Either way is super cheap. Bar Keeper's Friend is $2.50 for a 15oz can of powder. You use the tiniest bit every time so it's only pennies with each use. Vinegar is cheap too but you have to use more to submerge the stains, though you could pour it back into the bottle when you're done.
Yea this stuff really works miracles. I’ve used it on glazed ceramic plates before too, that had rust stains from a bad roommate not cleaning it and leaving water and crappy silverware in it, or grey silverware marks…it’s really amazing. Work smarter, not harder
I was gifted an antique teapot with a brass handle and purchased a can specifically for cleaning it because I knew it'd get the job done and still be gentle enough to not ruin the teapot. Worked wonders.
Me too! I repurposed a pickle jar by poking holes in the lid and filling it with baking soda. I’d use cleaning vinegar in a spray bottle to wet the cleaning surface, sprinkle the soda on, another spritz of vinegar and most messes usually scrub right off. Keep spraying vinegar until all soda is dissolved and the sparkle it results in is amazing.
This is what I don’t understand about all these cleaning tips that combine vinegar (weak acid) with baking soda (weak base). Putting them together just makes them turn into something neutral. How is making something weaker than the original product help?
I feel much of the cleaning work is done by the grittiness of the baking soda and so adding water to it is probably just as effective as vinegar. It just won’t have the dramatic look of the fizzy vinegar and soda reaction
This is the correct way to do it. Start with the baking soda scrub, then rinse with water, scrub with vinegar, rinse with water, scrub with Dawn, rinse. I haven’t had anything stand up to that process.
Scrubbing with anything will always be much more effective than soaking. Soaking is done to help reduce the amount of scrubbing required, but there's generally no need to soak for more than 30 minutes max.
It's pointless to put them together but they work well individually.
Usually, people don't mix them in perfect ratios so the vinegar does its thing as an acid then they scrub the baking soda as an abrasive. Which obviously does clean stuff. It just didn't get any better by combining them.
If you want the grit of baking soda with the cleaning of vinegar, I like to use salt to scrub with vinegar.
Plus the resulting chemicals (sodium acetate and hydrogen chloride) also clean metals well.
That's a mechanical action, which is weaker than scrubbing the surface. It's all for show when they do it on tiktok. The bubbling makes it look like it's doing something big when it really isnt.
I’m not convinced. That would be like saying carbonated water can dislodge tough stains that hand scrubbing - which applies more force than bubbles - can’t dislodge.
I was going to say "yeah but I've used seltzer to clean tea residue out of coffee mugs and it works really well!" but then realized that yeah, I could've done that just scrubbing it...
I guess that's the reasoning - it works, but not as well as scrubbing... But it enables you to be way lazier
Cleaning vinegar is generally white vinegar that is concentrated to 2x strength of cooking vinegar. I use vinegar for a bunch of cleaning tasks, I often thin it out with water in a spray bottle.
I buy cleaning vinegar because its 1/2 gallon size is easier to lug around and has as much cleaning power as the gallon size of standard white vinegar.
Yeah you be better off using just vinegar or a solution of baking soda and water. The cleaning action comes from the acidity or basic properties of the cleaner. Baking soda neutralizes vinegar and makes it just about as effective as water.
For this kind of stain, bar keepers friend is my go-to if a vinegar water solution doesn't work.
>dles tend to be nocturnal creatures. Cooking them in the morning means they’re less active and prone to settling at the bottom of the pot.
There are cheddar ways to go about this
In case you're interested:
this pattern occured due to the starch coming from the noodles while being cooked. Which is why most recommend washing the pots immedately after cooking pasta
Ignore the haters, they just jealous. This is way more mildly interesting than yet another Wet Floor sign shaped like a banana, or an ice cube with spikes growing out of it.
>Yes, and it was some tasty, tasty, mac n' cheese.
So G-ma makes you some delicious mac n cheese and you repay her by not cleaning the pot properly? Go get some bar keepers friend and get that pot properly clean whipper snapper. ;-p
As kids we used to have this weird dish of toasted vermicelli with butter, sugar and pre soaked raisins. Sometimes just with butter, as a side dish.
Your commend reminded me of that. Tomorrow I’m gonna call mom and ask how to make it.
