The Household Staple That Will Banish That Weird Blue Tarnish On Your Stainless Steel Pans

Stainless steel cookware is popular with chefs and home cooks for its versatility, heat resistance, and durability. Shiny new stainless steel pans are an investment that will provide years of reliable service. Despite its name, stainless steel can become discolored by food particles in the cooking process. One of the most common types of discoloration is a blue tarnish or rainbow staining, but don't worry — understanding the stains' causes can help you remove them and restore your pans to their original shine.

The main cause of the blue tarnish and rainbow stains commonly found on stainless steel pans is overheating. Stainless steel pans contain chromium, which is a metal that helps prevent corrosion. When the pan is overheated, the chromium in the pan mixes with the oxygen in the air. This thickens the pan's oxide layer, resulting in the iridescent staining on the bottom of the pan. Although the discoloration is not harmful, most people prefer their pans unstained.

The rainbow spots are a sign that your stainless steel pan needs a deep clean. Fortunately, you can banish that weird blue tarnish with a simple household staple: vinegar.

Vinegar is one of the natural cleaning ingredients that you'll want a healthy stock of in your home. Its acetic acid is highly effective at breaking down stains and mineral deposits. This makes vinegar a potent and versatile ingredient for many household cleaning tasks, including breaking down the oxidized layer responsible for the rainbow coloring on your pans.

You will need white vinegar, water, and a soft sponge or cloth. First, dilute the vinegar with equal parts water and apply it to the pan. You can either mix the vinegar and water in a spray bottle or pour it directly into the pan. Then, swirl the vinegar mixture in the pan to coat the stains entirely. Use a sponge or cloth to scrub the vinegar into the stain, then rinse the pan with water. Dry the pan with a dish towel after cleaning to avoid water spots.

The best way to keep your pans in great condition is to wash them after every use and tackle stains as soon as they occur. Allowing stains to build up inside the pan will make cleaning more difficult. In addition to regular cleaning, avoid overheating your pans to prevent the rainbow tarnish from happening again.