How to clean an aluminum pan

An aluminum pan heats up faster due to the lightness of the metal it is made of. This is why housewives and cooks love to use it. In addition, this cookware is inexpensive. However, with prolonged use, carbon deposits form, which literally “eat into” the pan.

Features of using aluminum pans

When using this type of pots, you should be careful. The material does not withstand high temperatures, so it is better not to use them in the oven and microwave, otherwise deformation occurs, and harmful substances penetrate into the food. It is especially harmful to cook foods with a high concentration of acidity, since aluminum reacts. This container is not suitable for baking, stewing meat. Also, due to the chemical reaction of the metal, you should not store food in it for a long time. But boiling water, cooking compotes and soups in it will be very convenient and quick.

Types of contamination of the pan inside and outside

Limescale

It appears on the surface of dishes if the water in the house is hard. The formation of scale is not a harmless phenomenon. It not only slows down the heating of water, but also leads to health problems (the kidneys and urinary system suffer). Trying to scrub off the scale, you risk damaging the surface of the pan. To clean the dishes from scale, it is advisable to boil them with a soda solution or rinse with vinegar.

Fat

Remains on the pan after cooking fatty foods. If the container is not washed from fat in a timely and high-quality manner, it will lose its former shine, scratches and stains will form. And damaged aluminum is dangerous to health, due to the risk of a chemical reaction with food. To clean the pan from fat, it should be soaked for 30-60 minutes in warm water with detergent.

Burnt food

If the cook hesitated while cooking and the food managed to burn, then it will not be easy to wash it off with a light movement of the sponge. It is better to boil water with a solution of baking soda in it, and then rinse in warm water.

Carbon deposits on burnt dishes

Stubborn traces of soot and fat turn into carbon deposits. Carbon deposits form not only if the housewife forgets to turn off the stove in time. Fatty products during cooking get on the outer walls of the pan and are absorbed into it. The carbon deposit layer increases each time and it is increasingly difficult to get rid of it. Especially when it comes to aluminum cookware. The appearance of the container deteriorates: it turns black and looks repulsive. Carbon deposits are as dangerous to health as other types of dirt and are not easy to deal with. For these reasons, housewives often ask themselves: how to clean carbon deposits from an aluminum pan?

How to clean aluminum pans from carbon deposits at home

If you have a burnt aluminum pan, you need to know how to clean it using all possible means. Everything depends on the degree of contamination, the time you can spend on cleaning, as well as the characteristics of the pan itself.

If the pan has a stainless steel coating, you need to take special care of its preservation. Food cooked in stainless steel preserves its beneficial properties longer. This coating does not react with products and substances, which means it preserves the health of those who use aluminum cookware. Aggressive cleaning methods can destroy the coating, leave scratches and damage, due to which the pan will lose its protective properties.

Household chemicals

There are ready-made products that can be used to clean a burnt pan. They are sold in any store specializing in household chemicals. The choice of cleaning products is huge, but they contain alkalis and acids, which have a negative effect on such a fragile and susceptible metal as aluminum. When working with such products, you should wear gloves and thoroughly ventilate the room.

Improvised methods and means

To clean the carbon deposits, improvised means are suitable. Many household items can be useful: vinegar, alcohol, acid, soda, salt, tooth powder.

You can get rid of carbon deposits by heating them on a stove. Heat the pan for a couple of hours, then remove all unnecessary parts. The room should be thoroughly ventilated. This should be done carefully so that the soft metal does not deform.

Vinegar, citric acid and soda are often used to clean the bottom of the pan. There are also methods that help clean both the inside and outside of the pan.

How to clean a burnt pan with citric acid

1. Boil a small amount of water.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of citric acid.
3. Boil this solution for 15-20 minutes.
4. Scrape off the carbon deposits as they soften.
5. Rinse the pan under warm water.

How to Clean a Pot with Vinegar

Vinegar is an effective solution, but is not suitable for enamel surfaces.

1. The bottom of the pan is filled with a 9% vinegar solution for 2-3 hours.
2. The carbon deposit is scraped off as it softens.
3. The pan is washed under warm water.

We use salt

Salt is one of the best means for cleaning aluminum containers. It perfectly absorbs fat and removes burnt-on food. It is also suitable for enamel surfaces.

