You’ve just seen the annoying rainbow, and like you, some people are wondering, “Why does my stainless steel pan have a rainbow?” Well, it’s a little bit of a kitchen mystery, but we can solve it together.
Your stainless steel pan has a rainbow stain because of constructive interference from a thin film material. This stain reflects from a specific spectral wavelength that may be organic (oil or fat) or composed of metallic oxide.
Your stainless steel pan’s rainbow stain is frequently referred to as “iridescence.” You can also call it heat tint or discoloration. Don’t forget any article lines, but the manufacturer claims “it is stainless,” so why is there a stain?
You adore rainbows, so it’s unfortunate that this one is in your favorite pan when it should be somewhere else. Depending on the durability, you might require a high-end replacement pan in the future that can withstand stains.
OK, now for another (also good) newsflash. If you’re not a fan of rainbow-colored cookware, we have a foolproof trick to make those tints go away.
Therefore, if you experience heart palpitations when you see a rainbow, get butterflies in your stomach when you open a new box of crayons, and consider funfetti cake to be a necessary food group, you’re in luck: You need to do nothing about it. The pan will still function flawlessly, and using it is entirely safe.
It turns out those colorful swirls are commonly referred to as “heat tints.” By design, stainless steel includes a small amount of chromium (a very durable metal that helps prevent your pans from rusting and corrosion). When chromium and air combine, a protective layer—which just so happens to be very thin, almost transparent, and slightly rainbow-colored—appears on your pan. A little pan tie-dye may appear when stainless steel is heated to high temperatures because the oxidized layer may thicken. Nice of you to stop by, science. Shop the Story.
This multicolored phenomenon is purely cosmetic. Yep. It has nothing to do with the durability of the components in your pan and won’t (we repeat, won’t) affect how well it simmers, boils, or sears food. (It won’t also have an impact on the taste or acceptability of the food you cook in it.) ).
Use a non-abrasive sponge to remove the rainbow stains by sprinkling some white vinegar that has been diluted with water into your pan. While being kind to your pans, vinegar’s acidity will aid in dissolving that thin oxidized rainbow layer. (Alternatively, a few drops of Bar Keepers Friend, an equally acidic but non-corrosive substance, will work as well.) ) Rinse, dry, and. voila! Your stainless steel will be gleaming good as new. Tell us about your stainless steel cleaning method in the comments section below.
Step One: Pour the Solution
It’s important to note that you shouldn’t attempt to remove the stain while the pan is hot. After letting it cool completely, you can think about using your cleaning solution. Apply the vinegar and water paste to the pan, covering the rainbow stains with it. Vinegar works well for removing heat tints among the various types of stains. However, you need to know how to do it right. You must make sure that the vinegar you use for cleaning has been diluted with water.
What Causes the Rainbow Stain?
Your cookware has a stain on it because of the material used to make it. You will have rainbow stains on the stainless steel. Since they appear on the pan after being exposed to heat, some people also refer to these stains as heat tints. Small amounts of chromium are present in stainless steel, and it also has anti-corrosion and anti-rust properties. For this benefit only, many prefer stainless-steel products. However, chromium has some drawbacks and can alter the appearance of your pan when in contact with heat.
The pan’s surface will develop a shield when chromium reacts with the air. We can simplify it for easier comprehension. Stainless steel’s oxidized layer begins to thicken when used at high temperatures, which can result in a rainbow-colored tint.
Many questions will cross your mind once you notice rainbow hues on your pan. The most important factor is safety. You may believe that rainbow stains will have a chemical reaction with your food while they are cooking, so it is best to stay away from the pan. No, nothing like that will happen, you can use your pan safely, and it will function the same way when cooking various foods.
Simply by not using your pan at a high temperature, you can avoid getting rainbow stains. It is preferable to use a low temperature because using a high temperature will result in these heat tints. Once you’ve got food in your pan, you can turn up the heat.