What are volume markings in stainless steel cooking pots made from?

March 11, 2020 6:02 AM

I understand the printed images on the outside of mugs and glassware sometimes contains lead. What are the markings and text on the inside of stainless steel pots and pans made from? How are these markings made? Are there safety concerns about them? I'm in the market for a new pot and the vast majority I've seen have these volume markings.
posted by mayurasana to Home & Garden (5 answers total)

I just checked mine and they're etched in. They look like a lighter colour because they're etched so finely but definitely not painted or printed on.
posted by cilantro at 6:17 AM on March 11, 2020

I am only familiar with brewing kettles and some have painted volumes and others have etched. I have not heard anyone complaint about the paint from a lead perspective. I am doubtful that any paint used in food grade equipment would have lead paint though -- unless it is made outside of the US ... maybe? Most brewers like the etched because they won't wear off. They don't seem concerned with contamination even. Just visibility.
posted by terrapin at 6:29 AM on March 11, 2020

I think most pots are marked with a laser. There's no material being added to the pot to make the marks.
posted by gregr at 7:06 AM on March 11, 2020

Best answer: I work in pharma. We have stainless steel 40L vessels with markings we etch inside them. We use thismarking system to type whatever text we want on label stickers, then chemically etch them onto the vessels. The surface of the stainless is chemically altered so it's no longer silver and shiny.
posted by notsnot at 7:13 AM on March 11, 2020 [2 favorites]

You can do it with a lemon and a battery, it's not a toxic thing. :7)

https://byo.com/project/etch-your-kettle-projects/
posted by wenestvedt at 8:09 AM on March 11, 2020 [2 favorites]