Cleaning Magnalite Pans: Tips For Sparkling Cookware

Magnalite cookware is made from a mix of aluminium and magnesium alloy, and requires special treatment to keep it in good condition. While simple discolouration won't affect the performance of Magnalite pans, it's still important to know how to restore shine and prevent staining. To clean Magnalite pans, start by holding the cookware under warm running water to loosen debris. Massage in some regular dish soap and work it into the pan with your hand, letting it sit for a minute or two. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or sponge to remove any remaining food debris, and then rinse the pan under warm water to remove all traces of soap. Bleach can be used to sanitise the cookware. To remove discolouration, scrub the affected areas with a wool pad and warm water, or use a paste made from cream of tartar and water.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or sponge

Magnalite cookware is made from a mix of aluminium and magnesium alloy and requires special treatment to keep it in good condition. To clean your Magnalite pan, start by holding it under warm running water to loosen any debris. Massage some regular dish soap, without added chemicals, onto the pan and let it sit for a minute or two.

Next, use a soft-bristled toothbrush or sponge without scrubbers to gently work the soap into the pan. Be sure to never use a scratch pad or any other harsh object on Magnalite cookware, as this could damage the surface coating. If there is still food debris stuck to the pan, soak it in warm soapy water before rinsing.

It is important to always rinse the cookware thoroughly under warm water to remove all traces of dish soap. Allowing soap to dry on the pan could damage the material. To sanitise your Magnalite pan, mix two teaspoons of regular unscented bleach into two gallons of warm water and soak the pan in this solution for one minute. This will sanitise your pan in a similar way to a dishwasher, but without the risk of damage that comes with putting Magnalite cookware in the dishwasher. Always wear gloves when handling bleach.

Avoid harsh chemicals, scratch pads, and machine washing

Magnalite cookware is made from a mix of aluminium and magnesium alloy, which requires special treatment to keep it in good condition. To clean your Magnalite pans, you should avoid using harsh chemicals, scratch pads, and machine washing, as these can damage the surface coating of the pan.

Harsh chemicals such as oven cleaners like Easy-Off should be avoided as they are too caustic for the aluminium. Instead, you can use basic household items such as vinegar, cream of tartar, or Barkeeper's Friend to clean and restore shine to your Magnalite pans. You can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a sponge without scrubbers to gently clean the surface of the pan.

If you have burnt-on grease or food debris, you can try using specialised products like Carbon-Off and Sokoff, which are designed to clean aluminium pots. These products can be found at restaurant supply stores or select websites. Alternatively, you can try boiling vinegar or lemon juice in the pan, or soaking it in warm soapy water, to help loosen the burnt-on residue.

It is important to note that Magnalite pans should not be soaked in water for extended periods, as this can lead to further discolouration. Always dry your pans thoroughly with a towel after washing and sanitise them regularly with a mild bleach solution to maintain their durability and shine.

Sanitise with bleach

Magnalite cookware is made from a mix of aluminium and magnesium alloy, which requires special treatment to keep it in top condition. To sanitise your Magnalite pans with bleach, follow these steps:

First, ensure you are wearing gloves to protect your hands from the bleach. Then, hold the pan under warm running water to loosen any debris. Next, apply a small amount of regular dish soap (with no added chemicals) to the pan and work it in with your hand. Let the soap sit for a minute or two. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a sponge without scrubbers to work the soap into the pan gently. Do not use a scratch pad or any harsh objects, as these could damage the surface coating.

If there is still food debris stuck to the pan, soak the cookware in warm, soapy water for a while. Then, rinse the pan under warm water to remove all traces of dish soap. It is important to ensure that you do not let the soap dry on the pan, as this could damage the material.

Now you can sanitise your pan with bleach. Mix two teaspoons of regular unscented bleach with two gallons of warm water. Soak your Magnalite pan in this solution for one minute. This will sanitise your pan in a similar way to a dishwasher, but without the risk of damaging your Magnalite cookware. Finally, rinse the pan with warm water to remove any traces of bleach solution.

Repeat this sanitising process once a week to ensure your Magnalite pans are thoroughly cleaned and sanitised.

Remove discolouration with vinegar

To remove discolouration from your Magnalite pan with vinegar, follow these steps:

Firstly, scrub the discoloured areas with a wool pad. Rinse the pan with warm water. If the stains persist, mix cream of tartar with water to create a paste and scrub this onto the entire surface of the pan. Rinse the paste off and towel dry the pan.

If the discolouration is still visible, add a couple of teaspoons of white vinegar to the pan and fill it with warm water. Place the pan on the stove and bring the water to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and allow it to cool completely. As the vinegar changes temperature, it will help to lift the discoloured areas. Remember to dump the water as soon as the pan is cool and towel dry.

As an alternative to vinegar, you can try boiling water with cream of tartar or lemon juice. Soak the pan in this solution for an hour and then remove it carefully. You may need to repeat this process several times.

Restore shine with Barkeepers Friend

Magnalite pans are made from a mix of aluminium and magnesium alloy, and they require proper maintenance and cleaning to ensure they keep their durable finish.

To restore shine to Magnalite pans, you can use Bar Keepers Friend, a cleanser and polisher that is useful for removing discolouration and restoring shine to household surfaces.

Step 1: Clean your pan

First, clean your pan thoroughly. Hold the pan under warm running water to loosen any debris. Massage some regular dish soap onto the pan with your hand and let it sit for a minute or two. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or a sponge to gently clean the pan. Rinse the pan under warm water to remove all traces of soap.

Step 2: Soak the pan

If there is still food debris stuck to the bottom of your pan, soak it in warm, soapy water for a while.

Step 3: Sanitise the pan

Mix two teaspoons of regular unscented bleach into two gallons of warm water. Soak your pan in this solution for one minute. This will sanitise your pan in a similar way to a dishwasher. Remember to wear gloves when handling bleach.

Step 4: Dry the pan

Rinse the pan with warm water to remove any bleach solution. Dry the pan thoroughly with a towel.

Step 5: Apply Bar Keepers Friend

Now your pan is clean, you can apply Bar Keepers Friend to restore shine. Follow the instructions on the Bar Keepers Friend packaging, and be sure to rinse the pan thoroughly after polishing to remove any residue or abrasive materials.

Step 6: Season the pan

To finish, season your pan. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Pour some olive oil or vegetable oil onto a paper towel and wipe the oil onto all interior surfaces of the pan. Place the oiled pan in the oven for one to two hours.

By following these steps, you can restore shine to your Magnalite pans and prolong their lifespan.

Frequently asked questions