Cody Casey
Stainless steel pans are a versatile cookware option, but they can be tricky to clean. The key to maintaining their shine is to use the right tools and techniques to prevent scratches and corrosion. While some recommend commercial cleaners like Bar Keepers Friend, others suggest natural alternatives such as baking soda and vinegar. Let's explore the best methods to restore your stainless steel pans to their former glory.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Clean while hot | Protect hands with a towel or oven mitt |
| Scrape out excess oil | Use a spatula or paper towel |
| Deglaze the pan | Add hot water |
| Loosen fond | Use a long-handled dish brush |
| Scrub | Use a Scotch-Brite scouring pad or sponge with dish soap |
| Avoid | Harsh pads (e.g. steel wool) and harsh cleaners (e.g. bleach, oven cleaner) |
| Clean tough stains | Use Bar Keepers Friend or baking soda |
| Clean lighter stains | Use baking soda |
| Clean heat tint | Use vinegar and water, then wash with washing-up liquid |
| Clean everyday messes | Use hot soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge |
| Clean stuck-on food | Boil with soapy water, scrape, cool, then wash |
| Clean hard water residue | Boil vinegar and water, then wash with soap and water |
| Clean water spots | Wipe with a damp sponge sprinkled with baking soda |
| Prevent water spots | Dry cookware immediately after washing |
| Prevent food from sticking | Preheat pan before adding oil |
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What You'll Learn
Using Bar Keepers Friend or baking soda
Bar Keepers Friend and baking soda are both effective at cleaning stainless steel pans. However, Bar Keepers Friend is more suitable for tackling tough stains, whereas baking soda is more versatile.
When using Bar Keepers Friend, it is important to wear cleaning gloves to protect your hands. First, dampen the pan with warm water. Then, make a paste using Bar Keepers Friend and water. Apply the paste to the pan with a soft cloth, rubbing it in a circular motion from the centre outwards. Leave the paste on the pan for one minute, then wash the pan in hot soapy water. Rinse and repeat as needed.
To use baking soda, first clean the pan with washing-up liquid. Then, add enough baking soda to cover the bottom of the pan. Boil a kettle and pour the hot water into the pan until it reaches about a quarter of the way up. Bring the water to a boil. For stubborn stains, add a few tablespoons of white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar to the water before boiling. Boil the water for about 10 minutes, then turn off the heat. Once the water is cool, rinse the pan and wipe away the stains with a sponge. Finally, wash the pan with washing-up liquid as normal.
Both Bar Keepers Friend and baking soda can be used to clean tough stains on stainless steel pans. However, baking soda may be more readily available in your home, and it can also be used in conjunction with vinegar to tackle particularly stubborn stains.
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Cleaning while the pan is hot
Cleaning a stainless steel pan while it is still hot is a good way to remove tough, stuck-on food residue. First, use a spatula to scrape out excess oil or food. Then, deglaze the pan by adding hot water—this will not damage the pan. Next, loosen any remaining food with a long-handled dish brush.
Now, grab a non-abrasive sponge or scrubber and some dish soap, and scrub the inside and outside of the pan in a continuous circular motion. Be sure to avoid harsh pads, such as steel wool, as these can affect the pan's performance and lifespan. For particularly tough stains, create a paste with baking soda and water, and scrub this into the pan with a non-abrasive sponge. You can also add a few spoonfuls of baking soda to the pan with water, bring to a boil, and simmer until the water evaporates.
Always use oven mitts or a towel to protect your hands when cleaning a hot pan.
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Removing heat tint
Heat tint, also known as a rainbow stain, is a common occurrence on stainless steel pans. It is caused by the oxidation of the top layer of metal when stainless steel is heated to high temperatures. While it does not impact the performance of the pan, it can be removed with a few simple steps.
Firstly, it is important to clean the pan with washing-up liquid as you would normally. Then, add a generous amount of baking soda to the bottom of the pan, ensuring that it is completely covered. Boil a kettle and pour the hot water into the pan until it reaches about a quarter of the way up. Turn the heat on and bring the water to a boil. For extremely stubborn stains, you can add a few tablespoons of white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar to the water before boiling. Allow the water to boil for approximately 10 minutes, then turn off the heat. Once the water has cooled, rinse the pan and wipe away any remaining stains with a sponge. Finally, wash the pan with washing-up liquid and a sponge or scourer, especially if vinegar was used, to eliminate any lingering odours.
Alternatively, you can use a specialised cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend, which is a gentle abrasive that forms a fine polishing paste when mixed with a small amount of water. This product is effective at removing tough stains and costs around $3. Another option is to use white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar, diluted with water, and rub the solution into the pan with a sponge or soft cloth. The heat tint should come off easily, and you can wash the pan with washing-up liquid afterwards to remove any smells.
By following these steps, you can effectively remove heat tint from your stainless steel pans, restoring their aesthetic appeal without compromising their cooking performance.