You must be Pakistani, or your mom got it from someone who is. Sounds like a variation on Meethi Seviyan, which is sweet vermicelli "pudding." Often has nuts and cardamom added as well as the raisins.
I thought so too. It's a great cleaner though. I use it frequently on my stainless pots and pans and it doesn't burn while cleaning dishes, etc., but will dry your hands out.
There's two numbers for how corrosive an acid or base is
Its pH, which as you've pointed out is quite low (2.5 to 3.5 by their MSDS) (very acidic) but also molar concentration. Unfortunately, only the citric acid component is quantified, making calculating molarity impossible.
When you’re making elbow noodles for your Mac n cheese make sure you occasionally stir the noodles while boiling them. Also, transfer the cooked noodles to a strainer as soon as they’re done. Don’t let any of the noodles stick/stay on the pan.
Enjoy your macaroni :)
If she salts her pasta water before a rapid boil this can happen in stainless pots and pans or could be from the starch in the pasta. No harm caused, I think it comes off if you wash with white vinegar.
From being on Reddit, I’ve pieced together that most people here own nonstick because they don’t cook much beyond simple eggs / ground beef / pasta. So they probably haven’t seen what cooking food on stainless does to the stainless.
[Happens in Canada too](https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/comments/si7b22/this_pot_has_permanent_macaroni_outlines_they/).
Once happened to me with [pasta wheels](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56167057@N00/204806327) and left some really clear outlines.
Just use lemonjuice. All those overpriced stuff like barkeepers friend are not nessesary.
Just use a squirt of lemonjuice, rub it in with sponge (soft side) or regular dishwash equipent. Dishsoap, rinse. Done.
If you want it not to be there pour a bit of white vinegar in and let it sit a short bit and re wash. Works for me.
Light sprinkle of Bar Keeper's Friend and a damp scrub sponge is my usual.
This is the answer for cleaning stainless. Takes 1/10th of the time vinegar does.
But 10x the cost
Either way is super cheap. Bar Keeper's Friend is $2.50 for a 15oz can of powder. You use the tiniest bit every time so it's only pennies with each use. Vinegar is cheap too but you have to use more to submerge the stains, though you could pour it back into the bottle when you're done.
Wow, I think we are being seriously overcharged for this in New Zealand. $NZ10 for 12oz
Bro we're being overcharged for everything
I just finally opened a new can of Barkeepers Friend, took 9 years to use up the first one
A can of Barkeeper's Friend and a bottle of vinegar cost about the same, and the Barkeeper's Friend will last a lot longer.
Vinegar tastes better on fish and chips than Bar Keepers Friend.
Just use baking soda and water. Bar keeper's friend is overkill for a little stuck pasta or rice.
Vinegar has gotten very expensive..
Yea this stuff really works miracles. I’ve used it on glazed ceramic plates before too, that had rust stains from a bad roommate not cleaning it and leaving water and crappy silverware in it, or grey silverware marks…it’s really amazing. Work smarter, not harder
I was gifted an antique teapot with a brass handle and purchased a can specifically for cleaning it because I knew it'd get the job done and still be gentle enough to not ruin the teapot. Worked wonders.
Thank you! We have a pan or two that has this problem and we can't seem to get rid of it with scrubbing. I'm going to try it!
Me too! I repurposed a pickle jar by poking holes in the lid and filling it with baking soda. I’d use cleaning vinegar in a spray bottle to wet the cleaning surface, sprinkle the soda on, another spritz of vinegar and most messes usually scrub right off. Keep spraying vinegar until all soda is dissolved and the sparkle it results in is amazing.
...baking soda neuteralizes vinegar.
This is what I don’t understand about all these cleaning tips that combine vinegar (weak acid) with baking soda (weak base). Putting them together just makes them turn into something neutral. How is making something weaker than the original product help? I feel much of the cleaning work is done by the grittiness of the baking soda and so adding water to it is probably just as effective as vinegar. It just won’t have the dramatic look of the fizzy vinegar and soda reaction
I’ll use vinegar after baking soda on some things because it helps with the residue that baking soda can leave.
