You smell it burning, then suddenly remember and run to the kitchen, your heart sinking as you see your beautiful brushed stainless steel blacken and get that rainbow hue...
I have this really pretty kettle. It was $30 on clearance ($50 original price) at Bed Bath and Beyond. I love it, but they don't sell it anymore. And I accidentally let it burn dry!
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| Oh, my beautiful kettle...what have I done! |
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| All you ever did was serve faithfully... you didn't deserve this! |
Dear Husband was sympathetic to my dismay... he asked me how much a new one was. When I told him almost $50 for a good low end kettle, he nearly choked. (He has no idea how much good things cost ;-). He's a WalMart/ramen kind of guy)
In an effort to save money, I did some experimenting. After a few tries with different cleaning agent, I finally hit upon a winning combination!
Here's my how to on repairing your brushed stainless steel pots/pans/kettles!
***This is only safe for stainless steel. DO NOT use this on teflon coated pans, copper pans, or any sort of otherwise-coated pans. ***
First, make sure your item is real stainless steel, not some other metal. If it is, it will be magnetic.
My kettle wasn't magnetic. Now, most stainless steel will have a "non-smudge" coating on it. This process will remove that coating (since that coating is what has scalded), but if you keep stainless steel polisher on hand, you can still keep smudges at bay. Stainless steel polish is safe to use on cooking pots and pans, just don't use it on the very bottom (the part which rests on the stove), or on the inside (it will taint your food).
Many online tutorials suggest a non-metallic scouring pad for your stainless steel. A nice scotch pad sponge didn't work for these scorches... they were that bad. You CAN use a steel wool scouring pad IF your pan is brushed stainless steel.
If you do not have brushed stainless steel, use a non metallic scouring pad in place of the one I used. It won't work as well or as fast, but it's better than nothing.
Now, the how-to!
Use an extra fine 0000 steel wool scouring pad, some barkeeper's friend, and a little Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV).
1. Get the pot wet (with water)
2. Get a little dish, filled with a little ACV.
3. Sprinkle Barkeeper's friend on the pot.
4. Dip the steel wool into the ACV, then scrub your pot inside and out.
*Always scrub with the grain, never against it.
5. To thoroughly cleanse the inside (from the chemical cleaner), fill with water, bring to boiling, and then add salt. Allow to boil for ten minutes or so. (If you add salt to cold water, then bring to a boil, you may pit the pot).
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| Kettle is still a little wet... |
6. Wash the whole thing with soap and water as usual; You need to wash off the acid from the ACV and the salt (which is corrosive over long periods of time).
7. Polish with a stainless steel polisher...
and it's GOOD AS NEW!
I tried scrubbing with soap and water, baking soda, and salt. This is the only process (for me) that worked.
