Deep Clean Your Steel Pans: The Ultimate Guide

Stainless steel pans are a kitchen staple for many, but even with proper care, they can become stained and discoloured over time. Luckily, there are several ways to deep clean your stainless steel pans and restore them to their former glory.

Use a spatula or paper towel to remove excess oil

To deep clean a stainless steel pan, you should first remove excess oil with a spatula or paper towel. This is an important first step because the more grease that has caked onto a stainless steel pan, the more difficult it is to clean.

To do this, scrape out the excess oil with a spatula or wipe it out with a paper towel. Then, deglaze the pan by adding some hot water. Cleaning a hot pan is easier, and adding hot water will not damage it. However, always let your pan cool down before fully submerging it in cool water to avoid causing thermal shock, which can warp your pan.

If you are cleaning a pan that you have just used, you can skip the deglazing step and simply scrape out or wipe out the excess oil before adding hot water.

Once you have removed the excess oil and deglazed your pan, you can move on to the next steps of cleaning your stainless steel pan, such as using baking soda, vinegar, or commercial cleaners to remove any remaining stains or discolouration.

Loosen stuck-on food with a dish brush

To loosen stuck-on food with a dish brush, fill your pan with enough soapy water to cover the residue. Place the pan on the burner and turn on the heat. When a drop of water sizzles in the pan, pour in about one cup of water. This step will create steam and may cause bubbling, so be careful to avoid burns.

Next, use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape away the stuck-on food. The heat and steam should have loosened it, making it easier to remove. Turn off the heat, remove the pan from the burner, and let it cool down.

Now, add a squirt of dish soap to the pan and use a long-handled brush to remove any remaining food particles and break down the oil. Move the pan to the sink and rinse away most of the grime. Finally, use a soft sponge and warm, soapy water to wash the entire pan, scrubbing in a circular motion.

If you're dealing with stubborn, burnt-on food, you can try a more intensive approach. Sprinkle the surface of your pan generously with baking soda and fill the pan with enough water to cover the stuck-on food. Bring this to a boil and simmer until most of the water has evaporated. Turn off the heat and wait for the pan to cool down enough to handle. Use a non-abrasive sponge to scrub away the remaining buildup, then wash the pan in hot, soapy water.

For extremely tough stains, you can try a more heavy-duty approach. Add a small mound of baking soda to the centre of the pan and cover it with about 1/4 cup of water. Bring this to a boil. As the water evaporates, it will leave a film of baking soda around the walls of the pan, which you can then scrub off. When most of the water has boiled off, turn off the heat and use a long-handled brush or scouring pad to scrub away the mess. It's best to do this while the pan is still hot, so be sure to wear gloves and handle the pan with a towel or oven mitt.

Remove stains with a scouring pad or sponge

To remove stains from a stainless steel pan, you can use a scouring pad or sponge. It is important to choose a non-abrasive option, as coarse scrubbers can scratch the surface of your pan and damage its finish. A Scotch-Brite scouring pad or sponge is a good option, as it is effective at removing stains without causing scratches. Alternatively, a softer sponge, such as a Dobie pad, can be used, but it will require more elbow grease.

When using a scouring pad or sponge, it is important to follow the correct steps to ensure the stains are removed effectively. First, make sure you have removed any excess food or oil from the pan using a spatula, paper towel, or dish brush. Then, if there are any stuck-on food bits, fill the pan with soapy water and bring it to a boil. You can also add a few spoonfuls of baking soda to help loosen the food particles. Once the water has boiled, turn off the heat and allow the pan to cool.

After the pan has cooled, you can begin scrubbing. Add some dish soap to the pan and scrub the inside and outside with your scouring pad or sponge, using a continuous circular motion. Rinse the pan with warm water to remove any soap residue, then dry it off completely with a clean, absorbent towel or microfiber cloth.

It is important to note that if your pan has tough stains, you may need to use a different cleaning method, such as boiling water and baking soda or using a commercial cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend. However, for most stains, a scouring pad or sponge will be effective when used with dish soap and a circular scrubbing motion.

Wash with dish soap and dry with a towel

To deep clean a stainless steel pan, it is recommended to first clean the pan with washing-up liquid, ensuring it is as clean as possible before following the next steps.

For this step, fill your sink with warm water and add some dish soap. Use a sponge or soft cloth to wash the pan, ensuring that you cover the entire surface. Rinse the pan with warm water to remove any soap residue.

Once the pan is clean, it is important to dry it thoroughly with a towel. This step is crucial, as it will prevent water spots from forming and help keep your pan looking spotless and shiny. Ensure that you use a clean, dry towel to absorb any moisture, and take care to dry both the inside and outside of the pan.

Additionally, it is recommended to dry your stainless steel pans immediately after washing them. This extra step will further ensure that water spots are prevented, and your pan maintains its pristine condition.

Use baking soda and vinegar for tougher stains

To remove tougher stains from your stainless steel pan, a paste made from baking soda and vinegar is very effective.

First, ensure your pan is dry. Then, flip the pan over and sprinkle baking soda evenly over the bottom of the pan. Next, use a dry cloth to rub the baking soda into the burn marks. You can also add a small amount of water to the baking soda to make a paste. Once you're happy, rinse off any excess baking soda and dry the pan.

For an alternative method, simply make a paste using baking soda and gentle dish soap. Apply the paste to any affected areas and leave it on for several hours. When you're ready, wash the pan thoroughly and dry as normal.

For yet another method, fill the bottom of your pot or pan with water, enough to cover any stuck-on food. Once the pot or pan has been filled with water, add a cup of vinegar and bring to a boil. Once boiling, remove from the heat and add in two tablespoons of baking soda. Briefly mix together and empty the pan. Finally, use a non-abrasive sponge or scrubber to rid the pan of any remaining food particles.

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