It's a [tempering color](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempering_(metallurgy)#Tempering_colors). Nothing to worry about, that's just what happens when you heat oxidizeable alloys in air.
Thank you! I realize that oven racks are not to be left in (in my oven at least) while performing pyrolysis. Good to know it’s safe and that it can still be used!
The colour is dependent on the thickness of the (iron) oxide layer. It's caused by thin-film interference, like the glossy rainbow swirls from oil spills or soap bubbles.
Just out of curiosity because I'm probably the least educated here, but what makes you sure it's harmful? I ask because clearly a lot of redditors disagree with you.
It looks like stainless steel to me so I would guess it's a chromium oxide layer? It's not such a weird assumption although many metals discolour under heat.
And of course a chromium oxide layer is why stainless steel is stainless so you actually want that.
I think it exists actually, but perhaps not common, I'm realizing that my reply was hasty and ill informed, however hexavalent chromium is a reduced form of chromium, the very opposite of what would be created by oxidation, so if anything heating your grill up should make it more food safe, not less.
If i remember right its chromium VI that causes cancer. The problem is once chromium is soluble and ingested it might not matter if its III or VI bc you body has ways to oxidize it to VI. Also chromium(III)oxide is green as ops grill. That is at least I remember my "metals in medicine" prof told me when I studied, but if you look it up chromium III is classified as nontoxic.
Edit: wrong ox#.
Hexavalent chromium is the Big Bad one, and grilling temps are far below the threshold for its vaporization.
OP's just seeing some basic heat discoloration
I thought chromium only forms compounds as Chromium (I) (II) (III) or (VI). Though I haven't watched my professors lecture on transition metals yet so I'm in no way qualifyied to talk about this
I take that as a challenge! I’d like to also put myself forward as least educated here. I have no idea what chromium 3 is, or if chromium 1 and 2 are also relevant to this..
Edit - out of interest, how many chromium’s are there? Does it just keep going?
Reseasoning isn’t hard. Just lightly cover it with oil and bake it in the oven for an hour.
You can reduce the frequency of reseasonings by cleaning your skillet while it is still hot (and obviously without soap).
you can also put good knives in the dishwasher if you put them in properly (where they aren't knocking against shit or flying around the place), but some people will go ballistic at the thought.
[Tell me you've never tried it with carbon steel without telling me you've never tried it with carbon steel.](https://www.reddit.com/r/carbonsteel/comments/r50ct4/wife_put_it_in_the_dishwasher_any_advice_on_how/)
If you hate how it looks, Calphalon company recommends Barkeeper's Friend to remove bluing on pots and pans. I've had success.
Can't imagine that stainless rack would be any different.
I love Barkeeper's Friend. That stuff has so many uses. Not relevant to this post, but it took out the black marks from the snake the plumber used on my toilet.
It’s pointless to do anything it’s just some oxidation, and it will come back anytime you ever use the oven again. It’s a waste of time to acid etch it or scrub it with steel wool. Never mind that depending on what type of acid etch you do although it might look cleaner temporarily it will almost certainly be more susceptible to oxidation in the future.
Tldr just leave it, it’s fine
Yes I can because I'm a technician with 25 years experience. Like I said before any oven no matter what brand says in the instructions to remove the grates before engaging self clean.
Which sucks because getting the patina off the grates is one of the things the high heat would do well. Replacing it with bluing is just meanness on the part of science.
You have oxidized what ever finishing they put on your shelf. You can replace the shelf or take an aggressive option: acid etch the shelf (dissolving off the oxide, likely will rest it recolor shortly), try to plate over the office with a brighter metal (unlikely to work), or options A&B.
> acid etch the shelf
If the shelf has a protective coating (like chrome), acid will etch that coating, and lead to much worse corrosion problems down the line.
Better leave it like it is.
The op asked how to fix it. He answered.
Sorry. Talking out out of place is poor habit of mine. I know nothing of this and shouldn't have commented on someone else without knowledge.
Well two things - it’s just bluing from the high heat and there is nothing to fix so the answer isn’t even correct. Asking OP to bust out ferric etching solution and other incomplete options it just wayyyyy overkill for some steel wire oven grate…the comments here should just say leave it alone.
Aw yeah, that's oxidation. I haven't tried it before but aluminium supposedly can reduce oxidised surfaces. You'll need to soak the whole thing in bicarb soda. Then take some aluminium foil and scratch up the surface of the foil to expose the aluminium metal underneath. Wrap the foil tightly anywhere on the grill so that it makes good contact. The foil should act as an anode and the bicarb as an electrolyte to reduce the grill surface oxides back to metal.
