Darkened aluminum ware

[polkanut]

The dw detergent that I prefer is very chlorinated, and it does quite a number on my aluminum cookware, baking pans, etc. What can I do besides switching detergents, to prevent or lessen this problem? The link is to the MSDS for the detergent.

P.S., Other than the problem mentioned above, it does a fantastic job. It is still loaded with STPP also.

http://www.stearnspkg.com/all_tek708tek.pdf

 

[polkanut]

Try this link instead, sorry.

http://www.stearnspkg.com/all_tek/708tek.pdf

 

[tomturbomatic]

An acid cleaner for stainless steel will brighten the aluminum. Then polish with SOS or Brillo pads, especially on the surfaces that come in contact with food.

SOS or Brillo had an ad campaign in the late 60s or maybe the 70s with this beautiful Italian Mama Celeste-type woman holding a 12" Farberware stainless steel skillet so that the inside faced the camera. One half of the inside surface had been cleaned with the soap pad and one side had not. No food stuck on the side cleaned with the soap pad. The other side? Feh.

 

[maytagbear]

To brighten aluminum ware

boil a strong solution of cream of tartar in it. Cream of tartar is a mild acid, found in the spice rack of the supermarket. Cream of tartar+water+heat+time = shiny aluminum.

It is a leavening agent, and used in the making of Snickerdoodle cookies.

It also is an interfering agent, preventing crystallisation in candy making.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[polkanut]

Lawrence,

Will this work on items that have been darkened by chlorine contact, as well as acidic foods?

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Aluminum cookware and baking pans don't belong in the dishwasher. Wash & dry them by hand.

Ken D.

 

[brisnat81]

I dont know what happened. My grandmother used to put her range of aluminum cookware, including an aluminium Sunbeam electric frypan through the dishwasher always. She used chlorinated Finish and never had an issue. She was doing this as late as 2003.

Since the move away from chlorinated detergents, I'm yet to find one that doesnt turn any aluminium black. I dont know what it is, but these days I just have to scrub by hand.

 

[maytagbear]

Tim-

It's worked perfectly for me no matter what the cause of the darkening may be.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[polkanut]

Lawrence,

TYVM!

 

[sudsmaster]

Only anodized aluminum should be put into a dishwasher, and even then you're risking corroding it.

I believe the washing soda and phosphate in dw detergent, combined with high heat, is what corrodes/darkens aluminum. Washing by hand will avoid the problem.

 

[hunter]

Switch to CalBen dishwasher detergent will work.

If you switch to the calben brand of dishwasher detergent (find it at calbenpuresoap.com), it IS safe for aluminum.

It is also the most incredibly good dishwasher detergent I have ever used. It isn't cheap ($11 I think for a 5 pound box) BUT since you only need a single tablespoon one box lasts near a year.

Hunter

 

[tlee618]

Tell us more about CalBen, where do you get it? Thanks, Terry

 

[hunter]

from their website.

I get it from their website:

calbenpuresoap.com

I also use their soap. And their laundry detergent. It cleans better than anything I have ever used. And it has no scent to speak of.

Their soap is top notch. I use it as a bath soap and as a shaving soap. It doesn't have noxious ingredients in it (for those who use shaving cream, I read the back of the tin one day and said 'what is all this stuff?' so I bought a shaving brush and never went back).

You're all gonna laugh, but I buy the soap by the 100 bar case - at 103 dollars for 100 bars, it is a bargain AND it lasts > 1 year (there are 2 of us who use it, so we probably go through only a bar a week, so a case lasts 2 years). It's better than Doctor Bronners in my opinion, and costs 25% of it.

below is the link to the dishwasher soap.

They sell sample packs, but they do NOT have dishwasher detergent in it.

I put my aluminum percolator guts in it all the time, with NO pitting.

http://calbenpuresoap.com/destain.htm