Reviving Scorched Stainless Steel

Burnt stainless steel pans can be unsightly and off-putting, but there's no need to throw them away. There are several ways to clean and restore them to their former glory, and most methods use common household products.

One popular method is to use a combination of baking soda and vinegar. The chemical reaction between these two ingredients creates carbon dioxide bubbles, which help to loosen burnt-on food. Another method is to use cream of tartar, which contains potassium hydroxide and tartaric acid, and has abrasive properties similar to baking soda. For lighter cleaning, a simple combination of dish soap and water, brought to a simmer, can be effective.

Baking soda and water

If your stainless steel pan is burnt, don't panic. While it may seem like your pan is ruined, these stains are rarely permanent. One way to tackle this issue is by using baking soda and water.

First, remove as much of the burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, make a paste with baking soda and water. You will need 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Make sure you have enough to cover the scorched portion of the pan. For a pan bottom, try 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water.

Apply the paste liberally to the burnt pan. It should be thick enough to fully coat the affected area. 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 mixture sit for a few hours or overnight. Then, add more baking soda and scrub 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 it to a boil, but be careful not to let it burn again. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool. Finally, wipe or scrub the pan to remove the scorched bits.

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

Vinegar and baking soda

Step 1: Fill the Pan with Water and Vinegar

Add water to the pan, ensuring that it covers the stuck-on food. Then, pour in one cup of vinegar.

Step 2: Bring the Mixture to a Boil

Place the pan on the stove and heat it up. Bring the water and vinegar mixture to a boil. This process will help loosen the burnt-on food.

Step 3: Remove from Heat and Add Baking Soda

Once the mixture is boiling, remove the pan from the heat. Add two tablespoons of baking soda to the pan. The baking soda will react with the vinegar, creating a fizzing reaction that helps dislodge the burnt food.

Step 4: Empty the Pan and Scour

After the fizzing has stopped, empty the pan. Use a non-abrasive scouring pad or sponge to scrub away any remaining food particles. You may need to apply some elbow grease at this stage.

Step 5: Make a Baking Soda Paste for Stubborn Marks (Optional)

If there are any stubborn marks or burnt-on food that won't budge, make a paste of baking soda and a small amount of water. Apply this paste to the affected areas and let it sit for a few minutes.

Step 6: Final Scrub and Rinse

After treating the stubborn marks, scour the pan once more. Rinse the pan with warm water and wash it with dish soap. Ensure you dry the pan thoroughly after washing.

This method combines the power of vinegar, which contains acetic acid to break down burnt-on food, with baking soda, which has mild abrasive properties and an alkaline pH that can neutralise acidic burnt foods.

Dishwasher tablet

If you've scorched your stainless steel pan, don't panic! There are a few simple methods you can use to clean it, and most of them use common household products. Here's a step-by-step guide to cleaning a scorched stainless steel pan using a dishwasher tablet:

Step 1: Rinse the Pan

Give your dirty pan a quick rinse with hot water. This will help to remove any loose food particles and grease, making it easier to tackle the burnt-on food.

Step 2: Prepare the Dishwasher Tablet

Step 3: Add a Little Water to the Pan

Cover the bottom of the pan with a small amount of water. You don't need to fill the pan, just add enough water to cover the burnt-on food or stains.

Step 4: Heat the Pan on Low

Place the pan on the stove and turn the heat to low. You don't want to boil the water, just heat it gently. This will help to loosen the burnt-on food and make it easier to remove.

Step 5: Scrape the Dishwasher Tablet Against the Burnt Areas

Once the water is warm, remove the pan from the heat. Take the prepared dishwasher tablet and scrape it against the burnt or stained areas of the pan. The dishwasher tablet will act as a scouring pad, helping to lift and remove the burnt-on food. You may need to apply a bit of pressure and work the tablet back and forth to break down the burnt food.

Step 6: Rinse and Wash the Pan

Once you've removed the burnt-on food, rinse the pan with warm water to remove any residue from the dishwasher tablet. Then, wash the pan with warm soapy water as you usually would. Dry the pan thoroughly before putting it away.

Tips:

• It's important to use a dishwasher tablet designed for your type of dishwasher (i.e., powder, gel, or pod). Powder or pod tablets may be more effective at removing burnt-on food due to their abrasive nature.
• Some dishwasher tablets may be more effective than others, so you may need to experiment with different brands to find the best one for your pan.
• Always wear gloves when handling dishwasher tablets, as they can be irritating to the skin.
• For very stubborn burnt-on food, you may need to repeat the process or try a different method in combination with the dishwasher tablet.

Boiled lemons

To remove burnt oil using boiled lemons, follow these steps:

• Cut two or three lemons in half and put them in the pan.
• Fill the pan with water and bring it to a boil.
• Let the lemons boil for 5-10 minutes or until you start to see food particles float to the surface.
• Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
• Throw out the lemons and water.
• Rinse the pan and use a scouring pad to remove any leftover residue.

If there are still burnt bits stuck to the pan, you can add more baking soda and water to make a paste. Let the paste sit for a few minutes, then wash the pan again with a scouring pad and dish soap.

Another method to remove burnt oil from a stainless steel pan is to use a dishwasher tablet. Dishwasher tablets are effective at breaking down grease and burnt residue. Simply fill the pan with a bit of water, place it on the stove on low heat, and scrub the burnt oil with the dishwasher tablet. Wash the pan with soap and water, and your pan will be good as new!

Aluminium foil and baking soda

First, rinse your dirty pan with hot water and drain it. Then, generously sprinkle 2 tablespoons of baking soda onto the pan. Add a few teaspoons of hot water back into the pan to form a paste with the baking soda. Begin scrubbing with a golf ball-sized piece of crumpled aluminium foil until all the burnt debris lifts off. Finally, rinse the pan with hot, soapy water to finish cleaning.

You can also add a small amount of water to the baking soda to make a paste if you prefer. This method is likely to take hardly any time and minimal effort. You may need to repeat the process, as the baking soda gets dirty quickly, making it difficult to see which areas still need attention. However, this is still the best and easiest method to use when cleaning a scorched or burnt pan.

This method is like the "deluxe" version of the baking soda and vinegar method. It works just as well but is faster and more effective due to the aluminium foil's enhanced scrubbing power.

Frequently asked questions