Is this normal?

EEstrada13 · #1 08-12-2005, 03:43 PM

Hello everyone. I want some opinions from you pros. Everytime I cook, my Stainless Steel pans get stained. I have attached pics for you all to view. Is this normal? They have mentioned to me that they are salt stains, and are totally normal. Since I'm new to stainless steel cookware, and these 7-ply pans cost me quite a penny, I wanted to make sure this was normal and they were not deffective. I do clean them w/soap and my scotchbrite, and they are clean, but those stains are still there. I have to use Bar Keepers friend weekly to keep them like new. Is this normal? Thanx!

EEstrada13 · #2 08-12-2005, 03:45 PM

Hmm, for some reason, I can't place my pics, it tells me that there is an error and exceeds 1.09mb. That can't be possible because the pics are only 4-6kb each. Am I doing something wrong?

phatch · #3 08-12-2005, 06:42 PM

If you're talking about the rainbow coloring, that's pretty common in stainless steel. Mine pick them up in the dishwasher sometimes. You can also get thim from highish heat. They are harmless

It's been discussed here before. A search should turn up some threads on it.

If your'e getting dark patination akin to what a carbon steel gets and rust, that's something else and a problem.

Phil

redace1960 · #4 08-13-2005, 02:21 PM

you're doing fine. white stains on stainless (stain LESS, not stain free) comes from minerals like salt and calcium. if you have hard water, a water softening system or use non-spotting dishwasher stuff you can have a fine mineral deposit on the surface of your pan, even tho it looks clean. but once its heated it 'fires' the minerals and you get that cloudy crud. barkeeps friend is fine to use. you're doing the right thing in keeping it cleaned off, because it will promote burning and scorch buildup. i've heard it helps to hand-dry your steel after washing, too. me, i use my husbands polishing wheel.

aburas · #5 08-21-2005, 06:31 AM

When you have stainless steel cookware, Barkeepers Friend will become a staple in your kitchen. It is totally normal...I find I have to run some BF in my stainless almost after everytime I use it.

Dagger · #6 08-21-2005, 07:15 AM

to get the dicoloring make a mix of 1/4 cup Dawn, 1/3 White vinager in a 32 oz bottle then fill with water. Make sure the bottle has a top cause you will have to shake it every time because it seperater. This will clean, remove dicoloring and return the shine to your stainless steel pans and kitchen gagets.