How to Clean Burnt Stainless Steel Pans

Even the best cooks burn food occasionally. The good news? Stainless steel is virtually indestructible. This guide shows you how to remove even the most stubborn burnt-on food and restore your pan to like-new condition.

Quick Reference Guide

Type of Stain	Best Method	Time Required	Difficulty
Light burnt food	Boiling water	15 minutes	Easy
Stubborn carbon buildup	Bar Keeper's Friend	10 minutes	Moderate
Brown/black stains	Baking soda paste	20 minutes	Moderate
Rainbow heat tint	Vinegar + BKF	15 minutes	Easy
Extreme carbonization	Oven cleaner	4-12 hours	Advanced

Method 1: Boiling Water (First Line of Defense)

Best for: Fresh burns, lightly stuck food, everyday cleaning

What You Need

• Water
• Dish soap
• Wooden spoon or silicone spatula

Instructions

1. Let the pan cool slightly (5-10 minutes). Never plunge a hot pan into cold water—thermal shock can warp it.
2. Fill pan with water to cover all burnt areas (1-2 inches deep)
3. Add a squirt of dish soap (optional but helpful)
4. Bring to a boil over high heat
5. Reduce to simmer for 10-15 minutes
6. Scrape gently with wooden spoon while simmering. Burnt bits should release easily.
7. Pour out water once cool
8. Wash normally with dish soap and sponge

Success rate: 70-80% for light to moderate burns

Method 2: Bar Keeper's Friend (The Holy Grail)

Best for: Stubborn stains, carbon buildup, discoloration, water spots

Bar Keeper's Friend (BKF) is an oxalic acid-based cleanser specifically designed for stainless steel. It's non-toxic, safe for food surfaces, and incredibly effective.

What You Need

• Bar Keeper's Friend powder or soft liquid
• Non-abrasive sponge or soft cloth
• Water
• Rubber gloves (optional but recommended)

Instructions

1. Wet the pan with a small amount of water
2. Sprinkle BKF powder over the burnt areas (or apply liquid directly)
3. Make a paste by adding a few drops of water and mixing with sponge
4. Let sit for 1-2 minutes (no longer—oxalic acid works fast)
5. Scrub in circular motions with non-abrasive sponge
   • Use light to moderate pressure
   • The paste should turn from white to brown as it lifts stains
6. Rinse thoroughly with warm water
7. Repeat if necessary for stubborn spots
8. Wash with dish soap to remove all BKF residue
9. Dry immediately with clean towel to prevent water spots

Success rate: 95%+ for most stains

Method 3: Baking Soda Paste (Natural Alternative)

Best for: Those avoiding commercial cleaners, everyday stains, eco-friendly cleaning

What You Need

• Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
• Water
• Non-abrasive sponge or scrub brush

Instructions

1. Generously sprinkle baking soda over the burnt area (2-4 tablespoons)
2. Add water slowly to create a thick paste (consistency of toothpaste)
3. Let sit for 15-30 minutes for light burns, or overnight for severe burns
4. Scrub with sponge in circular motions
5. For extra power: Add a few drops of dish soap to the paste
6. Rinse and repeat as needed

Success rate: 60-70% (less effective than BKF but safer for frequent use)

Baking Soda + Vinegar Method

For stubborn stains:

1. Sprinkle baking soda over burnt area
2. Pour white vinegar over the baking soda
3. Mixture will foam and bubble (this is normal)
4. Let sit for 5-10 minutes
5. Scrub with sponge
6. Rinse thoroughly

Method 4: Deglazing with Acid (While Pan Is Hot)

Best for: Immediate cleanup after cooking, fond removal, preventing buildup

What You Need

• White wine, wine vinegar, or lemon juice
• Wooden spoon

Instructions

1. Remove cooked food from pan
2. While pan is still hot, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup liquid (wine, vinegar, or lemon juice)
3. Liquid will boil and steam immediately
4. Scrape fond and burnt bits with wooden spoon
5. The acid breaks down proteins and releases stuck-on food
6. Pour out liquid (or save for pan sauce!)
7. Wash normally while pan is still warm

Benefits: Prevents stains from setting, makes cleanup effortless, creates bonus pan sauce

Method 5: Oven Cleaner (Nuclear Option)

Best for: Severe carbonization, neglected pans, years of buildup

Warning: Use only as a last resort. Oven cleaner is harsh and should be used with caution.

