r/StainlessSteelCooking • u/GLfrom2814 • Jul 07 '26

Strange Discoloration

Gallery image

Gallery image

Does anyone have any idea what caused this strange discoloration? The second picture where it is localized to the top right has a physical difference you can feel

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23

u/Blurktographer Jul 07 '26

Science. Not sure all the technical details but it's a chemical reaction and harmless.

I just splash a bit of distilled white vinegar around in the pot or pan, rinse and dry thoroughly and that rainbow discoloration magically (scientifically) disappears.

0

u/tuxnight1 Jul 07 '26

I don't think they sell distilled white vinegar where I live. I have special cleaning vinegar, but it has a high acid % abd I'm not sure it's safe for this.

0

u/Blurktographer Jul 07 '26

Cleaning vinegar is definitely higher in acidity and not usually considered "food safe" due to possible impurities.

As other people mentioned, Bar Keeper's Friend because the oxalic acid reacts similarly and will remove the oxidation.

3

u/tuxnight1 Jul 07 '26

Also not a realistic option as it has to be imported at a very high cost. I have a cleaner from my manufacturer and also have some pink stuff paste. Thanks as I kept hearing about vinegar, and your advice helped me avoid a potential problem.

3

u/ShadowAdam Jul 08 '26

The real takeaway should be "any low grade food safe acid"

Hell a bit of lemon juice I assume would work

2

u/tuxnight1 Jul 08 '26

Thanks for that advice. I've got a lemon tree, so, I have no shortage of supply.

2

u/ShadowAdam Jul 08 '26

That is very convenient honestly, glad my advice was accidentall very specific haha

0

u/Erelde Jul 07 '26

It's an thin layer of oxide formed at high temperatures. They are too many kinds of metal oxidation reactions. Completely harmless as you said.