How do you remove discoloration from pots and pans?

Author: Jaron Heaney PhD  |  Last update: Monday, July 14, 2025

Just add some white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar to the affected part of the surface, then dilute it with water and rub the solution into your pan with a sponge or soft cloth. The stain should come away easily. Wash your pan after with washing-up liquid, as normal, to remove any lingering odours.

How to get rid of discoloration on stainless steel pans?

Stainless steel pans can often acquire some discoloration, which is often caused by overheating. While these stains won't come out with regular dish soap, a little vinegar will do the trick. Pour some vinegar into your pan and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub the pan with a non-abrasive sponge.

How do you remove tarnish from pots and pans?

Discolored aluminum pots will sparkle again if you clean them with a mixture of 2 tablespoons cream of tartar dissolved into 1 quart (1 liter) water. Bring the mixture to a boil inside the pot and boil for 10 minutes. Stains on enamel cookware are a natural for the denture tablet cleaning solution.

How do I get the brown off the bottom of my pans?

osahan, we'll never have to live with burnt pot bottoms again!
  1. Step 1: Rough it up. Flip the pan upside down and run some steel wool over the burnt bottom.
  2. Step 2: Add salt and baking soda. Sprinkle a few pinches of salt onto the bottom. ...
  3. Step 3: Soap it up. ...
  4. Step 4: Let it sit. ...
  5. Step 5: Reveal the clean pan bottom.

Can discolored aluminum be restored?

Yes, discoloured aluminum can be restored. Clean it with a mixture of vinegar and water. Rub gently with a soft cloth. For stubborn stains, use aluminum polish.

How to Clean Bottom of Pan with Baking Soda and Vinegar!

Why do pans get discolored?

Mix oxygen and chromium, and you've got yourself a little rainbow show all to yourself. It's basically a thin protective layer that changes color when combined with air and high heat. But don't worry…it's completely safe. Here's how to pick a safe nonstick pan.

How do you remove discoloration from a ceramic pan?

For those stubborn stains that won't budge, a paste of baking soda and water is your best friend . Apply the paste gently on the affected area, let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then wash as usual. This mild abrasive action helps lift stains without damaging the pan.

What is the best cleaner for burnt pots and pans?

The Baking Soda & Water Method

Make a paste of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Make enough to cover the scorched portion of the pan. For a full pot bottom, try 1 cup baking soda and 1/3 cup water. Liberally apply the paste to the burnt pan.

How do chefs clean their pots and pans?

Food should come off easily but lots of soap, hot water, and manual power will be useful to clean stuck or burned oil. Stainless can be easily sanitized with a non-toxic sanitizer solution, making it a popular choice for restaurant kitchens.

Does vinegar damage stainless steel?

Vinegar is highly acidic and should (almost) never be used on stainless steel because it can begin to eat through the protective coating over time. While it may not be evident at first, you will gradually start to dull the surface as the acid eats its way through the exterior coating and will make an uneven finish.

How do you restore old pots and pans?

Baking Soda and Aluminum Foil Method
  1. Step 1: Add Baking Soda and Water. Sprinkle 2-3 Tbsp. ...
  2. Step 2: Scrub with Foil. Crumble a piece of aluminum foil into a ball (steel wool also works) and use it to scrub away stuck-on residue.
  3. Step 3: Rinse the Pan. Wash in hot soapy water to rinse away any remaining debris.

How do you remove tarnish from cookware?

Typically warm water, a nylon scrubber scouring pad, a powdered cleaner like Comet® and 2 minutes of “elbow grease” is enough to bring the cookware back to usable condition, and most of the time to near new condition. Lemon juice can also help cut through the charred food.

How to use bar keepers friend on pans?

Rinse the pan under water (this helps the Bar Keepers Friend from falling off the pan). Sprinkle about a tablespoon of Bar Keepers Friend on a small portion of the pan bottom. Using a damp sponge, get your elbow grease on and get scrubbing!

How do you fix a discolored pan?

Just add some white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar to the affected part of the surface, then dilute it with water and rub the solution into your pan with a sponge or soft cloth. The stain should come away easily.

Can I use magic eraser on ceramic pans?

Fill the pan halfway with water and bring it to a near-boil for about 2 minutes. Pour out the water and place the pan on a sturdy, flat surface. Carefully use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on the warm pan, and any residual carbon should clean up quickly.

Can I use Bar Keepers Friend on ceramic cookware?

It Can Clean Lots of Things, but Not Everything

But for hard, non-porous surfaces like stainless steel, porcelain, ceramic, or glass, go for it! In addition to pots and pans, you can use Bar Keepers Friend to shine up your cutlery or serveware, your copper mugs for Moscow Mules, or even the inside of your microwave!

How do I get the brown scorching off the bottom of my pans?

Salt, especially coarse Kosher salt, is great for alleviating scorch marks in pans and is especially great for greasy messes. Try pairing it with Dawn dish detergent and hot water, or massaging it into the burnt pan with the juicy core of a cut lemon.

What do baking soda and vinegar do?

Mixing vinegar and baking soda causes an immediate chemical reaction. This reaction forms water, sodium acetate (a salt) and carbon dioxide – the fizzy part. The amount of carbon dioxide gas that is produced from baking soda is remarkable – one tablespoon (around 18 grams) can release over five litres of gas!

How do you remove oxidation from a pan?

If you want to clean aluminum pans, simply boil water with a little vinegar and let it work its magic for a while. You could also bathe smaller utensils in a mixture of vinegar and water. By making a paste consisting of vinegar, salt, and flour, you can clean tarnished aluminum very well.

How do you clean pots and pans to look like new?

Now if food residue builds up, we have a great way to gently scrub your pan back to bright perfection: baking soda and water. Add just enough water to make a slurry-like consistency and wipe the mixture into the pan with a soft cloth or paper towels, then rinse well.

How do you clean discolored enamel pans?

A mixture of lemon juice and salt can work wonders on Falcon enamelware. Sprinkle salt onto the stain, making sure there's enough to cover it. Cut a lemon and squeeze the juice over the salt and let it soak into the stain. It should turn into a paste that you can use to scrub against the stain with a sponge.

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