Cooking with a high-quality piece of stainless steel cookware can be a little… unnerving. Theyre so pristine and shiny right out of the box! I will surely destroy this perfect thing, I thought to myself placing a Demeyere saucier gingerly on my cooktop last fall, and so I used it as nervously delicately as possible to start out: browned some chicken cubes, added spices, cauliflower, and coconut milk. In fifteen minutes it was dinner, and I cleaned and dried the pan instantly after finishing.
The next morning, I noticed cloud-like white spots had bloomed across its surface. Some were even rainbow-like, the way an oil slick can be. In distress, I did my research (and contacted the maker directly, as any crazy-curious cook would do).
The markings, I learned, are mineral deposits or “scale” from the tap water, also referred to as calcium deposits, lime deposits, and even protein deposits. (Id imagine if you have extremely hard water at home, this issue becomes even more pronounced.) Its the same thing that sometimes happens to glassware in a dishwasher—the cloudy effect.Shop the Story
These chalky blooms arent harmful to you or your cooking, but a buildup can encourage bacterial growth, which would be—so either way, its smart to clean them up at first sign.
Whimsical though these wispies may appear, they wont wipe away with plain soap and water. (I know, I tried!) The solution is to combat them with diluted white vinegar. Our Senior Staff Writer (and one of the most dedicated kitchen cleaners I know) Sarah suggested bringing a 1:3 vinegar to water solution to a boil in the pan, then letting it cool before washing and drying as normal, so thats what I did.
I didnt even have to scrub; after the soak, a soft sponge wiped the wispies entirely away. (Scouring pad not needed and also not recommended—even gentle ones can scratch your stainless steel!)
For heavier deposits (if you have very hard water, lets say), you might try discarding the vinegar solution, refreshing it, and boiling anew before cleaning the pan, or even leaving the solution to sit in the pan overnight before cleaning it. I admit to having also tried using a 50:50 solution on more dramatic deposits, which didnt hurt my pans a bit. There are also scale-removing products on the market, but youd want to check to be sure they wont damage your cookware before using them (though why bother, when vinegar works so well?).
What kitchen cleaning conundrums are you facing, that youd like us to tackle? Tell us in the comments.
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Mix up a 3:1 solution of water and vinegar (any kind), put the solution in the affected pot or pan (make sure to completely submerge the mineral deposits), and turn heat it up on the stove. Once the water starts to get near boiling, shut off the burner, and let the hot liquid dissolve the mineral buildup.
The next morning, I noticed cloud-like white spots had bloomed across its surface. Some were even rainbow-like, the way an oil slick can be. In distress, I did my research (and contacted the maker directly, as any crazy-curious cook would do).
I didnt even have to scrub; after the soak, a soft sponge wiped the wispies entirely away. (Scouring pad not needed and also not recommended—even gentle ones can scratch your stainless steel!)
These chalky blooms arent harmful to you or your cooking, but a buildup can encourage bacterial growth, which would be—so either way, its smart to clean them up at first sign.
For heavier deposits (if you have very hard water, lets say), you might try discarding the vinegar solution, refreshing it, and boiling anew before cleaning the pan, or even leaving the solution to sit in the pan overnight before cleaning it. I admit to having also tried using a 50:50 solution on more dramatic deposits, which didnt hurt my pans a bit. There are also scale-removing products on the market, but youd want to check to be sure they wont damage your cookware before using them (though why bother, when vinegar works so well?).
Its here: Our game-changing guide to everyones favorite room in the house. Your Do-Anything Kitchen gathers the smartest ideas and savviest tricks—from our community, test kitchen, and cooks we love—to help transform your space into its best self.
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How to Remove Mineral Deposits from Stainless Steel Cookware
FAQ
How do you get calcium deposits off pots and pans?
How do you get white spots off stainless steel cookware?
What breaks down calcium deposits?
How do you remove calcium deposits from a pot?
One more way to remove calcium deposits is to use lemon juice. Not only is lemon juice a natural acid, but it also contains some mild abrasives that can break up the hard-to-remove salts. To use this method, fill your pot or pan with enough water to cover the deposits. Add one tablespoon of lemon juice and bring the water to a boil.
How can one ensure they are receiving enough calcium?
To find out if your calcium intake is enough, you can have blood tests to find out the calcium status of your body. However, the general recommendation could be met by taking two cups of milk per day, a yogurt, and a serving of cheese.
How do you remove calcium deposits from cookware?
The easiest (and most common) way to remove calcium deposits from your cookware requires one ingredient you likely already have in your kitchen: distilled vinegar. Apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, and other flavored vinegars contain sugar, which can burn into your pan. 1.
Does vinegar remove calcium deposits from pots & pans?
If vinegar doesn’t remove the calcium deposits on your pots and pans, try using a mixture of one part baking soda and three parts water instead. Another way to remove calcium deposits from pots and pans is to use baking soda. Baking soda is an alkaline that can eliminate these hard-to-remove salts.