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Why Olive Oil Scorches in Stainless Steel Pans

Asked Jan 11, 2021 by Kim V.

Hi Lynn, can I confer with you or anyone at Milk Street about my 12" all clad saute pan?

This is what my 8 year old pan looks like after sauteeing chicken breasts on medium heat in olive oil. I hate it; I'm not using high heat, I promise. It takes a day of soaking. I'm ready to ditch it and buy a carbon steel or a larger cast iron (I have a 10"). Looking for product/brand suggestions?

Website not letting me upload photo. So you'll have to imagine a scorched looking pan.

Thanks.

Kim

kjvaeth@mit.edu

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COMMENTS

  • Paul S.

    January 13, 2021

    I have had success cleaning  polymerized oil from my all-clad pans using a product called "Carbon Off", available from Amazon. There is both a spay and a liquid/gel that you can apply with pastry brush. I have used both, and prefer the gel. It even gets rid of the build up around the rivets and where the handle attaches to the pan.

    • Lynn ClarkMilk Street Staff

      January 14, 2021

      Hi Paul - Thanks for the suggestion! Best, Lynn C.

  • Kim V.

    January 15, 2021

    Hey guys -- thanks.

    But cleaning the pan isn't the issue. And I do have Bar Keeper's Friend. I'm hoping you can tell me why the pan is scorching at all under medium heat while sauteeing 4 chicken cutlets? Is it the olive oil? As it is, the cooking in the All Clad takes far more clean up time than my cast iron. What are your go to saute/skillets? I want to learn. Is it ridiculous to consider a Le Creuset skillet? I have the dutch oven which is divine.

    • Lynn ClarkMilk Street Staff

      January 15, 2021

      Hi Kim - Is it extra-virgin olive oil? The smoke point of extra-virgin olive oil can be as low as 375 degrees. It's entirely possible that even over medium heat the oil is getting too hot and scorching. I would switch to grapeseed oil (smoke point around 490 degrees) or, at least, \regular\ olive oil (smoke point around 450 degrees). Everyone's stovetop is slightly different and the heat output on "medium" could be hotter than you think.

      Here at Milk Street we use the . Personally, I wouldn't spend the money on an enameled cast iron skillet. You can get the same - in fact, in many cases, better - results with proper and continual seasoning on a traditional cast iron skillet for about 1/3 the price. We also love our carbon steel pans here at Milk Street. Best, Lynn C.