When cooking with stainless steel cookware, we would often discover brown or blue stains on the bottom over time. These stains will diminish the shiny appearance and make the cookware look rusty and dirty. To keep it looking beautiful, there are a couple of easy ways to help remove stains.
Cause of discoloration
The most common cause of discoloration is from cooking over high heat. The next common occurrence that causes discoloration is cooking with burnt food residue on the pan. Burnt-on food, if not completely removed, will cause staining when the pot or pan is reheated. Additionally, mineral solids in the water can also leave water spots on stainless steel cookware. To fix the problem, Bar Keepers Friend and white vinegar are often used to restore discoloration to stainless steel cookware.
Friend of the bar managers
Bar Keepers Friend is a premium cleaner that works without chlorine bleach for use on stainless steel. Bar Keepers Friend can be purchased online or at local stores in the home cleaning aisle and can be found in liquid or powder form.
Before cleaning, make sure the pot or pan is damp. To begin the process, apply Bar Keepers Friend to the surface of the cookware, then gently rub with circulation with a soft, damp cloth where the stains are. If you use Bar Keepers Friend powder, it’s always a good idea to mix the powder with water to make it into a paste before rubbing to remove tough stains. If the stains are difficult to remove, it is suggested to leave the Bar Keepers Friend paste on the damp surface of the cookware for a while before rubbing. This would help the stains to disappear easily. When the stains have been completely removed, rinse the cookware in warm water and wash with soap to remove all chemical residue. Finally, give the cookware a good rinse under hot water and use a clean, dry towel to wipe it down completely.
White vinegar
Using white vinegar is another method to restore discolored stainless steel cookware. First, fill discolored stainless steel cookware with a cup of vinegar, adding water as needed to cover the stains. Next, boil the vinegar and water mixture for about five minutes, and then allow it to cool completely. After that, wash the cookware in hot, soapy water using a soft dishwashing cloth or non-abrasive pad. When finished cleaning, rinse stainless steel cookware thoroughly under hot water and dry thoroughly with a clean towel. Please note that when boiling vinegar, it would produce a fermented smell. If you can’t tolerate the smell, instead of boiling the vinegar, let the vinegar and water mixture sit in the cookware for a while longer before washing it with soap to remove the stains and completing the process as suggested.
Best of all, to prevent discoloration, remember not to put stainless steel pots and pans on high heat. Once the pots and pans are hot after preheating, it is recommended to keep the heat on medium or medium-low for cooking. Wiping down pots and pans after each use and wiping them down with clean, dry towels will certainly help your cookware stay spotless. After all, using and caring for your stainless steel cookware properly will enhance its sturdy character and appearance.
