I'm not sure what you mean by the gritty one but the only one I know about is the powder in a can - never heard of a liquid one. My supermarket used to carry it but they haven't had it lately - I'll have to check out Target - and the powder is fine for your SS sink.

what do you know - they do make a liquid version - here's the website - you can even order it online

Here is a link that might be useful: Barkeeper's Friend

Barkeeper's Friend is an awesome cleaner. Mom used it for years on her glass top stove without any issues. I've continued the tradition with our current glass top (which I'm hoping will be gone soon) as well as all my stainless pots and pans. The stuff in the can is the stuff you want. I've never heard of let alone tried the liquid stuff.

I've just bought the liquid version at Linen's n Things based on recommendations from GW. I have not tried it yet. I bought it mainly for my SS pots and pans.

I've been using BKF for years -- love it. I had no idea they had a liquid version -- sounds great.

Bar Keepers Friend Liquid®, previously known as Shiny Sinks Plus, is the only liquid cleanser with lime removers. Trust Bar Keepers Friend Liquid to clean even the most stubborn rust and mineral stains down to the shine without scratching. Bar Keepers Friend Liquid's special formula cleans stainless steel, fiberglass, porcelain, marble, stovetops, countertops, pots and pans, bathroom tile, tubs, and toilets--plus a whole lot more!

Technical reports show Bar Keepers Friend Liquid outcleans Soft Scrub.

Recommended for diminishing stainless steel scratches.
Bar Keepers Friend Liquid is also recommended for cleaning Artisan, Blanco, Delta Faucet, Eljer, Elkay, Franke, Keidel, MIXA, Nantucket, Rachiele, Revere, Wedgwood, and Whiterock premium sinks.

I got the powdered version because I think it pretty much boils down to the same thing once water is added...just cheaper. The liquid version was on the shelf right next to it.
One of my grocery stores had it on sale for $1 a can recently. I have a nice little stockpile, now.

I absolutely LOVE this stuff. My All-Clad pans haven't looked this good since I bought them. My other stainless pots look great, too. It took care of some major problem spots on my glass-top that I hadn't been able to budge since we moved in 2 years ago.

I never tried the liq stuff, just the powder. I love how well the stuff works but I do wish is smelled better.

We used it on our glass top cooktop as nothing else worked - all the glass cleaners (bought several) did nothing. We also use it on our SS sink. Works great. Learned about it on here. I buy the powder.

Do you think it would work well on a stove? I have a white Frigidaire gas stove. Keeping the top white seems like a full time job some days. The booklet that came with a stove said to clean it with a soapy sponge, but that often really doesn't cut it. I am afraid to leave scratches in the surface.

Any ideas?

Barkeeper's Friend doesn't scratch. I'd give it a try.

The liquid form of BKF works great on cast iron enamel sinks - no gritty residue when cleaning up.

I get it at the grocery store. When I tried to find it at WalMart and Target, I couldn't. I've also never seen a liquid version. The powder is just fine for me, though!

I use the liquid version on the window of my oven. It easily removes all the brown "stuff" that bakes on. It works great on stainless cookware. Be WARNED that it removes the finish from Kohler brushed nickel sink drains, so don't apply it directly to those. The liquid is easier to remove than the powder...it doesn't leave the powdery residue in the sink.

I have the liquid version and use if for the fireclay sink. I think I purchased it at Bed Bath and Beyond.

I just found it for the first time recently. My first experiences are *great*.

I have been wondering what it should *not* be used on, because the instructions aren't that specific. Is it ok for:
- Aluminum pans - the black kind
- Le Creuset

BKF is a great product when not used on nickel, as noted in this old posting I copied:

"Posted by miss_marble (My Page) on Sat, Sep 30, 06 at 17:12
This is a warning, and wondering if anyone else has experienced this. We redid the kitchen last year, with satin nickel faucet, and sink drains/strainer. I have used Bar Keepers friend to clean my copper pots for several years. It works like magic on copper! And never caused a hair of problem to the old builder-installed polished chrome drain and strainer. But having had this kitchen for about 8 months, I have been through TWO sets of satin nickel drains/strainers. The first time I thought it was the quality of the strainer. The second time I knew it had to be the BKF, so called them, and sure enough they told me it reacts negatively with nickel."

I used to work in a housewares department of a local hardware store, and frequently called manufacturers to ask about using products on various surfaces. Read the labels, make the calls, and save yourself considerable heartache.

I get it at Lowe's.

Thanks everybody. I wish I had picked it up at Target while I was there. But now I know what to get.

BKF is NOT safe for use on stone, so be aware of that if you have granite and specifically marble tops. It has a mild acid base and will etch calciferous stones.

Aw man, stonegirl, you've just nixed my *other* favorite cleaner :(. (The other was/is vinegar and water solutions.)

Alice, thanks for the post! I have a fireclay sink and HAD stainless strainers ... in fact the plumber tried to put in 3 different ones before I gave up and ordered from Rohl. Unfortunately, they didn't offer stainless, so I went with satin nickel to match the brushed stainless faucet. BF works beautifully on the sink, but I'll make sure to never use it directly on the strainers. Thanks again!!!

Paul, BF's site advises against using on anondized aluminum.

Here is a link that might be useful: scroll down for info on aluminum

"Posted by eandhl (My Page) on Thu, Jun 19, 08 at 18:25
I never tried the liq stuff, just the powder. I love how well the stuff works but I do wish is smelled better."

I thought it was just me. It does stink. I was using it with a sponge and kept replacing the sponge when I figured out it was the BKF. I love the stuff though, it's the only thing I use on my sink. And right now I'm out. I've never used the powder, only liquid.

Christy

I am also bothered by the smell of BKF. I use Bon Ami instead, it works great on both stainless and porcelain without scratching and has no odor. The only stain BFK worked better on for me was rust around a tub drain in a previous house.

Can you safely use it on a SS sink if you have a BN strainer??

I can always remove the strainer when I clean the sink, but I can't remove the thing the strainer sits in, which will also be BN, right?

Not sure how one can use BKF at all if there's a BN strainer (which I am now regretting getting!!).

I just checked the Bon Ami container, the only precaution is to not use it on glass or mirrors. I have used it on my bathroom sink, which is glass with a polished nickel faucet and drain with no problem. I've only used it there once or twice, though. I haven't lived in this house for long, and I'm still trying to figure out what cleaner to use where! I've been using Bon Ami for years on stainless and porcelain.

I used BKF powder to get very stubborn cooked on stain off my Bosch SS cooktop with a nylon scrubbie. It did scratch the surface, but I guess that is the nature of SS, and in time it all evens out (?).

Can you safely use it on a SS sink if you have a BN strainer??
I can always remove the strainer when I clean the sink, but I can't remove the thing the strainer sits in, which will also be BN, right?
Not sure how one can use BKF at all if there's a BN strainer (which I am now regretting getting!!).

I was heartbroken when I ruined my polished nickel sink flange with BKF shortly after install. That was a few years ago, I'm used to the dull gray flange now.

Do you think it would work well on a stove? I have a white Frigidaire gas stove.

I use it my Frigidaire gas stove. I add just enough water to make a paste and let it sit on the brown spots while I clean the rest of the kitchen. The spots come off with no scrubbing after about 10 minutes.

I meant the spots come off with minimal scrubbing. They don't vanish like magic, lol. It still takes a bit of elbow grease with a sponge or miracle cloth.

Thank you for the warning Stonegirl - I haven't used it but if I had a stain as a last resort I might have considered it.