Refinishing Coffee Table - When the hell do I stop sanding?

I put a hot pizza onto my coffee table and ruined it. I always wanted to try and refinish something and decided to start with this table.

So I have spent 2 Sundays sanding it with an 80 grit palm sander. My question is, when do I stop. I know I am supposed to remove all the finish, but the deep wood grain stain doesn't seem to be going anywhere after a point. I have some pics below for comparison. Should I keep sanding? What should it look like when I stop, completely "white"? Should I try a chemical stripper? I have not picked out a new color stain yet.

Thanks.

Before: http://ift.tt/1Fn3AXe Current:http://ift.tt/1K2HtdV

Submitted May 31, 2015 at 11:15PM by SignpostChicago http://ift.tt/1K2HuP9