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Stainless discoloration
A

Stainless discoloration

Does anyone know what causes this and how I can remove it?

I think it was a mixture of caustic and percarbonate that I left for a while....
Have you tried Barkeeper's Friend? I use the powder and some elbow grease and stainless comes up like new. It might not fix that however...
 
TSP (Sugar Soap), and again -some elbow grease. May need to use a plastic scourer (gently, or maybe a well-used scourer). Then, re-passivate with iodophor. That's what I would do, or maybe some more web research.
 
Hi Anton
I have noticed the same problem when using Sodium Perc/Metasilicate 70:30 mixture
leaves a ring at the water level (like a bathtub ring) This doesn't happen to my gear with pure Sodium Percarbonate only with the mix as you mentioned.
Only happens to me where the solution dries before being rinsed off with clean water
I think that is why PBW has other minor ingredients and surfactants
Starsan solution does remove most of it but is still a bit of a problem
I am only using pure Percarbonate for my stainless steel now
 
You've removed the passivated chromium layer and oxidised the iron.

As above, just scrub it away to bright metal and the chromium will re-passivate by itself.

Ease off on the strength of your sanitiser next time.
 
Dear All,

Thanks so much for the advice! I had a feeling that I'd removed the stainless layer.

I haven't tried barkeeper's friend, but I think i'll stick to plain old percarbonate from now on, except for the plate chiller, which always seems to need extra cleaning no matter what I do.

I'll scrub it back with a green scrubby (usually I use the blue ones) and report back.

Cheers.
 
I reckon PWB might remove that from your stainless. It will strip back to metal, which as stated above, will re-oxidise over time. I personally don't like to scrub anything for dear of micro-fissures that can harbor nasties, but it's probably ok on stainless.

It works a treat on my toaster/kettle/coffee plunger etc.
 

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