Diagnosis
The silver metallic marks on the base of your Hawkins Contura are likely aluminum deposits transferred from your gas stove's burner grates. This is a common occurrence with hard-anodized cookware on gas stoves and does not indicate a failure of the non-stick coating. The marks are superficial and sit on top of the durable black finish.
How to Fix It
To safely remove the marks, follow these steps:
- Ensure the cooker base is completely cool and dry.
- Apply a non-abrasive, liquid kitchen cleanser (like a cream cleaner) or a paste of baking soda and water directly onto the marks.
- Gently rub the area with a soft, damp cloth or the non-scratch side of a kitchen sponge. For more stubborn marks, you can use a mild abrasive pad specifically designed for non-stick surfaces (like a blue Scotch-Brite Dobie Pad). Avoid using steel wool or harsh scouring pads, as these can scratch the anodized finish.
- Rinse thoroughly with water and dry with a soft cloth.
If That Didn't Work
If the marks persist, you can try using a specialized cookware cleaner formulated for hard-anodized surfaces. Apply as per the product's instructions. As a last resort for very stubborn deposits, a small amount of Bar Keepers Friend (the liquid version is gentler) applied with a soft cloth can be effective, but test on a small, inconspicuous area first and rinse immediately.
Heads Up
Never clean the Contura's body or base in a dishwasher, as the harsh detergents and heat can permanently dull and tarnish the black anodized finish. Always hand-wash the outer body with mild detergent.