Request: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
Archived on 05/17/2009
I let my stainless steel grill get too hot. It is burnt, scorched. Any suggestions on getting it back to looking shiny?
Richard from Columbus, OH
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RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
I have always wet the burned area and sprinkled baking soda on it and made a light paste and let it set over night and the next day, it is so easy to clean. The burned food comes right off with the baking soda. Hope it works for you.
By Brenda (07/02/2007)
By cassiegirl
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
I have used a number of the above tips over the years, but when I purchased a very expensive set of pans after I had retired I learned some things. One is about the cleanser that they sent with the pans, "Bar Keeper's Friend". It is a very fine scouring powder.
When I burned some veggies in olive oil the other day, I first put a couple inches of water, shook in a generous 2-3 Tbs. baking soda and brought it to a boil. After letting it cool, emptying it and using a "non scratch" pad I still had stains. The Bar Keeper's Friend on a dampened paper towel shined it right up. I always towel dry after the final rinse to keep spots off. (09/21/2007)
By Carolyn
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
I read the first few posts and didn't have any of the things suggested to remove stains (university student) so I just simmered white vinegar in the pan and gently stirred the bottom with a dish scrubber (the kind with a handle and bristles). The burns bubble and loosen quite quickly.
It was my roommate's pan and I burnt it horrifically. I had it back in the cupboard, spotless, all before she was out of the shower. Very effective. (Don't lean over the pan when the vinegar is evaporating, or you get a "cutting onions" response.) (11/01/2007)
By Cait Don
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
About removing stains from the outside of the pan, just do whatever you would for the inside, but in a pan or bowl large enough to fit your stained pan inside of. If you prefer to soak it in a solution, fill a bowl (or sink, if it is a wok, etc.) with the solution and place your pan inside; likewise, if you prefer to simmer a solution, do so in the larger pan and let your burned pan sit in the simmering solution. Hopefully it works for you! (11/01/2007)
By Cait Don
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
I burned tomato soup in my stainless steel sauce pan and tried everything I knew to do. I had already tried the Barkeeper's Friend, and it got rid of a lot of it, but a quarter sized piece would not come out. I found this site and tried the white vinegar, and it worked. It took about 10 minutes or more before it started working, but it finally did. Thanks. I've had the set of pans for over 30 years now, and wouldn't trade them for anything. (08/23/2008)
By Julia
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
On the out side of the pan try a new green scotch bright pad and Barkeeper's riend liquid. It has citric acid that chemically removes the stain. I use this on stainless steel piping in food plants when we weld them. Also, you can try a new "stainless steel" wire brush from a welding supply store. Make sure it is not ordinary steel brush. It will leave scratches that will continue to rust forever. (11/25/2008)
By Gregroy
Editor's Note: You might want to use the Scotch "Blue" pad rather than the "Green" one, as it is less abrasive.
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
Put an inch or so of water in the pan. Cover the burned area heavily with table salt. Bring to a boil - the burned areas should peel off with a rubber spatula. If any remains, try a second time. My pan looked good as new - after burned cranberries, oranges, sugar and raisins. (12/06/2008)
By Mary H
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
I burned oil in my pan... this is what I did:
I put water in the pan then poured baking soda over the stained area and then brought it to a slight boil, then I scrubbed it off with a scrubby sponge. What didn't come off that round I removed by using the baking soda as an abrasive and got the last bit off. Now you would never know that I burned dinner. (01/04/2009)
By Melanie
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
Throw a whole dish washing tablet in there and let is soak over night. That's if it's burnt on grease. (02/04/2009)
By Neko
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Request: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
Archived on 04/16/2007
I have burnt jam in my stainless steel boiler. How do I remove the hard burnt crust from the bottom of my pan without damaging the stainless steel?
Michael Clarke
Answers:
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
I have used very fine emery paper to clean the interior and exterior of stainless steel pans. Use with mild soapy water. You may purchase emery paper at a Hardware store...could not find what I needed in the larger discount centers. Cannot remember the grade; but if you tell them what you are going to do and they will know. It worked for me and hope it does for you. (06/16/2004)
By Shirley Little
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
On Stainless Steel you cannot use anything that will marr the finish. The best way I have found was put water in the pan and let it loosen by heating the pan on the stovetop and letting it come to a boil, it usually loosens all the burnt food and particles. You may have to do this several times but it will come clean. My grandmother taught me this years ago before they had teflon on pans and it was all aluminum or stainless steel back then. (06/18/2004)
By Cheryl Walton
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
Boil about 1/2" water in the pan then take off heat and add some automatic dishwashing soap - the powder kind does the best. Let it soak overnight and it should come right off in the morning. (06/19/2004)
By Toni K.
Removing Burned Food
Burned on food on your cookware? Don't reach for the scouring pads. Wet them down and sprinkle heavily with baking soda and leave for a few minutes. The grime should come right off! (03/06/2005)
By Liz
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
Use finishing grade (#0000) steel wool pads & a cleanser like Bon Ami, Barkeep's Friend, or Saladmaster's Glo. Wash the pan with hot soapy water, rinse well; sprinkle the cleanser on the hot wet surface; rub gently with a circular motion until the stainless steel is shiny. For really bad or stubborn burns, add vinegar & water to Glo to make a soft paste; gently rub the discolored area; let stand about 5 minutes; wash, rinse & dry. (I cleaned a set of pots and skillets that a widower used for 11 1/2 years - with really burned on grease & scorches!); now they look like new. $40 for Glo, new handles, the #0000 & (literally) weeks of elbow grease as I watched TV after supper. The result is a complete set of cookware that costs over $1,000 today, and will be an heirloom, (b):o)(/b)
PS: Auntie would be proud if she could see it! (08/19/2005)
By D
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
Buy stainless steel cleanser at your grocery or hardware store. It's next to the silver polish. Works by chemical reaction.
- soak the pan overnight in soapy water
- boil a lot of water in it and change the water a few times to see what can be loosened
- scrape the bottom with a steel spatula
(do #2 and 3 a couple of times)
- soak some more
- get steel wool and use it with a lot of pressure in circular motion, up and down and sideways in a mostly dry pan
- when you have gotten out as much messas you can use the stainless steel cleanser.
We had to do this yesterday to remove burnt olive oil that scorched a pan. (08/19/2005)
By Holly
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
Put a dryer sheet in it filled with hot water and let it soak overnight.. It should come right out. (09/27/2005)
By Tracy
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
I have had a similar problem. I have been soaking and working on my 30 year stainless steel pot for four weeks now. I recalled what my dad said to do. He was a Marine in WWII and no doubt had to perform KP duty at one time or other. I have been boiling the pot with lots of distilled vinegar for about an hour while cooking supper. I occasionally scrape at the scorched crud with a meat fork. The pan is as good as new. No scrubbing. No stain. Why didn't I do this earlier. (02/27/2006)
By Quinn R
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
The easiest and quickest way to remove burns from a pan is to add coke. Cover the entire burn in any type of coke and leave to soak for 30 mins or so. Then remove the coke and wipe/scrub clean depending on the amount. Works every time (08/15/2006)
By Natalie
RE: Removing Burns from Stainless Steel Pan
Scrape out as much of the dirt as possible with a wooden spoon, rinse and dry. Spray thickly with Oven Cleaner and let it sit overnight with the lid on. Repeat until the pot is clean. (10/05/2006)
By Carol Churchill
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