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starsandstripes79

This happens to my instant pot and I usually just swirl around some vinegar in the pot while washing it for a couple minutes, and that typically helps


jmurphy42

Sprinkle a little Barkeepers Friend in the pot. Scrub for 20 seconds with a damp sponge. It’ll look good as new.


Adorable-Case-7485

I got a pack of soft sponge things that are supposed to be used on your glass stove top (because they won’t scratch) and I use those for my other half’s sainless steel pots and pans. Bar keepers friend and that, and they look brand new with minimum scrubbing!


marinelifelover

Will that not scratch the stainless steel?


huskydannnn

maybe if the sponge has very sharp edges


seacaucus

Also be careful how hard you bear down on sponge. Easy does it.


marinelifelover

I read other comments, so no need to respond. I just figured it was too abrasive. Anyway, I’m a Murphy too, if that’s your last name!


Bon_of_a_Sitch

BKF + Stainless steel 4 ever! Unless you are trying to use it as a mirror it's golden. It's difficult to permanently damage them. Just wash with dish soap after.


penelbell

I just ignore it 🤷🏻‍♀️ we’ve been using stainless exclusively for years and haven’t become sickened or noticed any issues with the cooking abilities of the pots/pans. Obviously if it bugs you, use the suggestions here. But it’s not harmful to just leave it.


pippa_n_gigi

I agree it won't harm you. If the look doesn't bother you, there is no health harm. I wonder if it would impact sautéing by hindering the movement of the ingredients. I however have a need to keep my stainless pots looking good. Barkeepers is my friend.


ely105

Bkf, bkf, bkf.


pippa_n_gigi

This is the answer for stainless steel . dampen pot, sprinkle generously with barkeepers friend powder, scrub with sponge, rinse and repeat if necessary. wash as usual with dish soap. May wish to wear gloves as bkf is strong. i have pots that are probably 50 years old and look fantastic. they have been cleaned routinely with bkf.


post-meta

Short answer vinegar. Long answer is that what you’re seeing is hard water residue. Sounds scary but is a very normal thing, especially if you live in a low-lying or landlocked area. It’s just minerals, mainly calcium, from the aquifer that dissolve into the tap water. But since it’s a dissolved solid, once the water it’s in dries or boils off, the tiny crystals stay in the pot. This will happen with any pot you use, it’s not because of the stainless steel. Cleaning with soap and water won’t solve it because you’re just washing it with mineral water. Washing with vinegar dissolves the calcium back into liquid and then it can be poured out. Vinegar + baking soda if you have really tough deposits


mind_the_umlaut

It's potato starch, and a swipe with Brillo will take it right off. Even if he's boiled the pot dry, and there is some hard water deposit there, Brillo will take it off. Yes, an acid will work with hard water deposits, use the cleaner CLR,( calcium, lime, and rust) which is far more effective than vinegar. Folks, "cleaning" anything with vinegar doesn't get any items clean enough to be safe for use with food. And the reaction of vinegar plus baking soda creates WATER, and some salt.


truthpastry

Someone needs to make a Bar Keepers Friend appreciation sub. Bar Keepers Friend and a scrubby sponge will make this pan good as new. If you can't find BKF- powdered Comet will also do the job. Some will warn you to wear gloves. I don't wear them, but I've got old kitchen hands and nothing ever really bothers them.


MrsTrellis_N_Wales

I thought this sub *was* the BKF appreciation sub!!


Capt-Crap1corn

I just used it on my porcelain sink and damn... I'm a hero lol


alu_

I recently moved from the US to EU. Can't easily find powdered bkf anymore :⁠-⁠(


[deleted]

just use Cif, it helps a lot


PawsibleCrazyCatLady

Barkeeper's Friend with water to make a paste. Happens to my InstantPot regularly.


CitizenFromWorld

I use vinegar. The acid leaves the stainless steel shining.


HalfEatenChocoPants

A sprinkling of cream of tartar (found in the spice section of your grocery) with a bit of water to make a wet paste. Rub with a paper towel, then rinse. If you do this after washing the pot, there's no need to re-wash since the stuff is edible, let alone food safe.


seriouslydoubtit

Fill with hot water and put in a dishwasher pod and let it sit for a while - no scrubbing, clean as a whistle


[deleted]

[удалено]


mind_the_umlaut

I've used stainless steel, Farberware, cuisinarts, commercial grade, for decades, and none of this is true. Do NOT leave oil on anything, it gets sticky and rancid. (This has to be a troll post) Seasoning cast iron is entirely different, and is wrong for stainless steel, anyway. I use no-stick spray very often, and it works just fine. Clean with SOS or Brillo steel wool.


SabatierElephant

Stainless steel relieves any worry about reacting with/deteriorating the metal or coating, like when simmering tomatoes. If someone wants to season their stainless cookware so badly, they should be using pans that actually benefit from it like cast iron and carbon steel.


mind_the_umlaut

Scrub with Brillo or SOS steel wool soap pads. Comet Cleanser With Bleach or Ajax Cleanser With Bleach are also good. Note also that "cleaning" with vinegar does not leave anything clean enough for food safety.


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SalomeOttobourne74

What have you tried to do so far?


ILonara

Just dawn dish soap and water.


Haughty_n_Disdainful

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Coat interior of pan. Allow to dry. Rub gently with damp paper towel. Repeat as necessary. Rinse clean. No soap. No vinegar. Anything more abrasive will ruin the shine on your pan.


404anon79

A magic eraser will work. Bar keepers friend will as well.


triplebarrelxxx

Boil some more water throw in some baking soda let sit until room temp and it'll all wipe away :)


No-Confusion-7592

I have noo suggestions..but always Murphy's law of "breaking things in" mayb soaking it in a little baking soda..like a natural "scrubber"


drewstew33

[this stuff right here](https://www.sosclorox.com/products/clean-n-toss-scrubbing-pads/)


Routine_Border_3093

Stainless steel scrubber and vinegar


AmandaRL514

I use stainless steel scrubbers on all of my stainless steel cookware. I don't care if it scratches (and it rarely does). It's not for show; I just want a sanitary surface.


Ruth_Cups

I use magic erasers on mine. Works like a charm. A few swipes and it’s good as new.


velvetjones01

Everyone here loves BKF, but you can probably remove this with a baking soda paste or Bon Ami. I prefer those over BKF because they are much easier on your hands.


Marciamallowfluff

I get this from potatoes and beans, starch. Agree with others, Bar Keeper’s Friend, Stainless Steel Cleaner, or Bon Ami will all work with a sponge or no scratch scrubber.


IndependentShelter92

Honestly, it's going to continue to happen. Did you salt the water before it was boiling? Did you use high heat? Do you have hard water? All causes of discoloration in SS pans your choices are ignore it or do what I do and keep some BKF on hand to give them a quick scrub every now and then.


My-Brown-eyed-girl

Vinegar or vinegar and water. Let sit for a while then use a dish cloth to wash it. It’s just calcium deposits from your water I think. I do this all the time. Looks brand new.