these steps:

• Sprinkle salt onto the burnt areas of the pan.
• Squeeze lemon juice over the salt, ensuring the salt is thoroughly moistened. You can also add a small amount of water to the pan to create a more liquid solution.
• Allow the mixture to sit for several minutes. The acid in the lemon juice will start to break down the burnt-on food, and the salt will help to loosen it.
• Sprinkle more salt onto the pan and use a scrubber or scouring pad to scrub away the burnt residue. For stubborn stains, you can also use half a lemon to scour the pan.
• Rinse the pan with warm water to remove any remaining salt, lemon juice, and burnt bits.
• If necessary, repeat the process until the burn marks are completely removed.

This method is a natural and effective way to clean burnt stainless steel pans without using harsh chemicals. The combination of lemon juice and salt works together to break down and remove burnt-on food, leaving your pan looking like new.

Frequently asked questions