Dents in bottom of a pan?

[landofoz]

I already emailed the company that makes my pan but I'm wondering if any of you have ever heard of this and know what causes it:  My super huge pan has got several convex dents in the bottom outside of it.  So when I set it on a flat surface, it wiggles because the bottom is unlevel.  Any idea what causes that??    My pan has got a real thick bottom, too. 

[MassMama]

OK just cause I can't resist being a smarty pants... Stop wacking your hubby over the head with it !! 

Usually getting a pan really hot and then cooling it real fast will warp a pan Sarah

[Penny]

  @ Rita!!!!

Yep, i have heard the same thing too, that if you take the pan off the stove when its HOT and run it under cold water without letting it cool on its own, will cause it to warp.

[Wrennie]

Aluminum pans are good at warping like that when they get too cool too quick right off the stove.

[Triss]

I know that pans do warp but the actual dents are a mystery to me. 

[landofoz]

What? Stop hitting my husband in the head with my huge skillet??  Why would I want to stop that??

Not warped, it is dented and the dents go outward, not inward.  And it is stainless steel, not aluminum.  The dents are about the size of marbles--one the size of a shooter.

[Wrennie]

Has your mischievious little prankster ghost been at it again?
Almost sounds like someone shot it.

[Penny]

Thats what i have been told is that when a pan cools too quickly it will cause dents?
Keep us posted ok.

[duh]

if you say the metal is quite thick then it is possible that the steel is layered with copper.  Different metals expand and contract at different rates.  This might have caused it to push outward at the outer edge where the metal is weakest.  But you really would have had to heat it up high to get that result.  That's the only thing I can think of right now. 

I'm sorry that the pan is damaged.  Those heavy pans are usually expensive.  Is it an all-clad?

[MassMama]

The hubs said that there are probably 2 different types of metal in the pan.. that heat up and cool off at different rates and that is what would cause the dents

[duh]

Great minds think alike Rita.   If I'd just typed alittle slower you would have owed me a sprite lol.

[patches]

The dents are about the size of marbles--one the size of a shooter.

Geesh, you must play marbles, Sarah! 

I had a pan do that one time, and I was told something about it being different metals too, but didn't quite understand why it caused the dents!    I'm anxious to see what the company says about it and what they will do for you.   

[landofoz]

I probably should mention that I don't ever cook on high because the pans said that it could damage them.  And I've never done anything to rapidly cool this pan, I use it and then it sits on my stovetop (on a cool burner) until the next morning when I do the dishes. 

Here is their official stance on their products: We guarantee everything we make! If for any reason you are not satisfied with an OXO product, return it for replacement or refund. Please contact OXO´s customer service department and we will be happy to assist you.

Here is their reply to my pan issue:  Mrs. Otto,
Unfortunately the OXO Softworks pans have been discontined OXO no longer carries any pans.  We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
 
Thank you,
OXO Consumer Care Center

I know that my folks spent something ridiculous, like $200-300 bucks on this pan set, it ain't like it's some cheap walmart pan.  I'm kinda peeved.  Oh, yeah, fantastically satisfied customer here.  Uh-huh.    They couldn't even tell me what is wrong with it. These pans are....ummm.....7 years old (had to remember how long we've been married), so it sure took a while for this one to get weird.  It's still usable, I just don't want it to happen to the others.

[Tonya]

I would e-mail them back and tell them that another(comparable) pan would be fine, but that I would like a replacement and an explanation as to why it happened, Sarah. Sometimes it pays to be relentless. Has worked for me in the past!

[patches]

for any reason you are not satisfied with an OXO product, return it for replacement or refund.

Okay, Sarah, it's been discontinued and they can't replace it, so tell them you want your refund.    

[MassMama]

  why are you even messing around with Email.. Call these people up and let them know how annoyed you are.  hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.. ...  especially when it comes to my cooking stuff.. Some of these  companies have form letters they send out.. don't take it as Gospel.. They should send you a new set of pans if the ones you have are discontinued.  A warranty is a warranty!

[duh]

So which company is it anyway?  Inquiring minds want to know.  You know your question may be a good one to submit to America's Test Kitchen.  They have a science guy who answers all kinds of questions about the kitchen.  I'd like to see what they say.

[landofoz]

OXO Softworks is the company.  They need to ammend their warranty to say: "If it is not something discontinued and something we feel like offering a refund or a replacement, we may make some attempt to do so." 


I may call them, I'm kinda gutless when it comes to confrontation, so I try to avoid it as much as possible.  Would ya like to call for me, Rita?     

Maybe I should check out what thick bottomed pans the ATK recommends and then call and say that, yes, I am aware you don't offer any pans and such-and-such pan from such-and-such would work just fine for a replacement, thank-you. 

[MassMama]

Sure sarah I would call the one think in life I can't stand more than anything is the big guy screwing us little guys!! When you bought these pans they had a warrenty RIGHT?!  should it expire just because they figured out they had a crappy line and didn't tell anyone about it? Items like this should have a RECALL and be replaced with something just as good if not better!!

[landofoz]

I will give them a call this afternoon, the thing is, I just want to know what happened to my pan.  I don't necessarily need a new one.  I don't understand why whomever couldn't just say, it's a problem with high heat or something like that.  I find it most irritating.  Now I feel like there might have been a problem with the whole line, if so, what does that say for my other pans?  I looked at other saute pans similiar to my dented one and they run from around $50-160.  Not exactly cheap!

[patches]

Sarah, I can't wait to hear what kind of success you had with them.    You're right, pans certainly aren't cheap these days.   I just bought a new large frying pan about 8 months ago and it was $40.00 on clearance, but it has the really heavy bottom.  I wanted it for my spaghetti sauce and things like that, so I bit the bullet and made the investment.  Sure not sorry I did, because I love it!!!      

[MassMama]

CAST iron.. love the stuff easy to clean and you don't really have to worry about all that other stuff.. I am still looking for a sauce pan 


Ohhh and don't you dare back down till they make this right miss Sarah

[landofoz]

Okay, I called the company and explained the problem with the pan.  She said that she didn't know what would cause that kind of problem with it but that it certainly isn't considered a "normal" problem.  She offered to snail mail or email me a return shipping label for UPS, so that I could return the item.  Once they receive the item, they will identify it and mail me a check for the last retail price.  I very specifically asked her if this meant that if some store had them on clearance for $10, if that was all I would get.  She said that I will get refunded the full retail price and not any markdowns. 

[Tina]

Very cool, Sarah. I am very sure that the problem is with two metals layered and heating at different temps. And pretty sure that is why they are discontinued as well. Congrats on your refund.

[patches]

  I'm kinda gutless when it comes to confrontation, so I try to avoid it as much as possible.

Hey, Sarah, way to go, great job!!!    I knew you could do it!    Would you like to reconsider your above statement?