Is it rust at the bottom of the pot (inside) and how do you remove it if it's smooth?

White vinegar. Pour some in there and let it soak for a week or two.

Cast iron?

@kritiper Thanks but a week or 2 may be too long.

@ARE_you_kidding_me no, just a regular pot I think.

I use electrolysis to remove rust but vinegar works too. Two weeks is way too long. Mix it 50–50 with water and let is sit for a couple of hours, pour it out, scrub, repeat until clean.

It would help to know what kind of pot it is. Heavy? enameled? Teflon? Stainless?
If you used bleach on stainless that’s probably part of your problem.

@ARE_you_kidding_me It’s probably stainless heavy made a long time ago, quality.

Shiny or dark colored? What color is it? Does a magnet stick to it?

It’s not mine, I’ll find out. But I’m sure it’s not enameled or Teflon.

A picture would be worth a 1000 words here. Restoring vintage cast iron is a hobby/side gig of mine. I hope it’s cast, been waiting for one of these questions to finally pop up so I can write walls of text.

No It’s definitlely not cast iron.

It’s not mine, and I haven’t seen it, but I’m sure it’s stainless steel since it’s not Telflon enamel, or cast, if that’s all there is.

Barkeepers friend

Mineral deposits from the local hard water?

If it is smooth and clean, just use the pot as you normally would. It won’t hurt you or make you sick.

Sounds like something has eaten a way the stainless steel, like using harsh dishwasher detergents Barkeepers friend will help, if it doesn’t, just live with it.

You could always sand it out with 400 grit or finer sandpaper,

After it’s sanded out be sure to keep that spot oiled to prevent future rust.

It happened after it got overheated, really really overheated, I think. I hope I will find out more about it.

@ARE_you_kidding_me I was wondering what Barkeepers friend means, till I read @zenvelo‘s post.
@stanleybmanly, I don’t think so, since bleach baking soda, and scribbing with aluminium was used.
@kritiper That wouln’t do any damage, scratching?

@ARE_you_kidding_me Thanks by the way.
How did you get to learn how to restore cast iron?

….correcting myself: “scrubbing with aluminium foil ” by the way, not aluminium.

@ARE_you_kidding_me By the way, re. “If you used bleach on stainless that’s probably part of your problem.”, bleach (diluted) was only used after the stain appeared in order to remove it.

@flo Not with 400 or finer grit. You could always polish it afterwards with Bon-Ami cleanser and a damp rag, if you found the scratching offensive.

I purchased a small lot of cast iron at an estate sale and started researching what they were and what they were worth. It went downhill sharply after that, and before I knew it I had nearly a hundred pieces.

Just can’t beat cast iron!

We have about 15 pieces some from 1930’s.

Cast iron, stainless steel, aluminum, etc., etc. No one can help much until we know what the pan is made of and how thick it is.

Ok all, I’m waiting to find out more about it.

As @kritiper said: “Cast iron, stainless steel, aluminum, etc., etc. No one can help much until we know what the pan is made of and how thick it is.”
WHAT IS THE POT MADE OUT OF?