Sparkling Steel: Cleaning Grimy Outdoor Pots And Pans

Cleaning cruddy stainless steel pans can be a challenge, but with the right techniques, it can be done effectively. Stainless steel is a durable and versatile material that is commonly used in commercial kitchens due to its non-reactivity with acidic foods and heat distribution properties. However, it is not immune to burnt-on messes, discolouration, and stains. Here are some tips to clean the outside of a stainless steel pan:

- Before starting, ensure that the inside and outside of the pan are thoroughly cleaned using washing-up liquid, a sponge, and a scrubber. Avoid using steel wool or other metal scourers as they may scratch the pan.

- Lay a tea towel on the countertop, larger than the size of the pan.

- Set a kettle of water to boil. Hold the pan over the sink and carefully pour hot water over its back.

- Place the pan upside down on the tea towel and sprinkle baking soda over the back. Use a tea strainer for even sprinkling.

- Let the solution sit for 10-20 minutes for lighter stains, and longer for tougher stains.

- Squeeze lemon juice over the pan and use a wet pot brush or copper cloth to scour the dirt. Rinse and clean with washing-up liquid.

- For a final polish, use a specialised stainless steel cleaner to restore shine.

Use vinegar to remove water stains or rainbow discolouration

If your stainless steel pans have water stains or rainbow discolouration, vinegar can be used to remove these marks.

Firstly, fill a spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water, or simply pour or spray vinegar onto the affected area. Let the vinegar soak for around 15 minutes, or a minimum of 4 minutes to allow the chemical reaction to take place. Then, scrub the area with a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth, ensuring that you scrub in the same direction as the grain of the steel. Finally, rinse and dry the pan with a dish towel.

If the discolouration remains, repeat the process. Alternatively, you can try using lemon juice, which is more acidic than vinegar and may be more effective at removing tough stains.

Use a commercial cleaner like Bar Keeper's Friend

If your stainless steel pans are looking a little worse for wear, a commercial cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend can work wonders. This bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product is ideal for stainless steel and can easily remove rust, tarnish, mineral deposits, and tough stains. It also helps to prevent pans from tarnishing and rusting in the future.

To use Bar Keepers Friend, start by wetting the surface of your pan. Then, scrub the surface with a soft, wet cloth or sponge. Unlike dish soap, Bar Keepers Friend doesn't work up a lather, so you'll want to scrub with the faucet off, using just the moisture on the pan's surface to turn the powder into a paste. If needed, add a small splash of water to hydrate the powder. For very greasy or burnt pans, you may want to start scrubbing with steel wool, then switch to a soft sponge or rag once most of the surface is cleared.

Be sure to rinse the pan well after cleaning. Bar Keepers Friend recommends not letting the product sit on the surface for longer than a minute, but you can scrub for longer than that. If you have sensitive skin or are cleaning multiple pots and pans, it's a good idea to wear kitchen gloves to protect your skin, as the product is abrasive.

For tougher stains, create a paste with Bar Keepers Friend and water, and let it sit on the stain for a minute before washing, rinsing, and drying.

Use a non-abrasive scrubber and warm, soapy water

To clean the outside of a stainless steel pan, you'll need to put in a little more elbow grease than you would for the inside, as you can't use boiling water to loosen up the stains.

Before you begin, make sure you clean the inside and outside of the pan thoroughly, removing as many stains and marks as possible with washing-up liquid, a sponge, and a more abrasive scrubber. It's recommended to use a pot brush or copper cloth over steel wool or other metal scourers, which could scratch the exterior of your pan.

Here's what you need to do:

• Lay a tea towel on your countertop – it should be large enough to fit the size of the pan you are cleaning.
• Set a kettle of water to boil.
• Hold your pan over the sink, and carefully pour hot water over the back of the pan.
• Do not wipe off the water.
• Place the pan upside down on the tea towel and sprinkle baking soda over the back of the pan.
• Use a tea strainer to do this for the best results; it will ensure even sprinkling.
• Let the solution sit for 10-20 minutes for lighter stains or general wear and tear; and longer for tougher stains—even overnight if needed.
• Squeeze the juice of a lemon over the pan, using more if needed; you'll hear it sizzle.
• Use a wet pot brush or copper cloth to scour the dirt off the pan.
• Rinse the pan and clean it with washing-up liquid for a final clean.

Remove burnt food with boiling water

Boiling water is a simple and effective way to remove burnt food from stainless steel pans. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Scrub Away Food Residue

Start by scrubbing away as much food residue as possible from the pan using a non-abrasive scrubber. This will help to loosen the burnt-on food and make it easier to remove.

Step 2: Fill the Pan with Water and Dish Soap

Fill the pan with water, ensuring that the stuck-on food is completely submerged. Add a bit of dish soap to the water to help with the cleaning process.

Step 3: Bring the Water to a Boil

Place the pan on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Let it simmer for a few minutes. The heat from the boiling water will help to further loosen the burnt food, making it easier to remove.

Step 4: Remove from Heat and Let it Cool

After boiling the water, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool down. This is an important step, as you don't want to burn yourself when handling the pan.

Step 5: Scrape Away the Food

Once the pan has cooled down, use a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape away the loosened food residue. The boiling water should have softened the burnt food, making it easier to remove.

Step 6: Repeat if Necessary

If there is still some burnt food stuck to the pan, you may need to repeat the above steps. Alternatively, you can try using a commercial cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to remove stubborn residue.

Remember to always let your stainless steel pan cool down before running it under cold water or cleaning it, as sudden temperature changes can cause warping and permanent damage to the pan. With these steps, you can effectively remove burnt food from your stainless steel pans and keep them looking like new!

Remove burn marks with baking soda

To remove burn marks with baking soda, follow these steps:

Firstly, remove as much of the burnt-on food from the pan as possible. You can do this by scraping the pan with a spatula or wooden spoon, or by using a long-handled dish brush.

Next, deglaze the pan. To do this, heat the pan and add a cup of water or a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. While the liquid is simmering, use a spatula or scraper to remove any remaining food from the pan.

Now, it's time to apply the baking soda. There are a few different ways to do this, depending on the severity of the burn marks. For lighter stains, simply sprinkle baking soda onto the surface of the pan and add enough water to cover the stuck-on food. For tougher stains, create a paste by mixing baking soda and water in a ratio of 1 part water to 3 parts baking soda. Apply the paste to the burnt areas of the pan.

Let the baking soda work its magic. For lighter stains, this may only take a few minutes. For tougher stains, let the baking soda paste sit for several hours or even overnight.

Finally, use a cleaning brush or non-abrasive sponge to scrub the pan and remove the remaining burn marks. Rinse the pan with warm water and dry it with a microfiber cloth or towel.

If the burn marks are particularly stubborn, you can try combining baking soda with vinegar or lemon juice. These ingredients will create a fizzing reaction that can help loosen burnt-on food. Simply bring a small amount of vinegar or lemon juice to a boil in the pan, remove from the heat, and add baking soda. Once the fizzing stops, dump the mixture and scrub the pan.

Frequently asked questions