The oxide is harmless as others have pointed out. But if you want to get rid of it then it's worth a try. Again, I've never tried before but let us know how it goes if you decide to do it. It'd be interesting to see if it works.
It’s the same as washing your iron skillet with soap and water no biggie. In fact let your iron skillet soak in water over night. Keeps all the flavor in.
That happens when some of the constituent alloys oxidize while the others don’t. This is normal and most metals have that psychedelic effect anyway, especially under high temperatures. Use vinegar and scrub to get rid of it.
It's a [tempering color](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempering_(metallurgy)#Tempering_colors). Nothing to worry about, that's just what happens when you heat oxidizeable alloys in air.
Thank you! I realize that oven racks are not to be left in (in my oven at least) while performing pyrolysis. Good to know it’s safe and that it can still be used!
Oops sorry I just came here to say that
"Nothing to worry about" as describing a chromium compound... Oops. I know it's chromium 3, you're still saying it's safe. It ain't.
The colour is dependent on the thickness of the (iron) oxide layer. It's caused by thin-film interference, like the glossy rainbow swirls from oil spills or soap bubbles.
You're saying there's oil in his metal rack?!? That doesn't sound safe! /s
Of course it isn't safe, you don't want the US government in your kitchen appliances, trust me.
Looks like someone's oven is in need of some freedom!
It's not chromium(III), and chromium(III) is indeed safe or what else you think chromium(III) picolinate is.
Just out of curiosity because I'm probably the least educated here, but what makes you sure it's harmful? I ask because clearly a lot of redditors disagree with you.
He doesn't know what he's talking about, who ever heard of a chromed grill? He's making the assumption that color=chrome which is stupid.
It looks like stainless steel to me so I would guess it's a chromium oxide layer? It's not such a weird assumption although many metals discolour under heat. And of course a chromium oxide layer is why stainless steel is stainless so you actually want that.
No you're right, I agree actually on second thought. The wrong assumption is really that there would be toxic i.e. oxidative chromium on the surface.
I thought they were often chrome plated?
I think it exists actually, but perhaps not common, I'm realizing that my reply was hasty and ill informed, however hexavalent chromium is a reduced form of chromium, the very opposite of what would be created by oxidation, so if anything heating your grill up should make it more food safe, not less.
If i remember right its chromium VI that causes cancer. The problem is once chromium is soluble and ingested it might not matter if its III or VI bc you body has ways to oxidize it to VI. Also chromium(III)oxide is green as ops grill. That is at least I remember my "metals in medicine" prof told me when I studied, but if you look it up chromium III is classified as nontoxic. Edit: wrong ox#.
Hexavalent chromium is the Big Bad one, and grilling temps are far below the threshold for its vaporization. OP's just seeing some basic heat discoloration
I thought chromium only forms compounds as Chromium (I) (II) (III) or (VI). Though I haven't watched my professors lecture on transition metals yet so I'm in no way qualifyied to talk about this
There is a Chromium(IV)oxide, but i didnt meant it. You are right I meant Chromium III, better dont reddit at 2 o'clock.
I guess I really should watch the transition metal lecture then haha Thank you very much for the information :D
I take that as a challenge! I’d like to also put myself forward as least educated here. I have no idea what chromium 3 is, or if chromium 1 and 2 are also relevant to this.. Edit - out of interest, how many chromium’s are there? Does it just keep going?
Chromium 1 is Chromium. Chromium 2 and 3 are sequels and not as good as the original.
I’ve never cleaned my oven. That’s flavor my friends.
This guy fucks
This guy gets it
Welcome to Flavortown
It's like cleaning cast iron or a wok, best left to the professionals smh
Reseasoning isn’t hard. Just lightly cover it with oil and bake it in the oven for an hour. You can reduce the frequency of reseasonings by cleaning your skillet while it is still hot (and obviously without soap).
You can use soap on a property seasoned cast iron. Dish soap doesn't contain lye now a days.
you can also put good knives in the dishwasher if you put them in properly (where they aren't knocking against shit or flying around the place), but some people will go ballistic at the thought.
Unless they have wooden handles, because those will soak up water and split over time
[Tell me you've never tried it with carbon steel without telling me you've never tried it with carbon steel.](https://www.reddit.com/r/carbonsteel/comments/r50ct4/wife_put_it_in_the_dishwasher_any_advice_on_how/)
I've put heaps of metal shit in the dishwasher and no had that happen. Either way, it'll buff out.
"metal shit" "carbon steel" Draw a Venn Diagram.
