I have had this teapot about 3 months and in this last month it has been in constant use and yesterday these stains appeared, is it rust? Should I throw away the kettle or can it be saved?

  • pastermil@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    20
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Even if it is, some iron oxide wouldn’t hurt. Some cast-iron teapots even depend on it for improving taste, I’ve heard.

  • tyrant@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    19
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Assuming it’s stainless it might be rust or it could just be dirty. Just take a scotch Brite pad and scrub it off with some elbow grease. Even if it is rust it will come off and be fine. Source: metal trades person

    • Stamets@startrek.website
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      13
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      I’m not sure I’d recommend an abrasive pad though for a kitchen appliance. Every kettle or distiller recommends using a soft cleaning pad. Critic acid to break up limescale, or CLR, and then a soft pad. Abrasive ones put scratches into the metal interior of the appliance which gives more surface area for dirt to take root. Makes it harder to keep clean and harder to clean in general.

      • Aliendelarge@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        5
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        This isn’t limescale though. The stainless surface isn’t perfectly smooth already and appears to be a light brushed, though may just be spun. A kitchen scotch brite pad isn’t going to increase the surface roughness any. That said, I’d use barkeepers friend for this particular issue.

  • Varyk@sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    15
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Yes, that is rust, but it’s in no way dangerous, and you can also scrape it off with any abrasive scrub if you don’t like the look of it

  • pezmaker @sh.itjust.works
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    10
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    I’m not a health expert, take this with a grain of salt. I’d be disappointed it was rusting, but also mostly shrug it off and keep using it unless it gets bad and flaky/scaley

  • Matticus@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    10
    ·
    1 year ago

    Could be rust or some minerals that ended up on the bottom. Try boiling a mix of vinegar and water and see if it wipes off after. I’d keep using it anyways though, nothing to worry about.

  • Hamartiogonic@sopuli.xyz
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    9
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    Looks like it could be rust. Even if it it’s, that’s not really a problem. You can probably get rid of the rust by cleaning the teapot a bit better next time.

    I don’t see any problem with continuing to use it in the future. If you’re worried about microbes colonizing the place, remember two things:

    1. When not in use, keep it empty and dry.
    2. Clean it every now and then.

    BTW, aren’t teapots usually ceramic?

    • SheDiceToday@eslemmy.es
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      Isn’t CLR basically vinegar? All the other stuff in it is just to obfuscate how cheaply you could achieve the same effect.

  • DudeDudenson@lemmings.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    1 year ago

    I find it amusing how no one points out how ridiculous it is for ops first reaction to 3 spots of brown in his brand new kettle is for him to throw it away and get a new one

    • eleefece@lemmy.worldOP
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      1 year ago

      Well, I’m using it to heat water for a newborn, so I’m being little over careful, that’s why I’m asking.