Make Stainless Steel Pans Look Brand New With This Cheap Find

Shining things can lose their luster, including those essential kitchen tools that you use day in and day out. This includes your stainless steel pots. It's not that they wear out, but that new shine can become dull and even discolored over time. They can also develop build-up from heat and minerals from the water boiling pasta and rice. Instead of that sparkle that you prize, it leaves a cloudy or rainbow coloring on the surface. This is known as heat tint. But never fear, there is a simple DIY cleaner lurking in your pantry that can transform your stainless steel pots and pans back to their days of glory: White vinegar. 

This is a cleaning method that uses distilled white vinegar and is a hack you will wish you knew sooner. But before you break out that bottle, make certain you have cleaned the cookware and removed any burnt-on, stuck-on food from meals past. You will need to make a solution that consists of equal parts water and vinegar. Pour the mixture into your pot or pan. It should cover the discolored area. If it goes away immediately, consider it a gift from the culinary gods. Wash it and dry it with a microfiber cloth, and it will look like brand new.

That said, if you find your pots and pans don't look sparkling after giving them a vinegar and water spritz, you may have to add an extra step. Place the pot or pan on the stove and turn up the burner to medium heat. Allow it to sit on the burner about 10 to 15 minutes. Turn off the burner and allow it to cool. Once you can handle it without a potholder, rinse it, and that should remove the unsightly heat tint. This will make your cookware look clean and shiny. This vinegar hack even works on All-Clad, one of Ina Garten's favorite brands. 

This may have you wondering if you should be cleaning your stainless steel pots and pans in the dishwasher. Of course, you can, but you may not want to. Handwashing is simply less harsh and will leave your favorite skillet or pasta pot less exposed to the dangers of rusting. Take care of the kitchen gear that allows you to make yummy recipes, and it will take care of you.