Stainless Steel Pan: Removing Brown Spots

Stainless steel pans are durable and excellent at conducting heat, but they can be hard to keep clean. Luckily, there are several ways to remove brown stains from stainless steel pans.

One method is to use a commercial cleaner such as Bar Keepers Friend, which can be applied with a sponge or steel wool. Another option is to make a paste from baking soda and water, which can be applied with a soft sponge and scrubbed in a circular motion. You can also try using vinegar, either by wiping the pan with a vinegar-soaked sponge or by boiling a mixture of one part vinegar and three parts water in the pan, then rinsing and drying.

How to Remove Brown from a Stainless Steel Pan

Baking soda and lemon

Removing Brown Stains from Stainless Steel Pans with Baking Soda and Lemon

Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Make a Baking Soda-Lemon Solution

• Start by wetting the bottom of the pan. You can use regular tap water for this.
• Generously sprinkle baking soda over the wet surface of the pan. The baking soda will stick to the water, creating a thin layer.
• Cut a lemon in half and use one of the halves as your scrubber. You can also squeeze some lemon juice onto the baking soda to create a paste or slurry. The acid in the lemon juice will react with the alkaline baking soda to create a foaming cleaner, enhancing its cleaning power.

Step 2: Scrub the Pan

• Using the cut side of the lemon, scrub the pan in a back-and-forth motion. Focus on the stained areas, applying more pressure as needed. The lemon will act as a natural, mild abrasive, helping to dissolve and remove the stains.
• Continue scrubbing until you notice the stains starting to fade. For more stubborn stains, let the baking soda and lemon solution sit on the pan for a few minutes before scrubbing again.

Step 3: Rinse and Wash the Pan

• Once you're satisfied with the results, rinse the pan with warm water to remove the baking soda and lemon residue.
• Wash the pan with mild dish soap and a non-abrasive sponge or scrubber. Make sure to wash both the inside and outside of the pan.
• Dry the pan thoroughly with a clean towel or cloth.

Tips and Tricks:

• For tougher, more stubborn stains, you can let the baking soda and lemon solution sit on the pan for a longer period, even overnight, before scrubbing and rinsing.
• Always dry your stainless steel pans immediately after washing to prevent water spots and maintain their shine.
• While baking soda is a mild abrasive and unlikely to scratch your pan, avoid using abrasive tools like steel wool or harsh scrubbers, as these can damage the surface of your pan.
• Always scrub in the direction of the grain of your pan to avoid scratching the finish. Most stainless steel pans have faint directional scratches or polish lines from the manufacturing process.
• If you don't have a lemon, you can also use vinegar or lemon juice with the baking soda. The acid in these liquids will react with the baking soda to enhance its cleaning power.

Bar Keepers Friend

To use Bar Keepers Friend to remove brown stains from your pan, first dampen the pan in warm water. Then, make a paste using Bar Keepers Friend powder and water. Apply the paste to the pan using a soft cloth, and let it sit for one minute. Do not let the paste sit for longer. Rub the paste in a circular motion from the centre of the pan outward. Finally, wash the pan in hot soapy water, rinse, and repeat as needed.

Vinegar

To use vinegar to clean your stainless steel pan, start by filling the bottom of the pan with water. Ensure that there is enough water to cover any stuck-on food. Next, add one cup of vinegar to the water and bring it to a boil. Once the mixture is boiling, remove the pan 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. Finally, rinse the pan with water and dry it thoroughly.

Additionally, a mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water can be used to remove white calcium build-up stains from your pan. Make the mixture and then boil it in the affected pot or pan. Allow it to cool, empty the pan, and then wash the pan as normal.

Dish soap

To remove brown stains from a stainless steel pan using dish soap, you can try the following methods:

Boiling Water and Dish Soap

• Begin by scrubbing away as much food as possible with a non-abrasive scrubber.
• Fill the pot or pan with water and add a bit of dish soap.
• Ensure that any stuck-on food is completely submerged.
• Bring the water to a boil and let it simmer for a few minutes.
• Remove the pot from the burner and let it cool.
• Scrape away the loosened food with a spatula.
• If the brown stains persist, repeat the process or try one of the techniques below.

Baking Soda and Dish Soap

• Mix dish soap and baking soda into a paste.
• Apply the paste to the affected areas and leave it on for several hours.
• Wash the pan thoroughly and dry it as normal.

Boiling Water, Baking Soda, and Dish Soap

• Add a few spoonfuls of baking soda to your scorched pan and enough water to cover the burnt areas.
• Bring the mixture to a boil and simmer until most of the water has evaporated.
• Turn off the heat and wait until the pan is cool enough to handle.
• Scrub away buildup with a non-abrasive sponge and wash in hot, soapy water.

Boiling Water, Vinegar, and Dish Soap

• Fill the bottom of your pot or pan with water, ensuring to cover any stuck-on food.
• Once the pot or pan has been filled with water, add 1 cup of vinegar and bring the water to a boil.
• Once boiling, remove from the heat and add in 2 tablespoons of baking soda.
• Briefly mix the solution and empty the pan.
• Use a non-abrasive sponge or scrubber to rid the pan of any remaining food particles.

When using dish soap to clean your stainless steel pans, it is important to use a non-abrasive scrubber or sponge to prevent scratching the surface. Additionally, always allow your cookware to cool down before cleaning to avoid warping.

Steel wool

To use steel wool to remove brown stains, simply wet the steel wool with water and scrub the pan. The stains should come off without much effort. The pad can be rinsed and reused multiple times, as long as it is not used on burnt-on bits.

While steel wool is an excellent option for stainless steel, it is important to note that it can leave scratches on soft metals and delicate surfaces, such as porcelain enamel. Therefore, it is recommended to only use steel wool on stainless steel pans and to avoid using it on other types of cookware or surfaces.

In addition to steel wool, there are other methods and products that can be used to remove brown stains from stainless steel pans. These include:

• Bar Keepers Friend Cookware Cleanser & Polish
• Brillo Cameo cleaner
• Baking soda and lemon
• Easy-Off oven cleaner

Frequently asked questions