# Bar Keepers Friend **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 26, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204 "2026-06-26T18:04:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/1 "2026-06-26T18:04:06Z")
No not you. Well, ok we can be friends. I bought some BF cleaner. I guess, a month ago. I have one small stainless(not at all) steel counter top. It has to be scoured regularly. I go to do this, this morning. I peel that nasty little sticker off. Shake the can with abandon. Oops, nothing comes out. I peer into the little holes. I see the Friend in there. So it’s full. (Think Comet or Ajax) I squeezed the can. Oh. It’s solid as concrete. Has it been fully wet? Or is this our horrible humidity? Good thing it’s cheap. I’ll get more, but I’m gonna squeeze the can at the store before I pay. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/2 "2026-06-26T20:04:21Z")
Is it possible to break it back into a powder? ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/3 "2026-06-26T20:10:24Z")
Most probably your high humidity is the problem: > **[Tips for Keeping Bar Keepers Friend Fresh ](https://barkeepersfriend.com/blogs/bar-keepers-blog/keeping-bar-keepers-friend-fresh)** > > One of our most frequently asked questions concerns keeping Bar Keepers Friend Powder Cleanser fresh and clump-free. There are several ways to accomplish this, beginning with where to store BKF powder. Here are a few tips for keeping Bar Keepers… That link describes the problem, and gives multiple solutions on how to re-dry and crumble, or use a chunk diluted with water. There are times I’m glad I live in a very dry climate! Though my visiting friends and my skin disagrees. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/4 "2026-06-26T20:11:54Z")
My wife uses that stuff to clean the bathroom and says it’s amazing. Except it’s a foaming cleanser that comes in a plastic spray bottle, so I think the company makes more than one kind of cleaning solution. [![](https://products.blains.com/600/90/905292.webp) ](https://products.blains.com/600/90/905292.webp) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/5 "2026-06-26T20:46:33Z")
Oh I like the spray too. The powder is just a better scour-y thing. Thx @ParallelLines I’ll read that. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/6 "2026-06-26T22:01:22Z")
Happy to help with a link, since I didn’t have any first hand experience with clumping to share. Though I do indeed have a cannister myself - it’s my ally of last resort when I get some seriously cooked on crud on my stainless steel pans. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/7 "2026-06-26T22:07:19Z")
Great on cookie sheets. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/8 "2026-06-26T22:13:15Z")
also does a number on induction cooktops that have serious baked on crud. If you’ve never used an induction burner, one lesson is to always wipe it off after every use. Otherwise, a nasty boil over on high heat can sear a layer of crud into the cooktop that otherwise would require a chisel to remove. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/9 "2026-06-26T22:19:28Z")
Good for steel sinks, too. Matter of fact, I may need to get me a can … ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2026, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/10 "2026-06-26T23:10:58Z")
I have a can of that, too. Same problem. But I think all of those powdered cleansers likely have the same issue with humidity. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/11 "2026-06-27T06:08:57Z")
I think it’s that most of the powdered cannisters (in my case BKF and Comet) don’t come with a **lid** , even a cheap plastic or paper one. Which lets the humidity be much more of a problem compared to other, better sealed options. Nothing though that an oversized ziplock (for the whole canister) or a plastic sandwich bag and a rubber band can’t fix. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/12 "2026-06-27T10:25:42Z")
I have the soft scrub version, and it’s amazing! Make sure to wear gloves when using it though. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/13 "2026-06-27T17:54:38Z")
We used to used Barkeepers’ Friend (the powder) to scour out and clean morgue tables after autopsies. Works wonders on stains from body fluids and such. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/14 "2026-06-27T18:07:17Z")
I keep a wooden skewer in one of the holes, so that I can stir it up a bit if the powder stops coming out. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/15 "2026-06-27T18:11:42Z")
Smart. I got a chop stick I’ll do that with. Thx. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2026, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/16 "2026-06-27T23:49:48Z")
What’s great on cookie sheets? The spray? I’ve got some cookie sheets that have really seen much better days. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/17 "2026-06-28T01:39:45Z")
I believe the powder would work better..it’s according to how much scrubbing power you got. I like the spray foam too. But it needs a scrub Daddy scrubber. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/18 "2026-06-28T17:10:37Z")
> [@Patx2](#): > > What’s great on cookie sheets? The spray? I’ve got some cookie sheets that have really seen much better days First of all, Beck is right, you want a powdered version for more scouring power. Bar Keepers make a an even tougher version for cleaning cookware-you might want to look into that. > **[Cookware Cleanser & Polish](https://barkeepersfriend.com/products/cookware-cleaner-and-polish)** > > Cut through baked-on food, grease, and stains with a cookware cleaner and polish made for stainless steel, enamel, and glass cookware. My kids wonder about me (for more reasons than one) because I keep all three formulations around-powder, liquid and spray-so I have the best form for the job. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/19 "2026-06-28T17:16:03Z")
And here I thought this thread was going to be about a jigger or a cocktail shaker! ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2026, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bar-keepers-friend/1031204/20 "2026-06-28T23:47:31Z")
Thank you!