Cleaning Steel Pans: Easy Steps For Sparkling Cookware

Stainless steel pans are a kitchen essential, durable, and excellent at conducting heat. However, they can be prone to burnt-on food and discolouration from frequent use. To keep your stainless steel pans looking as good as new, it's important to know how to clean them properly. Here are some tips and techniques to help you maintain the shine and functionality of your stainless steel pans.

Hand-wash with mild dish soap

To hand-wash a stainless steel pan with mild dish soap, start by allowing the pan to cool down after use. Fill the sink with warm water and add a few drops of mild washing-up liquid. Avoid using harsh or abrasive cleaners, as these can scratch the surface of your pan. Gently scrub the pan using a soft sponge or cloth, paying special attention to any stubborn food residue or stains. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

If you encounter stubborn, stuck-on food particles, there are a few methods you can try to remove them. Fill the pan with warm water and add a small amount of dish soap. Bring the water to a simmer and let it sit for a few minutes. This will help loosen the food residue. Next, use a wooden or nylon scraper to gently remove the stuck-on food. Avoid using metal utensils or abrasive scrubbers, as they can scratch the surface of your pan.

For tougher stains or discolouration, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar can work wonders. Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the pan and add a small amount of white vinegar. The mixture will fizz and help break down stains. Let it sit for a few minutes, then use a soft sponge or cloth to scrub the pan gently. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry with a soft towel to prevent water spots.

Remember always to hand-wash with mild dish soap, deal with stuck-on food using gentle methods, and utilise baking soda and vinegar for tougher stains.

Remove stuck-on food

To remove stuck-on food from your stainless steel pan, you will need warm water, baking soda, dish soap, white vinegar, a soft dishcloth or non-abrasive scrubbing pad, and a wooden or plastic utensil.

First, allow the pan to cool down slightly, then fill it with warm water to cover the stuck-on food. Let it soak for about 15-20 minutes to loosen the food particles. Next, sprinkle baking soda over the stuck-on areas and gently scrub the surface with a soft dishcloth or non-abrasive scrubbing pad. The baking soda will help loosen the residue without scratching the stainless steel. Add a few drops of dish soap to the pan and use a wooden or plastic utensil to gently scrape off any remaining food particles. The soap will break down the oils and grease.

For more stubborn residues, add a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar to the pan. Heat the pan on low for a few minutes while gently scraping the residue with a wooden utensil. The vinegar's acidity will help break down the remaining residue. Finally, thoroughly rinse the pan with water to remove any cleaning agents and dry it with a clean cloth to prevent water spots or stains.

To prevent food from sticking to your stainless steel pan in the future, consider the following tips:

• Preheat the pan: Make sure the pan is properly preheated before adding ingredients. A hot pan will create a natural, non-stick surface.
• Use adequate fats: Apply a thin layer of oil or fat to the pan before cooking. This provides a barrier between the food and the pan's surface.
• Avoid overcrowding: Cooking too much food at once can cause it to release moisture and stick to the pan. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Deglaze and scrape: After cooking, deglaze the pan by adding a liquid and scraping off any residue. This technique can create flavorful sauces and make cleaning easier.

Baking soda and vinegar for tough stains

Baking soda and vinegar are effective in removing tough stains from stainless steel pans. This method is ideal for removing burnt food or oil stains. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Start by sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda onto the stained areas of the pan. You can also make a paste by mixing baking soda with water, especially for scorched stains. The paste should have a toothpaste-like consistency. Use a sponge to cover the stain with the baking soda paste and let it sit for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 2: Add Water and Vinegar

After the baking soda has had time to work, it's time to add some liquid. Fill the pan with enough water to cover the burnt or stained areas. For smaller pans, a few spoonfuls or about 1/4 cup of water should be sufficient. For larger pans, you may need to add more water. Additionally, you can add a few tablespoons of white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar to boost the cleaning power of the solution.

Step 3: Bring the Solution to a Boil

Place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Bring the water and vinegar solution to a boil. Continue boiling until most of the water has evaporated. The boiling process helps to loosen and lift the stubborn stains.

Step 4: Cool Down and Scrub

Once the water has mostly boiled off, turn off the heat and allow the pan to cool down. It's important to wait until the pan is cool enough to handle safely. Then, use a non-abrasive sponge or scouring pad to scrub away the buildup. You can also use a long-handled brush or scouring pad to reach into the pan's nooks and crannies. Scrub the pan thoroughly, removing as much of the stain as possible.

Step 5: Wash and Rinse

After scrubbing, wash the pan with hot, soapy water using a mild dish soap. Rinse the pan thoroughly to remove any residual baking soda, vinegar, or soap. Ensure that you rinse the pan well, especially if you used vinegar, to eliminate any lingering odours.

Tips:

• For extremely tough stains, you may need to repeat the process or let the baking soda paste sit for a longer period, even overnight.
• Always use non-abrasive cleaning tools, such as sponges or soft-bristled brushes, to avoid scratching the surface of your stainless steel pan.
• While vinegar is effective at removing stains, it is important to rinse and dry the pan thoroughly after using it to prevent any lingering odours.

Remove heat stains

To remove heat stains from a steel pan, you will need to use vinegar. The process is simple and will restore your pan to its former glory.

First, pour some vinegar into the pan and let it sit for a few minutes. The amount of vinegar needed will depend on the size of your pan and the severity of the heat stains. You can use white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar, depending on what you have available.

Next, scrub the pan with a non-abrasive sponge. Be gentle but firm, as you want to remove the stains without damaging the surface of the pan. Once you have finished scrubbing, rinse the pan with cold water and wipe it dry with a microfiber towel.

If the heat stains are particularly stubborn, you may need to repeat the process or try a slightly different method. One option is to combine one part vinegar and three parts water in the pan and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, turn off the heat and let the pan cool completely before pouring out the liquid and cleaning the pan with warm, soapy water and a soft sponge. Be sure to rinse and dry the pan thoroughly to remove any vinegar residue.

Another method for removing heat stains is to use baking soda. Sprinkle the surface of your pan generously with baking soda and then fill the pan with enough water to cover the stuck-on food. Bring the water to a boil and then simmer until most of it has evaporated. Finally, scrub away any remaining buildup with a non-abrasive sponge and wash the pan in hot, soapy water.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove heat stains from your steel pan and keep it looking like new.

Polish and maintain shine

To polish and maintain the shine of your steel pan, you can use a stainless steel polish and a clean, soft cloth. For fingerprint marks, a simple glass cleaner and paper towel will do the trick.

If you're looking to remove blue-ish rainbow stains, add some white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar to the affected area, dilute it with water, and rub it into your pan with a sponge or soft cloth.

For a final polish, you can use a product like Mauviel Inobrill Stainless Steel Cleaner. After cleaning the pan, use the sponge included in the container to polish Inobrill over the exterior of the pan. This will restore shine and make your stainless steel pan look new.

Frequently asked questions