Tips for Protecting Bare Aluminum

If you have purchased an aluminum product, you will want to keep it looking shiny and new for as long as possible. How you protect the bare aluminum will depend on the product, but here are some tips that will help you.

Seasoning Your Aluminum Pans

Always season an aluminum pan before you us it. To season an aluminum pan, heat a little vegetable oil in the pan until the oil has evaporated. Wipe the pan around with a soft cloth afterward and wash the pan in warm soapy water to get rid of any residue. Seasoning your pans properly will help them handle heat.

Washing Aluminum Pans and Utensils

If you are washing aluminum utensils and pans, never put them in the dishwasher as this can damage and scratch the aluminum. Always wash your aluminum by hand in warm soapy water with a soft cloth. Never use scourers or abrasive scratching pads as these can damage the surface of your aluminum. Make sure you do not clean aluminum when it is too hot to touch.

Storing Aluminum Pans and Utensils

Always store pans and utensils carefully to prevent them from getting damaged or scratched.

Cooking Tips

If you are cooking with aluminum pans or utensils, always use oil or butter as this gives a good protective layer. Try not to let food burn in your pans, however burning occurs, try and remove any stuck food with soap and water rather than using a scraper as this can damage the surface of the aluminum.

Think carefully about what you cook in your aluminum pans. Highly acidic foods such as apples, tomatoes and asparagus can cause oxidization which will leave an unattractive brown and gray coating on your pans. Oxidization can be difficult to remove and if you find that you cannot remove it, you may have to dispose of the pan. If, however, you do find you have oxidization on your pan, remove gently using a solution of cream of tartar, vinegar and hot water. Dissolve 2 tsps. of cream of tartar and a tbsp. of vinegar per quart into hot water and leave this in the pan for around 20 minutes.

Removing Limescale

You can remove limescale from aluminum products such as tea kettles by boiling equal parts of vinegar and water and leaving the item to stand for an hour. This should break down the limescale making it easier to clean. Make sure you rinse well before using the product.

Cleaning Products

Be very cautious about the cleaning products that you use on all aluminum products. Always choose a product that is non-abrasive and make sure you apply the product with a soft cloth rather than a scourer or steel wool. It is always a good idea to test any cleaning products or solvents on a small section of the aluminum before using. That way you can make sure the product won’t damage the aluminum.

Polishing Aluminum

A good quality silver polish will give aluminum a lovely shine. However make sure you apply with a soft cloth and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.