black spots I was looking to buy the multi clad, on a couple of entries there was a comment about black spots forming on the pans, what is this from? and some noted pitting in stainless steel if salt was put in the pan without anything else in the pan. So salt reacts with the stainless steel? black spots I was looking to buy the multi clad, on a couple of entries there was a comment about black spots forming on the pans, what is this from? and some noted pitting in stainless steel if... » Read More black spots I was looking to buy the multi clad, on a couple of entries there was a comment about black spots forming on the pans, what is this from? and some noted pitting in stainless steel if salt was put in the pan without anything else in the pan. So salt reacts with the stainless steel? « Show Less
1575287
The reason you have black spots is because the stainless used on the cook surface is 202. The 4xx grade is generally accepted as cook-grade. You should save up the cash to purchase All-Clad
1575288
Salt can possibly pit ANY stainless steel pan. Usually when you add salt to the pan, there is already something heating in it. So, adding salt shouldn't be a problem because it dissolves in the moisture of the food. I have always been taught that when adding salt to water, make sure that it is hot, so the salt dissolves away. Stainless steel is a misnomer because it can discolor. It can be cleaned very easily. I have this multi clad set and I have never seen black spots. I have seen some blue/white spots, but this is from the mineral content in our water. A bit of bar keepers friend cleans everything up. A bit of vinegar can clean up the pans as well, but bar keeper works really well. Salt can possibly pit ANY stainless steel pan. Usually when you add salt to the pan, there is already something heating in it. So, adding salt shouldn't be a problem because it dissolves in the moisture of the food. I have always been taught that when adding salt to water, make sure that it is hot, so the salt dissolves away. Stainless steel is a misnomer because it can discolor. It can be cleaned very easily. I have this multi clad set and I have never seen black spots. I have seen some blue/white spots, but this is from the mineral content in our water. A bit of bar keepers friend... » Read More Salt can possibly pit ANY stainless steel pan. Usually when you add salt to the pan, there is already something heating in it. So, adding salt shouldn't be a problem because it dissolves in the moisture of the food. I have always been taught that when adding salt to water, make sure that it is hot, so the salt dissolves away. Stainless steel is a misnomer because it can discolor. It can be cleaned very easily. I have this multi clad set and I have never seen black spots. I have seen some blue/white spots, but this is from the mineral content in our water. A bit of bar keepers friend cleans everything up. A bit of vinegar can clean up the pans as well, but bar keeper works really well. « Show Less
1575289
The product is not 18/10 - it is actually 18/0 on the exterior with only a stainless 202 grade cooking surface. The 202 is about the cheapest quality stainless in use and is not generally accepted as cookware grade - It certainly is not professional grade. The 202 is prone to stains, rusting and easily scratches. Unlike true 18/10 these scratches will not self repair/seal.
1546672
Interesting. I contacted the manufacturer directly and they state that it should be genuine stainless steel, which of course would never rust. Their answer to the rust comments was that it was more likely mineral build-up confused as rust. I think most thinking adults, however, know the difference. Anyway, finding anything of quality at any price is harder and harder these days.
2120049
Stainless steel is prone to rust when it has contact with non-stainless steel metals. Use a stainless steel scrubby and this will not happen. We've had ours since December 2013 and not a rust spot in sight!
1105770
I am not a chemist but it seems to me if aluminum were coming from the base metal of the cookware then the non-stick coating should show some sign of damage, wear, loosening, or some other evidence of it. To date mine shows none of this.
1572886
Terry I have never seen a black residue come off of any steel pots I have ever owned. So I have no idea what it is. Sorry.
306760
I have had my lamps for almost a year now and they have never had dark spots on them. They do have a white crystal like covering (looks more salty as they age) but I think it's because it oxidizes naturally when exposed to air. It adds to the beauty of the lamps when they are on IMO. I don't remember if my lamps came with instructions but you can Google salt lamps for additional information.
2191510
I used it on the interior of the pan. I had spots that had turned very dark with scorched food (must have used too high heat) and I just kept scrubbing at them until they disappeared. The non-stick qualities of the pan don't seem to have been affected. This was over a year ago, and I'm still enjoying the pans.
1705850
I have several stainless steel pans, and all are prone to a light haze after much use, but it's nothing a little Bar Keeper's Friend can't fix. You can find it cheaply in most stores, and it only take a little bit to make the pans shine like new!
1760261
Do What I did and return it. I was told that this was "normal", but my 42 year old Oneida has NO rust spots. I went to the website where you can find replacement pieces for your old patterns and added the pieces I needed. I'm using my Oneida "My Rose" again. The newer stainless clearly isn't as good!!
898167
I treat my Calphalon like my cast iron pans. I rarely wash them with soap, but preheating before adding oil really helps. Have you gone to the Calphalon website and looked at their "Use and Care" tips?
408621
I don't have a black area on the pan that I have so I went and looked at the photo for the item using the link to your question -- to me it looks like the reflection of something when they took the photo. I take a lot of photos of metal items myself (more specifically jewelry) so I've come across this a lot on my own photos. That said, I don't remember that being on the photo so I'd recommend asking the seller just to be on the safe side.
994805
Just soap and water and steel wool if needed. Aluminum pots get naturally darken over time. Mine is very dark on the bottom now. Its not caked on like with a cast iron pot. It's just the metal itself gets darker, which is expected with aluminum. This is how every aluminum pot I've ever cooked with in a restaurant has looked. Its normal
1486575
In china meeting al-clad strict gidlines they said someplace I read. Had some Calphalon pans made in china and they worked great no complaints. If you get discoloration like heat spots just swish some white vinegar around the pan and it will look like new.
1107521
Jeff, I've had this for about three years now and I don't remember. But, that comment and question, "What's up with the rust?" That's not a joke. By the end of the 1st year, we began to see it. Maybe there is a way to deal with that, but I haven't discovered it. Honestly, who expects stainless steel to rust?
2263108
I own other pans with non-stick surfaces made by either All-Clad or Calphalon. I believe these are also referred to as hard anodized surfaces. My pans have lasted for years without peeling, cracking, scratching or otherwise deteriorating. I take care of them by not using metal utensils on them, not cleaning them with abrasive sponges or cleaners and not using spray lubricants for cooking.
88262
I didn't realize you have black. Ours is white and we sometimes get drip marks from either food (we might put our colander in the rack when the counter is crowded or fresh vegetable after we have rinsed them) or from soap residue when I get to quick in the rinsing process.
1785863
Robert, are you talking about the area that is silver (the sharpened area)? Because I looked at mine closely just now and what I didn't notice when I first got it was that on mine the silver part seems to have a clear coating on it. I'm not sure of what, but it seems like tiny bubbles or debris in the clear coating. The black metal part of mine has one or two tiny pits but thats about it. Maybe contact the seller and swap it out?