Tiffany Haney
Stainless steel pans are a kitchen staple for many, but they can be prone to staining and discolouration. While stainless steel is designed to resist corrosion and rust, it's not impervious to burnt-on messes. Luckily, there are several ways to clean your stainless steel pans and restore their shine. From using common household products like baking soda and vinegar to commercial cleaners like Bar Keepers Friend, you can effectively remove stains and discolouration from your pans. In this article, we will explore the best methods for cleaning your stainless steel pans and keeping them looking brand new.
How to Clean a Stainless Steel Pan
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning Tools | Bar Keeper's Friend, Brillo Cameo, Easy-Off Oven Cleaner, Baking Soda, Lemon, Vinegar, Water, Sponge, Steel Wool, Bon Ami, Bleach, Ammonia, Microfiber Towel, Wooden Spoon, Spatula, Commercial Cleaner, Dish Soap, Paper Towel, Aluminum Foil, Green Scotchbrite Pad, Dawn Powerwash, Nylon Dishbrush |
| Pan Condition | Burnt, Stained, Scorched, Discolored, Rusty, Warped, Oily, Greasy |
| Cleaning Techniques | Soaking, Boiling, Deglazing, Scraping, Simmering, Scrubbing, Polishing, Rinsing, Drying, Hand-Washing, Preheating |
| Cleaning Timing | After Each Use, Before Washing, Before Storing, Before Cooking, After Boiling, After Cooling |
| Other Tips | Avoid Abrasive Tools, Avoid Harsh Cleaners, Avoid Soaking Hot Pan, Avoid Warping, Prevent Food Sticking, Prevent Water Spots, Prevent Discoloration |
What You'll Learn
Use baking soda and vinegar
To clean a stainless steel pan with baking soda and vinegar, follow these steps:
Firstly, remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, add enough vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least half an inch of liquid. Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes.
Next, remove the pan from the heat and add a cup of baking soda. This will cause a fizzing reaction, so it might be best to do this in the sink. Set the pan aside and wait until the fizzing stops.
Finally, discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary. Rinse and dry the pan.
This method can also be used to clean discolouration from pans caused by overheating.
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Avoid harsh chemicals
Stainless steel pans are durable and excellent heat conductors, but they can accumulate burnt-on food and discolouration from frequent use. To restore your pans, follow these expert-approved tips to avoid harsh chemicals.
Harsh chemicals such as bleach or ammonia should not be used when cleaning stainless steel pans. These chemicals can damage the surface of the pan and cause discolouration. Instead, opt for gentle commercial cleaners such as Bar Keepers Friend or baking soda. These products are designed to clean without scratching or damaging the surface of your pans.
If you don't have any commercial cleaners on hand, you can use boiling water to loosen leftover food from your pan. Simply scrub away as much food as possible with a non-abrasive scrubber, fill the pan with water and a bit of dish soap, and bring it to a boil. Let it simmer for a few minutes, then remove it from the heat and let it cool. The food should be loosened enough to scrape with a spatula.
Another effective method for removing stuck-on food is to use vinegar and baking soda. Vinegar is an effective cleaning solution due to its acetic acid content, which helps break down tough food particles. Fill the bottom of your pan with water, add one cup of vinegar, and bring it to a boil. Once it's boiling, remove it from the heat and add two tablespoons of baking soda. Briefly mix the solution, empty the pan, and scrub with a non-abrasive sponge to remove any remaining food particles.
To remove discolouration from your pans, simply pour some vinegar into the pan and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub the pan with a non-abrasive sponge, rinse with cold water, and wipe it dry with a microfiber towel.
Tips for preventing scorch marks and discolouration
To prevent scorch marks and discolouration, always ensure there is enough fat or liquid in the pan before adding any food. Heat up your pan on low to medium heat for two to three minutes before adding oil, fat, or food. You can also prevent scorch marks by moving the food around frequently with a spoon or tongs, ensuring it doesn't sit at the bottom of the pan for too long.
Always allow your stainless steel pan to cool down before running it under cold water. The temperature shock can cause permanent warping. To prevent water spots, dry your pans immediately after washing.
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Deglaze while hot
Deglazing is a great way to clean your stainless steel pan while it's still hot, and it's very simple. After removing your meat or poultry from the pan, pour off any excess fat or oil. If you're making a sauce, add your aromatics. Then, pour cold liquid into the pan and keep the heat on medium. Bring the liquid to a boil while scraping the bottom of the pan with a deglazing spatula or a flat-ended wooden spoon. If you're cleaning a pan of vegetables, you can leave the sautéed vegetables in the pan and skip removing the excess fat.
