Pan turned black!

hev_2

I had left the pan which had had chilli in for a while before washing up - not so long to grow fur, but long enough to get really dried on. Because it had been a big batch I had used the pan part of my pressure cooker which is the biggest pan I have (currently) and it is a pain to wash up because it doesn't fit in my washing up bowl.

So, finally biting the bullet I put it to soak in the sink with a scoop of pink vanish and lots of hot water. When I tipped the water out, the vanish had got rid of all the dried up chilli, but the inside of the pan is now black! :eek:

How do I fix that?

Help!

se999

I think it may be your pan is aluminium. I won't use aluminium for cooking

http://www.food.gov.uk/foodlabelling/packagingbranch/aluminium_qanda/

You can remove the blackening, I tried googling but couldn't find a link, but if it is aluminium, you need to reverse the reaction caused by the original substance, sorry I can't be more helpful.

hev_2

It may well be aluminium. All my other pans are stainless steel and the vanish has worked a treat in other circumstances.

soappie

I found this in t'internet. Don't know if it's any good - but it's worth a try. Good luck..

When the inside of an aluminium saucepan becomes dark and stained, put a weak solution of vinegar and water in it and let it boil for some time. Then scour with a damp cloth dipped in an abrasive powder.

hev_2

Thank you, it has to be worth a try - it looks awful!

lil_me

Personally if it's just metal I think I'd take a brillo pad to it

seashore321

Vinegar and water and lemon are great. If you use a brillo pad it will scratch the surface and damage it and then food just gets stuck in it.

Slinky

se999 wrote: »

I think it may be your pan is aluminium. I won't use aluminium for cooking

http://www.food.gov.uk/foodlabelling/packagingbranch/aluminium_qanda/

.

Love the name of the contact for more information on this link........ Rusty!!!

hev_2

Before I get going with the vinegar and lemon, please encourage me not to just junk the pan. I've never used it as a pressure cooker - it always looked a bit complicated and scary. I've only ever used it as a large pan.

Not very OS to just throw it though!

janetmw

I seem to remember that boiling rhubarb leaves in a blackened aluminium pan will bring the original colour back.

Janet