Overheated oil has turned my pan dark

[sarah galvin]

I know, I know. Don't turn the heat on oil and walk away. But I did. I really burned it! My beautiful All Clad saute pan has stains from the heated oil and I can't seem to get them out. I don't want to abrade the pan without first asking you, what can I do?

[mpalmer6c]

On the recommendation of experts, bought an All-Clad fry pan. Found sandpaper was needed to clean. Good-by All-Clad. But many have timew to sandpaper pans. Me, do not.

[HaagenDazs]

Hey mpalmer6c -

Do what you want, but please, PLEASE don't ever think that you need sandpaper to clean a pan. That is going so far overboard, so far beyond what most people would call obsessive-compulsive disorder it's hilarious. In the meantime send me a message, I'll be sure to take the "bad" All-Clad off your hands.

[jlbwendt]

OCD? I just have to touch the sanding sponge to the grease stain and it's gone. No elbow grease required. How is wanting to save time and my wrists hilarious? You want to scrub your arms off with the Barkeeper's Friend? Fine with me.

[blondelle]

You may get it clean but the fine scratches you are putting into the surface with something that abrasive will make food stick more in the future, and make it even harder to clean. Then what's next? An orbital sander in your kitchen?

[jlbwendt]

I was talking about the bottom of the pans. I've never stained the inside.

[HaagenDazs]

I cleaned the bottom of my shoes once... I scrubbed with a plastic brush and bleach, rinsed with hot water and sprayed the rubber soles with Windex and wiped them down until they reflected the sunlight. Then I took 4 steps out my front door.

In other words, clean all you want. They're just going to get dirty the next time you place them on the burner.

[jlbwendt]

Sure, but do you eat off the bottom of your shoes?

[Elizabeth Rothman]

Try using Bartenders Friend, it is a stainless steel cleaner. and if you can find an all copper abrasive sponge it should with a little elbow grease come back to shiny stainless again, maybe after a few scrubs.

[jk1002]

Yes, I have the same issue all the time. I pan sear a lot. Hot Pan, Hot Oil .... Barkeepers friend get them always back to shiny like new look.

JK

[sarah galvin]

I have been using Barkeeper's Friend but I guess I will just have to continue for a few more scrubs.

[jk1002]

Did you let it soak a bit? I had a few disasters but so far everything went back to normal after a round of barkeepers friend. Are you using the poweder?
Lastly, i would love to see a picture how bad it is. I wonder if the lifelong warranty would kick in.

[jlbwendt]

I have several All-Clad pans and use a fine grain sanding sponge (finer than shown in the photo below). It may etch a little in the stainless steel if you press too hard, but I prefer that to the burnt on grease, and don't really care about scratches on the bottom of the pans! Works great on my anodized aluminum too (just the outsides of the pan of course.)

[sarah galvin]

The discoloration is on the inside and I hesitate to etch the inside. It's like a very dark brown ring around the pan and some other darkening. I think I'll stick with Sam's definition of pretty! Thanks.

[HPLsauce]

What Sam said. Embrace the dark side.

[sarah galvin]

sigh.....yeah, I know you are right. It was so pretty until now... now it has patina

[Sam Fujisaka]

"Pretty" ... is bent and beaten; patina-ed to the max sautes and woks; kitchen pliers and clamps that serve for those handles long departed; razor sharp mottled carbon steel blades racing their split wood handles to another season; bent but good baking trays and pans. All bent, beaten, stained, crooked, and happily attesting to good meals made, made quickly, under pressure, and for many, many happy people.

[tsays]

Thanks, Sam for the that description. I could not agree with you more. We are in our 2nd year of marriage and our lovely cookware is only now starting to look like it should: well used. I'll always consider my pans, as they become "prettier" a reflection of the journey of our marriage.

[Sam Fujisaka]

Leave it happily alone. You have another layer of protection.

[todao]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/305701

[sarah galvin]

Thank you, tadao. I read all the suggestions and frankly, I may have to live with it. But the last suggestion was to soak in boiling water & vinegar and I will try that. The stains aren't gunk, but nicely baked on darkened oil! What an idiot!