Marianne Martinez
Kitchen Aid steel pans are a staple in any cook's kitchen. They heat up quickly and evenly, retain heat well, and are non-reactive, meaning you can cook just about anything without worrying about damaging the surface. However, even these durable pans are not impervious to burnt-on messes and discoloration. With everyday use comes stains, water spots, and other stubborn marks, so it's important to know how to resurface and properly care for your steel pans to keep them in pristine condition.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pan Type | Non-stick, Stainless Steel, Teflon |
| Cleaning Tools | Spatula, Paper Towels, Dish Brush, Scouring Pad, Sponge, Dish Soap, Towel, Cleaning Gloves, Oven Mitts, Toothpicks, Stock Pot, Roasting Pan |
| Cleaning Products | Bar Keepers Friend, Baking Soda, Vinegar, Water, Dish Soap, Affresh Stainless Steel Cleaner, Mild Detergent, Liquid Detergent |
| Cleaning Techniques | Deglazing, Boiling Water and Baking Soda, Boiling Vinegar and Water, Sprinkle with Baking Soda, Use of Commercial Cleaners |
| Pan Maintenance | Avoid Abrasive Tools, Avoid Harsh Cleaners, Dry Immediately After Washing, Use Wooden/Plastic Utensils, Preheat Pan Before Adding Oil |
What You'll Learn
Use a special mixture of baking soda, vinegar, and water to restore the pan
Restoring a Steel Pan with Baking Soda, Vinegar, and Water
Step 1: Prepare the Pan
Remove as much food and debris from the pan as possible. For burnt-on food, you can use a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape away as much as you can.
Step 2: Apply the Baking Soda and Vinegar
Cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water. Then, add enough white vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least 1/2 inch of liquid. Next, sprinkle the bottom of the pan liberally with baking soda. The combination of vinegar, a mild acid, and baking soda, a mild base, will create a fizzing reaction that helps to loosen burnt food.
Step 3: Boil the Mixture
Place the pan on the stove and heat it until the mixture begins to boil. Let it simmer for a few minutes. The heat and the chemical reaction between the vinegar and baking soda will help to break down the burnt food.
Step 4: Remove from Heat and Scrub
Once the mixture has boiled and simmered, remove the pan from the heat. Set it aside and wait for the fizzing and bubbling to stop. Then, discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon scrub brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda as necessary. You can also use a combination of lemon and baking soda for this step, as the acidic lemon juice will also react with the baking soda to help remove stains.
Step 5: Rinse and Dry
After scrubbing the pan, rinse it with clean water and dry it thoroughly. Your pan should now be restored to its original shine!
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Use a non-stick coating replacement spray
To resurface a Kitchen Aid steel pan with a non-stick coating replacement spray, follow these steps:
Firstly, purchase a non-stick cookware repair spray. These sprays are available online or at home improvement stores. Ensure you buy a food-grade, heat-resistant spray that is suitable for use on cookware.
Before applying the spray, thoroughly wash your pan to remove any remaining food residue. Once the pan is clean, allow it to dry completely.
Next, apply the repair spray to the inside of the pan. Ensure that you have a thick and even coat covering all the desired areas. Leave the pan to sit for about 30 minutes, or follow the specific instructions on your chosen product.
After the allotted time has passed, preheat your oven to 500°F for ten minutes. Then, place the pan in the oven and let it sit for 45 minutes. Turn off the oven and leave the pan inside to cool down.
Once the pan has cooled, wash it again with dishwashing soap and a soft sponge. This will remove any excess residue from the repair spray.
Finally, when storing your pan, use a separator to prevent anything from scratching the resurfaced coating. Your pan should now be ready to use and will look almost new.
Please note that while this method can restore the non-stick properties of your pan, it may not always produce long-lasting results. For more permanent solutions, consider investing in a new set of high-quality non-stick cookware or contacting a coating specialist or the manufacturer for professional recoating services.
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Send your pan to a coating specialist or the manufacturer
If you don't want to attempt to resurface your Kitchen Aid steel pan yourself, you can send it to a coating specialist or the manufacturer to have it professionally resurfaced. This is a good option if you don't want to directly participate in the resurfacing process. Firstly, you can contact a service provider that specialises in coating cookware with Teflon. These professionals will know how to treat damaged or worn pans and can deliver a pleasing outcome.
Another option is to contact the manufacturer directly. Reliable companies with top-quality pans often offer a warranty, which can help with the recoating and repair. Some firms might offer to refinish your pan for free, while others might ask you to pay for the service. It's important to compare the costs involved in restoring your pan with the cost of purchasing a new one, including any shipping costs. If the costs are similar, or if the cost and hassle of restoring your pan are more than buying a new one, it might be better to discard the old pan and invest in a new set.
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Use a scouring pad or sponge to remove stains
To remove stains from your Kitchen Aid steel pan, you can use a scouring pad or sponge. It is recommended to use a fresh Scotch-Brite scouring pad or sponge for the most effective stain removal. If you don't have a fresh one, ensure that the scrubby side of the pad or sponge is unworn. You can also use a softer sponge, such as a Dobie pad, but this will require more effort and elbow grease.
When using a scouring pad or sponge, it is important to avoid harsh pads like steel wool, as these can scratch the surface of your steel pan and cause permanent damage. Instead, opt for non-abrasive and soft sponges or pads. If you're using a softer sponge, it's worth noting that it won't save your pan from scratches caused by metal utensils.
To start the stain removal process, add a squirt of dish soap to your pan, along with some warm water. Then, using your scouring pad or sponge, scrub the inside and outside of the pan in a continuous circular motion. This will help remove any stains and cooked-on food residue.
After scrubbing, be sure to rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water to remove any soap residue. Finally, dry the pan completely with a clean, absorbent microfiber towel before putting it away. This will help prevent water spots and keep your pan looking its best.
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Use a dishwasher to clean the pan
While hand-washing is the best way to clean your Kitchen Aid steel pan, you can also use a dishwasher. Firstly, use a spatula or paper towel to get rid of excess oil. Then, deglaze the pan by adding some hot water. It is important to clean your pan while it is hot, so make sure to protect your hands with a towel or an oven mitt. Use a long-handled dish brush to loosen any bits of stuck-on food.
When placing your pan in the dishwasher, ensure that it is dishwasher-safe by checking the manufacturer's instructions. Avoid using abrasive tools like steel wool or harsh cleaners like bleach or oven cleaner, as these can permanently damage the surface. Also, always let your cookware cool down before placing it in the dishwasher to avoid warping.
After the dishwasher cycle is complete, dry off your pan with a clean, absorbent towel or a soft, lint-free cloth. This step is crucial, as water that is not completely dried off can cause discoloration due to the presence of iron in the water. Finally, use a clean, dry towel to polish the surface in the direction of the grain until it shines.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few ways to resurface your steel pan. You can use a non-stick coating replacement spray product, which you can buy online or from home improvement stores. You can also send your pan to a specialist or the manufacturer to be recoated.
For everyday cleaning, scrub your steel pan with hot soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge. For stuck-on food bits, fill the pan with enough soapy water to cover the residue, bring to a boil, and scrape with a spatula or wooden spoon. For tougher messes, you can add baking soda to the pan, boil, and then scrub with a non-abrasive sponge.
To prevent scratches, do not use metal utensils on your steel pan. Instead, use plastic or wooden utensils. Additionally, do not use abrasive cleaning pads such as steel wool, as this will damage the coating.
