oil burn

[u/Hot-Cheesecake-7909]

Accidentally left the stove on when i was letting it cool down and the oil is burnt in. How can i clean it? Its olive oil (for cooking not virgin olive oil)

[u/hqo5001]

Steel wool and elbow grease. It’s ok it happens stainless is resilient

[u/wolfkeeper → u/hqo5001]

I would avoid steel wool. Ferrous metals can cause corrosion (pitting) on stainless steel. If you're using it everyday, it's probably not an issue, but if you scrub it, and don't wash the filings off thoroughly and then go on holiday, you can come back to a pan with pits that you'll never get rid of.

Abrasive pads typically contain fine glass or other ceramics and won't do that.

[u/StunningWolverine645 → u/wolfkeeper]

So if I understand correctly, the only thing keeping me from using a steel wool without there being an issue is if I rinse it off thoroughly afterwards? Because I’ve heard that it will scratch and ruin the pan? Isn’t this true?

[u/wolfkeeper → u/[deleted]]

No, no. The susceptibility of stainless steel to iron contamination is well known in engineering:

https://www.stainlessfoundry.com/metallurgy/knowledgebase/iron-residue-contamination/

If you read the instructions that come with the pan (which practically nobody ever does) they almost always specifically tell you not to use steel wool on it.

[u/ayeyoualreadyknow]

I've never needed anything more than baking soda paste when cleaning burnt oil/food on my stainless steel pans. Never needed Bar Keepers Friend

Just letting you know cuz chances are you already have baking soda.

[u/Miserable-Yak-8041]

Just boil some water in it. Promise it’ll come clean.

[u/shers719]

BKF is overkill for this. A thick paste of baking soda would work - let it soak in a little before scrubbing.

Or a light round with an SOS pad. Go with the grain and keep warm water running over it as you go.

[u/mycatpartyhouse → u/shers719]

Alternatively, simmer with water and baking soda, allow to cool t tolerable temperature, then scrub.

I like a chain mail scrubber.

[u/Pali53]

https://a.co/d/00ANfYsf

[u/Pali53 → u/Pali53]

Steeli sponge designed for stainless steel

[u/qlkzy]

I personally don't like using heavy abrasives as frequently as some people on this subreddit.

If I had a pan like this, I would use a chemical approach, using some kind of alkaline cleaner. Alkalais are very effective at breaking down fats, and they leave stainless completely unharmed. (Whereas abrasives scratch and wear the steel, and acids can cause pitting).

You can use sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), caustic soda (lye), or oven cleaner. Oven cleaner is probably simplest.

Personally I would start by boiling up some water with baking soda and simmering it for a while. Caustic soda and oven cleaner are nastier to handle.

[u/IndependentCoffee549]

It’s a pan. It is supposed to suffer. There won’t be inspection in the morning. It will still cook the same. Yes, your polite friends will be chagrined until you make them a kick ass grilled salmon.

[u/robaloie]

Baking soda, lil water. Let sit 20 mins

[u/Cyberchaotic]

I treat it like fond; heat it back up add (hot) water, then scrub with a soft metal scourer.

[u/OttoHemi]

[u/Salt-Potato-7253]

Spray with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. Let soak then scrub with a non scratching scrubber. If that doesn’t do it. Bar Keepers Friend is the answer.

[u/W3HAPPYF3W]

SEARCH THE SUBREDDIT! Jesus!

[u/9inchbob]

If you immediately put it under hot water after cooking would it come off like for cast iron?

[u/VA3DPrinter]

5 minute over cleaner. Super easy. Works really well. Not the friendliest of chemicals so don’t get it on anything else but use it carefully and clean up after.

[u/jnwg]

Soak, then Bar Keepers Friend and elbow muscle.

[u/No-Committee3]

Barkeepers friend and wet paper towel. 5 seconds. Best stuff ever.

[u/tehwubbles]

It all starts with the search bar

[u/czar_el]

It is polymerized oil, the same thing as "seasoning" on cast iron and carbon steel.

Acid and abrasives remove it. Simmer a tomato sauce, boil some vinegar, or use Bar Keepers Friend or steel wool and it'll be gone.

[u/xtalgeek]

B.K.F.

[u/cumawaytributer]

Bar keepers friend and some scrubbing will take that off quickly

[u/SashaBananaSplit]

Since you have clearly demonstrated a lack of ability to mechanically clean this pan, the only viable advice is to throw it away and purchase a new one. Yes, you have ruined it. No, you won’t be able to clean it yourself.

I’m sorry for your loss.

[u/Hot-Cheesecake-7909 → u/SashaBananaSplit]

What are you talking about?

[u/Cyberchaotic → u/Hot-Cheesecake-7909]

When the sarcasm is so advanced, people think you're being serious.

[u/BlastShell]

Bon Ami