Make Stainless Steel Pans Shine Like New In 30 Minutes With One Italian Pantry Staple

Stainless steel remains one of the best materials for a reliable cooking pan thanks to its strength and ability to maintain uniform heat. But, if you use it constantly, some stains can still accumulate over time, though that doesn't mean you can't solve this common issue. In fact, one Italian pantry staple can make a stainless steel pan look good as new: tomato paste.

It's really easy to do: just gently buff the stain out with the tomato paste using the rough side of a dishwashing sponge, and leave it there for 30 minutes. Once you wipe away the paste, a smooth stainless steel pan reveals itself. You don't have to spend much, or do a lot, to make your stainless steel shine again.

Tomato paste can save the day because of its acidic nature. With a pH of 4 (which is similar to lemon juice and vinegar), it's gentle enough not to damage stainless steel cookware, but strong enough to be effective. Acidic solutions are ideal for taking care of alkaline deposits, including rust stains. They help loosen the buildup so the pans can get squeaky clean. Tomatoes are already acidic on their own, but you can look for tomato paste with citric acid, the culprit behind how it keeps its original color (some brands only include concentrated tomatoes), to see if it's more effective; a little more acid might help your cookware shine better.

Making your stainless steel pan spick and span again with tomato paste works, but there's a caveat. For certain stains, such as severe buildup, the ingredient isn't as effective, but you can clean your stainless steel pans with ease if discoloration or burnt food debris needs deglazing. 

Aside from tomato paste, ketchup, which contains vinegar, can also make a difference. It can remove burnt sugars from the pan that are otherwise stubborn to get rid off. Tomato sauce can also do wonders, and is helpful for eliminating burnt food that's not coming off. Just pour a good amount into the stainless steel pan and let it simmer for a bit (if you need a quick solution) or simply leave it alone (if you don't mind waiting overnight). You can even utilize the tomatoes you already have in your pantry by crushing them as if you're making your own tomato sauce.

Here's an important detail you might miss: Once you're done, make sure you're not wiping stainless steel with paper towels — they can leave minor scratches. Instead, enlist the help of a microfiber cloth. Before you know it, your cookware should be so shiny you might even see your own reflection.