Often, stainless steel pans get stained when you’re cooking. On most occasions, this is a result of the burns and oil crusts that remain on the pan during and after cooking. Anyone can scorch a pan. It doesn’t matter whether you are an expert or an amateur in cooking. However, this should no longer be a problem for you because we will guide you appropriately on cleaning your stainless-steel pan and leaving it looking spick and span. You only need to get the right supplies, clean gear, follow the laid-down instructions, and clean your utensils will no longer be a problem to you.
Cleaning Your Stainless-Steel Pan for Minimal Messes
On most occasions, people clean their steel pans by hand scrubbing. This is important as it helps eliminate any food remains from the pan. The pan’s handles and rivets are the commonly affected parts, but through scrubbing, they are left sparkling clean.
The procedure of cleaning a steel pan with minimal stains is quite simple. Using a spatula, remove the excess oil that remained on the pan when cooking. Hot water is essential in deglazing the pan. You also need a dish brush with a long handle, preferably the OXO Good Grips Dish Brush, to loosen fond on your pan. These procedures have been used and proven to be effective.
You may also be asking yourselves questions on how to clean a hot stainless steel can. First, you need to let the hot pan cool down, and this is possible by adding hot water to the pan. After it has cooled down, dip the pan in cold water. This process should be done systematically to prevent the dangers of thermal conductivity that may lead to the pan’s warping. When the temperature changes drastically from hot to cold or vice versa, there are higher chances of thermal shock.
Cleaning Materials for Stainless Steel Pan
Before you get into any other cleaning step, you need to ensure that any food particles on your pan are eliminated. Either get a sponge or scouring pad, preferably a green scotch bright. It would be best if you also had dish soap to help you with the cleaning process. Ensure you clean the pan simultaneously and in a circular motion. After washing the pan, rinse it and use a clean towel to dry it. The towel should also have an absorbent feature. The reason we recommend the use of a scotch-Brite pad is because it does not affect the performance and durability of the pan.
Therefore, on rare occasions, should we use materials like steel wool and harsh pads to clean our pans. Other impacts of using rough cleaning materials are that they affect lifespan and also cause scratches. Preferably, we would recommend you to use the Dobie pad sponge because of its soft texture.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Pans with Tough Stains?
Here are procedures that will help your pan in the case that it has tough stains. You only need less effort when cleaning a hot pan with messes. However, if the stains are firmly baked on your steel pan, you need more effort to eliminate stains caused by either food remains or burns.
You will need a washing bar soap and plain baking soda or abrasive cleaners. Examples of the recommended abrasive cleaners for use are Bar Keepers Friend or Boni Ami. They are integral in removing the remains of food particles or burnt stains from the pan. Several people go for baking soda because it is readily available and cost-friendly. Using harsh chemicals that you aren’t sure of may lead to serious damage to your pan or reduce its life span.
Someone asked about using oven cleaners to clean steel pans. And the answer is that yes, they are used, but we may discourage you from using oven cleaners because they remove the pan’s coat, cause a bleaching effect, and eventually affect its performance. At times you will experience remains of food stuck in the crevices of your pans. This is because oven cleaners are strong bases. Always remember to use soap and water when washing your pans. After washing, rinse with clean water and use a clean towel to dry the pans.
Using Elbow Grease and Baking Soda to Clean Your Steel Pan
The best time to clean your scorched pan is immediately you’re done with cooking. A mixture of baking soda and a slurry of water will help you remove burnt stains, remains of food particles, and oil on your pan. Ensure the powdered cleaner is at the base of the pan. Use plenty of baking soda for the best results. Let the powdered cleaner settle on the pan for some time before you start scrubbing off the stains and food particles. Repeat the process several times for excellent results. If the stains are still stubborn, let the paste stay on the pan overnight and wash the following day.
How to Clean Steel Pans with Bigger Stains?
Baking soda helps clean pans with bigger stains. Ensure you boil the baking soda. Bigger stains are stains on the sides and base of your pan. This is the procedure to follow:
Take baking soda, place it on your pan’s center, add water on the pan, and heat it to boil. As you heat, boiling and evaporation will occur. Examine the walls of your pan, and when you see a film of baking soda, it implies to you that you can now scrub off the stains. The best items to use in scrubbing the messes are souring pads or a brush. Remember to turn off the heat after the water has boiled. It is also good to have your cleaning gear on because, on most occasions, the cleaning process is done when the pan is hot. Use an oven mitt or towel to grip the pan. This process has proved to be a success.
Boiling the Pan with Baking Soda
Dipping the whole pan in boiled water helps to remove the stains quickly. You will love the results because your pan will be left gleaming and sparkling. Ensure the vessel you choose is bigger than your pan, fill the vessel with water, dip your pan in the vessel, and let the water boil with the pan in the vessel. Add at least ¼ cup of baking soda to the water and leave the water to boil for approximately 25 minutes. As the water boils, flip the pan so that the stains and residues on all sides come out. Baking soda helps remove stains and makes scrubbing easy.
The following procedures will help you clean your steel pan with minimal, tough, and bigger stains, leaving it sparkling clean.
