Stainless Steel Problem

[Kerry Beal]

A friend has contacted me to say that the stainless bowls in her Mold'art melter (the 3 kg one, not the 6 kg one), in spite of careful cleaning are turning her white chocolate grey.

She also has a stainless table from Nella that is still turning all her wash clothes grey, in spite of thorough cleaning.

Any thoughts? Cheap stainless?

Any ideas on how to stop the greying?

[technogypsy]

A friend has contacted me to say that the stainless bowls in her Mold'art melter (the 3 kg one, not the 6 kg one), in spite of careful cleaning are turning her white chocolate grey.

She also has a stainless table from Nella that is still turning all her wash clothes grey, in spite of thorough cleaning.

Any thoughts?  Cheap stainless? 

Any ideas on how to stop the greying?

←

yes, it could be caused either nickel or just the start of rusting. Not all stainless is rust free. It depends on the composition of the steel. Many grades use a lot of nickel with can also cause it. I've seen SS labware go gray from acids...

You could try adding a little lemon juice or vinegar to the wash. If its metal salts, you'd need to reduce them or change the counterion to more soluble form. Is the water very hard?

I hope that helps.

[Kerry Beal]

A friend has contacted me to say that the stainless bowls in her Mold'art melter (the 3 kg one, not the 6 kg one), in spite of careful cleaning are turning her white chocolate grey.

She also has a stainless table from Nella that is still turning all her wash clothes grey, in spite of thorough cleaning.

Any thoughts?  Cheap stainless? 

Any ideas on how to stop the greying?

←

yes, it could be caused either nickel or just the start of rusting. Not all stainless is rust free. It depends on the composition of the steel. Many grades use a lot of nickel with can also cause it. I've seen SS labware go gray from acids...

You could try adding a little lemon juice or vinegar to the wash. If its metal salts, you'd need to reduce them or change the counterion to more soluble form. Is the water very hard?

I hope that helps.

←

She is in Owen Sound, not sure how hard the water is there.

I'll have to dig out my 3 kg Mold'art bowls and see if I have the same problem.

[ScoopKW]

As a brew master, cleaning stainless is basically my life.

Powdered Brewery Wash (google it) is the best for cleaning anything stainless. It isn't cheap, but a little goes a long way. It works best at 100-120f. It must be rinsed with water at about the same temperature as the solution, otherwise it leaves a residue.

It's best to soak stainless in it, but also works as a clean and rinse. And it's food safe, and enviromentally friendly.

I cannot say enough good things about PBW. It's made by a company called 5 Star Chemicals, and is available at any homebrewing supply shop and online.

[Blether]

My stainless cookware is never cleaner than when I boil up some water, drop in a tablespoon of baking soda, simmer for fifteen minutes, then wash normally. That might help with a mixing bowl, even if it's less useful for a table.