Removing Brown Rings from Pots & Pans: Prevention & Cleaning

[jrstephens]

What causes and how do you get rid of those brown rings that form on the bottom of pots and pans? I hate them but cannot get rid of them. I have a Gen II pan that has them awful. My Executive does not have them yet, so, I want to know how to prevent and clean them if it happens.

 

[raebates]

I don't know. Mine has them (if I'm understanding what you mean), but I figure that just shows that I use them at home.

 

[Braedensmom]

I dont know if this actually works...but along time ago I heard that if you put KETCHUP on the bottom of the pan and leave it over night, the acid gets rid of those rings...I guess its worth a try?

 

[DebbieJ]

Are they on the inside or the outside?

 

[jrstephens]

Are they on the inside or the outside?

One the bottom where they sit on the burner.

 

[raebates]

Just curious, Jennifer. Are you cooking on an electric or gas stove? Mine is gas, and I figured that was part of the problem.

 

[chefann]

I've got electric (hate it - upgrading to gas when I redo the kitchen next year), and I have some dark rings on the bottoms of my professional cookware. The only time it bothers me is when I am taking them to a show. And now I take my Exec. saute pan, which has only been used once - so it's still clean.

 

[jrstephens]

Just curious, Jennifer. Are you cooking on an electric or gas stove? Mine is gas, and I figured that was part of the problem.

Mine is electric! So, gas is not the problem!

I use to think it was the quality of the pan until I got PC's and I know that is not the cause.

 

[jenifer4000]

My executive set is doing the same thing. I have had good luck in using a paste of bar keepers secret and water to get the rings off.

 

[jenifer4000]

I also have a set of (don't laugh) Amway's Queen Anne cookware that is about 10 years old without the rings. Very Strange!

 

[KHolmes]

I think I may know - it is from the burner or the bottom of the pan having debris (water, food particles, dirt, etc.) on it. My 8" did not have it until I washed it quickly and then put it on the stove without completely drying the bottom.

I have made an effort not to do this with any of my other pans and none have the ring - until this weekend when I was cooking on the 10" and I had some cake batter that I had dripped on the burner by accident and forgot to clean up. When I thought about the pan I picked up the bottom had the ring.

Just my two sense. I tried the baking soda and it worked a little, but not much.

 

[jenifer4000]

I thought something might be on my burners, so I put them in the dishwasher -- no luck still creates rings on the PC pans.