What You Need

• Oven cleaner spray (like Easy-Off)
• Large plastic bag or trash bag
• Rubber gloves
• Well-ventilated area or outdoor space

Instructions

1. Work outside or in well-ventilated area
2. Wear rubber gloves
3. Spray oven cleaner generously on exterior and cooking surface
4. Place pan in large plastic bag and seal
5. Let sit for 4-12 hours (or overnight)
6. Remove from bag carefully
7. Rinse extremely thoroughly with hot water (5+ minutes)
8. Wash 2-3 times with dish soap to remove all chemical residue
9. Rinse again and dry

Success rate: 99% (will remove almost anything)

Removing Specific Types of Stains

White Calcium Deposits (Hard Water Stains)

Method: Boil equal parts water and white vinegar for 5 minutes. Let cool, then scrub.

Prevention: Dry pan immediately after washing.

Rainbow Heat Tint (Blue/Purple Discoloration)

Method:

1. Apply white vinegar to stained area
2. Let sit for 5 minutes
3. Scrub with Bar Keeper's Friend
4. Rinse and dry

Note: Heat tint is cosmetic and doesn't affect cooking performance. Full guide here.

Grease Buildup on Exterior

Method:

1. Make paste: 3 parts baking soda + 1 part dish soap
2. Apply to greasy areas
3. Let sit for 10 minutes
4. Scrub with sponge
5. Rinse with hot water

Brown Protein Stains

Method: Bar Keeper's Friend is most effective. For natural option, soak overnight in baking soda solution (1/4 cup baking soda in 2 cups warm water).

What NOT to Do

Prevention: Stop Burnt-On Food Before It Starts

The Best Cleaning Is No Cleaning

1. Preheat properly using the water drop test
2. Use enough fat (1-2 tablespoons oil minimum)
3. Don't overheat (medium to medium-high is usually sufficient)
4. Deglaze immediately after cooking (turns burnt bits into sauce)
5. Clean while warm (easier than waiting until cool)
6. Season your pan periodically to create protective layer

Daily Maintenance Routine

After every use:

1. Let pan cool for 5-10 minutes (not completely cold)
2. Wash with warm soapy water and non-abrasive sponge
3. For stuck-on bits: fill with hot water and simmer for 5 minutes
4. Rinse thoroughly
5. Dry immediately with clean towel (prevents water spots)
6. Store in dry location

Weekly deep clean:

1. Use Bar Keeper's Friend on entire cooking surface
2. Polish exterior with BKF or baking soda
3. Remove any rainbow heat tint
4. Dry and store

Recommended Cleaning Supplies

Essential

• Bar Keeper's Friend ($4-7) - Powder or soft liquid
• Non-abrasive sponges ($5-10) - Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch or similar
• Microfiber cloths ($10-15) - For drying and polishing
• Dish soap - Dawn or similar grease-cutting formula

Optional But Helpful

• White vinegar ($3) - Heat tint and hard water removal
• Baking soda ($2) - Natural cleaning alternative
• Wooden spoon ($5) - For scraping during deglazing
• Rubber gloves ($5) - Protect hands during heavy cleaning

When to Replace Your Pan

Stainless steel is nearly indestructible, but replace if you see:

• Warped bottom that wobbles on flat surface (affects heat distribution)
• Deep pitting or corrosion in cooking surface (rare but possible)
• Loose rivets where handle attaches (safety hazard)
• Cracks or holes (extremely rare)

Not reasons to replace:

• Surface scratches (cosmetic only)
• Discoloration (can be cleaned)
• Rainbow heat tint (harmless)
• Water spots (easily removed)

The Bottom Line

The beauty of stainless steel is that it's virtually impossible to ruin. Even severely burnt pans can be restored to like-new condition with the right techniques.

Your cleaning arsenal should include:

1. Boiling water for everyday cleanup
2. Bar Keeper's Friend for stubborn stains
3. Baking soda for natural cleaning

With proper cleaning and maintenance, your stainless steel cookware will last 50+ years and perform like new for decades.