Pressure Cooker Stains

[rp2813]

I picked up a low use Presto 6-quart aluminum pressure cooker last weekend.   To test it out, I used plain tap water.  It left a dark stain.  What causes this?  When I cook stuff in a PC, it doesn't stain like plain water did.

 

Is it a rule of thumb to add cream of tartar when running this type of test?  I presume cream of tartar is how I'll get rid of the stain, but I'm open to other suggestions.

 

[ea56]

Ralph,

I think it black stain probably came from the alkalinity in your water, or maybe the chlorine. Any acid should remove the stain, boiling some water with a teaspoon or two of cream of tartar should remove it. But maybe even wiping it with some ketchup, vinegar or lemon juice might remove it too. And using SOS, Brillo or Barkeepers Friend should put a nice shine on it.
Eddie

 

[rp2813]

Thanks Eddie.

 

This might end up being a give-away item, so I'd like to get it looking its best.  It came with all of its literature and Presto promotional materials.  The cooking rack has never been used.

 

By the way, it passed the test with flying colors, so it's good to go otherwise.

 

[joeekaitis]

'nother vote for BKF . . .

Lots of water + a light touch = good as new!

 

[panthera]

Any acid,

in dilution will do it - and the old National Pressure Company trick of adding a teaspoon of vinegar (I use two for our water) to the water before putting the lid on will keep it shiny forever.

Cream of Tartar is too dang expensive to use all the time, the cheapest vinegar does the job just as well.

I use SOS pads on mine on the inside (and outside on the cast aluminium, not the drawn aluminium like this one) and they stay shiny and happy.

I'm glad you found such a pretty one - with all the literature, too.

 

 

 

[rp2813]

Thanks guys.

 

I have all of the recommended products on hand.  Not sure if I'll get to this today (I'm considering ending the ice age in the basement aka the '61 Tru Cold upright freezer, which will take a while) but will post pictures of the PC after it receives treatment.

 

[rp2813]

All Better

Well, the Red-E-Defrost is struggling to effect results in the Tru Cold, so while I was waiting for water to start filling the roasting pan under the drain (I still am, over an hour into the process), I decided to address the stain.  BKF won out.  It was no contest.

 

As much as I love my Mirro-Matics, particularly the wide body 6-quart model, I like Presto's current system and design better.

 

 

 

 

 

[launderess]

BKF Won Out

Well it would, wouldn't it? The stuff contains oxalic acid, which like acetic and others is very good at polishing/cleaning aluminum.