Corning Ware: What am I doing wrong?

[justjunque]

Hi, all.

A little while ago, I posted about my latest "Ooh...shiny!" objects of my affection; Corelle/Corning.
The other day, on a thrift store trip, I did it again. I came home with two square casseroles; a 1 liter and a 2.5 liter. Shadow Iris and Forever Yours, respectively. Also, a group of twelve assorted pieces in Butterfly Gold.
I justified the purchase by telling myself that I'd clean it up and resell at least some of it. And that still might happen. I'm kind of bonding with the Forever Yours casserole though. It's just such a charming pattern.
That brings me to my question. All of a sudden, I don't seem to be able to get rid of utensil marks. The oven rack marks on the underside still seem to come off pretty well. But, I'm working my fingers to the bone trying to remove utensil marks from the inside of a couple of pieces, and they just won't go!
There's no actual scratch or anything. The finish is smooth and shiny. But, I can't get rid of the black/grey marks.
So far, I've tried Bar Keeper's Friend and Mothers Mag and Aluminum polish. Both of which, I've gotten good results with before.
Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Thank you!

Barry [this post was last edited: 5/11/2023-11:21]

 

[ea56]

Barry, do you have any ceramic stove top cleaner like Weiman’s or Cerama Bryte? I’d give one of them a try. They remove the marks that aluminum cookware can leave on a ceramic stove top so they very well may be effective getting those marks off of your Corning Ware.

HTH,
Eddie

 

[justjunque]

Oh, thank you, Eddie!
We do have some Cerama Bryte. I'll have to give that a try!
I couldn't swear to it, but we might even have some Weiman's.
Cautiously optimistic
[this post was last edited: 5/11/2023-11:42]

 

[ea56]

Barry,
I also just thought of one other thing that may work on these marks on your new to you Corning Ware if the stove top cleaner doesn’t, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser’s, these bad boys remove just about anything.

Good Luck!
Eddie

 

[bajaespuma]

Metal tools not so great for the cookware

One of many valuable things I learned working in a French kitchen is to avoid metal utensils, especially ones made out of aluminum, with cookware. Metal utensils scrape the tin off of classic Copper cookware and are bad for non-stick coatings. Also, one particular chef I worked with would have a sh*t-fit if he could hear the clanging of metal spoons in sauce pots and saute pans. That particular chef insisted that he alone was the only cook in the kitchen allowed to make unnecessary noise. The only metal implement allowed in most of those kitchens were the wire whisks because the plastic ones hadn't been invented then. Back then the Frenchies had a lot of useful implements made out of wood and heat-proof plastic including that wonderful "flat" spoon (that Julia Child was always promoting) that could be swiped clean by scraping either side on the lips of pots and pans.

 

It's a good idea to wean yourself off of metal cooking utensils; better for many types of cookware including the wonderful Corning products and enameled cast iron.

 

[norgeway]

I agree

I never ever use metal utensils in any of my cookware,

 

[justjunque]

Thanks for that advice as well. While I've used Corelle plates and bowls for ages, I'm actually brand new to Corning bakeware/cookware.
I will make every effort to keep the metal utensils away from it.

 

[searsbest]

Cleaning utensil marks

I have had great luck with just making a paste with baking soda and water you can use a toothbrush to apply it, I've never had any issues with scratching

 

[mattl]

Been using Corning-ware pots for many years -with metal utensils - and either Bon Ami or Barkeepers Friend has always easily cleaned the marks off.

 

[bradfordwhite]

The only marks I usually get on mine are on the bottom corners where the pan has rubbed against the oven rack when taking out hot.

I use my old stand by: white vinegar in a spray bottle and baking soda. Spray a spurt of vinegar then cover it with a bit of baking soda and let it sit for a few minutes. I just use my rubber glove covered finger to gently rub a few times and the marks just rinse away with water.

As for utensils I use a wooden spoon.