You can use almost any liquid to deglaze a pan, but some of the most common include wine (red or white), spirits like bourbon or rum, stock (chicken, beef or vegetable), juices (orange, apple, lemon, etc.), and vinegars (balsamic, red or white wine, cider, etc.). If you're just cleaning the pan, water will do the trick!
Deglazing is a great way to clean your pan while also creating a delicious sauce. However, be careful not to deglaze a pan with burnt food at the bottom, as this will transfer the burnt flavour to your sauce. If your food is burning during the cooking process, deglaze with water, discard the liquid, wipe the pan dry, add new oil, and continue cooking. Then, you can deglaze properly.
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Use Bar Keeper's Friend
Bar Keepers Friend is a popular product for cleaning stainless steel pans. It is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product that can be used to remove rust, tarnish, mineral deposits, and tough stains from most surfaces. It is also safe to use on stainless steel pans, protecting their surfaces and helping to prevent tarnishing and rusting in the future.
To use Bar Keepers Friend, first wet the surface of the pan. Then, sprinkle the powder onto the pan and scrub, using just the moisture on the pan to turn the powder into a paste. If necessary, add a small amount of water to hydrate the powder. For very greasy or burnt pans, you can start scrubbing with steel wool before switching to a soft sponge or rag. Rinse the pan well after cleaning, ensuring that the product does not sit on the surface for longer than a minute.
Bar Keepers Friend can also be used to clean the bottom of your pans. Simply place the pan upside down in the sink, sprinkle the bottom with water, and shake the powder all over the bottom. Then, scrub in a circular motion and rinse.
It is important to note that Bar Keepers Friend is an abrasive product, so it is recommended to wear kitchen gloves to protect your skin while scrubbing. Additionally, always follow the manufacturer's instructions and care guidelines when cleaning your stainless steel pans.
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Dry pans immediately
Drying your stainless steel pans immediately after washing is crucial to prevent rusting and maintain their pristine condition. Here are some detailed instructions to ensure your pans remain in top shape:
Prevent Water Spots and Rusting:
Always dry your stainless steel pans thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth or towel after washing. This is especially important if your area has hard water, as it can leave white, cloudy residue on the pans. This simple step will prevent water spots and the formation of chalky buildup.
Avoid Prolonged Soaking:
While it is common to let stainless steel pans soak in warm, soapy water to loosen tough stains, be mindful not to leave them soaking for extended periods. Over time, this can lead to discolouration and pitting corrosion, which causes small, irreparable dents in the pan's surface.
Hand Dry for a Spotless Finish:
While air drying is an option, taking the time to hand-dry your stainless steel pans with a soft cloth ensures a spotless and streak-free finish. Gently wipe the pan's interior and exterior surfaces, taking care not to miss any crevices or corners. This extra step will keep your pans looking brand new.
Dry Before Storing:
Before putting your stainless steel pans away, ensure they are completely dry. Storing damp pans can promote the growth of bacteria and the formation of rust. By taking the time to dry them thoroughly, you can maintain the pans' hygiene and extend their lifespan.
Preventative Measures:
To reduce the need for vigorous scrubbing and minimise the risk of discolouration, there are a few preventative measures you can take. Firstly, preheat your pan before adding oil to prevent food from sticking. Secondly, when cooking pasta or similar dishes, wait to add salt until the water is already boiling to avoid pitting corrosion. Lastly, consider using distilled white vinegar to wipe down your pans from time to time, as this can help remove any discolouration caused by overheating.
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Frequently asked questions
For everyday cleaning, scrub your pan with hot soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge. For stuck-on food, fill the pan with soapy water, boil, and scrape with a wooden spoon or spatula.
For tough stains, add a few spoonfuls of baking soda and enough water to cover the stained areas. Bring to a boil and simmer until the water evaporates. Then, scrub with a non-abrasive sponge and wash in hot, soapy water.
To remove discolouration, splash some vinegar into your pan and wipe the area with a soft sponge before rinsing and drying.
To prevent staining, always let your pan cool down before washing. Avoid harsh cleaning products like bleach or oven cleaner, and do not use abrasive tools like steel wool.
