Stainless Steel Savior: Removing Stubborn Stains From Pans

Stainless steel pans are durable and excellent heat conductors, but they can develop burnt-on food and discolouration from frequent use. To restore your pans to their former glory, there are several methods you can try, depending on the type of stain. For everyday cleanup, scrub your pan with hot soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge. For stuck-on food bits, fill the pan with soapy water, bring to a boil, and scrape with a spatula. For tougher stains, a paste made from baking soda and water can be applied and scrubbed with a non-abrasive sponge. For discolouration, a little vinegar will do the trick.

Soak and scrub with a non-abrasive sponge

Soaking and scrubbing with a non-abrasive sponge is an effective way to clean stubborn stains on stainless steel pans. This method is gentle and helps to avoid scratches, which can make the pan vulnerable to corrosion.

To start, fill your pan with warm, soapy water and let it soak for a few minutes. The warm water and soap will help to loosen any stuck-on food or grease. If your pan is especially greasy, you may want to add a few spoonfuls of baking soda to the water to help break down the grease.

After soaking, it's time to scrub. Use a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth to gently scrub away the stains, always scrubbing in a parallel direction to the polish lines of the stainless steel. For tougher stains, you can make a paste with baking soda and water and scrub the pan with this mixture. Alternatively, you can use a small amount of gentle dish soap and make a paste with the baking soda. Leave this paste on for several hours before rinsing and drying as normal.

If your pan has burnt-on food, you can try a different method: boil water in the pan and then simmer until the water has evaporated, leaving a film of baking soda on the walls of the pan. You can then scrub this film away with a non-abrasive sponge.

Always remember to dry your pans with a microfiber cloth or towel immediately after washing to prevent water spots from forming.

Use a commercial cleaner like Bar Keeper's Friend

If you're dealing with tough stains on your stainless steel pans, a commercial cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend can be a great solution. Here's how to use it effectively:

Step 1: Prepare the Pan

Before applying any cleaning products, it's important to prepare your pan. Start by scraping out any excess oil or food residue using a spatula. Then, deglaze the pan by adding some hot water. It's generally easier to clean a pan while it's still hot, but always let it cool down before fully submerging it in cold water to avoid warping due to thermal shock.

Step 2: Apply Bar Keepers Friend

Bar Keepers Friend is a powdered cleanser that can be used to remove rust, tarnish, mineral deposits, and tough stains from most surfaces. To use it, sprinkle the cleanser directly onto the surface of your pan or on a damp sponge. Then, use the damp sponge to gently rub the surface in a continuous circular motion. Avoid using harsh pads or abrasive tools like steel wool, as these can damage the surface of your pan.

Step 3: Rinse and Buff

After a minute of rubbing, rinse away the cleanser. If necessary, repeat the process. Finally, use a soft cloth to buff the surface to a shine. With Bar Keepers Friend, you can easily remove even the most stubborn stains from your stainless steel pans.

Tips for Using Bar Keepers Friend:

• Always follow the manufacturer's directions and safety precautions when using Bar Keepers Friend or any other commercial cleaner.
• While Bar Keepers Friend is effective at removing tough stains, for lighter stains, baking soda can be a good alternative.
• To protect your hands, it's recommended to wear cleaning gloves when using Bar Keepers Friend or similar products.
• Always dry off your pans with a towel before putting them away to prevent water spots and maintain their shine.

Boil water and baking soda in the pan

To clean stubborn stains on your stainless steel pans, boil water and baking soda in the pan. Start by adding enough water to the pan to cover the bottom—roughly a quarter to a half cup of water. Then, add a few spoonfuls of baking soda. Turn on the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. As the water evaporates, it will leave a film of baking soda around the walls of the pan.

Once most of the water has boiled off, turn off the heat. It's now time to scrub. Use a long-handled brush or scouring pad to scrub off the mess. It's best to do this while the pan is still hot, so be sure to wear gloves and grip the pan with a towel or oven mitt to protect your hands.

This method is ideal for freshly scorched pans, but it may not be as effective for removing grime that has accumulated over time. For more stubborn stains, you can try submerging the entire pan in a pot of boiling water and baking soda.

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 as possible from the pan. You can do this by scraping the pan with a spatula or wooden spoon.

Next, make a paste by mixing baking soda and water. The general ratio is 1 part water to 3 parts baking soda, but you can adjust this as needed. You want the paste to be thick enough to fully coat the burnt areas of the pan.

Now, apply the baking soda paste to the burnt areas of the pan. Spread it around so that it fully covers the burn marks.

Let the paste sit for several hours or even overnight. The longer you leave it, the more effective it will be at breaking down the burnt residue.

Once the paste has had time to work, use a cleaning brush or non-abrasive sponge to scrub the pan and remove the paste. Rinse the pan with water to inspect the results. If necessary, repeat the process until the burn marks are gone.

For more heavily burnt pans, you can also try boiling the paste. After applying the paste, add a little extra water to thin it out, then put the pan on the stove and bring it to a boil. Be careful not to leave it on the heat for too long, as you don't want the paste to burn. Let the pan cool, then scrub and rinse as before.

You can also enhance the cleaning power of baking soda by pairing it with vinegar or lemon juice. Vinegar and lemon juice are both acidic, which helps to break down burnt food and loosen it from the pan. To use this method, first, apply the baking soda paste to the pan as described above. Then, add enough vinegar or lemon juice to cover the bottom of the pan and bring it to a boil. Simmer for a few minutes, then remove from the heat and add more baking soda, which will create a fizzing reaction. Once the fizzing has stopped, dump the mixture and scrub the pan to remove the burn marks.

Remove water stains with vinegar

Vinegar is an excellent natural cleaning agent that can be used to remove water stains from stainless steel pans. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to effectively remove water stains using vinegar:

Step 1: Prepare a Vinegar Solution

Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. You can use distilled white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or cleaning vinegar, which is slightly stronger. If you have heavy water stains or marks, you can use undiluted vinegar for better results.

Step 2: Apply the Vinegar

Spray the vinegar solution generously onto the stained areas of your stainless steel pan. Alternatively, you can pour a small amount of vinegar directly onto the stains. Let the vinegar sit for a few minutes to allow it to penetrate and loosen the water stains.

Step 3: Scrub the Stains

Using a non-abrasive sponge or a soft microfiber cloth, gently scrub the stained areas. Always scrub with the grain of the steel to prevent streaking and scratching. For tougher stains, you may need to apply a little more elbow grease or use a nylon scrubbing sponge.

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

Once you've removed the water stains, rinse the pan with cold water to remove any remaining vinegar. Dry the pan thoroughly with a clean microfiber towel or cloth. Ensure there is no water residue left on the pan to prevent new water stains from forming.

Additional Tips:

• Always consult the manufacturer's instructions or product manual before using vinegar on your stainless steel pans to ensure it is safe for the specific type of steel.
• For extremely tough water stains, you can try using a stronger vinegar, such as agricultural-grade vinegar (20% acetic acid), which can be found at farm supply stores.
• To prevent water stains in the future, dry your pans immediately after washing and rinsing.

Frequently asked questions