I used my mini casserole last night to warm air fried chicken breast that was frozen, mini air fried potatoes, and some mixed veg and red onions.

 

[combo52]

Dark metal marks on Corningware

I have seen many dark marks on Corningware that are impossible to remove, when buying used Corningware be careful if it has gray marks on it, unless they’re very light it’s probably impossible to remove them.

The other thing I look for with Corningware is make sure the interior is not worn and scratched up or dull.

I’ve often gotten great deals on stuff that is all brown and crusty around the edges. That’s easy to deal with. You can either use oven cleaner on it or I just put it in the self cleaning oven and burn it off and then you’re good to go. He

Let us know if you come up with any miracle technique that gets those marks off, they’re still quite usable pieces they just don’t look nice.

I have used metal utensils with my Corningware for years as long as you use common sense, it doesn’t hurt it. I never use wooden spoons in the kitchen. I converted all of those to kindling wood for the fireplace. I hate wooden spoons they’re unsanitary and they’re unsatisfactory to use because of their lack of good thin contour for stirring things.

John.

 

[jamiel]

TBH it's more using the green (heavy duty) scouring sponges casually around the kitchen that start the spiral of abrasion that leads to the grey marks. My sister-in-law ruined some of my Tupperware after the holidays one year just casually using one of those infernal things.

 

[justjunque]

John,

That's interesting.
Like I said, I'm new to Corning bakeware. And, the few pieces that I have were all purchased second hand.
One piece, like you described, had brown marks from burnt splatters of some sort. I was amazed at how easily that one cleaned up! And, oven rack marks, and the few utensil marks I've encountered, have always cleaned up with a little bit more effort.
This casserole is the first one I've found where the utensil mark is giving me so much trouble.
I'm going to try the methods and products suggested in this thread. But, the finish inside is very smooth and shiny. I would pass on a piece if it looked really abused or something.
I'll definitely let everyone know if something gets rid of the stubborn mark. If it won't clean off, I'll just use the dish the way it is.

Barry

 

[tolivac]

I have a wood spoon handed down from my Mom that I have used for YEARS-and she used it for YEARS before I got it.No problems!!My corningware has lasted for years-again from Mom-only loss is from when I dropped one.

 

[jamiel]

And another plug--if you're ever in upstate New York in the "southern tier" the Corning Glass Museum is a must-do! Fascinating place well worth a visit. Corning (as a city) is quite pleasant (prosperous, pretty, small)...quite dominated by Corning but they're a pretty benign influence.

 

[combo52]

The Corningware museum in Corning New York is wonderful

But it has absolutely no Corningware in it. I was very disappointed.

They also originated the corning, smooth top, electric ranges, and there were none of them there either.

One of the biggest consumer products ever completely missing. I don’t know why, the only thing I found relating to Corningware was in the gift shop. There were two books about Corningware one I already had the other I bought.

John.

 

[jamiel]

Hmm--perhaps they move things in and out; 2 years ago there was both an exhibit on Visions cookware (white until it's stretched and heat-treated when it becomes amber) and also on women in advertising for Corning (was during the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage, which was a big deal for the finger lakes portion of NY).

 

[kb0nes]

I've had good luck with the liquid version of Barkeepers Friend. I do all I can to avoid using harsh abrasives on any ceramics or porcelain. Once you get a bunch of micro scratches in the surface it gets dirty so much faster. This is especially common with bathroom sinks and fixtures. Choose a very fine abrasive if you choose to go that way.

I don't go out of my way to avoid using metal utensils on my pyroceram, Corelle, Centura etc. I get very little marking really. For the most part the dishwasher alone keeps it looking like new. I have used the oven cleaner trick on some pieces I have bought at the thrift store though.

 

[justjunque]

Yes. I definitely want to avoid making micro scratches!
I've been having some health challenges lately, so I haven't gotten a chance to try any of y'all's suggestions yet. But, I will. And I'll report back with the results.