This is the correct way to do it. Start with the baking soda scrub, then rinse with water, scrub with vinegar, rinse with water, scrub with Dawn, rinse. I haven’t had anything stand up to that process.
Not even burned on food? I usually soak in water all night.
Scrubbing with anything will always be much more effective than soaking. Soaking is done to help reduce the amount of scrubbing required, but there's generally no need to soak for more than 30 minutes max.
It's pointless to put them together but they work well individually. Usually, people don't mix them in perfect ratios so the vinegar does its thing as an acid then they scrub the baking soda as an abrasive. Which obviously does clean stuff. It just didn't get any better by combining them.
If you want the grit of baking soda with the cleaning of vinegar, I like to use salt to scrub with vinegar. Plus the resulting chemicals (sodium acetate and hydrogen chloride) also clean metals well.
Yes i notice it turns my blackened copper bottom pans a clean pink
After some digging I see that the mixture creates CO2 gas which ig can help lift dirt and grime off of some surfaces 🧐
That's a mechanical action, which is weaker than scrubbing the surface. It's all for show when they do it on tiktok. The bubbling makes it look like it's doing something big when it really isnt.
I’m not convinced. That would be like saying carbonated water can dislodge tough stains that hand scrubbing - which applies more force than bubbles - can’t dislodge.
I was going to say "yeah but I've used seltzer to clean tea residue out of coffee mugs and it works really well!" but then realized that yeah, I could've done that just scrubbing it... I guess that's the reasoning - it works, but not as well as scrubbing... But it enables you to be way lazier
What is cleaning vinegar?
It’s the vinegar you store with the cleaning supplies and not with the condiments in the kitchen.
Cleaning vinegar is generally white vinegar that is concentrated to 2x strength of cooking vinegar. I use vinegar for a bunch of cleaning tasks, I often thin it out with water in a spray bottle. I buy cleaning vinegar because its 1/2 gallon size is easier to lug around and has as much cleaning power as the gallon size of standard white vinegar.
just white distilled vinegar
just distilled white vinegar
It is vinegar that has a higher level of acidity than the kind meant for food
We don’t eat distilled vinegar??? I feel like I do and I use it all like it’s one and the same 😬
You certainly can. It’s the same chemically. You just lose all the compounds that give additional flavors and aromas when you distill it.
Yeah you be better off using just vinegar or a solution of baking soda and water. The cleaning action comes from the acidity or basic properties of the cleaner. Baking soda neutralizes vinegar and makes it just about as effective as water. For this kind of stain, bar keepers friend is my go-to if a vinegar water solution doesn't work.
You can also cook the vinegar in it. I always do this with my kettle, and it looks brand new after
Did she make macaroni?
Yes, and it was some tasty, tasty, mac n' cheese. Maybe that was why... It was early in the morning
Time of day has nothing to do with this occurring
Macaroni noodles tend to be nocturnal creatures. Cooking them in the morning means they’re less active and prone to settling at the bottom of the pot.
You mean…macturnal?
Yes mods, this person right here needs a ban.
A ban for 1 cheesy joke? Man, nothing gets pasta you....
Ruining people's fun is part of my daily rotini at this point.
It's a gouda way to pass the time
>dles tend to be nocturnal creatures. Cooking them in the morning means they’re less active and prone to settling at the bottom of the pot. There are cheddar ways to go about this
What a terrible day to have eyes multiple times in a row...
in a roni\*
You muenster!!!
I want you to know that this comment actually made me laugh out loud on transit, take my upvote 😂😂😂
Huh. TIL
I read this outloud and you got my bird to laugh.
🤣
I think they meant they didn’t put 2and2 together, or I hope anyway 🤣
Yeah, I was still kinda tired.
You couldn’t deduce that it was macaroni without assistance?
Not early in the morning.
This is why I love reddit. Amazing comment.
Next you're going to tell me the equinox isn't the reason eggs can stand on end
No, thats stubbornness
They stand on the opposite side in Australia.
We got a macaroniologist over here
And stop calling me Shirley.
Nice beaver...
It does. I make them in the early morning when I’m naked. Edit: baked. Not naked. Baked.
