Is My Enamel Pot Ruined?
 

I've used this pot for years. I have no idea what this black stuff is. It feels raised up a bit, but does not feel like it's the enamel peeling off (but could be). It's been in there ever since the pot was given to me and won't wash (or cook!) off. Do you know what it is?

Here's the pot:
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Here's the black stuff inside:
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If it's been there from the beginning and you have been using it all along, why worry now?

Probably just an imperfection in the finish.

looks like someone has scortched something in it at one time or another , use brillo pad over and over again , could even try oven cleaner ,

Don't scour. It will scratch and then rust. Try oven cleaner.

Or pit enough water in it to cover it, throw in a used dryer sheet, let soak overnight, use the dryer sheet to scrub the spot. If it comes off, great. If not, then I don't know what to suggest. If you're already used the pot this way, guess there's no harm from it.

Looks like the enamel finish is missing in those spots. Use the pot until it rusts through.

Anita

It looks like food burned on to me. I'd try oven cleaner to get it off.

Sprinkle a little cream of tartar on it while it is wet and let it soak overnight. It should come right off. If it has been scratched through to the enamel then it will make a beautiful flower pot as you do not want to continue to cook with it. Sorry but it might make you sick as I believe it is poisonous.

I don't think it is poisonous, we always had enameled pots that had these type of places. Most of the time the enamel has come off at sometime or another and that is bare metal showing thru and we continued to use the pot until the spots would rust thru and then my Mom would mend them with a fix=it mender, (A rivet and washer of some kind or a small short screw and washer) These would not work on today's smooth top stoves, but I don't think there is any health concern with them. In fact I have a couple of enameled pots that I use yet when canning that have those kinds of places in them. They are not a pretty sight to behold, but don't think they are harmful. If they were, my grandparents and their large family would all be dead an so would my immediate family for that matter as well as my parents and the elders lived to a ripe old age and we are still a going okay. My thoughts for the day for what it is worth.

Thanks for all the input. I don't worry too much about cooking soups and stews in it. But I wanted to sterilize canning jars in it, it's the perfect size. So I did worry about that.

If it is on the finish you can boil a bit of tomato juice in it for about a minute or two-let set til cool - then use a wooden spoon to gently scrape it off--I speak from experience. I've had to do this a few times this past year. I am finally getting better at this cooking on electric I haven't scorched or burnt any thing in the past month : )