Ella Walter
Stainless steel is one of the most resilient materials available for cookware. Its chromium film is responsible for its resistance to rust and tarnish. However, the film can be damaged by dirt and other contaminants, so it's important to clean stainless steel regularly. Here are some tips for cleaning stainless steel pans:
- For general cleaning, wash pans by hand with dishwashing soap and water. Avoid using a dishwasher as it can damage the handles.
- Dry pans immediately with a towel or rag to prevent water spots. If water spots do form, rinse them with club soda and dry with a soft cloth.
- For stuck-on food, fill the pan with water and put it on the stove. Add salt or baking soda, boil the water, then use a plastic or wooden spatula to lift off the residue.
- For burn marks, sprinkle baking soda onto the affected areas and scrub with a soft sponge. Alternatively, use a mildly abrasive cleaner like Bar Keeper's Friend.
- Polish pans with a cookware polish designed for stainless steel. Avoid using industrial-strength polish, which has harsher cleaning chemicals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soak | Warm, soapy water for a few hours |
| Scrub | Scouring pad, sponge, wooden spoon |
| Remove burn marks | Baking soda, Bar Keeper's Friend, Barkeeper's Friend, Bon Ami, Zud, coarse steel wool, cream of tartar, vinegar, tomato juice, salt, lemon juice, white vinegar, olive oil, coconut oil, peanut oil |
| Remove water spots | Club soda, vinegar |
| Clean tough burn marks | Boil water in the pan, add salt, scrub with scouring pad |
| Clean | Dish soap, hot water, scouring pad, tissue paper, glass cleaner, paper towel, microfiber cloth, baby oil, stainless steel polish |
| Dry | Towel, air dry |
| Polish | Stainless steel polish, glass cleaner, olive oil, lemon oil, baby oil |
What You'll Learn
Use baking soda and water to scrub away burn marks
To clean burn marks from your stainless steel pans, you can use a paste made from baking soda and water. This method is effective because baking soda is a mild abrasive that can help to neutralise acidic burnt foods.
First, remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, make a paste from three parts baking soda and one part water. You will need enough paste to cover the scorched portion of the pan. For a pan with a fully burnt base, try using one cup of baking soda and one-third of a cup of water.
Apply the paste liberally to the burnt areas of the pan. It should be thick enough to fully coat the surface. Alternatively, you can cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water and then add enough baking soda to create a paste.
Let the paste sit for a few hours or overnight. Then, 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 a quarter to a half cup of water to thin the paste and then put the pan on the stove to boil. Remove it from the heat quickly so that it doesn't burn again, and then let the pan cool before wiping or scrubbing to remove the burnt bits.
You can also use this method to regularly wash your pots and pans and help prevent scorch marks or burnt-on residue.
Searing Pan: What, Why, and How?
You may want to see also
Clean water spots with vinegar
Vinegar is a cheap and effective agent for cleaning stainless steel. It can be used to remove hard water spots from stainless steel pans. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Prepare a Vinegar Solution
Fill a spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water. Distilled white vinegar is a good option.
Step 2: Rinse the Pan
Rinse out the pan with plain water. This will help remove any loose food particles or residue.
Step 3: Apply the Vinegar Solution
Spray the vinegar solution generously all over the pan, ensuring that all areas with water spots are covered.
Step 4: Let it Soak
Allow the vinegar solution to soak on the pan for about 15 minutes. This gives the vinegar time to work on breaking down the water spots and mineral deposits.
Step 5: Scrub the Pan
After soaking, use a non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth to gently scrub the pan. Pay particular attention to the areas with water spots. This will help remove any remaining residue.
Step 6: Rinse and Dry
Rinse the pan with clean water to remove any vinegar solution and loosened residue. Finally, wipe the pan dry with a soft, clean cloth or a microfiber towel.
This process should leave your stainless steel pans clean and free of water spots. If there are still some stubborn spots, you can try repeating the process or using a mild detergent in addition to the vinegar. Remember to always hand dry your pans after washing to prevent water spots from forming.
