tips for cleaning stainless steel pans

Over time, stainless steel cooking items tend to build up a film that it often seems no amount of scrubbing can remove.

The quickest way to remove burnt on stains or scorches is using a metal polish or cleaner, the type you'll find at your local grocery or hardware store.

Wear gloves to protect your hands from the metal polish and the metal from fingerprints.

Cotton is best, but rubber works as long as you wash a new pair first. (Any sulfur that remains on the gloves could tarnish the silver.)

Resist the urge to submerge: Less is more when it comes to cleaning stainless steel.

• If marks persist, wash by hand with phosphate-free dish-washing liquid to remove stains, or use club soda to remove streaks or heat stains.

• Avoid abrasives - they'll destroy the surface sheen.

• Cooked-on food or grease can be removed by gently scrubbing it with a paste of baking soda and water and a soft rag or nylon scrubber.