It makes sense to use aluminum cookware because it lets you cook restaurant-quality meals at home. It’s fast and even heating, and it’s often oven safe. However, aluminum pots and pans tend to leave persistent stains and may even leave a black residue so knowing the best way to clean them is important.

How to Clean Aluminum Pots and Pans

You can easily handwash your dirty aluminum pans with mild dish soap and water. If necessary, you may also remove stubborn food using a wooden spoon. Tough stains or blackening of aluminum pans are pretty common due to the general wear and tear as well as the aluminum oxidation. You can aluminum cleaning solution for this, or make your own using lemon juice or baking soda. Just add 2 tbsp. of either cream of tartar, white vinegar, or lemon juice with water and boil the mixture in the aluminum pan. Discard and wash thoroughly and you should have a clean and shiny aluminum surface.

Model Featured: Vollrath N3409

Daily Maintenance: Aluminum Pots and Pans

Step 1: Wash Dirty Aluminum Pan

Let your dish or casserole cool down before serving. Wash away any existing grease or grimes with warm water, dish detergent, and a sponge. Scrub burnt foods using the rough edge of a sponge. If necessary, you may also remove stubborn food using a wooden spoon.

Step 2: Use or Create a Cleaning Solution

Use an appropriate aluminum cleaner if you have it. You can also create a cleaning solution that is acidic in nature and use this to remove discoloration/ white, chalky residue caused by aluminum oxidation. To make this, follow these steps:

• Put 1 quart of water into a vessel.
• Add 2-3 tablespoons cream of tartar/ white vinegar/ lemon juice.
• Stir the mixture together.

Step 3: Bring the Mixture to a Boil

Then, heat up the mixture in your pot or pan until it boils for about 10 to 15 minutes. Turn off the stove and discard. This should leave your aluminum pots and pans bright and shiny again!

Step 4: Wash Normally

To get rid of any remaining discolorations, use dish soap, and warm water. Do not use steel wire brushes or an abrasive scrubber, as this could damage your cookware. Instead, use a non-abrasive sponge and then dry them with a soft cloth.

Step 5: Polish Exterior

To get rid of any discolorations on the outside of your pot, use silver polish or an appropriate commercial metal polish to remove them, then rinse it off with warm water, a sponge, and some liquid soap.

How to Fix a Blackened Aluminum Pan

Over time, aluminum pots, dishes, utensils, and even aluminum sinks can get dull. This tarnish is harmless and caused by oxidized aluminum. Don't worry though, you can restore the shine by using some homemade cleaners or store-bought aluminum cleaning products.

Hack #1: Soak with Homemade Cleaning Solution

• If the pan is large enough, add some water, plus a few teaspoons of lemon juice or cream of tartar.
  • An alternative is to mix 1 quart of water, 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar, and 1/2 cup of vinegar.
• Boil the mixture for 10 minutes and then discard. After using the baking soda trick, rinse the skillet thoroughly with hot soapy water.
• Then wipe out the skillet with a clean towel.
• Don’t let the skillet sit wet for too long after rinsing.
• If there are any white spots left on the skillet, use a toothbrush dipped in vinegar to scrub them away. The acid in vinegar should remove the discoloration.

Hack #2: Use Apples!

You can easily create a simple and all-natural cleanser using just two basic products. The acid from apple peels can get rid of stains from pans.

• First, heat up some water in the stained aluminum pot.
• Put apple peels into the boiling water.
• After that, lower the temperature and let the apples simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
• After boiling the apples for 10 minutes, drain off the liquid and let the pan cool down.
• Wash out the pan with mild soap and water.

Hack #3: Use Lemon Cleanser

Another variation to the homemade cleansers includes lemon juice.

• For each quart of water, mix 2 tablespoons of a cleaning agent of your choice: white vinegar, cream of tartar, or lemon juice.
• Boil the mixture and then let it simmer for about 15 minutes. As time passes, the pot should become cleaner and shinier.
• Discard the solution and wash the pot out with mild dish soap and water.
• Use a non-abrasive scrubbing pad to remove stubborn stains.
• Use a clean cloth to dry it off.

Hack #4: Good Old Scrub

If the item is not deep enough or if its exterior surface is also discolored with food stains, mix baking soda and white wine vinegar (or lemon juice) and a stainless steel scrubbing pad to clean it up. Let it sit for a few moments before spreading it out. After rinsing, use a microfiber cloth to dry.

Hack #5: Use a Baking Soda Cleanser

You can create a baking soda paste that will help with discoloration.

• Start by adding a small amount of water to baking soda to make baking soda paste.
• Gradually stir in enough water so that the mixture remains thick but not too runny.
• You can use this with a synthetic scouring pad to polish both cast and flat aluminum. It's an all-natural alternative that brings out the shine of the pan.

Hack #6: Spot Clean Using Spray

If any dark spots persist, mix together equal amounts of water and white vinegar in a spray container and spray thoroughly. Use a grade steel wool pad to tackle particularly stubborn spots, then wash and dry.

How to Polish Aluminum Pots & Pans

To clean the inside of an old pot or pan, use a nonabrasive metal polish. Follow the instructions carefully so that you don't damage the material. Aluminum is sensitive to some chemicals.

How to Prevent Tarnishing on Aluminum Pots & Pans

There are several ways to prevent tarnish from occurring.

• If you want to prevent discoloration, don't let aluminum cookware soak in soapy water too long.
• You shouldn't wash any metal items in a dishwasher because they could rust. Instead, use a sponge or soft cloth to clean them by rubbing gently. It will help your pots and pan last longer.

Model Featured: Vollrath E4008