Over time your stainless steel pan can get pretty nasty. When the pan heats up, it can polymerize oil that builds up on the surface. The result is a brown sticky residue that can feel almost impossible to remove. In fact, many people think their stainless steel pans are ruined and simply throw them out. That’s a mistake. Most of the time a stainless steel pan merely needs to be properly cleaned to remove that gunk using a process that only takes a minute or two. TikTok and YouTube influencer the Steel Pan Guy demonstrates the best way to clean stainless steel pans.
Related: How to Clean an Instant Pot Safely
How Clean Baked on Gunk from Your Stainless Steel Pan
Attack that gunk on your stainless steel pan by attacking it with a progressively more intense three-tiered approach endorsed by influencer steelpan.guy in this video.
Method 1: Clean with Dishsoap
Add a dollop of dish soap and warm water then scrub with a scouring pad to remove any food bits.
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Method 2: Clean with stainless steel cleaner
Sprinkle the pan with stainless steel cleaner. We recommend bar keepers friend, then scrub the pan using a stainless steel scrubber until all of the build-up is off of the pan.
Method 3: The Tomato Paste
If dish soap and stainless steel cleaner don’t get the job done, put a dollop of tomato paste on the pan. The oxalic acid in the tomato will eat through any build-up on the steel pan.
Removing the Rainbow tint
The rainbow tint on a stainless steel pan is a thin layer of chromium-oxide that forms as a result of high heat. This layer causes a light refraction, giving the metal the rainbow look. While this metal doesn’t affect cooking performance or impact food safety or taste, it can detract from the aesthetics of your stainless steel pan. Simply scrub the pan with white vinegar, lemon juice, or Bar Keepers Friend to remove the stain.
How to Clean a Stainless Steel Pan
The best way to prevent grease from polymerizing and building up on a stainless steel pan is to clean it the right way. Here is Steel Pan Guy’s approach:
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While the pan is still hot, deglaze it by adding warm water to the pan
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Allow the water to boil in the pan for a few minutes
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Scrape the pan with a wooden spoon to remove any bits then wipe it out with a paper towel.
This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Mar 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Home Living section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
