Inside bottom of my stainless steel pot shows rainbow colours, like in a patch of petrol. Is that toxin?

Question

I bought this stainless steel pot 2 months ago and recently this patch of rainbow colours emerge on the inside bottom of the pot (when the pot is washed and dried). When it rains and you can see similar rainbow colours in a patch of petrol on the road. Does that indicate toxin being released by stainless steel under high heat cooking? Or does it mean that the stainless steel pot is damaged and not healthy when used for cooking any more?

Answer 1

the pot is not damaged, not dirty.

sometimes the metal does that.

i'm not sure why, but it does.

possibly it has something to do with fine lines and light interference patterns.

if i had to make a guess, that'd be it.

however, if you washed it, and don't see or feel dirt or grease, it's fine.

Answer 2

Did you try cleaning it? By hand, with something abrasive? Or let it soak in hot soapy water for a day or so.

Whatever it is, it should come off.

.

Answer 3

It is caused by a microscopic oxidation or degradation of the surface when you hit it with hundreds of degrees of heat.  It is normal with some metal mixes and will do you no harm.  I have a pot I burned and let go dry and you can see the same thing on the inside bottom.