Ever use Bar Keeper's Friend? Don't do what my granite installer did

[CPA]

Granite installer was over a couple days ago to seal my new granite countertops and we discussed some staining on my new stainless steel downdraft cooktop. He pulled out the liquid version of Bar Keepers Friend. I was aware of the product but had never used it. It's supposed to be a great cleaner on stainless steel.

So, he put some on around the burners (where the stains were at). First scrub and wipe down didn't produce any results. So, he put a second coating on, brushed it in with a toothbrush and we both agree to let it sit for a couple hours. BIG MISTAKE!

It literally ate off the brushed top coating around the burners.

Now, I consider this partially my fault as I okay'd allowing BKF to sit without reading the instructions, but come to find out, you are to apply and immediately wipe. Fortunately, my granite guy is very cool and has offered to buy the unit off me for full price. Not sure I'm going to to do it, but we're going to talk face to face about it tomorrow, as he invited me and my wife to his kid's 1 year old birthday dinner.

Moral of the story, RTFM!

 

[Ban Bot]

Hey, if a little is good then a lot applied a lot longer would be awesome! amiright?

Bar Keeper's Friend is awesome, I clean my wife's stainless steel multiclad pots and pans with it regularly to keep them looking new.

But yes, right on the label it warns not to let it remain on a surface as it can discolor. So...

Apply & wipe = nice clean surface with restored, bright finish

Apply & leave = sad panda

 

[paperfist]

Stains on a new top?

I've seen Bar Keepers Friend do that on water fountain stainless steel. Did he try cleaning it up with rubbing alcohol?

I'd also try 0000 bronze wool, but I think even that may scratch it.

 

[NutBucket]

Yeah, gotta be careful with that stuff. Works great on my kitchen sink to get it nice and shiny. Appliances are another issue.

Even on pots and pans, one must use caution. I know All-Clad specifically states not to use it.

 

[CPA]

Stains on a new top?

I've seen Bar Keepers Friend do that on water fountain stainless steel. Did he try cleaning it up with rubbing alcohol?

I'd also try 0000 bronze wool, but I think even that may scratch it.

Stains might be the wrong word, more like heat marks. You can see them somewhat on the top burner, on the ring. There were some on the stainless, as well. They're gone now, but at a huge price.

Good news is that Best Buy/Pacific Sales said they would sell me a new one at the price I got it last time (price has gone up), so if my installer is serious about buying mine, I'll have a replacement in two weeks time and a new appreciation for Bar Keepers Friend.

 

[mizzou]

sadly many dont know how to properly clean appliances until its too late. Ive done it too...so now i always read mfctrs recommended cleaning anx have little problems.

the bad thing about doing things right is that sometimes when someome tries to help you clean and you crticize them they look at you like you are crazy anal retentive

 

[IronWing]

I learned something today, thank you! The active ingredient in Bar Keeper's Friend is oxalic acid. Oxalic acid is very handy for cleaning iron staining off quartz crystals and being a weaker acid than HCl, it is less likely to damage the crystals. In the past, we've boiled the crystals in rhubarb greens (which contain oxalic acid) but Bar Keeper's Friend looks like it might be easier.

 

[NetWareHead]

Granite installer

What was the granite guy doing messing with your stove? Rule of thumb when I used to do installs/service visits is to never, ever, ever mess with something outside the scope of your visit. Because if you break it, you are responsible.

I can see he was trying to be helpful. In that case, I still would have given the cleaner to you and this way you could apply it at your own risk.

 

[edro]

It will eat the finish off your glazed plastic bathtubs as well.
It's really powerful stuff, and works great on rust.

1 hour is ridiculous. 1min. would have been fine.

 

[CPA]

What was the granite guy doing messing with your stove? Rule of thumb when I used to do installs/service visits is to never, ever, ever mess with something outside the scope of your visit. Because if you break it, you are responsible.

I can see he was trying to be helpful. In that case, I still would have given the cleaner to you and this way you could apply it at your own risk.

Granite installers also generally install the sink and countertop as part of their service. He did both and recommended Bar Keeper's Friend at time of installation. I picked up a bottle of the powder stuff, but when he came over to seal the granite he mentioned the powder version would be too coarse for the stainless steel cooktop and pulled out his liquid version.

He did end up giving me the bottle after he had applied it.

 

[notposting]

For the "heat" marks, which are usually that shimmery discoloration, a moment of BKF will work, but you likely don't even need to go there. Use a splash of vinegar and simply wipe it around the area, then wipe off. This also works on stainless pots and pans - clean, then a splash of vinegar. If a little residue is also left that the regular sponge or dishwasher didn't get, the green scrubby plus vinegar combo works. Should really only need BKF in very rare situations.

edit: especially appliances, usually just a thin laminate layer of something which may or may not actually even be stainless. What did the manual say for cleaning it? (lololol read the manual)

Good luck with the granite installer, the whole situation sucks. Good on him for the offer, I would have to think about it though - like you said, you did it too and it will likely kill his profit for that job. Then again, new range it would just grind me everyday to see that. :\

Yeah, gotta be careful with that stuff. Works great on my kitchen sink to get it nice and shiny. Appliances are another issue.

Even on pots and pans, one must use caution. I know All-Clad specifically states not to use it.

All-Clad *recommends* it and gives directions for use: http://www.all-clad.com/Pages/Customer Service/faqs.aspx

• For daily cleaning, warm, soapy water is sufficient. Clean your All-Clad thoroughly after each use. Food films left on the pan may cause discoloration and sticking.

• To get rid of stuck-on food or discolouration, and stains from using too high a heat, we recommend cleaning your All-Clad with a specialist stainless steel cleaning product called ‘Bar Keeper's Friend’.

• To use the Bar Keeper's Friend, simply use a soft cloth or sponge and water and make into a soupy paste. This can be used on the interior, as well as the exterior of your All-Clad.

• If your water has high iron content, you may notice a rusty discolouration. Use ‘Bar Keeper's Friend’ to remove this. Please also refer to the Use & Care section of this page.​

 

[CPA]

For the "heat" marks, which are usually that shimmery discoloration, a moment of BKF will work, but you likely don't even need to go there. Use a splash of vinegar and simply wipe it around the area, then wipe off. This also works on stainless pots and pans - clean, then a splash of vinegar. If a little residue is also left that the regular sponge or dishwasher didn't get, the green scrubby plus vinegar combo works. Should really only need BKF in very rare situations.

edit: especially appliances, usually just a thin laminate layer of something which may or may not actually even be stainless. What did the manual say for cleaning it? (lololol read the manual)

Good luck with the granite installer, the whole situation sucks. Good on him for the offer, I would have to think about it though - like you said, you did it too and it will likely kill his profit for that job. Then again, new range it would just grind me everyday to see that. :\



All-Clad *recommends* it and gives directions for use: http://www.all-clad.com/Pages/Customer Service/faqs.aspx

Regular cooking vinegar or the 20% Cleaning Vinegar?

 

[edro]

BTW, liquid BKF is the same as the powder, it's just in thick liquid form.
They are both "non-abrasive"... although I can feel some grit to them both. (could be dirt, soap scum, sponge debris, etc though)

They also have a citrus version that doesn't use the same oxalic acid, but I haven't used it and doubt it works as well.