Stainless steel cookware is probably the most ubiquitous type of cookware around the world. It is popular in the United States, the UK, and it is also the preferred cookware in many parts of the world like India and the Philippines.
Stainless steel cookware is reliable, relatively cheap compared to its counterparts like copper cookware, and comes in so many variations to respond to different needs in the kitchen.
This is why it is essential to know how to clean all-clad, how to clean stainless steel pans with vinegar, how to clean discolored stainless steel pots, and finally, how you can clean stainless steel pans’ bottoms. We will be going through each of these essential processes so you will know precisely how to maintain your stainless steel cookware.
How to Clean All-Clad
Despite what the manufacturers of dishwashers say, there is still much debate about whether it is safe to clean stainless steel cookware in dishwashers. Dishwashers can get the job done in a fashion, but the real question is whether the machines are doing enough cleaning to maintain hygienic conditions? There is also the issue of dishwashing detergents stripping down the stainless steel finish of cookware. The safest recourse is plain old washing with hot water and soap. Hand-washing is still the most direct way to remove stains and bits of food from stainless steel cookware. Now, if you still want to use your dishwasher for all your stainless steel pots and pans but would like to avoid the staining that occurs, remove your cookware and dry them by hand using an absorbent cloth.
How to Clean Stainless Steel Pans with Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the most effective cleaning agents for removing burnt food stuck to stainless steel pans. It is nature’s first multipurpose cleaner, and it’s one of the cheapest cleaning agents you’ll find around. To partake of its incredible power to clean cookware, combine one cup of water and one cup of white vinegar in the soiled pan or pot. Stir the solution a little and put the cookware on the stovetop. Bring the solution to a boil for a few minutes.
Pour the solution in the sink and drain the spent solution away. Next, get one cup of baking soda and spread it all around the stained portion of the pot or pan. Remove what remains of the burnt food with your scouring pad and baking soda. Baking soda is naturally abrasive, and it will help cleanse the surface of the pan.
Clean your stainless steel cookware with hot water and dish soap. Rinse and pat dry with some paper towels. If you did it correctly, most, if not all, of the stains that you wanted to remove would have already been lifted off by the cleansing process we just described.
How to Clean Discolored Stainless Steel Pots
Discoloration due to burnt food of any kind can make cookware look old and worn-looking. Luckily there are several ways to remedy this. In addition to lifting the burnt food and stains with water and white vinegar, there is another method that makes use of salt and lime juice. There is no way that you can go wrong with our formula for cleaning.
Here are the steps:
- Get a good-sized lime and slice it in half. Squeeze the juice into the pot of both halves of the lime.
- Add rock salt or sea salt to the pot.
- Let the lime juice and salt mixture to work on the surface of the pan for a few minutes.
- Add half a cup of salt again to the pot.
- Scrub your put with a scouring pad until the stain fades, and then disappears. Most types of food stains can be removed with the lime and salt trick.
- When you are satisfied with the appearance of your pot, rinse your pot with warm water and dry as usual.
How to Clean Bottom of Stainless Steel Pans
Burnt food, heavy food stains, and other natural consequences of loving the kitchen are like badges of honor. But this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t make every effort to make your pots look spotless. Here are some additional tricks and guidelines to make your stainless steel pots look like new again.
Do you have staining on the bottom of your pan and as well as the sides? If so, you can follow these steps:
- Fill the pan (or pot) with just enough water to cover the bottom and the affected parties.
- Place the pot/pan on the range or stove and turn the fire up high.
- When the water is already boiling, add several tablespoons of salt. Let the water boil for a few minutes.
- Turn off the heat and allow the salt solution to continue working on the stains for several hours, or even overnight if the staining is quite substantial.
- Drain the salt solution and scrub the sides and bottom of the pot or pan.
- Use hot water and dish detergent to remove the remnants of the stains.
- If the staining persists, repeat the process (from soaking to washing) until you see improvements. This process does not strip the lining of stainless steel cookware.
Do you need to remove burnt oil, too? You can do that with a bit of soda.
- Pour enough cola or soda in your pot or pan to cover the affected areas.
- Bring the heat up to medium and allow the soda to simmer.
- When the soda begins to bubble, kill the fire and scrub your pot or pan with a scouring pad. You can also scrape away the burnt oil until the oil stains disappear.
- If this doesn’t work, try soaking your pot or pan with baking soda or two tablets of Alka seltzer first to soften the burnt oil.
