How to clean stainless steel pot

Have you noticed that your stainless steel frying pan is no longer as shiny as it was when you first bought it? Actually, this is quite common. After daily high-temperature cooking and prolonged use, stainless steel may experience discoloration or leave residual marks. This does not indicate a product quality issue, but rather a normal usage phenomenon. The good news is that most of these marks can be cleaned or significantly improved.

Whether it's the oil film formed by long-term heating of oil, burnt food residue, or colored marks caused by heat, with the right method, you can restore the pot to a clean and nearly original appearance. What's more convenient is that most of these cleaning methods can be accomplished using common household items.

Here are five methods to solve the problems you encounter daily: 1. Dishwashing liquid and stainless steel cleaner 2. Vinegar and baking soda 3. Salt scrubbing 4. Baking soda paste 5. Boiling white vinegar

Before starting

If your pot is severely burnt, please clean it first with warm water, detergent, and a sponge to remove any residue. If only stubborn stains remain, try one or more of the following methods.

1. Dishwashing liquid and stainless steel cleaner

Best use: severely burnt food residue and oil stains

1. Pour water into the burnt area and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid.
2. Boil over low heat, and then scrape the residue with wooden or silicone kitchen utensils.
3. Pour out the water, then apply a powdered stainless steel cleaner (such as Bar Keepers Friend) and add a small amount of dishwashing liquid.
4. Let it stand for 2-5 minutes.
5. Use a stainless steel cleaning brush or a non-scratching scouring pad to scrub along the stainless steel grain.
6. Rinse thoroughly and repeat the above steps if necessary.
> ⚠️ Steel wool scrubbing is faster, but it tends to scratch the surface, so use with caution.

2. Vinegar and baking soda

Best Uses: Stubborn food stains and discoloration

Mixing vinegar (acidic) and baking soda (alkaline) will produce a bubbling reaction, which helps remove residues.
1. Evenly sprinkle baking soda on the stain.
2. Wipe gently with a damp sponge.
3. Add a small amount of white vinegar - the mixture will immediately start foaming.
4. Thoroughly scrub.
5. Rinse and repeat the above steps until it is clean.

3. Salt scrubbing method

Best Use: Remove burnt food residue without using chemical cleaners. 1. Sprinkle coarse salt on the burnt area.
2. Let it stand for about 5 minutes.
3. Use a rough sponge, scouring pad, or a cut lemon (a natural alternative method) for scrubbing.
4. Rinse and clean with detergent.

4. Best use of baking soda paste: mild to moderate burns

1. Mix baking soda with a small amount of water to make a thick paste.
2. Apply evenly to the burnt area.
3. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes (heavier stains may require longer treatment time).
4. Gently scrub and rinse thoroughly.  5.  If necessary, please repeat the above steps.
Baking soda is milder than commercially available cleaning agents, safe and effective, and suitable for daily maintenance.

5. The boiling white vinegar method is most suitable for: removing oil, mineral deposits, and heat stains. 1. Add water and a few tablespoons of white vinegar to a pot - just enough water to cover the stain.
2. Boil for a few minutes.
3. Pour out the liquid and clean the cooking utensils with warm soapy water.
4. For stubborn stains, please follow the method mentioned above using white vinegar and baking soda.

Stainless steel maintenance tips

* Make sure to let the pot cool down before cleaning to avoid deformation.

* Clean along the direction of the stainless steel texture.

* Avoid using chlorine bleach and strong abrasives.

* Properly preheating and coating with oil before cooking can reduce the occurrence of sticking and burning.

With the right method, even a severely burnt stainless steel pot can be restored to its original shine.