The Magic of Seasoning: Unlocking the Non-Stick Power of Cast Iron Pans
You may want to see also
Boil water and add salt to cook away burn marks
If your stainless steel pan has burn marks, one way to clean it is to cook the marks away. Fill the pan with enough water to cover the damage, and bring the water to a boil on the stove. It's important that you only add a few spoonfuls of salt to the water once it's already boiling. If you add salt to cold water, it might pit the metal. Turn off the heat and let the pan sit for several hours. Then, dump the water out and try scrubbing away the damage with a scouring pad. If the burn marks are still there, you can repeat the process.
Instead of salt, you could also try adding lemon juice, white vinegar, or tomato juice to the water.
Cleaning Stained Drip Pans: Easy and Effective Methods
You may want to see also
Use a scouring pad to remove crusted food
To remove crusted food from your stainless steel pans, start by filling the pan with warm, soapy water and letting it soak for several hours or even overnight. This will help to loosen any stubborn, stuck-on food.
Once the pan has soaked, drain the water and use a scouring pad to scrub away any remaining food residue. Be sure to use a non-scratch scouring pad, as steel wool or copper scourers will scratch the surface of your pan. Apply some elbow grease and scrub vigorously to remove most food build-up.
If your pan still has some stuck-on food, you can try a few other methods. First, try sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda onto the surface of the pan and adding a little water to make a paste. Use a cloth or sponge to rub the baking soda paste around the pan and then rinse.
Another option is to fill the pan with equal parts vinegar and water and let it soak for 2-3 minutes before rinsing and washing as usual. Alternatively, you can fill the pan with one part vinegar and three parts water, bring it to a boil, and then let it cool before washing with hot, soapy water.
For really tough, burnt-on food, you can try a paste made from equal parts baking soda and water. Apply this paste to the affected area and let it sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing it away with a sponge or cloth. Wash the pan with hot, soapy water.
Finally, you can try boiling water in the pan and using a wooden spoon to scrape away any stuck-on food. Be sure to only use wooden utensils to avoid scratching the surface of your pan.
Preventing Meatballs from Sticking to the Pan
You may want to see also
Polish with stainless steel polish
To polish your stainless steel pans with a stainless steel polish, you'll first need to ensure the surface is clean and free of stuck-on gunk. Give the pans a gentle but thorough wash with dish detergent, warm water, and a dish sponge or brush. Once you've cleaned the surface, rinse off with fresh water and pat dry.
Next, you'll want to apply the polish. Choose a non-waxy, oil-based polish with an abrasive component. Apply a small amount of the polish to a clean cloth and buff it into the cookware. Work the polish into the grain of the steel, and be sure to buff out any scratches or imperfections.
After you've finished applying the polish, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe away any excess. Your pans should now have a beautiful mirror-like shine!
Easy Ways to Remove Tarts from a Muffin Pan
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Start by soaking the pan in warm, soapy water for a few hours. Then, scrub vigorously with a scouring pad. If this doesn't work, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the surface and rub it in with a dry cloth or sponge. You can also add a little water to the baking soda to make a paste.
Water spots are caused by minerals in the water. Swish some club soda around in the pan, rinse, and then wipe dry with a clean cloth. Alternatively, try soaking the pan in vinegar, then clean with a mild detergent and soft cloth.
Fill the pan with just enough water to cover the damage and bring to a boil. Add a few spoonfuls of salt, turn off the heat, and let the pan sit for several hours. Dump the water out and try scrubbing away the damage with a scouring pad. You can also try adding lemon juice or white vinegar to the water instead of salt.
Wash your pans by hand with dish soap and hot water after each use. Avoid using products containing ammonia or bleach, as these can cause damage or discolouration. After washing, wipe each pan dry with a clean towel or air dry.
Never use steel wool pads or copper-based scrubbers, as these will scratch the surface of your pans. Also, avoid putting your pans in the dishwasher, as this will dramatically reduce their lifespan.
