Tillie Doyle
Stainless steel pots and pans are durable, non-corrosive, and non-reactive, making them a common choice for cooks and commercial kitchens alike. However, they are not impervious to burnt-on messes, discolouration, and water spots. To keep your stainless steel cookware looking brand new, it's important to know how to clean and care for it properly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaning tools | Non-abrasive sponge, soft cloth, non-abrasive scrubber, paper towels, dish brush, scouring pad, towel, cleaning gloves, oven mitts, toothpicks, spatula, wooden spoon |
| Cleaning products | Dish soap, distilled white vinegar, commercial cleaner, baking soda, Bar Keepers Friend, water |
| Cleaning methods | Hand-washing, deglazing, scrubbing, boiling with water and baking soda, sprinkling with baking soda, boiling with vinegar and water, drying |
| General care | Avoid scratches, avoid chlorides, scrub with the grain, prevent water spots, avoid using cold water on a hot pan, avoid harsh scrubbers or cleaners |
What You'll Learn
Wash by hand with hot, soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge
Hand-washing is the best way to clean stainless steel pans. Always let the pan cool down before washing to avoid warping and damaging the surface.
To hand-wash your stainless steel pans, fill your sink with hot, soapy water. Use a mild dish soap, and ensure the water is hot but not boiling. Submerge the pan in the water and leave to soak for a few minutes. Then, using a non-abrasive sponge, scrub the pan gently. Rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water to remove all soap, and dry it off completely with a microfiber towel before putting it away.
To avoid scratching your stainless steel pans, never use harsh scrubbers like steel wool or wire scrubbers. Instead, opt for a non-abrasive or "stainless steel-approved" scrubber. Stay away from harsh cleaners like bleach, ammonia, or oven cleaner, as these can permanently damage the surface.
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Use baking soda and vinegar to remove tough stains
Baking soda and vinegar are effective for removing stuck-on food and tough stains from stainless steel pans. This method is also useful for restoring the shine of stainless steel cookware. Here are the steps to clean your stainless steel pots and pans using baking soda and vinegar:
Removing Tough Stains with Baking Soda and Vinegar:
- Fill the bottom of your pot or pan with water, ensuring there is enough water to cover the stuck-on food or tough stains.
- Add 1 cup of vinegar to the water and bring it to a boil.
- Once the water is boiling, remove the pan from the heat.
- Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda to the pan and briefly mix it with the water and vinegar solution.
- Empty the pan and use a non-abrasive sponge or scrubber to remove any remaining food particles or stains.
General Tips for Cleaning Stainless Steel Cookware:
- Always use a non-abrasive or "stainless steel-approved" scrubber to avoid scratching the surface.
- Scrub with the grain, following the polish lines of the stainless steel.
- Avoid using harsh cleaners or abrasive tools like steel wool, which can damage the surface.
- Dry your cookware immediately after washing to prevent water spots.
- Always let your cookware cool down before cleaning to avoid warping.
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Use a commercial cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend
Bar Keepers Friend is a popular commercial cleaner that can be used to effectively clean stainless steel pots and pans. It is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product that can remove rust, tarnish, mineral deposits, and tough stains from most surfaces. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use Bar Keepers Friend to clean your stainless steel pots and pans:
Step 1: Moisten the Surface
Firstly, ensure that the surface of your pots and pans is wet. This can be done by simply running a damp sponge or cloth over the surface.
Step 2: Apply Bar Keepers Friend
Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend onto the bottom of the pan or pot, forming a paste with the water. You can also sprinkle the product onto a soft cloth or sponge and then apply it to the surface.
Step 3: Scrub the Surface
Using a non-abrasive scrubber, soft cloth, or sponge, scrub the paste in a circular motion from the center of the pan or pot outward. For very tarnished or greasy pans, you can start scrubbing with steel wool and then switch to a softer sponge or cloth.
Step 4: Rinse and Repeat
Rinse the pan or pot with clean water. If there are still burn marks present, repeat the above steps as needed. It is recommended to not let the paste sit on the surface for longer than one minute to avoid potential discolouration.
