Whatever Has Happened to This Fork?
I left some dirty dishes over a summer internship. Now, cleaning up, I have found that some of the silverware has developed a rough surface. After sitting overnight in a soapy bath, it persists, although can be scrubbed off.
Here's a fork, which appears to be stamped stainless steel, showing the rough texture:
I don't have my microscope, and this camera image (try expanding it) is about as good as my eyes resolve.
My question: what is this?
Best Answer
I have seen similar deposited after stainless cutlery and plates were soaked in hard water from bores and from areas with hard water. Its just a collection of salts that like making a home on metal surfaces. You can remove it without scrubbing by adding some citric acid powder or a little white vinegar to some warm wash water. Denture cleaning tablets have a similar effect in cleaning off this buildup.
The citric acid powder is a really good way of cleaning up the built up scale in kettles and water heating appliances. It makes my glass electric kettle shine like new.
Pictures about "Whatever Has Happened to This Fork?"
Where did the fork come from?
Although its origin may go back to Ancient Greece, the personal table fork was most likely invented in the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire, where they were in common use by the 4th century. Records show that by the 9th century in some elite circles of Persia a similar utensil known as a barjyn was in limited use.When did forks get 4 prongs?
It wasn't until the late 1600s and early 1700s that people began to purchase multiple sets of silverware for their homes, which were just beginning to be equipped with rooms specifically set aside for dining. It was also around this time that forks with three and then four tines were made.What came first the fork or the spoon?
Since they were first used, utensils have evolved a great deal. The spoon came first, then the knife and the fork as we know it today, existed mainly for spearing things It wasn't widely used as an eating utensil until the 16th century, partly thanks to the devil.Why is it called a fork?
Where did the fork come from? Forks date back to ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece and the word fork itself comes from the Latin furca, which means \u201cpitchfork.\u201d However, in their earliest form, forks were used to lift heavy meats and as carving tools rather than for actual dining.if you ever see a bent fork in your door, leave your house and RUN away fast!! (it's a trap)
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Tan Danh, Pixabay, Farhad Ibrahimzade, Farhad Ibrahimzade