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Avoiding harsh chemicals
Stainless steel pans are durable and versatile, but they can be tricky to clean. To keep your pans in good condition, it's important to avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive tools that can damage the surface. Here are some tips for avoiding harsh chemicals when cleaning your stainless steel pans:
Avoid Abrasive Tools and Harsh Cleaners
Stay away from steel wool, scouring pads, and harsh scrubbers, as they can scratch the surface of your stainless steel pans. Instead, opt for softer sponges or cloths, such as microfiber or paper towels, which are gentle yet effective in removing food residues and stains. For tougher stains, you can use a non-abrasive scouring pad, such as a green Scotch-Brite pad, but be mindful that it may lightly scratch the surface.
Choose Mild Cleaners
Strong cleaners like bleach or oven cleaner can be too harsh and cause scratches or dull the surface of your pans over time. It's best to use milder cleaning agents specifically designed for stainless steel. Natural cleansers like baking soda (also known as bicarbonate of soda), lemon, and vinegar are excellent alternatives that effectively remove stains and restore the pan's original luster without any harsh chemicals.
Everyday Cleanup
For daily maintenance, hand-washing your stainless steel pans with hot soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge is recommended. Always let the pan cool down before cleaning to prevent warping. Dry your pans with a soft cloth or paper towel to prevent water spots and maintain their lustrous finish.
Removing Tough Stains
For stubborn stains, burnt-on food, or grease buildup, create a paste with baking soda and warm water, or use a commercial cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend, following the manufacturer's directions. For blueish rainbow stains or heat tints, caused by overheating, vinegar is an effective solution. To remove water spots, sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and wipe the pan. For tougher messes, fill the pan with soapy water, bring it to a boil, and use a spatula or wooden spoon to remove stuck-on food.
Preventative Measures
Prevention is key to keeping your pans clean and stain-free. Allow refrigerated ingredients to sit at room temperature before cooking to prevent food from sticking. Preheat your pan and add oil before adding food. When cooking pasta, add salt only after the water is boiling to avoid pitting corrosion. Proper use and maintenance of your stainless steel pans will extend their life and keep them looking brand-new.
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Cleaning the outside of the pan
To clean the outside of a stainless steel pan, you can use a variety of methods, depending on the type of stain or discolouration.
For everyday cleaning, scrub the outside of the pan with hot soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge. You can also use a Scotch-Brite scouring pad or sponge, but be aware that this will lightly scratch the surface of the pan. Avoid harsh pads such as steel wool, as these can damage the pan.
If you have tough stains or discolouration on the outside of the pan, you can use a variety of cleaning products. Bar Keepers Friend is an abrasive, yet gentle, commercial cleaner that forms a fine polishing paste. It is an effective scrubber for tough stains and can be used following the manufacturer's directions. Baking soda is another inexpensive and simple option for removing tough stains. Sprinkle a few spoonfuls of baking soda over the stained area and add enough water to cover the area. Bring the water to a boil and simmer until most of the water evaporates. Turn off the heat and allow the pan to cool before scrubbing away the buildup with a non-abrasive sponge and washing with hot, soapy water.
For heat tints, caused by very high heat, add some white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar to the affected area and dilute it with water. Rub the solution into the pan with a sponge or soft cloth, and the stain should come away easily. Wash the pan with washing-up liquid to remove any lingering odours.
To prevent water spots, be sure to dry your cookware immediately after washing. You can also use a damp sponge sprinkled with baking soda to remove smaller water spots.
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Frequently asked questions
Hand-washing is the best way to clean stainless steel pans. First, scrape out excess oil with a spatula or wipe it out with a paper towel. Then, deglaze the pan by adding some hot water. Cleaning a hot pan is easier, but always let your pan cool down before fully submerging it in cool water to avoid thermal shock and warping. Use a non-abrasive sponge and mild dish soap to scrub the inside and outside of the pan.
Baking soda is a simple and inexpensive way to clean stainless steel pans. Sprinkle the surface of your pan generously with baking soda and add enough water to cover the stuck-on food. Bring it to a boil and simmer until most of the water has evaporated. Turn off the heat, allow the pan to cool, then scrub away buildup with a non-abrasive sponge and wash in hot, soapy water.
Yes, Bar Keepers Friend is a popular commercial cleaner used to clean stainless steel pans. It is an abrasive but gentle powder that forms a fine polishing paste. It can be used to scrub off tough stains without damaging the pan. However, always follow the manufacturer's instructions and wear gloves when using this product.
To prevent water spots, it is important to dry your cookware immediately after washing. To remove smaller water spots, wipe the pan with a damp sponge sprinkled with baking soda. Discolouration can be caused by overheating the pan. To remove rainbow-coloured stains, add vinegar to the affected area and wipe with a sponge before rinsing and drying.
