How to Clean a Burnt Stainless Steel Pan

From a scorched sauce to a blackened bottom, here's how to get a stainless steel pan clean with water, baking soda, Bar Keepers Friend and a little patience, without wrecking the finish.

By Amanda RobertsUpdated October 30, 2026How we pick products

The good news about stainless steel is that you almost can’t ruin it. Burnt rice, scorched milk, a forgotten pan of onions: it all comes off. Start with the gentlest method and move up only if you need to.

What you need

• Water and dish soap
• Baking soda
• Bar Keepers Friend (powder or soft cleanser)
• A wooden spoon or flat wooden spatula
• A non-scratch scrub pad, and a stainless steel scrubber for stubborn spots
• White vinegar, for rainbow stains

Avoid oven cleaner and chlorine bleach on stainless. They can pit or discolor the steel.

Method 1: Simmer and scrape (light burns)

1. Let the pan cool a little. Never plunge a very hot pan into cold water; the shock can warp it.
2. Cover the burnt area with water and a squirt of dish soap.
3. Bring it to a simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Scrape with a wooden spoon. Most of the burnt layer will lift off.
5. Wash as usual.

This handles most stuck-on food.

Method 2: Baking soda boil (heavier burns)

1. Pour off any loose food. Add enough water to cover the burnt area.
2. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of baking soda.
3. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, scraping occasionally with a wooden spoon.
4. Let it cool, pour it out, and scrub. For leftover spots, make a paste of baking soda and a few drops of water, spread it on, let it sit 15 minutes, and scrub.

Repeat if needed. Really bad burns can take two or three rounds.

Method 3: Bar Keepers Friend (stubborn black spots)

Bar Keepers Friend is what stainless cookware makers, including All-Clad, recommend for tough stains.

1. Wet the pan and sprinkle on Bar Keepers Friend, or squeeze on the soft cleanser.
2. Rub with a damp non-scratch pad, moving in the direction of the steel’s grain if you can see one.
3. Don’t let it sit for more than a minute. It’s acidic.
4. Rinse well and wash with soap and water.

For a burnt outside bottom

Grease that’s burned onto the outside bottom of a pan turns brown or black over time. Turn the pan upside down in the sink, make a thick paste of Bar Keepers Friend or baking soda, scrub, and rinse. For years of buildup, expect a few sessions.

Rainbow or blue stains

A rainbow or bluish tint comes from overheating. It’s harmless. Wipe the pan with white vinegar, then rinse and dry. Bar Keepers Friend also removes it.

White chalky spots

These are mineral deposits from hard water or starchy cooking water. Boil a mix of one part vinegar to three parts water in the pan, let it cool, then wash.

How to keep it from happening

• Preheat over medium, not high. Stainless doesn’t need maximum heat.
• Turn the heat down for sugary sauces, milk and rice, which burn fast.
• Deglaze while it’s hot. After searing, add a splash of water, stock or wine and scrape. You get a pan sauce and an easy cleanup.
• Soak right away if something sticks. Dried-on food is much harder.

Still wondering?

Can I use steel wool on stainless? It works on stubborn spots but leaves fine scratches. Use a non-scratch pad first.

Is a burnt stainless pan safe to use? Yes, once it’s clean. Discoloration from heat is cosmetic.

Can stainless go in the dishwasher? Most can, but hand washing keeps the finish brighter.

Looking for a new set? See the best stainless steel cookware sets under $200.