How to Clean Stainless Steel Pans: Get That Mirror Finish Back in Minutes

It happened, didn’t it?

You got that beautiful, shiny new stainless steel pan, you were excited to cook, and now… it looks like a burnt, rainbow-colored mess. You’re scrubbing, you’re sweating, you’re cursing, and that black gunk just. won’t. budge.

First: Chill. Your pan is not ruined.

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Stainless steel is what professional chefs use because it’s tough as nails and can handle this kind of abuse. You just need to know the secret. The trick isn’t about scrubbing harder; it’s about scrubbing smarter. You need a little high school chemistry.

Here’s how to clean stainless steel pans and get that mirror finish back using two things you definitely have in your kitchen right now.

What You’ll Need (The Magic Stuff)

• Your burnt stainless steel pan
• Water
• White Vinegar (regular cheap stuff)
• Baking Soda
• A non-abrasive sponge or scrubber (NOT steel wool, that will scratch it!)

Step 1: The Vinegar Boil (Deglazing)

This is for all that black, caked-on gunk.

1. Put your pan on the stove.
2. Pour in enough white vinegar to just cover the bottom of the pan (you don’t need a lot).
3. Add about the same amount of water (a 1:1 ratio is fine).
4. Turn on the heat and bring it to a boil. As it boils, use a wooden spoon to gently scrape at the burnt bits. You’ll be shocked at how easily most of it lifts right off.
5. After a minute or two of boiling, dump the hot vinegar/water mix down the drain.

Boil vinegar and water to lift stubborn burnt bits from your pan.

Step 2: The Baking Soda Paste (The Scrubber)

This is for the stubborn, stuck-on stains that are still left.

1. Your pan should be empty but still warm.
2. Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda all over the bottom of the pan.
3. Add just a tiny splash of water (a few teaspoons) to the baking soda to create a thick “paste.”
4. Take your non-abrasive sponge and start scrubbing in a circular motion. The baking soda is a mild abrasive that will polish the steel without scratching it.
5. Rinse the pan out. 99% of the time, it will look brand new.

Baking soda paste works wonders on stubborn stains and discoloration.

What About Those Weird “Rainbow” Stains?

That bluish, rainbow-looking stain isn’t “damage.” It’s just a harmless (and annoying) mineral deposit from heat and water. The baking soda paste in Step 2 usually gets rid of it. If it’s really stubborn, just rub it with a sponge soaked in a little bit of pure white vinegar.

The “Nuclear Option” (For Disasters)

If you still have a crazy-tough stain, forget the home remedies and just buy a can of Bar Keepers Friend. It’s a magic powder that costs a few bucks and is designed specifically for this. Make a paste with it, scrub, and your pan will look like the day you bought it.

Every stainless steel owner should have this.

The Results: Before & After

Pro Tip: Prevention is Better Than Cure

See? Easy. Stainless steel is amazing because it can be saved. Of course, having a high-quality, heavy-bottomed pan helps prevent burning in the first place. If you’re looking to upgrade your entire cookware collection, check out our guide to the best stainless steel cookware sets to prevent these disasters from happening again.