Black residue inside frying pan
I left my stainless steel frying pan on the hob empty for a while by mistake. It got very hot indeed, I ran it carefully under the tap to cool it down, which took a while - lots of steam. Now, there's a kind of black residue inside, that wasn't there before (it was clean while it was on the hob). I can't remove it even with the toughest of detergents and pan scourers, is it safe to cook with this pan any more?
Best Answer
What you are seeing is almost certainly a form of firescale, and it should be completely harmless. If the discoloration bothers you, you can try to remove it using the aforementioned Barkeeper's friend or a mixture of boric acid and denatured alcohol (which are non-toxic).
With regard to cooling off the pan, you should never put a hot, empty pan into a cold, wet sink: The temperature change can cause the pan to warp.
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Quick Answer about "Black residue inside frying pan"
They are most likely carbon deposits. This happens due to overheating of fats and oils. Using an oil with a low smoke point will carbonize at high temperatures and cause residue from the pores of your pan to rub off onto your food. While unappealing, they won't hurt you in such a small amount.Is black residue on pans harmful?
The black residue on a cast iron skillet isn't harmful; it's just a part of cooking with a cast iron pan. A black seasoned coating shouldn't rub off easily or affect the food, as it should form a useful non-stick surface for cooking. If residue starts to build up, however, this can affect your cooking.Is black residue on stainless steel harmful?
It is essentially harmless, though certain industries that need a "clean" surface as determined by a "wipe test" get thrown into a panic.Why does my frying pan go black?
It is most likely polymerization of oil. When you saute something some of the oil may splatter onto the cooking surface. The oil then makes it on to the bottom of the pan where it is heated. The heat causes the oil to polymerize.How do you get rid of black residue?
Rub the black stain using a small amount of bleach on a paper towel. If the black color is still present, the particles are soot. If the color goes away from the towel, it is likely mildew and should be treated properly. It is important that you use a very small amount of bleach when testing for black soot.How do I get the black residue off my cast iron skillet?
More answers regarding black residue inside frying pan
Answer 2
Stainless steel pans tend to get brown/black around where the flames are if you heat them empty. I wouldn't worry about it and you should be able to scrub it off eventually.
Answer 3
Boil water and Cascade dishwashing liquid inside the pan covering the black area. Rub with spatula after a few minutes to see if the black is loosened. Keep cooking until it rubs off with spatula.
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