Dark grey residue from newly purchased stainless steel kitchen items? I have had this happen a few times now. What happens is that I purchase a new kitchen item made of stainless steel. When cleaning it, I find out that there is some kind of dark grey residue that comes off of it. The items that have done this are supposed to be used to cook or they come into contact with food. 

Is this metalic residue? If not, what is it?
It could be stainless steel and abrasive residue created from polishing. 


  Method for Removal:
  
  Hand wiping with alkaline cleaners, followed by hot water rinsing.
  May require multiple applications until wipe testing results are satisfactory.


http://www.ispeboston.org/files/july_2010_tech_talk.pdf