Marianne Martinez
Stainless steel is a durable and versatile material for cookware. However, it is not immune to staining and discolouration. Burnt-on stains can occur if pans are overheated or forgotten on the stove. Fortunately, there are many methods for removing these stains and restoring the original shine of stainless steel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of brownish color | Overheating the pan |
| Commercial products to remove stains | Bar Keepers Friend, Carbon Off |
| Natural products to remove stains | Vinegar, Baking soda, Lemon, Lime, Coarse kosher salt, Cream of tartar, Dryer sheets, Cola, Club soda |
| Steps to clean the pan with vinegar and baking soda | 1. Fill the bottom of the pan with enough water to cover the stained areas, then add 1 cup of white vinegar. 2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove from the heat. 3. Let the pan and mixture cool until they're safe to touch, then pour the vinegar mixture out. 4. Make a thick paste from baking soda with a little water and rub it into the stained areas with a sponge. 5. Place the pan upside down on a paper towel until the paste dries. 6. Make another helping of water and vinegar mixture, and rinse the dried baking soda paste off with that. Finally, rinse off the pan with plain water and let it dry. |
| Steps to clean the pan with lemon and baking soda | 1. Wet the bottom of the pan. 2. Sprinkle generously with baking soda. 3. Scrub with the cut side of a lemon. 4. Switch to a scrubby sponge. |
What You'll Learn
Use a commercial cleaner
If your stainless steel pan has become discoloured due to overheating, you can use a commercial cleaner to restore its shine. Before trying any other method, it is recommended to try a gentle but effective commercial cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend. These cleaners are designed to clean without scratching or damaging stainless steel surfaces. If you're removing burnt food or scorch marks, the powdered formula works best. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Moisten
First, wet the pan, making sure to saturate the burnt food.
Step 2: Add Cleaner
Sprinkle the cleaner onto the bottom of the pan to form a paste.
Step 3: Scrub
Scrub the paste into the scorched food with a non-abrasive scrubber or soft cloth.
Step 4: Rinse
Rinse the pan with clean water.
Step 5: Repeat
If the burn marks are still present, repeat the steps.
Note: For stubborn burn marks and carbon build-up, you may need to use a more powerful cleaner like Carbon Off.
Other Tips:
- Always use a non-abrasive or “stainless steel-approved scrubber”. Stay away from mechanically abrasive scrubbers like steel wool or wire scrubbers. When stainless steel is scratched, it becomes vulnerable to corrosion.
- Scrub with the grain. Stainless steel has polish lines that look similar to grain lines. Always scrub parallel to the polish lines.
- Avoid chlorides. Exposure to chlorides over time can result in stainless steel becoming pitted, which makes the surface vulnerable to rust and corrosion. Chlorides are present in salt, hard water, and chlorinated cleaners.
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Try vinegar and baking soda
Vinegar and baking soda are a great combination to remove brownish discolouration from your stainless steel pans. This is how you do it:
First, fill your pan with water, making sure to cover the stuck-on food or burnt areas. Then, add a cup of vinegar and bring the water to a boil. Once it's boiling, remove the pan from the heat and add two tablespoons of baking soda. Briefly mix the solution, then empty the pan. Use a non-abrasive sponge or scrubber to remove any remaining food particles.
If you don't have vinegar to hand, you can also use baking soda on its own. Sprinkle it over the bottom of the pan and add a small amount of water to make a paste. Use a soft cloth to rub the baking soda into the burn marks. Once you're happy, rinse off any excess and dry the pan.
You can also make a paste from baking soda and gentle dish soap. Apply this to the affected areas and leave it on for several hours. When you're ready, wash it off and dry the pan as normal.
For lighter stains, baking soda is a great, cheap option. Make a paste with water and baking soda, cover the burnt parts of the pan, and scrub. Rinse, and repeat if necessary.
If you want to remove water stains or rainbow discolouration, try this: add vinegar to your pan and wipe the stained spots with a soft sponge. Then, combine one part vinegar and three parts water in the pan and bring the mixture to a boil. Turn off the heat and let the pan cool. Then, wash the pan with warm, soapy water and a soft sponge, making sure to clean it thoroughly. Finally, rinse and dry the pan.
