ANSWERS: 4
  • If soaking and cleaning doesn't work, it may be time to let go of those pots. I would try a bicarb soak. Also, use of aluminum pots have been connected with alzheimers (not a cause & effect relationship, just an association).
  • Well you may have ruined the finish. Typically the goal for cast aluminum and cast iron is to season the skillet. By seasoning I mean allowing a build up of oils. A truly seasoned skillet or pan used to be considered an heirloom. Grandmas passed them down. You should wipe them out with a paper towel, use a small amount of dishsoap to remove residue, let the pan air dry, and then coat with cooking oil. If it were a new pan you would coat it with oil and bake it in the oven repeatedly until the desired grease build up was obtained. I know that sounds odd, but seasoned skillets and pans are in fact desirable. :) Honest!
  • Thank you so much.I knew about seasoning cast iron, but didnt know it also pertained to the aluminum.Thanks a million
  • I had the same experience - a cast aluminum elongated (2-burner) griddle from my mother (now passed on) and here's what I did that worked great. First of all, I obtained this info from a cast aluminum restoration website and followed their suggestions. Remove as much of the old "crud" as you can mechanically (no chemicals) by sanding and wire brushing the surface until down to the bare metal again. Then scrub the griddle in hot soapy water and heat it on the stovetop to dry it thoroughly. Let it cool before seasoning and peanut oil is recommended for this as it has a very high smoking point. Grapeseed or canola oil also have a higher tolerance to heat that most oils. Do not use butter, olive oil or other oils that smoke at low temperatures. If you want to be traditional you can use lard but it will build up residue faster and you will have to repeat this procedure more often. Spread the oil liberally on the top surface of the griddle (all interior surfaces of a frying pan) and put it on the stovetop over moderate heat. Remove when oil begins to smoke and let cool completely. With a clean cloth or paper towel wipe off any excess oil and your griddle or pan is ready to use. After using, clean the griddle or pan using only hot water and a scrub brush then heating briefly over the stovetop to dry thoroughly. If you do use soap to wash the griddle or pan you will need to reseason it after washing.

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