Smart Living: Cleaning Aluminum Pans The Right Way

Aluminum cookware is popular for its affordability, lightweight, and durability. However, it can get grimy and discolored over time. To clean aluminum pans, start by washing any grease or grime with warm water, dish soap, and a sponge. Use the rough side of the sponge to scrub any burnt food bits. Next, make a cleaning solution by adding an acidic ingredient like lemon juice, vinegar, or cream of tartar to water. Boil this mixture in the pan for 10-15 minutes. Turn off the heat, pour out the mixture, and give the pan a final scrub with dish soap and warm water. Dry the pan with a dish towel, and your aluminum cookware should be bright and shiny again!

Wash away grease and grime with warm water, dish soap, and a sponge

To clean your aluminium pans, start by allowing them to cool. Then, wash away any grease or grime with warm water, liquid dish soap, and a sponge. Use the rough side of the sponge to scrub away any burnt-on food. If there are stubborn bits of food, you can use a wooden spoon to dislodge them.

It's important to note that you should avoid using steel wool or other abrasive scrubbers, as these may scratch your cookware. Similarly, avoid harsh utensil cleaners, such as bleach or lime-based solutions.

Once you've scrubbed away the grease and grime with your sponge, thoroughly rinse the pan with warm water. Then, dry the pan with a dish towel or kitchen towel.

Make a cleaning solution with an acidic agent to reduce discolouration

To make a cleaning solution with an acidic agent to reduce discolouration, you can use lemon juice, cream of tartar, or vinegar. These ingredients will act as the acid in your cleaning solution and break down tough stains.

For each quart of water that you use, add two tablespoons of your chosen acid. For example, if you are using a standard 3-quart pot, you will need around 2.5 quarts of water and five tablespoons of vinegar, lemon juice, or cream of tartar.

Stir the mixture together. Then, bring it to a boil in your aluminium pan and allow it to bubble away for 10-15 minutes. Once the time has elapsed, pour the cleaning solution out and let the pan cool off for a few minutes.

After this, you can give the pan a final scrub with dish soap and warm water to ensure there is no residue left from the cleaning solution. Rinse the pan with warm water and dry it with a kitchen towel or allow it to air-dry.

Boil the cleaning solution in the pan

Once you've made your cleaning solution, it's time to fill up your aluminium pots and pans with it. You should fill them to one or two inches from the top. For every quart of water in your pan, add two tablespoons of either cream of tartar, lemon juice, or white vinegar. This means that a standard 3-quart pot will have around 2.5 quarts of water and five tablespoons of vinegar, lemon juice, or cream of tartar.

Next, bring the mixture in your pan to a boil and let it bubble away for 10 to 15 minutes. The amount of time depends on the size of your pot or pan. Smaller saucepans and pots will only need 10 minutes, while larger pots will need closer to 15 minutes.

Once the time is up, pour the cleaning solution out of the pan. Let the pan cool down for a few minutes. You can speed up this process by placing the pan in cold water, but be careful not to shock the aluminium with extremely cold water.

After your pan has cooled, give the inside of the pan another scrub with soapy water to ensure there's no residue left from the cleaning solution. Wipe the inside of the pan dry with a microfiber cloth. The inside of your pan should now be sparkling clean and stain-free.

Finish with a final scrub to remove any remaining residue

Once your aluminum pan is no longer boiling hot, finish with a final scrub to remove any remaining residue. Use a non-abrasive sponge or the coarse side of a scrub to wipe off any remaining grime. Avoid using steel wool or other abrasive scrubbers, as this may scratch your cookware.

If your pan still has some discoloration, make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply the paste to the discolored area and let it sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing away with soap and water. Rinse your pan and dry it with a dish towel.

If you're dealing with particularly stubborn stains, try using salt. Stir the lemon or vinegar into the salt so that the crystals stick, then rub the mixture onto the stubborn areas.

Always make sure to rinse your pan thoroughly and dry it completely before storing it.

Clean the exterior with silver polish or a lemon and salt solution

To clean the exterior of your aluminum pans, you can use silver polish or a lemon and salt solution.

If you choose to use silver polish, follow the manufacturer's instructions for application and removal.

If you opt for a lemon and salt solution, cut a lemon in half and dip it in table salt. Using circular motions, gently scrub the exterior of the pan with the salty lemon until you notice the surface starting to brighten. Rinse the pan with warm water, then hand-dry with a microfiber cloth.

Lemon is a great natural cleaner for aluminum, and salt adds a bit of extra abrasion to help remove stubborn stains.

You can also use lemon juice in place of fresh lemon. Simply mix lemon juice with water and bring the solution to a boil in your aluminum pan. Let it bubble away for about 10 minutes, then discard the solution and wash the pan thoroughly.

Another variation of the lemon and salt solution is to mix lemon juice with cream of tartar or white vinegar. For each quart of water, mix two tablespoons of lemon juice with two tablespoons of cream of tartar or white vinegar. Bring this mixture to a boil in your pan and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. The pot should become cleaner and shinier as time passes. Discard the solution and wash the pot with mild dish soap and water.

Always remember that aluminum is a soft metal, so avoid using metal sponges or any abrasive scrubbers as they can cause unsightly scratches.

Frequently asked questions