How to Clean a Stainless Steel Rainbow Stain in One Minute

Picture this: Your brand-new Stainless Clad Cookware arrives in the mail. After cooking your first meal in it and admiring how it shines on your stovetop, you notice a rainbow stain on the interior—and your dreams of perfect sears and simmering sauces disappear.

Luckily, this rainbow stain doesn't affect the cooking performance of your Pan at all, and is simply an aesthetic imperfection. Let's get into why this rainbow stain appears and how to get rid of it.

What Causes the Rainbow Stain?

The rainbow stain on Stainless Steel is what's known as "heat tint." Stainless Steel contains a small amount of chromium in it to help resist corrosion and rusting. When chromium and air mix, a protective layer is formed on your pan. More simply put, when Stainless Steel is heated to high temperatures, the oxidized layer can thicken, which causes a rainbow tint.

Does This Have Any Effect on Performance?

This is a simple answer: No. This is purely an aesthetic issue, so if it doesn't bother you, then you can cook away with your Stainless Clad.

But if you care about having both beautiful and functional Cookware, then read on for tips on getting rid of the rainbow tint for good.

How to Get Rid of Heat Tint

If you have your Made In Cleaner handy, simply create a paste with some water and the cleaner and scrub it away with a non-abrasive sponge.

If you don't have our cleaner, you can use Bar Keeper's Friend or follow the instructions to restore your Pan:

• Step 1: Pour diluted white vinegar into your Pan

• Step 2: Use a soft sponge to work the vinegar into the interior of the Pan and clean the stain

• Step 3: Rinse and completely dry the Pan with a dish towel

Your Pan should look brand-new after this treatment, and you can proceed cooking with your restored beautiful and functional Cookware.

Want more tips on how to care for your stainless steel pans? Check out our Stainless Clad Cookware Care tips.