Apply Bar Keepers Friend or a specialized cookware cleaner to dissolve burns

Sprinkle a powdered cleanser like Bar Keepers Friend onto the wet pan surface, form a paste, and let it sit before scrubbing. These cleaners are specifically formulated to tackle burnt-on food and tough stains on cookware.

Why It Works

Bar Keepers Friend contains oxalic acid, a naturally occurring compound found in rhubarb and spinach that dissolves rust, mineral deposits, and carbonized food. Its fine abrasive particles provide gentle mechanical cleaning without scratching stainless steel. Other specialized cookware cleaners like Bon Ami (made with feldspar) or Cerama Bryte work through similar mild-abrasive and chemical action.

Steps

1. Wet the inside of the pan slightly.
2. Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend or another appropriate cleanser onto the burnt areas.
3. Add a few drops of water to form a paste.
4. Let the paste sit for 1-2 minutes (follow product label directions).
5. Scrub gently with a damp, non-abrasive sponge or cloth.
6. Rinse thoroughly and repeat if necessary.

Tips

• Particularly effective on stainless steel and hard-anodized aluminum cookware
• Do not use on non-stick coatings unless the product label explicitly states it is safe
• Wear gloves when using oxalic acid-based cleansers, as they can irritate skin with prolonged contact
• A 12 oz can of Bar Keepers Friend costs approximately $2-4 USD and lasts dozens of uses