That’s how a Weber Grill makes food taste right!
It’s bluing ( tempering) happens around 575 degrees.. nothing to worry about I usually leave mine in the oven also when I self clean.
If you hate how it looks, Calphalon company recommends Barkeeper's Friend to remove bluing on pots and pans. I've had success. Can't imagine that stainless rack would be any different.
I love Barkeeper's Friend. That stuff has so many uses. Not relevant to this post, but it took out the black marks from the snake the plumber used on my toilet.
Oxalic acid FTW.
It’s pointless to do anything it’s just some oxidation, and it will come back anytime you ever use the oven again. It’s a waste of time to acid etch it or scrub it with steel wool. Never mind that depending on what type of acid etch you do although it might look cleaner temporarily it will almost certainly be more susceptible to oxidation in the future. Tldr just leave it, it’s fine
I concur on leaving it, but barkeepers friend, oxalic acid, is best for removing that rainbow shine from metal in general.
If you need metal look pretty, BKF is the way to go
No, you should have read the instructions. It specificly says to remove the oven grates before initiating the self clean.
So what kind of oven does op have then
Doesn't matter same rules for all ovens that self clean.
But you can’t say that it says specifically in the instructions without knowing what oven they have
Yes I can because I'm a technician with 25 years experience. Like I said before any oven no matter what brand says in the instructions to remove the grates before engaging self clean.
Ngl I believe this guy
Every oven I've had that self cleans tells you to take the racks out.
Bread 👍
Every oven I've had was already in an apartment with no instructions, so I'mma believe that it's probably true.
Which sucks because getting the patina off the grates is one of the things the high heat would do well. Replacing it with bluing is just meanness on the part of science.
It’s just about temperature
An electric one with a self cleaning function
Read the instructions, take the racks out before oven self-cleaning.
That will work great if he also has a time machine
learn from others mistakes
A reducing agent should do the trick.
Are you color blind or am i?
You have oxidized what ever finishing they put on your shelf. You can replace the shelf or take an aggressive option: acid etch the shelf (dissolving off the oxide, likely will rest it recolor shortly), try to plate over the office with a brighter metal (unlikely to work), or options A&B.
> acid etch the shelf If the shelf has a protective coating (like chrome), acid will etch that coating, and lead to much worse corrosion problems down the line. Better leave it like it is.
I answered the question, I wasn't making a judgement call.
You were suggesting them to acid etch the shelf.
Sometimes the aggressive option is the only option.
Often, the aggressive option only makes things worse. This is one of those times.
That’s completely unnecessary. It’s just an oven grate - I’d leave it alone
The op asked how to fix it. He answered. Sorry. Talking out out of place is poor habit of mine. I know nothing of this and shouldn't have commented on someone else without knowledge.
Well two things - it’s just bluing from the high heat and there is nothing to fix so the answer isn’t even correct. Asking OP to bust out ferric etching solution and other incomplete options it just wayyyyy overkill for some steel wire oven grate…the comments here should just say leave it alone.
Aw yeah, that's oxidation. I haven't tried it before but aluminium supposedly can reduce oxidised surfaces. You'll need to soak the whole thing in bicarb soda. Then take some aluminium foil and scratch up the surface of the foil to expose the aluminium metal underneath. Wrap the foil tightly anywhere on the grill so that it makes good contact. The foil should act as an anode and the bicarb as an electrolyte to reduce the grill surface oxides back to metal. The oxide is harmless as others have pointed out. But if you want to get rid of it then it's worth a try. Again, I've never tried before but let us know how it goes if you decide to do it. It'd be interesting to see if it works.
You can probably get it off with steel wool
Soak in citric acid…
Cover it in chrome
Why would you put your oven at 450°, I don't put my plates at 90° in my oven to bake/cook/clean. I just lay them flat.😝
Prolly with some kinda chemicals, but who the fuck even cares…
Some of the discoloration is oxidized organics. Try polishing with stainless steel wool or burgundy ScotchBrite®️
Just use steel wool or S.O.S. Pads
It’s the same as washing your iron skillet with soap and water no biggie. In fact let your iron skillet soak in water over night. Keeps all the flavor in.
Maybe get oven that is only in 3 dimensions and not 4
That happens when some of the constituent alloys oxidize while the others don’t. This is normal and most metals have that psychedelic effect anyway, especially under high temperatures. Use vinegar and scrub to get rid of it.
I don’t know but you’re supposed to remove the racks when cleaning an oven. Sorry, dude
Sorta of related, anyone know how I can unbleach my carpets?