How To Clean Stainless Steel Skillet

Stainless steel is a material that is used in many industries, such as food processing and construction. It can be found in anything from microwaves and toasters to cars and airplanes.

It's also the metal of choice for cookware because it doesn't rust or react with food. However, stainless steel does need regular cleaning and maintenance if you want it to look and perform at its best. This article will show you how to clean stainless steel skillets so that your cooking utensils stay shiny. Let's get started. 

Steps to cleaning a stainless steel skillet

Before you begin, make sure that the skillet is cool enough to touch. You also want to use a mild soap or dishwashing liquid with warm water, especially when you're going to wash your best oven safe skillet. 

Step 1: Start by washing any excess food from the surface of your stainless steel skillet. Rinse well until all of the residual food is gone. In fact, you should rinse well enough that water doesn't pool on the surface of the skillet.

Step 2: Take a soft, lint-free cloth and wipe down the interior of your stainless steel skillet. You want to use circular motions to evenly distribute your cleaner around the inside of your cooking utensil. Be sure to clean both sides if you have one as well. 

Step 3: If there are any stains left on your stainless steel pan, mix one teaspoon of lemon juice in one cup of water to create an effective stain remover for stainless steel cookware. However, this method may cause discoloration if you have brushed stainless steel cookware. You can also use a soft cloth with warm water and mild soap to remove any stubborn stains.

Step 4: If there are any smudges or fingerprints left on your pan, grab a paste made from equal parts of water and baking soda and rub the surface in a circular motion to remove them. Also, make sure to clean the inside of your stainless steel skillet as well as the outside.

Step 5: When you're done washing, make sure that you dry your stainless steel cookware thoroughly with a soft cloth. You can also use paper towels if you need to speed up the drying process. You want to dry it completely before putting it away so food doesn't get stuck on the sides when you put food in it again.

Step 6: Last but not least, store your cleaned stainless steel skillet in an airtight container for future use.

Benefits of stainless steel cookware

Stainless steel is a must-have in any kitchen because it has so many great benefits. Here are some of our favorite reasons to use stainless steel cooking utensils:

• Stainless steel won't react with food, which means that you don't have to worry about toxins leaching into your food while you're cooking.
• Because stainless steel doesn't scratch or dent easily, it's long-lasting and durable. It will save money over time because you won’t have to replace it.
• Stainless steel cookware heats evenly without hot spots like other materials do, so food cooks uniformly and thoroughly every time. 
• You can clean stainless steel easily and quickly, and it won't stain.

Why should you clean the stainless steel skillet?

You might be wondering why you need to take care of your cooking utensils by cleaning them regularly when they're already resistant to most chemicals and wear. Here is why you should do it anyway.

By keeping your stainless steel looking good, you also keep it looking as new as possible. You don't want to get in the habit of not cleaning something but then one day have a problem with it and can't remember when you last did clean it. Also, if the inside of your stainless steel equipment gets dirty, this might cause food to stick and burn – which is why paying attention to the non-stick component is important.

You will be able to take better care of your cooking utensil. It's easier to keep stuff clean than trying to make them shiny again after they've been neglected for months. Think about all of that extra work.

You will be able to use your cooking utensils for longer. It'll help keep that equipment looking shiny and new. And if you don't have to spend money on replacements every six months, then why not invest in something better? 

Also, by cleaning the steel correctly, you can preserve the season on your stainless steel pan, ensuring that this layer stays on for longer.

What NOT to do when cleaning your stainless steel skillet

There are also some quick fixes out there that will make your kitchen look pretty but could ruin your cooking equipment if used incorrectly. There's a complete guide on how to remove burnt stains from stainless steel.

Here are two things that should never be used when caring for your stainless steel. 

1: Never use bleach on your stainless steel cookware.

 It'll ruin the shine of your metal, especially if you do it too often. This is why a lot of professionals say that all-purpose cleaners are an effective way to clean stainless steel.

2: Don't soak your cooking utensils for long periods without cleaning them first. 

This will lead to rusting and other problems with your dishwasher or sink. Just do a quick wipe down first so you can then wash them in soap and water when you have some free time.

What about those tough stains on your stainless steel skillet?

So now that we've learned how to keep our cookware clean from the get-go, let's talk about those pesky stains that always seem to pop up when we're not looking. Here are some tips on how you can remove them without affecting the shine of your stainless steel cookware.

1: Got milk or egg stains? 

You can use just a bit of dish soap and water for this, but if you feel like it's still not coming off, try using vinegar instead. This is because vinegar has acidic qualities that will help break down certain foods while dish soap only helps cut grease. However, don't leave these items in for too long – they could damage your utensil.

2: Coffee stains? 

We've all had to clean up spilled coffee one time or another…well, there are two ways to do this because there are two different kinds of coffee stains. You can either use a damp cloth to wipe up the stain on your stainless steel mug or you can use baking soda and water. The latter is more effective, but be careful not to let it sit for too long, as this could cause rusting.

3: Burnt food from pan-frying? 

If the burnt food has stuck onto the side of your cooking utensil, then you'll need some elbow grease. Because hydrogen and oxygen make water, hot tap water will help remove the sticky residue that leftovers have made while in the skillet. 

Image Credit: http://pinterest.comHowever, if it's actually on top of the metal part, then dish soap and warm water should work.

4: Stains from the bottom of your stainless steel skillet? 

These are typically tougher to get out, but some people do try using vinegar and table salt together. This is one of those tips that you should test on another part of the cookware or an inconspicuous place before trying it on your prized possession.

Other tips to keep in mind when cleaning stainless steel cookware

Stainless steel can be a little tough outside with heavy-duty technology at its fingertips, so here are a few more things to remember. Most of these tips will focus on taking care of your cookware after they have been used for extended periods.

• Keep your cooking utensils away from direct sunlight. Just let them sit in a cabinet or on a countertop where they won't be in direct light for long periods.
• Don't put your stainless steel utensils in the dishwasher. They will get dinged up and start to corrode. Hand washing is best, but you can also use the top rack of your dishwasher if you're pressed for time. Just don't wash them too often and watch out for rust.
• When storing cookware, make sure that it is away from any sharp edges. Stainless steel has a low tolerance when it comes to other materials, so keep that in mind as well. A good way to store these safely is by stacking them. 
• Don't store your utensils with the metal touching. This will damage both the pan and the lid that you have stored together. It's best to keep them separated so that they don't scratch each other up too much during storage.
• Use wooden or plastic utensils while cooking on your stainless steel cookware. Metal can potentially cause scratches, which means an instant rusting problem. Wood and plastic are easier on metal and won't harm it in any way, shape, or form.

Final thoughts on how to clean stainless steel skillet

In conclusion, stainless steel cookware looks pretty and is easy to clean, but it can be tough when you don't know what to do. If you follow these tips and tricks, then your stainless steel cookware will stay shiny for a long time.