1. Pour salt into the bottom of the pan and add a couple of drops of water or detergent.
2. Rub the resulting mixture with paper napkins or a towel.
3. Rinse the pan under warm water.

Cleaning with soda

This method is not suitable for aluminum cookware without enamel or non-stick coating!

1. Dilute a solution of water and soda 1:1. Add a little water so that it just covers the bottom.
2. Bring the solution to a boil.
3. Remove from heat and let stand for 15-20 minutes.
4. Scrape off the softened carbon deposits.
5. Rinse the pan under warm water.

How to wash dishes with PVA glue

If you need to get rid of dirt inside.

1. Take 2 tablespoons of glue and 2 tablespoons of grated laundry soap.
2. Dissolve these ingredients in water.
3. Boil for 30-40 minutes with the lid closed, then remove any remaining carbon deposits with a sponge.

If you need to clean the outside of the pan from blackness, you need to use a larger container.

1. Pour half a glass of PVA glue into the container and add 1 piece of grated laundry soap.
2. Pour in water and put on the fire.
3. Stir gradually until the soap dissolves and place the dishes to be cleaned into the solution.
4. Boil for an hour, covering the container with a lid.
5. Remove the aluminum product and clean it with a sponge.

Activated carbon cleaning

This product is used to clean pots from the outside and inside.

1. The powdered coal tablets are mixed with water to form a paste.
2. The gruel is applied to the dirt and left for at least 30 minutes.
3. The mixture and carbon deposits are removed with warm water and detergent.

Peculiarities of cleaning a badly burnt pan

If the pan is very burnt, it is better to use a combined method. That is, combine several of the above tips. And use them after some time. It will be effective to combine baking soda and PVA glue. And increase the processing time from 3 hours to 5.

How to restore the former shine to an aluminum pan

It is not enough to just wash the pan; you also need to restore its former shine and attractive appearance.

To do this, you will need a large container that can hold the pan and toothpaste. Toothpaste contains aluminum dioxide, which is an extremely soft abrasive. Therefore, the alloy acquires its original shine. You just need to boil the pan in a solution with toothpaste for 10 minutes.

Tartaric stone is also suitable for adding shine. This is a burgundy-red crystal formed during the production of wine. It has properties that will help restore the shine to aluminum.

How to Choose the Right Method for Cleaning

The choice of method depends on the degree of contamination, the age of the pan and its volume. By choosing the most effective but less gentle method, you risk ruining the dishes. Perhaps you could have done it with less bloodshed.

Please note that the outer, inner or both sides need to be cleaned.

How badly has the surface burned? How long has the pan been in this condition? After assessing all the factors, choose the appropriate method. The most gentle means is activated carbon. Household chemicals should be used as a last resort.

What products should not be used

Aluminum is a very finicky metal, it is easy to damage and spoil it. To prevent this from happening, you should know a number of taboos and never use the following means.

• Metal brushes and sponges that can damage the surface.
• A cleaning powder that leaves scratches.
• Dishwasher. High temperature may cause the pan to deform.
• Sand, chalk, sandpaper and other aggressive methods of dealing with burnt dishes

Care of dishes and prevention of carbon deposits

Once the pan is cleaned, it is necessary to keep it in this condition for a long time. It is better to prevent the appearance of carbon deposits than to fight them with aggressive methods.

• Wash pans immediately after use, without leaving or soaking them.
• Wipe the surface thoroughly with a dry towel to ensure that no trace of grease remains.
• When cooking, use only wooden or silicone spatulas. Using a fork or knife will quickly scratch the surface, and fat will accumulate and burn in the damaged areas.
• It is not recommended to pickle products in aluminum containers. Pickling occurs due to the release of acid, which causes the aluminum to darken.
• Always remove any leftover food from aluminum cookware after cooking.
• You cannot store food in such containers.
• After washing, always wipe the container dry with a towel.
• To avoid damaging the bottom, try to cook food on low heat. Do not leave aluminum utensils wet, as this will cause the metal to darken.

By following the simplest rules for using and storing aluminum cookware, you can extend its service life, prevent possible harm to health, and save on buying a new pan.

VIDEO: How to easily clean aluminum cookware.