No cost, no registration, no passwords -- just aloha, fun & authoritative answers
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases)

Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989

-----

Does real stainless steel get rainbow color/blue tinting ?

December 18, 2008

I purchased supposedly 18/10 stainless steel cookware and on first use, the pot developed rainbow/blue discoloring. Is this normal and safe? Also, is it mandatory for companies to print the stainless steel content on the item...should my cookware be imprinted with 18/10 because it is not?

50870

Thanks,
Melanie

Melanie Pasemann
buyer/customer - Tomball, Texas, USA

Blue Buster
Polishing Kit

on eBay or

Amazon

(affil links)

Hi, Melanie. 18/10 is a good grade of stainless, so some manufacturers may mark it such with pride -- but stainless steel is not a precious metal and I doubt that there is any rule anywhere that says they must. Metals can discolor from excessive heat -- you've probably seen exhaust pipes on motorcycles that have stained blue or gold -- but I think the discoloration you are seeing is probably a very thin layer of burnt-on oil.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
January 7, 2009

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: