If you cook with high heat, like to take your pan from the stovetop to the oven and want to avoid nonstick coatings, stainless steel cookware makes a lot of sense. The best stainless steel pots and pans are practically indestructible and can last for decades. But if you're going to invest in this all-natural, non-toxic cookware, you've got to commit to cleaning it properly. Spoiler! It's not that hard.
As a busy mom of two and a graduate of the French Culinary Institute with years of experience working in restaurants and writing about food and cooking, I understand why some people may have a tough time cleaning stainless steel pans. While many brands claim their pots and pans are dishwasher-safe, I recommend you hand-wash and -dry them to keep them in tip-top shape. What's the best way to wash a stainless steel pan? Here's a step-by-step guide.
How to clean a stainless steel pan
Don't forget: You should always hand-wash your stainless steel pots and pans to prolong their life! (That said, we acknowledge that the rare run through the dishwasher on a hectic evening probably won't cause irreparable damage.)
Everyday cleaning:
1. Cool, then wipe or scrape
Once the pan is cool enough to handle (never submerge a hot pan in cool water as this can cause warping), wipe out excess grease or food bits with a paper towel. If you need a little extra scraping power, use a spatula.
GIR
The angled edge of this silicone spatula means you can reach into the corners of most pots and pans and dig out food residue. It's also heat-resistant so it won't melt, stain-resistant and easy to rinse clean.
2. Hand wash
Wearing latex gloves to protect your hands, use hot water, mild dish soap and a scratch-resistant sponge or Dobie pad to clean any remaining food, oil and stains. Use a little muscle and the pan should rinse clean.
Casabella
These reusable latex gloves have a comfy cotton lining and are perfect for protecting your hands when they're exposed to hot water, soap and other cleaners. Bonus points for the cheerful color!
Better Life
An unscented, plant-based dish soap is perfect for all your pots, pans and dishware. This one cuts through grease and food using corn- and coconut-derived cleansers and without sulfates or parabens. Because it's unscented, it won't leave your cooking gear with a strong, artificial fragrance, which can be off-putting when you're cooking.
Scotch-Brite
More than 32,000 five-star reviewers and I swear by these sponges, for good reason. They won't scratch cookware or dishes and they're tough enough to scrub off most food and oil. Oh, and they're about a dollar apiece or less so there's no guilt when I toss them and start fresh.
3M
A tough cleaning buddy like this Scotch-Brite Dobie pad is a must when you're washing stainless steel skillets. I have tested a lot of stainless steel cookware and found the combination of the pad's abrasive surface, plus soap, baking soda or Bar Keepers Friend to be no match for even the worst burnt food residue.
3. Towel dry
Dry pans thoroughly with a cotton dish towel before placing them back in the cabinet. Use a paper towel between pans when stacking.
Zeppoli
A stack of cotton dishtowels is key for drying pots and pans and mopping up spills in the kitchen. They're absorbent, quick-drying and lint-free and go right into the washing machine and dryer. The cornflower blue hue masks subtle stains and also brightens my mood.
Deep cleaning (for seriously stuck-on burnt bits):
1. Scrape
This is for those times you forgot a pan on the stove or seared a protein in a sauce. First, run the pan under very hot water and use the hard plastic end of the scrub brush to loosen larger stuck-on bits.
Full Circle
With an easy-to-grip handle and tough nylon bristles, this scrub brush sweeps food and grease out of all the nooks and crannies of pans and their respective rivets. The curved edge at the end of the brush is great for scraping off tough bits from the cooking surface without scratching it. Plus, it lasts for years.
2. Soak
Soak the pan in a teaspoon of soap and hot water for 20 minutes.
3. Scrub
Scrub off the residue with the scrub brush or Dobie pad.
4. Towel dry
Dry pans thoroughly with a cotton dishtowel before placing them back in the cabinet and use a paper towel between pans when stacking.
For when none of the above works:
1. Baking soda
Mix some baking soda and water and spread it over the stained cooking surface. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then put some muscle into scrubbing it off with a Dobie sponge or scrub brush.
Arm & Hammer
I prefer a bag of baking soda because it's so much easier to scoop from than a tiny opening in a small cardboard box. And you can use it well beyond cleaning stainless steel: think baking or deodorizing smelly athletic gear (I'm looking at you, lacrosse cleats).
2. Bar Keepers Friend
To use this cleaning powder, sprinkle it on a cool, wet pan. Let sit for 1 minute and then scrub out stains, going with the grain, using a scratch-resistant sponge or Dobie pad. Rinse and towel dry.
Bar Keepers Friend
Keep a can of this magical cleaning powder under the sink and you'll always know how to tackle the very toughest stains on pots, pans, sinks and other non-porous surfaces.
The cleanser contains oxalic acid and mild abrasive soap to soften grease and food buildup while dissolving calcium, lime and rust stains. Always wear gloves when you're using it and don't let it sit on surfaces for more than a minute.
If you're in the market for a new stainless steel skillet, I tested many of the most popular options. Which ones outperformed the rest? The Made In Stainless Steel Frying Pan, which I deemed the best stainless steel pan overall, is a sound investment, and the budget-friendly Tramontina Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Clad Fry Pan is a good choice for those who want less of a commitment.
Made In
There wasn't much not to like about the Made In Stainless Steel Pan! At 2.25 pounds, it maneuvered well from the range to the oven and felt balanced while I seared chicken thighs, sautéed onions and deglazed the pan. I also really enjoyed the handle because it stayed cool on the stove.
Amazon
After testing the Tramontina nonstick pan and loving it, I had high hopes for the company's stainless steel skillet and was duly impressed with its performance. The skillet is about average weight at 2.5 pounds and retains heat very well.
For roughly $50 or less (the retail price is $60, but this pan always seems to be on sale), you can't beat the quality.
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
