subject: Understanding Stainless Steel And A Quick Fix For Getting Rid Of Rust In Stainless Steel Wares [print this page] Help! My stainless steel pot/pan/kettle/utensil/kitchenware rusted! Did I get conned and bought a fake stainless steel item? Do I have to discard the rusty stainless steel ware?
Worry not if youve ever encountered the above situation. Its a common misconception that stainless steel is rust or corrosion proof. Let us get the facts straight once and for all
Stainless steel does and can rust! It just rusts less than other types of steels, it stains less than other steels. If stainless steel is used wrongly and not properly maintained, it can corrode and rust, just like any other iron-based metal when exposed to oxygen.
While stainless steel is not rustproof, it is rust-resistant, thanks to its composition of chromium content. The chromium in stainless steel combines with oxygen to form a thin, invisible layer of chromium oxide. This invisible layer protects the steel underneath and prevents it from rusting. However, this chromium oxide layer can become scratched, cut, or stripped away by heavy use of abrasive cleaners, bleach, scrubbing with steel wool or steel brushes, or stained from residue leftover from un-thorough rinsing. This leaves the exposed steel vulnerable to rusting.
However, stainless steel has a unique self-healing property, as its chromium content can easily react with oxygen in the air and form another protective area of chromium oxide.
Thus, the solution to getting rid of rust in stainless steel ware is simple. Just scrub the rust off the stainless steel, rinse and dry thoroughly, and a new protective layer of chromium oxide will reform on its own in a few days.
For even more effective cleaning of rust in stainless steel pot or kettle, cut half a lemon and boil it with water. After the water has cooled, wash the pot or kettle with the cooled lemon water and of course, only scrub with a soft sponge. Never use a steel tool to scrub your kitchenware, even for the hard-to-reach spots. To reach those inaccessible tiny nooks and crannies, just add uncooked rice and vinegar to your stainless steel pot or kettle and shake well. The mixture and jiggling action should work to dislodge any residue from those tiny nooks and crannies.
The above is another household tip, courtesy of 2compare.sg.
To view the catalogue of stainless steel kitchenware on 2compare.sg, visit http://2compare.sg/catalogsearch/result/?q=s%2Fs&x=0&y=0
To view a range of dish washing sponges on 2compare.sg, visit http://2compare.sg/catalogsearch/result/?q=sponge&x=0&y=0
