Housekeeping House Cleaning Cleaning Tips How to Clean Stainless-Steel Pans to Keep Them Looking Brand-New Easily remove stuck-on food and stubborn discoloration with simple ingredients. By Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett Jessica Bennett is an editor, writer, and former digital assistant home editor at BHG. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on November 30, 2023 Project Overview Working Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $15 Stainless-steel pans are a staple in any cook's kitchen for good reason. This durable cookware heats up quickly and evenly, retains heat well, and doesn't require special utensils or tricky maintenance like cast-iron skillets, which require re-seasoning every so often. And since the material is non-reactive, you can cook just about anything in a stainless-steel pan without worrying about damaging the surface. However, although stainless steel is designed to resist corrosion and rust, it's not impervious to burnt-on messes and discoloration. With everyday use come stains, water spots, and other stubborn marks, so it's essential to know how to clean stainless-steel pans properly. With a few common household ingredients and some elbow grease, these methods for cleaning stainless-steel pans will restore their shiny, spot-free finish. Follow these tips to keep your cookware looking brand-new. The 6 Best Stainless Steel Cookware Sets of 2024, According to Lab Testing Jacob Fox What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Non-abrasive sponge Spatula or wooden spoon Materials Dish soap Baking soda Distilled white vinegar Commercial cleaner (optional) Instructions How to Clean Stainless-Steel Pans Before you begin, check the manufacturer's instructions for specific washing tips. Although many types of cookware are marketed as dishwasher-safe, hand-washing is typically the best way to clean stainless-steel pans. To avoid warping, always let your cookware cool down before cleaning. Never use abrasive tools like steel wool or harsh cleaners like bleach or oven cleaner on your stainless-steel pans, as these can permanently damage the surface. How to Clean Nonstick Pans So They Last for Years Jacob Fox Scrub the Pan For everyday cleanup, scrub your stainless-steel pan with hot soapy water and a nonabrasive sponge. Jacob Fox Scrape Stuck-On Food If stuck-on food bits remain, fill the pan with enough soapy water to cover the residue, bring to a boil, and scrape with a spatula or wooden spoon. The food should come away easily. Allow the pan to cool, then wash as usual. Jacob Fox Boil with Water and Baking Soda Tougher messes, including burnt food or oil, might require more abrasive cleaning. Baking soda is a simple, inexpensive way to clean burnt stainless-steel pans. Add a few spoonfuls to your scorched pan, and enough water to cover the burnt areas. Bring to a boil and simmer until most of the water has evaporated. 14 Clever Ways to Clean Your Home with Baking Soda Jacob Fox Scrub and Wash Again Turn off the heat and wait until the pan is cool enough to handle. Scrub away buildup with a nonabrasive sponge and wash in hot, soapy water. A commercial cleaner such as Bar Keepers Friend ($2, Walmart) can be used to clean stainless-steel pans, following the manufacturer's directions. How to Remove Discoloration on Stainless-Steel Pans Once your stainless-steel pans are clean, you might notice some rainbow-colored discoloration on the surface. This type of stain is typically caused by overheating the pan and can be easily removed. Jacob Fox Wipe with Vinegar Splash some vinegar in your pan and wipe the area with a soft sponge before rinsing and drying fully. Jacob Fox Boil with Vinegar and Water Hard water can leave white, cloudy-looking residue on your stainless-steel pans. To get rid of this chalky buildup, bring a mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water to a boil in the pan. Let it cool, then wash with soap and water. Jacob Fox Sprinkle with Baking Soda Wipe the pan with a damp sponge sprinkled with baking soda to remove smaller water spots. To prevent water spots in the first place, be sure to dry your cookware immediately after washing. The 15 Best Kitchen Towels of 2024 That Are Stylish and Functional Jon Jensen How to Care for Stainless-Steel Cookware Prevention is key to keeping your stainless-steel pans clean and stain-free. Remember that cold foods are likelier to stick to a hot pan, so allow refrigerated ingredients, such as ground beef or chicken, to sit at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking. To prevent food from sticking, preheat your pan before adding oil, then wait until the oil is hot to start cooking. When cooking pasta and similar dishes, wait to add salt until after the water is already boiling to avoid pitting corrosion, which causes small, irreparable dents in the bottom of your pan. With these simple tips, you can extend the life of your stainless-steel pans and keep this often-used cookware in pristine condition.