Eliminating The Oxide: Restoring Aluminum Pans To Their Former Glory

Aluminium is a highly versatile material used to make many things, from cooking pans to baking racks and oven racks. However, it tends to oxidise over time, resulting in a layer of grey, chalky cast on the surface of the metal. This happens when the metal reacts with oxygen in the moisture or air. While oxidation is a natural process, it can be prevented by storing your aluminium pans in a cabinet instead of leaving them outside.

Oxidation can also occur when acidic foods are prepared in the pan, or when aluminium pans are washed in the dishwasher. The friction from aluminium objects rubbing together eats away at the protective layer on the pan, causing oxidation to occur faster.

How to Remove Aluminum Oxide and Aluminum Pans

Use vinegar to soak the pan

Vinegar is a great cleaning solution and is a multipurpose product. It works very well in removing burnt food, stains, and helping to clean rust. To use vinegar to clean your aluminium pan, follow these steps:

Method 1

• Add 1 cup of vinegar to your pan. If your pan is larger, simply adjust the amount of vinegar used so that it completely covers the bottom of the pan.
• Leave the pan to soak overnight.
• In the morning, give the pan a good scrub with a cleaning sponge.

Method 2

• Add vinegar to your pan and ensure that it covers the bottom.
• Place the pan on the stove and bring the vinegar to a boil.
• Let the vinegar simmer for 2 minutes and then turn off the heat.
• Allow the pan to cool down completely.
• Scrub the pan and the rust should be gone.

Method 3

• Combine vinegar, salt, and flour to make a paste. Ensure you make enough to form a creamy concoction.
• Put some of the paste on a soft cloth and rub it onto the aluminium surface.
• Leave the paste on for at least 15 minutes.
• Wipe the paste off and rinse and dry the pan.

Method 4

• Dribble vinegar directly onto a soft cloth.
• Rub the surface of the pan with the cloth.
• Go over the pan with a damp cloth.
• Rinse and dry the pan.

General Tips

• Always wear gloves when handling vinegar or other acidic substances to protect your hands.
• Avoid using metal sponges or any kind of metal objects to clean aluminium as they could cause scratches.
• Clean your aluminium items regularly. The longer you leave it, the thicker the oxidation or dirt layer will become and the more difficult it will be to clean.
• For tough, burnt-on food, try using an onion. Leave the pan to soak and then use a plastic spatula to remove the softened pieces of food.

Try a potato scrub

If your aluminium pan has only light rust issues, a potato scrub is a gentle method you can try to remove oxidation. This method uses the natural juices found in potatoes to help loosen and get rid of the rust in pans.

To start, cut a potato in half and dip it in some baking soda. Place the potato in the pan and rub the baking soda and potato over the rust patches. You may need to do this more than once, reapplying the baking soda each time. Once you are sure the rust has been removed, rinse the pan with water and wash it with soapy water.

Remember that this method is only suitable for light rust issues. For more serious problems, you may have better success with other methods such as a salt scrub, scouring the pan, or a vinegar soak.

Use lemon juice

Lemon juice is an effective way to clean oxidized aluminum pans. Lemon juice is an acidic cleaner that can help to break down the oxidation on your pans.

First, rinse the pan under a strong jet of water to remove any surface dust or debris. Then, fill the pan with water and bring it to a boil for about five minutes. Take the pan off the stove, wait for the water to cool slightly, and use a flat-edge spatula to scrape off any remaining food residue.

Next, pour out the water and fill the pan with a mixture of lemon juice and water. Use the juice of one lemon and add enough water to cover any oxidized areas. Bring this mixture to a boil and let it bubble for about ten minutes. Then, pour out the liquid and scrub the pan well. Drain the pan and check to see if all the rust spots are gone. If not, simply repeat the process until the pan is spotless. Finally, wash the pan with warm soapy water and rinse it thoroughly.

Lemon juice can also be used to clean larger aluminum surfaces. Soak a cloth in lemon juice, wipe it across the oxidation, and scrub with a soft-bristled brush. Wipe away the lemon juice and lifted oxidation with a damp cloth. For particularly tough patches of oxidation, dip a slice of lemon in some salt to add abrasiveness and rub it against the oxidation.

Lemon juice is a great natural alternative to commercial aluminum cleaners, which can sometimes contain chemicals that are harmful to aluminum.

Apply a commercial cleaner

If natural cleaning methods don't work to remove the oxidation from your aluminium pans, you can try a commercial aluminium cleaner. These are widely available and can be very effective. However, it is important to choose a cleaner that is specifically designed for use on aluminium. Many commercial cleaners contain ammonia, trisodium phosphate, and other chemicals that can be harmful to aluminium.

Before applying the commercial cleaner, make sure you have removed as much oxidation as possible using the methods outlined above. Then, put on gloves and carefully read and follow the instructions on the product packaging. Apply the cleaner to the affected areas of the pan, using a small amount and focusing on the most prominent areas of oxidation. Allow the cleaner to sit on the pan for the recommended duration, which will give it time to break down the oxidation.

Once the recommended time has passed, take a soft sponge or cloth and gently scrub the pan using circular motions and moderate pressure. Rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water, ensuring that all traces of the cleaner are removed. Finally, dry the pan completely with a clean towel, ensuring that no moisture is left on the surface, as this can contribute to further oxidation.

Use a metal polishing paste

To remove oxidation from your aluminium pans, you can use a metal polishing paste. This can be purchased from any home improvement store. Metal polishing pastes can clean the surface of aluminium and remove oxidation.

To use a metal polishing paste, follow the instructions on the packaging. You should always wear gloves when handling metal polishing pastes and other commercial cleaning products.

Before applying the metal polishing paste, you should first clean the pan thoroughly and use natural methods to remove as much oxidation as possible. Start by rinsing the pan under a strong jet of water to remove surface dust or debris. If there is still oxidation, create a mixture of 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of white vinegar with 2 cups (480 mL) of warm water and wipe down the pan with the mixture. The acid in the vinegar will help to break down the oxidation.

If there is still oxidation remaining, you can try a lemon juice and salt scrub. Cut a lemon in half and dip it in salt, then rub the salted lemon against the oxidation. The acid from the lemon mixed with the salt's abrasiveness should remove most stubborn stains.

If the oxidation is still not coming off, you can try a commercial oxidation remover, which can be found at your local hardware store.

Frequently asked questions