Anyone have recommendations for the most effective stuff to use for removing discolouration from stainless steel pans? A few years ago we had some proprietory cream which did quite a decent job but haven't seen it, or anything similar, on sale anywhere since. TIA
I use Barkeeper's Friend.
Mary
Depends what the discolouration is caused by. If it is overheating the pan, then you need to use an abrasive, but a type of abrasive that starts out coarse then gets finer as it is used. BArkeepers friend is one, polishing pastes made for finishing metals and paint finishes are another.
OTOH if it is burnt on food, particualrly burnt on fats and oils then the best way to get rid of it is sodium hydroxide (caustic soda). But if you knew how to use this, you wopuld have thought of it yourself and sodium hydroxide is not recommended for use unless you actually know how to handle it.
Thats good stuff, though making "play dough" is pretty effective as well. Should be able to find the recipe on the 'net, it's not much more than flour, water and salt (lots of salt).
Have we given up on the concept of people learning how to do new things?
No, I've given up on teaching fuckwits how to play with chemicals safely because IMO the science curriculum at schools is now so poor that children don't learn how to handle anythign more dangerous than bicarbonate of soda. There's just too much work to do.
It's nothing like burnt on food/fats/oils, just discolouration of the metal, probably through interaction with the various foodstuffs that have been cooked. The pans are clean enough, they just don't look as "nice" as SWMBO would prefer. Barkeeper's Friend sounds worth investigating so I'll follow that up (thanks also to Mary). Incidentally, we used to use sodium hydroxide as an extemporaneous additive to photographic chemicals in my early working days so I'm aware of its characteristics.
Try lemon juice or vinegar to remove the discolouration. PJ
We're only talking about the safe handling and use of one chemical compound here, there's no need to get hysterical.
It is one of the nastier chemicals commonly used in the home though. Even only considering the eye damage.
Anything that is an effective tool is also potentially very dangerous. The more effective the tool, the more dangerous usually.
Either you are going to run whimpering out of UK.D-I-Y or you are going to have to learn to assess risk, and understand safety.
So the first bit of advice is "use protective eyewear" - there, that wasn't too difficult was it?
Did you actually read what I wrote? I'm not getting hysterical, I'm just not wasting my time giving chemistry lessons when the state, which took the money to do the job, has failed to do so.
Can't be bothered to read the start of this thread but I've heard that cooks use ketchup to clean stainless steel work surfaces.
Astonish, get it from woolies, no protective equipment required
Is that not then a precise reason why you, as a good citizen, should?
How do you know the person you're responding to went to state school?
try alt.wife
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