Rainbow stains on stainless steel pans
Rainbow or bluish marks on stainless are heat tint, not damage. Wipe them away with a little white vinegar on a soft cloth, then rinse and dry.
On this page
Remove heat tint in three steps
- Let the pan cool.
- Wipe the colored area with a soft cloth or sponge and a little white vinegar.
- Rinse with warm water and dry straight away.
What to avoid
- Steel wool or harsh abrasives, which scratch the finish.
- Treating a warped base as a stain: if the pan rocks on the counter, see the warped pans page.
What the rainbow is
Rainbow, gold or blue marks appear when stainless steel gets hotter than it needs to: an empty pan left on a high burner, a long preheat, or oven use above 500°F. The heat thickens the thin clear layer that protects the steel, and light reflecting off it shows as color. All-Clad says the color does not affect how the pan cooks.
White, cloudy spots are different
A chalky white film is minerals left by hard water, not heat tint. Simmer a mix of one part white vinegar to one part water in the pan, then rinse and dry. Small white pits, which do not wipe off, come from salt added to cold water; add salt once the water boils.
Keep it from coming back
Preheat on low to medium heat, keep high heat for boiling water, and do not leave an empty pan on a hot burner. Dry the pan after washing so water spots do not form.