How to Clean Stainless Steel Pans: 8 Tips for Cleaning Stainless Steel

A stainless steel pan is cookware made with stainless steel, an iron alloy. Stainless steel pans can withstand high heat, heat up quickly, and distribute heat evenly, making them an excellent choice for searing. A stainless steel pan does not have any non-stick coating, so it is not a non-stick pan. You can use stainless steel pans in the oven, and these iron alloy pans are practically indestructible. (Although cast iron cookware is also made with an iron alloy, stainless steel and cast iron are slightly different materials.)

Hand washing a stainless steel pan is simple. Consider these cleaning tips for cleaning and removing marks from stainless steel pans:

1. 1. Allow the pan to cool before washing. Placing a hot pan under cold water will warp the steel in the pan. Allow the stainless steel pan to cool to room temperature before washing it with dish soap and warm water.
2. 2. Use a non-abrasive sponge. Use a non-abrasive sponge, scouring pad, or scrubber to clean a stainless steel pan. Avoid using steel wool, which can scratch the pan. If you are unable to completely scrub the pan directly after use, fill the pan with hot soapy water and let it sit for a few hours before scrubbing with a dish sponge.
3. 3. Use a non-abrasive cleanser. Using a sponge with dish soap is the best way to clean off grime and food particles from stainless steel cookware. Abrasive cleaning products and alkaline dishwasher detergents can tarnish the cookware.
4. 4. Boil the pan to remove stuck-on food. For caked-on food bits, fill the pan with hot soapy water. Boil water on a stove and scrape off the burnt food from the bottom of the pan using a wooden spoon. Let the pan cool before rinsing it in the sink. Avoid adding cold food to a hot pan—the food will stick to the bottom of the pan.
5. 5. Remove burn marks with white vinegar and baking soda. To clean stubborn stains, particularly burnt-on stains, fill the pain with half an inch of water. Add one cup of vinegar and bring the mixture to a boil on the stove. Remove the pan from the heat, add two tablespoons of baking soda, and let the mixture foam. Allow the pan to cool before bringing the pan back to the sink and scrubbing it with a sponge. You can also make a paste with baking soda and water (there should be enough water and baking soda to make a toothpaste consistency). Let the mixture sit in the pan for twenty minutes, then rinse the pan in warm water and scrub.
6. 6. Wash off watermarks. If you notice white spots on the pan (which occur from the calcium buildup in the water) or other discoloration, bring a solution of one part vinegar to three parts water to a boil on the stove. Then wait for it to cool before washing.
7. 7. Clean off fingerprints. You can remove fingerprints and polish the outside surface of the pan using window cleaner and a soft cloth.
8. 8. Dry the pan as soon as possible. However you choose to clean the pan, dry the pan as soon as possible with a soft cloth or paper towels to prevent water spots. If water spots do appear, sprinkle baking soda on a moist sponge and wipe the pan in a circular motion.

To keep your pans in pristine condition, do not add salt to water before it comes to a boil. This can cause pitting corrosion, which can permanently damage your stainless steel pan. Also, avoid overheating your pan, which can cause permanent rainbow-colored marks on your pan.

Generally, stainless steel cookware is dishwasher safe. Always consult the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure you can put your stainless steel pots and pans in the dishwasher.

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