Every handpan, regardless of the material, deserves proper care. Steel always reacts with air, moisture, salts, and acids, which can lead to discoloration, corrosion, and rust. Therefore, regular and proper cleaning of your handpan is highly recommended. Despite all rumors, stainless steel is easier to care for than conventional nitrided steel, our experience shows that handpans made of Embersteel and other stainless steel types are particularly susceptible to discoloration and surface corrosion. Handpan care is therefore an essential part of maintaining your instrument. Below, we provide you with a practical guide to proper handpan care. The most important thing first:

1. Handpan Cleaning:

Playing with your hands causes oils, salts, and acids from your skin to accumulate on the surface of the handpan. These should be removed every 1 to 2 weeks using high-percentage cleaning alcohol. You can find cleaning alcohol such as isopropyl alcohol in any drugstore or many supermarkets, or you can easily order it here from the Handpan.World online shop.
Always use a microfiber cloth when cleaning and caring for your handpan to avoid scratches.

2. The Right Handpan Oil

After every cleaning, the handpan must be oiled again. Applying a suitable handpan care oil creates a patina that protects your instrument from the effects of salts, acids, and moisture. This helps prevent rust and discoloration of the material and ensures the long-term preservation of your instrument's original surface appearance. Use a very soft microfiber cloth when caring for your handpan to avoid scratches.

It is recommended to use professional handpan care oil for the respective steel type. Vegetable-based oils can also be used for nitrided steel handpans. Vegetable oils are rather harmful for the care of stainless steel handpans - including Embersteel - because their acidity contributes to surface discoloration. Here, white oils made from highly refined hydrocarbons are recommended.
The right care oil is basically an essential accessory for regular handpan care. Protect your instrument from rust, discoloration, sweat, and acids.
We offer the following oils and sets for caring for your handpan in our online store:
-> Handpan Care Oil for Stainless Steel
-> Care Oil for Nitrided Steel Handpans

3. How do I properly oil my handpan?

Do not use the same microfiber cloth for oiling that you use for cleaning with alcohol. Apply a few drops of handpan oil to the surface of your instrument and spread it evenly. Over time, you will learn to properly estimate the necessary amount.
Care for the top and bottom shells of your handpan one after the other. Let the oil work overnight - approx. 12 hours.
Use the microfiber cloth used for oiling by wiping over it once after each playing session. This allows you to use the oil residue to lightly re-oil the surface. This keeps the protective layer intact until the next cleaning in 1-2 weeks.

Instructions for Handpan Cleaning & Care with Handpan Oil in Eight Steps:

1. Fabrics retain moisture, which can affect the steel of your handpan and lead to corrosion and rust. Therefore, store your handpan so that it can breathe freely.
2. Wash your hands before every playing session. This reduces the unintentional application of harmful substances such as salts and acids to your handpan.
3. Remove dirt, oils, salts, and acids from your handpan every 1-2 weeks with high-percentage cleaning alcohol.
4. After cleaning, apply a sufficient amount of care oil to the clean and dry surface of your handpan and spread it evenly with a microfiber cloth, so that the entire handpan is covered with a shiny layer of oil.
5. To remove stains, tarnishing, and fingerprints, you can buff it with a microfiber cloth.
6. Let your handpan rest for approx. 12 hours after oiling so that the oil can adhere and a protective patina can form.
7. If the handpan is still greasy after the oil has worked, simply remove the residue with a microfiber cloth.
8. After every playing session, wipe your handpan with the still oily microfiber cloth to lightly re-oil the surface and remove salts and acids from your skin.

→ You can read a post here about the proper handling of your handpan beyond regular care.

→ You can find useful handpan care products and care sets in our special accessories for handpan care.