Cleaning Burn Marks From Stainless Steel Pans: A Simple Guide

Burnt stainless steel pans are a common problem for cooks of all skill levels. Luckily, there are several ways to clean them without too much effort. Some of the most popular methods include using a commercial cleaner, boiling water, or a combination of vinegar and baking soda. Other methods include using cola, cream of tartar, dish soap and water, lime juice and salt, oxygen bleach, sodium chloride, tomato sauce, and apple cider or white vinegar.

Baking soda and water

To clean burn marks from your stainless steel pans, you can use a mixture of baking soda and water. This method is particularly effective as baking soda has mild abrasive properties and its alkaline pH can help neutralise acidic burnt foods.

Firstly, remove as much of the burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, make a paste using a ratio of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. For a full pot bottom, you will need 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water.

Next, liberally apply the paste to the burnt areas of the pan, ensuring that they are fully covered. Leave the paste to sit for a few hours or overnight. After this, add more baking soda and scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge.

If you don't want to wait, you can add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin the paste and then place the pan on the stove. Bring the water to a boil, remove the pan from the heat, and leave it to cool. Finally, wipe or scrub the pan to remove the scorched bits.

You can also use this method to regularly wash your pots and pans and help prevent scorched stains or burnt-on residue.

Vinegar and baking soda

Cleaning Stainless Steel Pans with Vinegar and Baking Soda

Step 1: Remove Food and Debris

Start by removing as much food and debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Boil Vinegar

Add enough vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least 1/2 inch of liquid. Bring the vinegar in the pan to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes.

Step 3: Add Baking Soda

Remove the pan from the heat and add 1 cup of baking soda. This will create a fizzing reaction. It is recommended to do this over the sink.

Step 4: Set Aside

Set the pan aside and wait until all the fizzing and bubbling stops.

Step 5: Discard Liquid

Once the reaction has stopped, discard the liquid.

Step 6: Scrub the Pan

Scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda as necessary.

Step 7: Rinse and Dry

Rinse the pan clean and dry it.

Tips:

• For stuck-on food, fill the pan with enough soapy water to cover the residue, bring to a boil, and scrape with a spatula or wooden spoon.
• To prevent water spots, always dry pans immediately after washing.
• To remove water spots, dampen your pan and rub it down with a moist sponge and baking soda.

Commercial cleaner

Here's a step-by-step guide to using a commercial cleaner:

Step 1: Moisten the Pan

Start by wetting the pan, making sure to saturate the burnt food. This will help soften the residue and make it easier to remove.

Step 2: Apply the Commercial Cleaner

Sprinkle the commercial cleaner onto the bottom of the pan. Follow the instructions on the product packaging for the appropriate amount. You want to create a paste-like consistency.

Step 3: Scrub the Pan

Using a non-abrasive scrubber or a soft cloth, gently scrub the paste into the scorched food. Work the cleaner into the affected areas, following the grain of the stainless steel. Avoid using steel wool or other abrasive scrubbers, as they can scratch the surface and make the pan more susceptible to corrosion.

Step 4: Rinse the Pan

After scrubbing, rinse the pan with clean water. Remove any residue from the cleaner and loosened food particles.

Step 5: Repeat if Necessary

If the burn marks are still visible or stubborn, repeat the above steps. For particularly stubborn marks, you may need to use a stronger commercial cleaner, such as Carbon Off.

Using a commercial cleaner is an effective and gentle way to remove burn marks from stainless steel pans. Always follow the instructions on the product packaging and perform a patch test if you're concerned about compatibility with your pan.

Boiling water

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 remove any large pieces of burnt-on food and make the next steps more effective.

Step 2: Fill the Pan with Water and 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. The soap will help to break down any remaining grease or oil on the pan.

Step 3: Bring the Water to a Boil

Place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Bring the water to a rolling boil and let it simmer for a few minutes. The boiling water will help to loosen any remaining food particles, making them easier to remove.

Step 4: Remove from Heat and Cool

Once the water has boiled for a few minutes, remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool. This is an important step, as you don't want to burn yourself when handling the pan. The cooling process will also give the water and soap more time to work on loosening the burnt-on food.

Step 5: Scrape Away Food

After the pan has cooled, use a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape away any loosened food particles. The boiling water and soap should have softened the burnt-on food, making it easier to remove. If necessary, you can use a non-abrasive scrubber to help with this process.

Step 6: Repeat if Necessary

If there are still burnt-on food marks or residue, repeat the above steps. This method may need to be repeated a few times, depending on the severity of the burn marks. Alternatively, you can try using a commercial cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda to help remove stubborn marks.

Cola

Step 1: Add Cola to the Pan

Pour enough cola into the pan to cover the burnt areas. Ensure that all the affected areas are submerged in the cola.

Step 2: Simmer the Cola

Place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Bring the cola to a gentle simmer. The heat will help to loosen the burnt-on substances, making them easier to remove.

Step 3: Remove from Heat

Once the cola has simmered for a few minutes, remove the pan from the heat. Use a spatula or a wooden spoon to scrape away the burnt substances. You may need to apply some elbow grease at this step, especially if the burn marks are stubborn.

Step 4: Rinse and Scrub

After removing the burnt substances, rinse the pan with clean water. Use a non-abrasive sponge or scrubber to rid the pan of any remaining residue or food particles. You can also use a small amount of dish soap to help with this step.

Tips for Using Cola to Clean Stainless Steel Pans:

• Cola is particularly effective on sticky, stubborn substances like caramelised sugar or burnt oil.
• For best results, use enough cola to completely cover the burnt areas.
• Be sure to remove the pan from the heat once the cola has simmered to avoid further burning or discolouration.
• If necessary, repeat the process for stubborn burn marks.

By following these steps, you can effectively use cola to clean your stainless steel pans and remove burn marks, leaving them looking like new.

Frequently asked questions