Preventing Stainless Steel Pots From Developing Hot Spots

Stainless steel pots are a kitchen staple for many home cooks. They're durable, heat up quickly and evenly, and are non-reactive, meaning you can cook almost anything in them without damaging the surface. However, stainless steel pots are susceptible to food sticking to their surfaces, which can lead to stubborn burnt-on messes and discolouration. To prevent hotspots and the associated food sticking, it is recommended to preheat your pan before adding oil and then adding food. This allows the steel to become static, creating a temporarily non-stick surface. Additionally, getting to know the hot and cold spots on your pots and burners can help prevent hotspots and sticking. For new pans, fill the pot or pan with water and bring it to a boil to identify where rapid bubbling (hot spots) and lack of bubbles (cold spots) occur. During cooking, keep food moving to prevent it from staying in a hot or cold spot.

Use the right tools to clean stainless steel pots

Stainless steel pots are a great addition to your kitchen because of their versatility and durability. However, they do require some special care to keep them in good condition. Here are some tips on how to use the right tools to clean your stainless steel pots:

Spatula or Wooden Spoon

Use a wooden or silicone spatula, or a wooden spoon, to scrape away any excess food left on the stainless steel pot. Make sure not to use metal utensils as they can scratch the surface.

Non-abrasive Sponge or Cloth

Always use a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to wash your stainless steel pots. Avoid steel wool or brushes with metal bristles as they can cause scratches that may lead to rust and stuck-on food. Opt for a soft sponge or cloth, such as a Dobie pad, for best results.

Dish Soap

When cleaning your stainless steel pots, use a mild dish soap. Unscented, natural dish soap is a good option. Avoid using harsh cleaners like bleach or oven cleaner, as these can damage the surface.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a great, inexpensive way to remove tougher stains, burnt food, and oil. Add a few spoonfuls of baking soda to your pot, along with enough water to cover the affected areas. Bring it to a boil and then simmer until the water has evaporated. Turn off the heat and let the pot cool down before scrubbing away any remaining buildup with your non-abrasive sponge and washing it with hot, soapy water.

Vinegar

To remove discoloration or hard water stains, vinegar is your best friend. Fill your pot with a solution of one part vinegar to three parts water and bring it to a boil. Let it cool completely, then wash and dry your pot as usual. You can also use diluted vinegar on a sponge to scrub away rainbow stains or cloudy residue.

Toothpicks

For the nooks and crannies, such as around the rivets, use a toothpick to carefully pry off any gunk or stuck-on food.

Microfiber Cloth

Always dry your stainless steel pots with a microfiber cloth or towel immediately after washing. Avoid air-drying as it can lead to water spots and streaks.

Avoid chlorides when cleaning stainless steel pots

Stainless steel is a common cookware choice due to its durability and non-reactivity with acidic foods. However, without proper care, it can become pitted or rusted. To maintain your stainless steel pots, it is important to avoid deposits of chlorides, which are present in salt, hard water, and chlorinated cleaning products. Over time, exposure to chlorides can cause pitting, making the steel vulnerable to rust and corrosion.

To prevent this, avoid using salt or salt water to clean your stainless steel pots. Instead, opt for a gentle commercial cleaner, such as Barkeeper's Friend, or a natural alternative like baking soda or vinegar. When using a commercial cleaner, follow the package instructions for application and removal. For baking soda, create a paste with water and apply it to the affected areas, allowing it to sit for several hours before rinsing. For vinegar, dilute it with water, scrub your cookware with the solution, then rinse and dry.

Additionally, always use non-abrasive scrubbers or sponges to prevent scratching, as scratches can make stainless steel vulnerable to corrosion.

Use a commercial cleaner to clean stainless steel pots

To prevent hot spots in your stainless steel pots, it's important to clean them regularly and properly. While stainless steel is designed to resist corrosion and rust, it can still be susceptible to burnt-on messes, discolouration, and water spots with everyday use. Here are some tips for cleaning your stainless steel pots with a commercial cleaner:

Choosing a Commercial Cleaner

When choosing a commercial cleaner, opt for a gentle yet effective product specifically designed for stainless steel, such as Bar Keepers Friend. These cleaners are formulated to remove tough stains without scratching or damaging the stainless steel surface. For burnt-on food or scorch marks, a powdered formula tends to work best.

Steps for Using a Commercial Cleaner

• Moisten the Pan: Start by wetting the pan, ensuring that any burnt-on food is saturated.
• Apply the Cleaner: Sprinkle the cleaner onto the bottom of the pan, forming a paste.
• Scrub the Surface: Using a non-abrasive scrubber or soft cloth, scrub the paste into the scorched areas of the pan.
• Rinse and Repeat: Rinse the pan with clean water. If burn marks are still visible, repeat the above steps as needed.

