The following post originally appeared in The Practical Kitchen weekly newsletter. It was so popular that I decided to update + republish it here in its entirety along with some new before and after pics for ya. For early access to exclusive newsletter content like this, sign up for my newsletter here. This post is not sponsored, I just really like this product.
You know those moments where youre sure theres a better, more efficient way to do something but youre just not sure what it is?
Thats how I used to feel about getting my pots and pans (particularly the stainless steel All-clad ones) clean after cooking with them.
I spent what felt like hours scrubbing them with the rough side of a sponge. I tried soaking them. And those pesky grease and oil stains just. wouldnt. budge.
I was scrolling through a foodie facebook group when I saw someone recommend something called “Bar Keepers Friend.” (Yes, the lack of apostrophe bothers me too). Another user had uploaded a photo of a deeply tarnished, blackened Le Creuset dutch oven asking if there was any way to return it to its former glory.
And when I say “someone” recommended Bar Keepers Friend, I mean a literal tidal wave of people were in the comments shouting about how great this product was and sharing their own successful before and after photos.
I immediately ordered a container and as soon as it arrived, I dropped everything and got to scrubbing our most tarnished pan. Lo and behold — it worked like a charm.
For really blackened pans you still need to put some elbow grease to it, but within a few minutes the pan looked almost brand new.
We recommend you leave BKF on for no longer than ONE MINUTE. This is especially important for metal surfaces as it could cause discoloration. For surfaces such as plastic or porcelain, contact for longer than a minute may be necessary, but test in an inconspicuous area first.
So what is Bar Keepers Friend, and how do you use it?
- Bar Keepers Friend is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid based powdered cleaning product, ideal for stainless steel items (though it can be used on lots of other things too — its great for cleaning enameled cast iron!). It can easily remove rust, tarnish, mineral deposits, and tough stains from most surfaces. It also protects the surfaces of your pans, helping prevent them from tarnishing and rusting in the future.
- To use: Wet the surface of whatever youre cleaning, then scrub. Unlike dish soap, Bar Keepers Friend doesnt work up a lather — youll want to scrub with your faucet off, using just the moisture on the surface of the pan to turn the powder into a paste. If you need to add a splash more water to hydrate the powder, thats fine.
- For a very tarnished or greasy pan, you may want to start scrubbing with steel wool. Once youve mostly cleared the surface of the pan, switch to your usual soft sponge or rag.
- Rinse well once you finish cleaning (they recommend not letting it sit on the surface to sit for longer than a minute, but you can definitely scrub for longer than that).
- If youve got particularly sensitive skin or are scrubbing a lot of pots, wear kitchen gloves to protect your skin. This stuff is abrasive!
(UPDATE — before and after pics below!) I wish I had remembered to take before and after pictures from when I used it on my pans when they were really grimy — now I use Bar Keepers Friend regularly enough that they stay nice and shiny. But if youre interested in a visual, J. Kenji Lopez-Alt has a great video showing how it works.
p.s. Dont get the liquid version of Bar Keepers Friend. Its not nearly as good. p.p.s. Regular Bar Keepers Friend is totally safe to use on pots and pans, but if youre interested, they do make a cookware-specific version of Bar Keepers Friend.
This Is The Biggest Mistake You’re Making With Bar Keepers Friend
FAQ
Are there surfaces you should not use Bar Keepers Friend on?
How long can you leave Bar Keepers Friend on stainless steel?
What are the side effects of Bar Keepers Friend?
Is Bar Keepers Friend safe for drains?
How long should I leave Bar Keepers Friend on a surface?
How long should I leave Bar Keepers Friend on a surface? We recommend you leave BKF on for no longer than ONE MINUTE. This is especially important for metal surfaces as it could cause discoloration. For surfaces such as plastic or porcelain, contact for longer than a minute may be necessary, but test in an inconspicuous area first.
How long should Bar Keepers Friend be rinsed?
Instructions state that Bar Keepers Friend should be thoroughly rinsed from the surface you’re cleaning after one minute. Leaving the product on too long can cause discoloration on some surfaces, so don’t take a chance with this one. Use a timer and be sure to rinse it off once it’s worked its magic. 2. Don’t use it without getting it wet.
How long does Bar Keepers Friend take to work?
It gives the formula time to work into the problem area and lift up any stains or gunk you are trying to remove. The usual recommended time is 10-15 minutes. If Bar Keepers Friend is left on too long, it has the potential to cause discoloration that looks similar to bleach stains.
How do you use bar keeper’s friend?
Every cleaning agent has fairly straightforward instructions on how to use it correctly, and BKF is no different. The general use of Bar Keeper’s Friend includes creating a slurry by mixing the powder with water and applying it over the area to be cleaned. Then you let it sit for a short amount of time, scrub, and rinse the area clean.