It might make you feel so adult to own those nice stainless steel pans, but not if you can't keep them clean.
If a series of soakings and scrubbings doesn't work, don't give up -- the blackened remains of last night's dinner can be removed without scratching up the surfaces.
First, though, if you're starting with a new pan that has a sticker or sticker
residue, soak it in warm water and then use a plastic spatula to lift
off the sticker. Goo Gone or any citrus oil-based cleaner will remove
any leftover glue. You can also try spraying it with Pam or cooking spray and
then wiping it off with a paper towel.
If you see streaks on the pan, you can simply rub those off with a paper towel lightly coated in olive oil or club soda. You should be able to avoid streaks if you towel dry the pan immediately after cleaning it.
Once your pan is in use and has built up calcium deposits -- which are white -- or burnt residue, you'll want to follow The Kitchn's advice and boil a solution of water, vinegar and baking soda inside the pan. Once the water is boiling, you can begin to scrape off the residue with a wooden spoon. You might have to repeat this step a few times, depending on how much is caked on the surface.
It's important that you use a mesh or cloth dish towel to wipe off the pan. The back side of a sponge or steel wool can score and scrape a stainless steel pan.
If you're looking to avoid getting to the blackened gunk stage in the future, pick up a cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend -- a non-bleach-based cleaner. But with any cleaner you use, always make sure there is water on the surface of the pot, which will keep you from scratching the pan's surface.
If you truly want to avoid cleaning, you can try deglazing a hot pan -- where you can add cold liquid to turn what's at the bottom of your pot into gravy. As the liquid boils, it lifts what is stuck to the bottom of the pan. You can then scrape or strain out the grease and bits, before adding more water, wine, or stock and reducing the mixture once again.
[Image via Flickr: Kai Hendry]
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