Erase Burn Marks From Your Stainless Steel Pan

Removing burn marks from a stainless steel pan can be challenging, but it's not impossible. There are several methods you can use, depending on the severity of the burn marks and your preferred cleaning products. Here are some common approaches to help you restore your stainless steel pan:

- Deglazing: Start by removing as much burnt food as possible. Then, heat the pan, add water or a mixture of water and vinegar, and let it boil. Scrape the remaining food with a spatula while it simmers. This method helps remove most of the burnt-on food.

- Baking Soda and Water: Create a paste with baking soda and water, and apply it to the burnt areas. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then scrub with a nylon brush or sponge.

- Baking Soda and Vinegar: Boil vinegar in the pan and simmer for a few minutes. Remove from heat and add baking soda, which will create a fizzing reaction. Discard the mixture and scrub the pan.

- Lemon and Baking Soda: Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the pan and cut a lemon in half. Use the lemon to scour the pan, combining the acidic lemon juice with the alkaline baking soda to loosen burnt food.

- Dish Soap and Water: Fill the pan with dish soap and water, and bring it to a simmer. If the burnt food doesn't come off easily, let it soak overnight.

How to clean burn marks off a stainless steel pan

Deglaze with water and vinegar

To clean burn marks off a stainless steel pan with water and vinegar, you can use the deglazing technique. First, remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, put the pan back on the stove and heat it until a droplet of water sizzles on the surface. Next, add a cup of water or a mixture of half water and half white vinegar to the hot pan and let it boil. As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening the burnt-on food. Pour the liquid down the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan.

Sprinkle the bottom of the pan generously with baking soda and let the pan cool. Once the pan has cooled, use a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush to scrub the pan vigorously. Wash and dry the pan as you normally would once all the stains and scorch marks have been removed.

Another method involves using vinegar and baking soda. Pour a thin layer of equal parts water and white vinegar onto the bottom of the burnt pan. Heat the diluted vinegar on the stove and let it boil. After it has boiled for a minute, remove the pan from the heat and drain the vinegar down the sink. Add a tablespoon of baking soda to the empty pan. The point here is not to create a fizzy volcano but to let the two cleaning agents work independently. Baking soda is abrasive and will help lift the staining. Use a scouring pad to massage the baking soda onto any remaining burn marks. Finally, rinse the pan clean.

Use baking soda and water

To clean burn marks off a stainless steel pan with baking soda and water, first remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, make a paste by mixing baking soda and water. The general guideline is to use 1 part water to 3 parts baking soda. For a full pot bottom, you can try using 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water.

Apply the paste liberally to the burnt areas of the pan. You can also try covering the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water and then adding enough baking soda to create a paste. Let the mixture sit for a few hours or even overnight. If you don't want to wait, you can add a little more water to thin the paste, then put the pan on the stove and bring it to a boil. However, be careful not to leave it on the heat for too long, as you don't want the pan to burn again.

After the mixture has cooled, scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge. You may need to add more baking soda if the burn marks are still present. Finally, wash and dry the pan as you normally would.

Try vinegar with baking soda

To clean burn marks off a stainless steel pan with vinegar and baking soda, follow these steps:

Firstly, remove as much of the burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Next, add around 1/2 inch of vinegar to the pan and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for a few minutes, then remove the pan from the heat.

Now, add 1 cup of baking soda to the pan. This will cause a fizzing reaction. It's a good idea to do this in the sink, as it can get messy! Leave the pan until the fizzing stops. Then, discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary. Finally, rinse and dry the pan as normal.

This method works because baking soda has mild abrasive properties and an alkaline pH, which helps to neutralise acidic burnt foods. When combined with an acid like vinegar, it creates a fizzing reaction that helps to loosen burnt food, making it easier to remove.

Remove marks with salt

Salt can be an effective treatment for removing burn marks from stainless steel pans. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use salt to clean your stainless steel pan:

Step 1: Boil Water and Add Salt

Fill the bottom of your pan with water, ensuring that all the burned areas are covered. Bring the water to a boil. Then, add a few tablespoons of salt and turn off the heat.

Step 2: Let the Solution Cool

Allow the saltwater solution to cool down for several hours, leaving it in the pan. This step is crucial, as it gives the salt time to act on the burn marks.

Step 3: Dump the Water and Scrub

After the solution has cooled, dump out the water. Now, it's time to scrub the pan. Use a brush or sponge to remove the loosened burn marks. Be gentle yet firm in your scrubbing to avoid scratching the pan.

Step 4: Repeat if Necessary

If there are still burn marks on your pan after the first round of treatment, don't worry. Simply repeat the above steps as many times as needed until all the burn marks are gone.

Alternative Method: Direct Application of Salt

Alternatively, you can put salt directly onto the burned spots. Sprinkle salt generously over the affected areas. Then, use a scouring pad or sponge to scrub the salt into the burn marks. This method uses the salt as an abrasive to remove the marks without scratching the pan. Once all the burn marks are gone, wash the pan as you normally would.

Clean with lemon and baking soda

Lemon and baking soda is a great combination to clean burnt marks off a stainless steel pan. Lemons are a fantastic natural cleaner and can help to remove black, yellow, or rainbow oxidization stains. Baking soda, on the other hand, is mildly abrasive and has an alkaline pH, which can help to neutralize acidic burnt foods. The combination of the two can create a fizzing reaction that helps to loosen burnt food.

Step 1: Remove Burnt Food Debris

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

Step 2: Deglaze the Pan (Optional)

This step is optional but can help to loosen more stubborn bits of burnt food. Place the pan back on the stove and heat it until a droplet of water sizzles. Then, add a cup of water or a mixture of half water and half white vinegar to the hot pan and allow it to boil. As the liquid simmers, use the spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening the burnt food. Pour the liquid down the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan.

Step 3: Prepare the Lemon and Baking Soda

Cut a lemon in half. Keep a thin layer of water in the pan and then sprinkle baking soda liberally onto the bottom of the pan.

Step 4: Scour the Pan

Use the flesh side of the lemon half to scour the pan with the baking soda and water mixture. You will likely see some fizzing as the acidic lemon juice reacts with the alkaline baking soda. This reaction is normal and effective in removing burnt marks.

Step 5: Rinse and Repeat if Necessary

Rinse the pan with water and inspect it for any remaining burn marks. If there are still some stubborn marks, repeat the above steps until your pan is clean.

Additional Tips:

• For copper-bottomed pans with blackened or tarnished spots, turn the pot upside down and use the lemon and baking soda method to remove the stains and restore the shine.
• Always dry your stainless steel pans immediately after washing to prevent water spots.
• To remove water spots, dampen your pan and rub it down with a moist sponge and baking soda.
• Avoid using salt or salt water to clean your pans, as this can lead to pitting in stainless steel.
• Avoid using steel wool or harsh scrub brushes as these can degrade the stainless steel. Instead, opt for a delicate brush or rag.

Frequently asked questions