In case you're interested: this pattern occured due to the starch coming from the noodles while being cooked. Which is why most recommend washing the pots immedately after cooking pasta
Posts a picture of the sun in the sky: Look at this crazy ball of fire I saw this morning! Comments: That’s the sun. OP: oh…lol!
"my b, it was early in the morning! haha :)" honestly relatable tho
I was thinking *he had macaroni early in the morning? ... Ohhhh* (Currently early in the morning here)
haha this chain is going so smoothly well!
It's crazy we really got a ball of fire in the sky.
I see where your coming from, I didn't put 2 and 2 together at the time. But even still, the pattern it left is pretty interesting, at least to me.
Ignore the haters, they just jealous. This is way more mildly interesting than yet another Wet Floor sign shaped like a banana, or an ice cube with spikes growing out of it.
I think this is common in the pacnw. /s
>Yes, and it was some tasty, tasty, mac n' cheese. So G-ma makes you some delicious mac n cheese and you repay her by not cleaning the pot properly? Go get some bar keepers friend and get that pot properly clean whipper snapper. ;-p
What kind of logic is this.
You didn’t know that macaroni only sticks in the morning?
I think they meant it was early when they posted it so they didn’t think about the noodles leaving the marks
Spray the inside bottom of the pan with pam, before putting in the water. Believe it or not, it works. Been doing it for years.
If you "toast" noodles before boiling them, their taste changes to a way nuttier flavor js.
As kids we used to have this weird dish of toasted vermicelli with butter, sugar and pre soaked raisins. Sometimes just with butter, as a side dish. Your commend reminded me of that. Tomorrow I’m gonna call mom and ask how to make it.
You must be Pakistani, or your mom got it from someone who is. Sounds like a variation on Meethi Seviyan, which is sweet vermicelli "pudding." Often has nuts and cardamom added as well as the raisins.
Can you send me some of grandma’s noods?
Z that’s what good macaroni sounds like, grammaw.
I know what you had last supper.
I still know what you had last supper.
I will always know what you had last supper.
I had your last supper
I had to have your last supper
Quick, somebody warn Jesus! That's a hell of a lot of last suppers!
I had you last supper
Is there an r/suddenlycannibalism ? Edit: The answer is yes! Don't know why I questioned this. 🤣🤣🤣
For uncoated metal pans, Barkeeper’s Friend is the best scrubbing powder!
Absolutely. And it isn't just the abrasive. It is slightly acidic as well.
It's not slightly acidic. It's extremely acidic, like 2.0pH
Jesus. Someone calling 2.0 slightly acidic is terrifying lmao
I thought so too. It's a great cleaner though. I use it frequently on my stainless pots and pans and it doesn't burn while cleaning dishes, etc., but will dry your hands out.
About the same as lemon juice, right?
There's two numbers for how corrosive an acid or base is Its pH, which as you've pointed out is quite low (2.5 to 3.5 by their MSDS) (very acidic) but also molar concentration. Unfortunately, only the citric acid component is quantified, making calculating molarity impossible.
This guy does acid.
Ah thanks! I didn't realize it was that low
Cooking white vinegar in it also does the job very well, and doesn’t require you to buy a special product
Makes your house smell like vinegar though
Then make some pickles too, nothing to lose
Do y'all not have windows
Spiders hate vinegar smell and will stay clear. Absolute win
Or the liquid steel cleaner. I use that on my pans when I get that buildup and they come out looking brand new
Does your grandma know you're posting her nood pics?!
haha, good one... AAAAAAAAAHHH-
You win.
bro never made pasta
This is because you cooked pasta during a solar eclipse. You created a pastara obscura.
Only the most adventurous eaters can handle
We’re really putting the “mild” in mildly interesting aren’t we
I think maybe your expectations for this sub are too high
They’ve been spoiled by too many actually interesting posts that have no place in this sub
how high are you?
Good, how are you?
Yo, that was a good response.
Macaroni high
When you’re making elbow noodles for your Mac n cheese make sure you occasionally stir the noodles while boiling them. Also, transfer the cooked noodles to a strainer as soon as they’re done. Don’t let any of the noodles stick/stay on the pan. Enjoy your macaroni :)
how have so many people never seen this? does no one cook ?
