Avoid Damage: How to Get Burnt Food Off the Bottom of Stainless Steel Pans

Key Takeaways

• Stainless steel cookware is highly durable and resistant to rust and corrosion; however, it requires proper care to maintain its optimal performance and appearance.
• Harsh scrubbers and strong chemicals can scratch or weaken the protective surface of stainless steel, making gentle cleaning methods essential.
• Burnt food can be safely removed with techniques such as hot water soaks, baking soda paste, boiling water, or specialty cleaners like Bar Keepers Friend.
• Preventing future burns and sticking is best achieved by preheating pans properly, using enough oil, avoiding excessive heat, and cleaning promptly after use.

Burnt food happens to even the best cooks. You get distracted, underestimate a new stove, or forget to stir, but burnt food doesn’t have to mean a ruined pan. Cookware like stainless steel is especially durable and highly favored by professional chefs, yet it’s prone to stubborn food sticking. 

This article will cover safe, effective methods for cleaning burnt food without scratching or damaging your stainless steel pan. We’ll also offer advice on preventing burns when using stainless steel. 

Why Does Stainless Steel Require Special Care?

Stainless steel doesn’t have a nonstick coating, so food can stick and burn if the heat isn’t managed. All types of cookware have their pros and cons, and it’s important to be aware of where stainless steel excels and where using it requires special care. 

Benefits of Stainless Steel

• Durability: Stainless steel pans are built to last. They can handle high heat, repeated use, and metal utensils without warping or cracking. A single pan, when cared for, can last decades.
• Even Heating: High-quality stainless steel, especially when combined with aluminum or copper cores, distributes heat evenly across the cooking surface. This helps prevent hot spots that cause uneven cooking.
• Resistance to Rust/Corrosion: Stainless steel is naturally resistant to rust and staining, even when exposed to acidic food.
• Versatility: Stainless steel pans are typically safe for stovetop and oven use.

Risks of Improper Care

• Scratches from Harsh Cleaning: Using steel wool or abrasive cleaners can leave permanent scratches, dulling the polished surface and making it harder to clean in the future.
• Weakened Surface from Chemicals: Harsh detergents or bleach can strip the chromium oxide layer that protects stainless steel, leaving it vulnerable to pitting.
• Persistent Food Sticking: Without using the proper method, food can cling to the pan, making cooking and cleanup frustrating.
• Stains and Discoloration: Using too much heat can cause rainbow discoloration, which, while not harmful, affects the appearance.

How to Get Burnt Food Off Your Stainless Steel

A few simple strategies can safely remove burnt food without damaging your pan’s structural integrity. Before we get started, it’s important to be mindful when soaking stainless steel. While this material is more resistant to rust than carbon steel or aluminium, it can still corrode. 

Best practices require you to soak for a maximum of 30 minutes and always dry thoroughly. 

Gentle Cleaning Methods for Light Burns

Use simple cleaning methods to remove light residue after cooking foods like eggs, grains, or sauces. 

• Hot water soak: Immediately soak with hot water and mild dish soap for around 5 to 10 minutes, then scrub gently.
• Wooden or silicone utensils: Gently scrape food without scratching. Use a lifting motion as opposed to a digging motion to avoid scratching. 

Tackling Tougher Burnt-On Food

It’s best to avoid using steel wool or harsh scouring pads that damage the pan’s surface. These more intense food removal methods work well with a non-abrasive scrubber or sponge. Look for scrubbers labeled ‘non-scratch’ or ‘nylon.’

• Baking soda paste: Mix with water, apply, let sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with a non-abrasive sponge.
• Boiling water method: Fill with water and bring to a boil to loosen burnt bits, then pry off with a wooden spoon
• Vinegar and baking soda combo: Pour vinegar, bring to a boil, remove from heat, add baking soda, then scrub once cooled.

When Should You Use Specialty Cleaners?

Specialty cleaners are an excellent option for removing anything from burnt food to rust to discoloration. Most of these cleaners are designed to remove issues without scratching the pan. You always need to follow the manufacturer's directions carefully for the best results. 

These are two options you can consider keeping on hand:

• Bar Keepers Friend: This is one of the most popular stainless steel cleaners. It uses oxalic acid to break down tough stains, burnt-on food, and discoloration.
• Bon Ami Powder Cleanser: This is a non-toxic and biodegradable alternative that lifts residue without scratching stainless steel. It works well for regular cleaning and upkeep.
• How Can You Prevent Future Burns and Sticking?

Use these tips to prevent future messy burns and frustrating sticking. 

• Preheat the pan properly before adding food.
• Use enough oil or butter to create a cooking barrier.
• Avoid cooking on excessively high heat.
• Clean pans promptly after use to avoid buildup.

How de Buyer Stainless Steel Performs

de Buyer stainless steel cookware is durable and designed for professional results. Even novice home cooks are able to achieve fantastic results with de Buyer’s stainless steel cookware. These pans heat up quickly, retain their heat precisely, and perform consistently for years and even decades. 

A de Buyer stainless steel pan improves with proper use and consistent maintenance, so the only thing you need to learn is how to clean your new pan. On these durable pans, even tough messes can be removed without damage.

Our stainless steel cookware comes in two different lines, the Alchimy and Affinity. 

• Alchimy 3-Ply Cookware: Built with three layers of metal, this line balances quality and affordability. It offers reliable heat performance and durability, making it an excellent choice for everyday home cooking without a premium price point.
• Affinity 5-Ply Cookware: Constructed with five alternating layers of stainless steel and aluminum, this line delivers superior heat distribution and retention. It’s ideal for precision cooking techniques and for cooks who want professional-level performance in the kitchen.

Keep Your Stainless Steel Shining

Burnt food is fixable with the right techniques, so there’s no need to panic. The right stainless steel cleaning methods preserve durability and shine for years.

Explore de Buyer’s stainless steel cookware, crafted for chefs and passionate home cooks who want lasting performance in the kitchen.