[cookinwithmetal]

Okay. It's obvious I know next to nothing about chemistry.

I acquired this huge stainless steel cooking pot that I think will be great for cooking corn.

The problem is, I don't know who the previous owner was.
Is it possible that the steel could absorb some toxic chemicals, like say for instance if they put automotive chemicals, etc in it?

If so, is there a surefire way to detox it or at least check for nasties?

Thanks in advance to the higher learning folks reading this. You guys help us little people out.

Jason Howe

[Borek]

Good washing will do.

You may boil a water and pour it out.

[408]

Unless it was used for technetium, Tc gets permanently surface absorbed to many metals. 

But the probability Tc was ever in that pot is VERY low.

[Gerard]

try boiling vinegar with the pot