Is it safe to use this pan?!

Scrap it. Thank goodness it was inexpensive. Sometimes its true, you get what you pay for, right. I feel like its unsafe because the scorching may have caused a reaction in the metal of the pan, possibly disrupting the integrity of the nonstick surface, which could then get into your food. When in doubt, throw it out. The thing to look for in a pan is that you want a heavy bottom (the whole thing should feel heavy). My preference is the pans (all pans, not just frying) should have a non-stick coat, rather than stainless steel. Look for things like hard anodized, and black colored cooking surfaces. Shiny silver surfaces are difficult to cook with. Stainless is gorgeous when its brand new, but it turns colors after use, is suspetible to scorching, and everything you cook will stick to the bottom without constant attention. When youre in the kitchen, you dont want to be strapped babysitting a pan when you could be doing something else like preparing a dinner salad. If you look at is as an investment into something youre going to use daily, take good care of, and have for a long time, Id recommend calphalon pans - they are amazing! If youre on a smaller budget, I think Rachel Ray has some decent items, and they are very reasonably priced (calphalon would be about $35 - 50, Rachel more like $20 and just as good - mostly).

I hope this helps!

Cook for a living

If I were you, I would avoid using this pan anymore. I know it seems like $6 down the drain - but given that you're not sure what the caused the light brown ring on the inside, it's not worth taking a risk for %6. Use the pan for self-defence (kidding) or decorate it when you're stressed out and make a wall hanging out of it. Hope you find a good safe and inexpensive pan soon.

It is safe to use the pan. Most mass manufactures of cheaper products are from overseas. They will coat the metal in a a hard oil to protect from corrosion. Once burned off just use an SOS pad to remove the scorching. Best to leave the pan on low heat for 15-20 min. at first.

Same goes with cheap fryers and gas grills. Sorry I did not notice you mentioned browning on the inside of the pan earlier. I would discard the pan.

Not really just buy a new one. It may just be burning of things on the bottom of the pan but better be on the safe side.

Funny you should ask this my sister recently bought a pan with a steel handle. Who puts a steel handle on a pan you can't pick it up after you have used it for longer than a minute.

your best bet for a fry pan is a black cast iron skillet, as it retains flavor of the foods you cook, and will last a lifetime. in fact they sell pots and pans in cast iron too.

Throw it away ! and get a good nonstick pan you want a heavier pan than the one you just burnt. Paula Dean puts out a good pan, and remember don't use a metal spatula will scratch the surface of the pan.

throw it away.i wouldn't think it is safe.

yeah