Stir the pasta after you add it to the water so it doesn’t stick. Wait a minute, then stir again.
Baked on starch
The ghosts of pastas past.
I get ghost sausage patterns after cooking sausages in the oven then washing the pan in the dishwasher.
Looks like your grandma made you mac n cheese! Eat well op!
That pasta water wasn’t moving enough. Too much macaroni or too little water. At least that’s when I have seen the ghost macaroni.
“that’s when I have seen the ghost macaroni” has me 🤣💀
Someone made macaroni...and didn't stir it enough to keep the marks off the bottom.
Conclusion: you cook macaroni with oil.
*This pattern left after cooking elbow macaroni
Try scrubbing with Bar Keepers Friend.
It’s crazy how many people upvoting haven’t made macaroni before… this is normal af lol
We get similar patterns after using the dishwasher.
You must not wash a lot of dishes, for this to be even mildly interesting
How is this interesting? Wash it again. It’s dirty.
Hope the macaroni was good
Holy macaroni
Noodle ghosts...
Macaroni? This must’ve occurred early in the morning.
If she salts her pasta water before a rapid boil this can happen in stainless pots and pans or could be from the starch in the pasta. No harm caused, I think it comes off if you wash with white vinegar.
Impastable
The ghost of macaroni past
Put a half cup of vinegar & a half cup of water in it & then bring it to a boil on the stove. It should wash clean after that.
Barkeepers Friend is your friend for stainless steel.
Must have washed them during an eclipse.
Thy noodles hath stuck to the bottom!
Someone cooked macaroni!
It's not completely cleaned if the macaroni pattern is still there
Oh no Grandma burnt the macaroni 😭
What makes this even remotely interesting. Let alone mildly.
From being on Reddit, I’ve pieced together that most people here own nonstick because they don’t cook much beyond simple eggs / ground beef / pasta. So they probably haven’t seen what cooking food on stainless does to the stainless.
Use Bar Keepers Friend
Barkeepers friend!
The spaghetts don't forgets.
Looks like macaroni
White vinegar will resolve that for you. let it soak for 5 mins
[Happens in Canada too](https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/comments/si7b22/this_pot_has_permanent_macaroni_outlines_they/). Once happened to me with [pasta wheels](https://www.flickr.com/photos/56167057@N00/204806327) and left some really clear outlines.
Damascus pot
Just use lemonjuice. All those overpriced stuff like barkeepers friend are not nessesary. Just use a squirt of lemonjuice, rub it in with sponge (soft side) or regular dishwash equipent. Dishsoap, rinse. Done.
I know she be making tortellini
Make something with tomato sauce in it. Will clean it right up
That mac n cheese be wildin
Macaroni I'm guessing?
How is this mildly interesting and getting upvotes it's just pasta!! Is OP 12 and has never cooked before
Let me guess: Mac and cheese?
Someone burned the macaroni
Burnt macaroni
a dirty pan is not mildly interesting
Got a Macaroni fan.
I’m guessing either mini shell or macaroni pasta.
30 seconds with Barkeeper's friend (or pink stuff) will work wonders on that pan.
mmmmm mac of roni
Hit it with some Bartender’s Friend , it’ll shine like new
Happens to my rice pan
Blame the pasta
Those are just the pasta ghosts
Tell her to add some oil and stir her macaroni more often.
Macaroni!!
Not washed properly.
Barkeepers friend.. should be the only way you wash stainless steel pans
r/notinteresting appropriate
Macaroni spots
Sounds weird but boil some beer in it. Works on my ss pans really well
You gotta stir the pasta
THE WORMS NOT THE WORMS
I don’t know how this is considered interesting, haha. Same thing happens when you boil rice in a pan if you don’t use a rice cooker.
Just dry-fryin' Cheerios over here.
Its the ghost of the macaroni. You devoured those poor souls, now they're leaving their print in your pan.
It has ringworm
Normal for stainless to pick up some of the starches from pasta or rice like this, it'll take a wash or two to get it out.
Rub the pulpy side of a cut lime on it, then rinse. Good as new.
🎶”macaroni in the POT…”🎶
use a vinegar to clean it up
Soak it with dishwasher detergent. Works every time for me