How to clean stainless steel pan?

Stainless steel pans are perfect additions to the kitchen. They are not only resistant, but also beautiful, and help distribute heat as evenly as possible. Furthermore, they do not release residues into the food, which makes the dishes healthier. However, over time, contact with water, food and high temperatures with the material causes the stainless steel to change color. This makes it dark and even stained, which is unpleasant. However, the good news is that learning how to clean a stainless steel pan is nothing but simple and practical.

There are some very simple tips that are enough to restore the beauty and shine of any stainless steel pan. Likewise, the materials needed to carry out the task are easy to find, and most of the time, you already have them all at home. It’s a fact that hot water, neutral soap and alcohol already work miracles in the kitchen, and in addition to being efficient, they don’t ruin your utensils. When talking about stainless steel, it is essential to think about the best way to sanitize and maintain the material’s shine.

Check below everything you need to know about how to clean a stainless steel pan, as well as a simple step-by-step guide to follow. Furthermore, check out the best ways to remove dark or burnt stains from the material, and what you will need for cleaning.

How to clean stainless steel pan?

When learning how to clean a stainless steel pan, all you will need to do is follow a simple and practical step-by-step guide. Often, not all steps are necessary, but in the case of dirtier or greasy pans, following the recipe exactly is the most efficient way. In this sense, you will only need:

• Sponge;
• Neutral soap;
• Saponáceo liquido (optional);
• Vinegar or lemon;
• 70% alcohol.

1st step

First of all, start cleaning by following the common procedure. Just wash stainless steel pans with a sponge and neutral soap. In this sense, use the green part of the sponge on the inside, and the yellow part on the sides. If desired, also use liquid soap, which helps to reinforce the shine of the material. If your pan has white stains on the bottom, usually starch deposits from food, scrub it with vinegar or lemon.

2nd step

After washing your stainless steel pan well, pour hot water, above 80º C, over everything you washed. In addition to pans, this includes cutlery, plates and other utensils, such as a dishwashing sponge. Cleaning the sponge prevents it from accumulating bacteria and bad odors. Hot water is essential for degreasing pans, but its use is universal. In the sink, for example, it helps prevent the accumulation of dirt in the grease trap, eliminate bad smells and unclog the pipes.

3rd step

70% alcohol is excellent for sanitizing the kitchen and maintaining the shine of stainless steel pans. After the utensils have dried on the drying rack, spray them with 70% alcohol and, using a dry kitchen towel, polish the material. This way, you avoid stains like water droplets after drying. The more you try to preserve and sanitize the stainless steel, the longer it will last.

Other ways to clean a stainless steel pan

There are also other extremely useful homemade recipes for removing dirt from your stainless steel pan. Some even use curious ingredients, such as soda. In this case, all of the recipes below work to remove burnt stains from pans, which are often stressful.

1 – White vinegar

Vinegar is a universal ingredient in cooking and cleaning. When it comes to removing dirt or solving a problem in the area, it is practically miraculous. In this sense, to remove burnt stains, add white vinegar to the pan until the burnt area is covered. Then, bring to a boil and, using a sponge, rub the burned area. Finally, rinse and wash the pan as usual.

2 – Table salt

To use table salt, first, add water to the stainless steel pan until it covers the burned part. Afterwards, add two tablespoons of table salt. Let the mixture boil for a few minutes, then scrub the bottom of the pan with a sponge. Lastly, wash the pan normally.

3 – Ethyl alcohol in the stainless steel pan

For this recipe, you will need to mix baking soda dissolved with ethyl alcohol until it forms a paste. Take a soft cloth or nylon pad and apply the paste to the stainless steel surface, always gently, with long, even strokes. Do this in the direction of the finish stripes, avoiding rubbing in circular movements. Finally, rinse with warm water and dry with a soft cloth.

Sodium bicarbonate is an ingredient that can be included in your daily cleaning routine for your stainless steel pans, as it prevents stains from forming. To use it, dissolve a spoonful of bicarbonate in a liter of water, and wash the pans with the mixture.

4 – Soda in the stainless steel pan

Did you know that even soda helps clean stains on stainless steel pans? In this sense, it works for pans with few stains. So, add a cola-type soft drink to the pan, and heat it until it starts to boil. After it cools, rub with the sponge and wash normally.

5 – Lemon

To clean with lemon, squeeze two lemons into the pan, or enough to cover the burnt area. Leave it to soak for a few hours, and after that, just wash it normally.

If you are interested in this article on how to clean a stainless steel pan, take the opportunity to check out How to clean a stainless steel refrigerator? Tips and materials needed