Tips:
- Bar Keepers Friend can also be used to clean the bottom of your pots and pans. Simply set the pot or pan bottom-up in the sink, sprinkle the bottom with water, and follow the same steps as above.
- Always wear kitchen gloves when using Bar Keepers Friend to protect your skin, as the product is abrasive.
- For lighter stains, baking soda can be used as a more versatile and inexpensive alternative to Bar Keepers Friend.
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Dry pans immediately after washing to prevent water spots
Water spots are a common issue with stainless steel pans, and they can be challenging to remove. The best way to deal with water spots is to prevent them from forming in the first place. This can be done by drying your pans immediately after washing them. Here are some tips to ensure your pans are dried properly and prevent water spots:
Use a Clean, Absorbent Towel: After rinsing your pan with warm water, use a clean, absorbent towel to thoroughly dry the surface. Ensure you dry both the inside and outside of the pan.
Microfiber Towel: Microfiber towels are highly effective at drying stainless steel pans. They are designed to be highly absorbent and quick-drying. Use a microfiber towel to wipe down your pans after washing, ensuring no water spots are left behind.
Air Drying: If you don't want to use a towel, you can air-dry your pans. Hang them up or place them on a drying rack to allow the water to evaporate. Ensure that you shake off any excess water before air-drying to speed up the process.
Dishwasher: While hand-washing is recommended for stainless steel pans, if you choose to use a dishwasher, ensure that you remove the pans as soon as the cycle is complete. Leaving them inside the dishwasher can lead to the formation of water spots.
Additional Tips:
- Always let your pans cool down before washing them to avoid warping and damaging the surface.
- Avoid harsh cleaners like bleach or ammonia, and stay away from abrasive sponges or steel wool pads, as they can scratch the material.
- For tough water spots, create a mixture of vinegar and water (one part vinegar to three parts water) and boil it in the affected pan. Let it cool, then wash the pan with soap and water.
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Avoid harsh cleaners like bleach and steel wool pads
Bleach and steel wool are two things you should avoid when cleaning stainless steel. Bleach is a strong oxidizing agent that can cause even stainless steel to rust. Even a small amount of bleach can oxidize steel, and its major component, iron, which tends to rust. Stainless steel is designed to resist corrosion and rust, but bleach can cause ugly blotches and discoloration.
High-grade versions of stainless steel may initially withstand the effects of bleach, but even these will eventually succumb and be destroyed. So, it is best to avoid bleach altogether when cleaning stainless steel. Instead, opt for a commercial cleaner designed for stainless steel, such as Bar Keeper's Friend, or a homemade solution of vinegar and water.
Like bleach, steel wool is too harsh for stainless steel. The abrasive nature of steel wool can remove the finish from stainless steel, making it more susceptible to rust and stains. It can also leave unsightly scratches that are impossible to remove. Therefore, it is important to use a non-abrasive or "stainless steel-approved" scrubber when cleaning stainless steel. Soft sponges, scrub brushes, and microfiber cloths are all suitable alternatives.
In addition to bleach and steel wool, there are other things to avoid when cleaning stainless steel. It is important to always use a gentle touch and follow the grain of the steel when scrubbing. Avoid tap water, especially hard water, as this can leave spots and streaks. Instead, use distilled or filtered water. Also, be sure to dry your stainless steel pots and pans immediately after washing to prevent water spots and discolouration.
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Frequently asked questions
For basic daily cleaning, use a scrubber sponge and hot, soapy water. Wash the pan in the sink with hot water and dish soap, scrubbing the pan's surface with a non-scratch sponge.
To remove tough, burnt-on food, fill the pan with water and add a generous amount of powdered dishwasher detergent (liquid won't work as well). Leave the pan to soak overnight. The next morning, the burnt-on food should come off easily with a scrubber sponge. Alternatively, you can fill the pan with water, bring it to a boil, and add a few spoonfuls of baking soda. Simmer until most of the water has evaporated, then scrub the pan with a non-abrasive sponge and wash in hot, soapy water.
To restore shine to your stainless steel pans, scrub the pan with a powdered cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend, which contains oxalic acid. This will take some elbow grease but will effectively remove stubborn stains. You can also try a paste made from baking soda and water, or a commercial cleaner like Carbon Off.
