Stainless Steel Savior: Removing Burn Marks From Pots And Pans

Burnt stainless steel pots and pans are a common problem, but there are several ways to clean them without too much elbow grease. The first step is always to remove as much of the burnt food as possible from the pan. Then, depending on the severity of the burn, you can try one of the following methods: using a commercial cleaner, boiling water, vinegar and baking soda, baking soda and water, baking soda and lemon, or a dishwasher tablet. Each method varies in terms of effectiveness, ease, and the number of ingredients or tools required, so it's worth trying a few to find the best one for you.

Baking soda and vinegar

To clean burnt stainless steel pots and pans with baking soda and vinegar, follow these steps:

Firstly, fill your pan with equal parts water and vinegar. Bring the mixture to a boil. You can also add a cup of water and a cup of vinegar if you prefer.

After it has boiled for a minute, remove the pan from the heat and pour the liquid down the sink.

Now, add a cup or a tablespoon of baking soda to the empty pan. The baking soda will react with any remaining vinegar, creating a fizzing reaction that helps to loosen burnt food.

Once the fizzing has stopped, discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a scouring pad or nylon brush, adding more baking soda if necessary.

If there are any stubborn marks that won't come off, make a paste with baking soda and a small amount of water. Leave the paste on the marks for a while, and then scrub the pan as normal.

Finally, wash and dry the pan as you usually would.

Lemon

Boiled Lemons Method:

• Remove any loose debris or burnt food remnants from the pan.
• Cut 2-3 lemons into quarters.
• Place the lemon wedges into the pan.
• Add water to the pan, covering the lemons by a few inches.
• Place the pan on the stove and bring the water to a boil.
• Let it boil for 5-10 minutes or until you see food particles floating to the surface.
• Discard the water and lemon wedges, then rinse the pan.
• Use a scouring pad or scrub brush to remove any remaining burnt-on food particles.
• Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Keep a thin layer of water in the pan.
• Sprinkle baking soda liberally onto the bottom of the pan.
• Cut a lemon in half and use the flesh side to scour the pan, mixing it with the baking soda and water to form a slurry. The combination of acidic lemon juice and alkaline baking soda may cause a slight fizzing reaction.
• If your pan has a copper bottom that is blackened or tarnished, turn the pot upside down and use this method to remove the stains and restore shine.
• Rinse the pan and wash it as normal.
• Mix the juice of a lemon with a generous amount of salt.
• Let the mixture sit for several minutes, then sprinkle in some more salt.
• Use a scrub brush or scouring pad to remove the burnt bits.
• Add a few drops of dish soap and some hot water to the pan.
• Submerge a dryer sheet in the water and let it sit for about an hour.
• Remove and discard the dryer sheet.
• Rinse the pan using a scouring pad and dish soap to remove any remaining burnt-on food.

Dishwasher tablets

To clean your burnt pots and pans with dishwasher tablets, start by rinsing the dirty pan with hot water. Then, gently scrub the pan under warm water with the dishwasher tablet. Continue scrubbing until all the burnt-on food comes off, then rinse the pan with warm water.

This method is quick and efficient, with the whole process taking less than five minutes. However, it may use up your supply of dishwasher tablets, as it can take up to two tablets to clean one dirty pan.

For best results, it is recommended to use Finish Powerball deep clean tabs and keep the plastic coating on the tabs while scrubbing. The warm water will gradually dissolve the coating and help the tablet keep its shape as you scrub.

Boiling water

• Begin by scrubbing away as much of the burnt food residue as possible using a non-abrasive scrubber. It is important to avoid using abrasive scrubbers like steel wool, as they can scratch the stainless steel surface, making it more susceptible to corrosion.
• Fill the pot or pan with water, ensuring that any stuck-on food is completely submerged.
• Add a small amount of dish soap to the water.
• Place the pot or pan on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Let it simmer for a few minutes. The heat from the water will help loosen the leftover food, making it easier to remove.
• Remove the pot or pan from the heat source and allow it to cool.
• Use a spatula to scrape away the loosened food residue. If necessary, you can repeat the process for more stubborn stains.

While boiling water is a simple and effective method, it may not be sufficient for removing heavy burn marks or carbon buildup. In such cases, you may need to use a commercial cleaner or a combination of other household ingredients, such as baking soda, vinegar, or lemon juice, along with boiling water.

Commercial cleaner

Burnt stainless steel pans can be a pain to clean, but it's usually possible to get them looking good as new with a few simple methods. Before trying any of the following techniques, make sure to test the method on a small, inconspicuous part of the pan to ensure it doesn't cause any damage.

One option is to use a commercial cleaner like Bar Keeper's Friend. This is a gentle but effective multi-purpose cleaning powder that can be used to remove burnt food and scorch marks from stainless steel pans. To use it, first moisten the pan, making sure the burnt food is saturated. Then, sprinkle the cleaner onto the bottom of the pan to form a paste. Scrub the paste into the burnt food with a non-abrasive scrubber or soft cloth, and then rinse the pan with clean water. If the burn marks are still visible, simply repeat the process. For particularly stubborn burn marks, you may need to use a more heavy-duty cleaner like Carbon Off.

Another option is to use a combination of vinegar and baking soda. First, fill the pan with equal parts water and vinegar and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda, remove the pan from the heat, and let it soak for up to 15 minutes. Finally, discard the liquid, and use a sponge or scouring pad to scrub away any remaining burnt-on bits. If necessary, make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to any remaining spots, letting it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing again.

Frequently asked questions