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Use dryer sheets
If you don't mind the chemicals in dryer sheets, this is a good solution for removing burn marks from your pan. Here's what to do:
- Fill the pan with warm water.
- Soak a dryer sheet in the water, pushing it down to ensure it's completely saturated.
- Let the dryer sheet sit for a couple of hours.
- Use the dryer sheet to scrub the burnt areas. The detergents in the dryer sheet should have loosened the burnt-on stains.
- Wash the pan with soap and water as you normally would.
This method is cheap, easy to use, and most likely, you already have dryer sheets in your laundry room.
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Try cola
If your stainless steel pan has become discoloured due to overheating, you can try using cola to remove the brown stains. Cola is carbonated and very acidic, making it effective against stubborn stains such as burnt caramel.
To use this method, simply bring some cola to a gentle simmer in the pan. Then, gently scrape off the burnt-on food. You can use a spatula to do this.
Club soda can also be used in place of cola and will serve the same purpose.
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Use lemon and baking soda
Lemon and baking soda can be used to remove brownish stains from an overheated stainless steel pan. This method is effective, inexpensive, and eco-friendly. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and the Ingredients
- Wet the bottom of the pan.
- Generously sprinkle baking soda over the stained areas of the pan. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that helps lift and remove stains without damaging the surface of the stainless steel.
- Cut a lemon in half and use one of the halves for this cleaning process. Lemons contain citric acid, which is a natural cleaning agent that helps break down stains and adds a fresh scent.
Step 2: Scrub the Pan
- Use the cut side of the lemon half to scrub the baking soda into the pan. The lemon's acidity will react with the baking soda, creating a fizzing action that helps dissolve stains.
- Scrub vigorously, applying some elbow grease to ensure the removal of stubborn stains.
- For tougher stains, you may need to use a non-abrasive sponge or scrubber in addition to the lemon.
Step 3: Rinse and Wash the Pan
- Once you've scrubbed the pan thoroughly, rinse it with warm water to remove the lemon juice and baking soda residue.
- Follow up by washing the pan with hot, soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge. This step ensures that any remaining grease or residue is removed.
Step 4: Dry and Maintain the Pan
- Dry the pan thoroughly with a clean, absorbent towel.
- To maintain the shine and prevent water spots, be sure to dry your cookware immediately after washing and rinsing.
- To prevent future stains, allow refrigerated ingredients to come to room temperature before cooking, preheat the pan before adding oil, and wait until the oil is hot before adding food.
Using lemon and baking soda is an effective and inexpensive way to remove brownish stains from overheated stainless steel pans. With some elbow grease and these simple household ingredients, you can restore your pans to their original shine.
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Frequently asked questions
To remove the brownish color from your stainless steel pan, you can try using a commercial cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend or Carbon Off. Alternatively, you can use natural ingredients like vinegar and baking soda. First, fill the bottom of your pan with water, add a cup of white vinegar, and bring it to a boil. Then, remove it from the heat, let it cool, and pour out the mixture. Make a paste with baking soda and water, rub it into the stained areas, and let it sit until it dries. Rinse the pan with a mixture of water and vinegar, and then with plain water.
To clean a stainless steel pan, it is recommended to hand-wash it instead of using a dishwasher. Always let the pan cool down before cleaning to avoid warping. You can scrub the pan with hot soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge for everyday cleanup.
To remove burnt food from a stainless steel pan, sprinkle baking soda on the surface and fill the pan with enough water to cover the stuck-on food. Bring it to a boil and then scrub away the buildup with a non-abrasive sponge.
Discoloration on a stainless steel pan is often caused by overheating. The chromium in the stainless steel combines with oxygen in the air, forming a thin layer of chromium oxide, which changes color when exposed to high heat.
To prevent scorch marks, ensure that there is enough fat or liquid in the pan before adding any food. Heat the pan on low to medium heat for 2-3 minutes, and then add oil or fat. Additionally, move the food around frequently to prevent it from sitting at the bottom of the pan.
