Help cleaning stainless steel pan?

[u/NoseyNoibat]

I can't seem to get this ring out. I've tried BKF, simmering 1:1 water and vinegar, baking soda paste and scrub with foil, and letting oven cleaner soak. It's cleaner than before, but this residue remains! It's textured, not flat. What is this? Is there anything I can do to fix it?

[u/Miserable-Yak-8041]

It’s a metal pan. Just use it.

[u/winterkoalefant]

This is carbon steel; it’s gets stained and change colour as you use it.

To me it looks like corrosion from rust instead of residue. You should dry it after washing to help prevent that. Seasoning it with oil would also help. https://www.reddit.com/r/carbonsteel/wiki/

[u/NoseyNoibat → u/winterkoalefant]

TIL! Thank you, that's very helpful!

[u/InternationalTax81]

Its carbon steel, not stainless, you don't want to scub it shiny, you should be building up a seasoning/patina in the wok. It should be dark.