{"id":1723374,"date":"2022-02-24T16:38:30","date_gmt":"2022-02-24T22:38:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/?p=1723374"},"modified":"2023-07-23T10:25:29","modified_gmt":"2023-07-23T15:25:29","slug":"discoloration-of-stainless-steel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/discoloration-of-stainless-steel\/","title":{"rendered":"What You Need to Know About the Discoloration of Stainless Steel Due to Heat"},"content":{"rendered":"Our pots and pans mean a lot to us. I mean, how could they not when we spend so much time with them in the kitchen? We always hope they'll stay sparkly and shiny like new forever, but that's usually not possible. That doesn't mean we haven't tried, though\u2014cleaning the black bottom of a pot<\/a> and the burnt bottom of a pan<\/a> are hacks we've happily tested.\r\n\r\nBut what about that odd discoloration of stainless steel due to heat? Fortunately, that weird rainbow film on your cookware is easy to fix.\r\n

What's with the Rainbow Stains on Stainless Steel Pots?<\/h2>\r\nIf you've ever come across this odd, colorful film on your stainless steel pots, you're not alone. It's all down to science! Stainless steel pots<\/a> often contain chromium, a sturdy metal, which helps keep them from rusting or corroding. Mix oxygen and chromium, and you've got yourself a little rainbow show all to yourself. It's basically a thin protective layer that changes color when combined with air and high heat. But don't worry...it's completely safe.\r\n\r\nHere's how to pick a safe nonstick pan<\/a>.\r\n

How to Get the Stains Out<\/h2>\r\nYes, your pots are totally safe with the rainbow residue. However, it may still be a bit too unsightly for your clean kitchen taste. That's OK\u2014we've got the solution. As you may already know ('cause we know you know), the answer is...vinegar! We use vinegar to clean<\/a> basically everything<\/em>.\r\n\r\nTake some diluted white vinegar and scrub with a non-abrasive sponge. Then after thoroughly working the vinegar into your cookware, you just need to rinse and dry. The acidity of the vinegar will work to break down the oxidized rainbow layer to keep your stainless steel pots looking their silvery best<\/a>.\r\n

Tools You'll Need<\/h2>\r\n[embed_section]\r\n\r\n[embed-content imageid=\"1735225\" title=\"White Vinegar\" buybutton=\"Shop Now\" linkurl=\"https:\/\/www.walmart.com\/ip\/Great-Value-Distilled-White-Vinegar-128-fl-oz\/10450998\" newtab=\"true\" \/]\r\n\r\n[embed-content imageid=\"1735224\" title=\"Scrub Sponges\" buybutton=\"Shop Now\" linkurl=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Scotch-Brite-Non-Scratch-Scrub-Sponge-6-Sponges\/dp\/B0043P0IAK?th=1\" newtab=\"true\" product_name=\"Scotch-Brite Non-Scratch Scrub Sponges, For Washing Dishes and Cleaning Kitchen, 6 Scrub Sponges\" product_price=\"5.48\" product_category=\"Drugstore\" product_retailer=\"Amazon.com\" content_rating=\"\" \/]\r\n\r\n[embed-content imageid=\"1735223\" title=\"Cleaning Gloves\" buybutton=\"Shop Now\" linkurl=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Elgood-Dishwashing-Cleaning-Gloves-Kitchen\/dp\/B077XCCJ2B\" newtab=\"true\" product_name=\"Reusable Dishwashing Cleaning Gloves with Latex free, Cotton lining ,Kitchen Gloves 2 Pairs (Purple+Blue, Medium)\" product_price=\"13.99\" product_category=\"Drugstore\" product_retailer=\"Elgood\" content_rating=\"\" \/]\r\n\r\n[\/embed_section]\r\n\r\nNext: <\/strong>Learn how to clean all your pots and pans<\/a>, from stainless steel to nonstick and copper.\r\n\r\n[cf]skyword_tracking_tag[\/cf]","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you’ve ever wondered about the discoloration of stainless steel due to heat, we’ve got the answer. That rainbow layer is purely cosmetic\u2014no need to worry!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7801,"featured_media":1723436,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[303819,303823,303797],"categories-v2":[308433,308438,308432],"coauthors":[322366],"acf":{"long_pin":"","long_pin_file":false,"ncv_override_generic_settings_option":false,"ncv_autoplay_option":"","ncv_stickyplay_option":"","ncv_ads_option":"","ncv_mute_option":"","ncv_comscore_option":"","ncv_moat_option":"","ncv_autoplay_mobile_option":"","ncv_viewable_threshold_option":"","ncv_sticky_offset_option":"","ncv_autopause_option":"","ncv_sticky_offset_mobile_option":"","ncv_autopause_mobile_option":"","ncv_sticky_mobile_option":"","ncv_remove_player_option":false},"yoast_head":"\nWhat to Know About Discoloration of Stainless Steel Due to Heat<\/title>\n\n\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tasteofhome.com\/article\/discoloration-of-stainless-steel\/\" \/>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What to Know About Discoloration of Stainless Steel Due to Heat","description":"Do you have rainbow stains on pots and pans? 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