Additional Tips:

• For stubborn burn marks and carbon build-up, you may need to use a stronger commercial cleaner, such as Carbon Off.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for specific washing recommendations.
• Avoid using abrasive tools like steel wool or harsh cleaners like bleach on your stainless steel pots, as these can permanently damage the surface.
• To prevent water spots, dry your pots immediately after washing.
• To remove smaller water spots, wipe the pan with a damp sponge sprinkled with baking soda.
• Avoid using salt or salt water during cleaning, as this can lead to pitting corrosion, causing small, irreparable dents in your pots.

Remove burnt food with boiling water

Burnt food in stainless steel pots can be a challenge to remove, but boiling water is a simple and effective solution. Here is a step-by-step guide to removing burnt food with boiling water:

Firstly, begin by scrubbing away as much of the burnt food as possible using a non-abrasive scrubber. It is important to avoid using abrasive materials such as steel wool or wire scrubbers, as these can scratch the stainless steel surface and make it vulnerable to corrosion.

Next, fill the pot or pan with water and add a small amount of dish soap. Ensure that the stuck-on food is completely submerged in the soapy water. Then, place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Allow it to simmer for a few minutes. The heat from the boiling water will help to loosen the leftover food, making it easier to remove.

After simmering, remove the pot from the heat source and let it cool down. Once it has cooled, use a spatula to gently scrape and remove the loosened food. If the burnt food is still stubbornly stuck, repeat the boiling process or try one of the alternative methods outlined below.

An alternative to boiling water is using a commercial cleaner. First, moisten the pan and saturate the burnt food with water. Then, sprinkle a gentle commercial cleaner, such as Barkeeper's Friend, onto the bottom of the pan to form a paste. Use a non-abrasive scrubber or soft cloth to scrub the paste into the scorched food. Finally, rinse the pan with clean water and repeat if necessary.

Another effective method combines vinegar and baking soda. Fill the bottom of the pot or pan with water, enough to cover the stuck-on food. Then, add a cup of vinegar and bring the water to a boil. Once it is boiling, remove it from the heat and add two tablespoons of baking soda. Briefly mix the solution and then empty the pan. Use a non-abrasive sponge or scrubber to remove any remaining food particles.

By following these steps and using the power of boiling water, you can effectively remove burnt food from your stainless steel pots and restore them to their original shine.

Remove burnt food with vinegar and baking soda

To prevent hot spots in stainless steel pots and pans, it's important to get to know the cookware's hot and cold spots. Fill your pot or pan with a few inches of water and bring it to a boil on high heat. The places where you see rapid bubbling are hot spots, and where you see few bubbles or none at all are the cold spots.

Now, onto removing burnt food from your stainless steel pots and pans. Here are four methods that use vinegar and baking soda:

The Deglazing Technique

• Remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Put the pan back on the stove and heat until a droplet of water sizzles.
• Add 1 cup of water or a mixture of 1/2 water and 1/2 white vinegar to the hot pan and allow it to boil. Use more liquid for a larger pot or pan.
• As the liquid simmers, use a spatula or scraper to deglaze the bottom of the pan, loosening the burnt food.
• Pour the liquid down the sink and do not dry or wipe the pan.
• Sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda and let the pan cool.
• Using a wet scouring sponge or nylon brush, scrub the pot bottom vigorously.
• Wash and dry the pan as usual once all stains and scorched bits have been removed.

The Baking Soda & Vinegar Method

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Add enough white vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least 1/2 inch of liquid.
• Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes.
• Remove from heat and add 1 cup of baking soda. You will get a fizzing reaction, so it might be best to do this in the sink.
• Set the pot aside and wait until all the fizzing and bubbling have stopped.
• Discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda as necessary.
• Rinse and dry the pan.

Vinegar and Baking Soda Paste

• Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible.
• Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Make enough to cover the scorched portion of the pan. For a full pot bottom, try 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water.
• Liberally apply the paste to the burnt pan. It should be thick enough to fully coat the surface.
• Alternatively, cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water, 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, add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin the paste, then put the pan on the stove and let it come to a boil.
• Remove the pan from the heat quickly—you don't want it to burn again! Let the pan cool, then wipe or scrub to remove the scorched bits.

Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Boiling Water

• Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of vinegar to the pan and bring to a boil.
• Turn off the heat, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
• Discard the liquid and wash the pot with a scouring pad. If you still have stuck-on pieces, add more baking soda and water to make a paste, then let it sit for a few minutes before washing again with a scouring pad and dish soap.

Frequently asked questions