Magnalite Wagnerware Cookware

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timborow

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Oct 28, 2005
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Does anyone have a good method of cleaning this type of cookware? We have an old 4qt. roaster that's quite dirty on the inside. I have used Bar Keepers Friend and a soft sponge, but the pan still has some brown burned spots that won't budge. I read on line that someone put theirs through a partial clean in a self cleaning oven and it came out nicely. I'm just afraid of what that much heat will do the Bakelite handle on the lid ( it's dirty too). I also saw someone say they used Easy-Off. Before I try these methods, I just thought I would ask here.

Thanks,
Tim
 
Depends on the Spot

If the spot is burned-on grease or food, Brillo and elbow grease will usually take care of it. Bar Keeper's Friend (a cleanser; it's on the same shelf as Comet in your grocery store) will also help remove this type of spot.

If it's a discoloration, Hans's advice is good (though you may not want to eat the food, depending on how you feel about aluminum), or you can fill the pot with water and put in some cream of tartar (spice aisle in the grocer's), then bring to a boil for a while.
 
CLR or similar acid-based lime remover will also brighten the pan. Club Aluminum used to talk about turning the pan upside down over a burner on a stove and doing a little small scale self cleaning. I did that with a pan on my outside gas stove but first, you remove the knob on the lid.
 
I use a Brillo pad. Hans is right about the discoloration, a pot of stewed tomatoes and you're in business. Honestly, though, my Magnalite has never discolored the way Guardian Service does. I've always wondered if there was some difference in production, as they're both aluminum.
 
Cream of Tarter

<li class="step ">For burned-on deposits on range burner pans or casserole dishes, use a solution of two teaspoons of vinegar and two teaspoons of cream of tartar. Double the recipe for larger items. Apply with a cloth and let stand for ten minutes. Then wash the item in hot, soapy water, scrubbing as necessary</li>
<li class="step "><span class="stepNumber"> </span>

For discolored aluminum pots and pans, heat a solution of one tablespoon vinegar per of water or or two teaspoons cream of tartar per quart of water in each pan until the discoloration is gone. Utensils made from aluminum, brass, bronze or copper can be soaked in the heated solution as well to eliminate discoloration.

</li>
<li class="step ">

This has worked well for our Club pots and pans.

</li>
 
It looks like your pot is pitted as well.  This happens to older Magnalite items that see alot of use.  It's nothing to be alarmed about, it just happens with age & heavy use.
 
Thanks

For all the suggestions. We have a very nice clean set if Magnalite, but found this for $3 and decided to give it a try. Maybe I can get it clean. Will Easy Off ruin the pot?

Tim
 
I do not suggest

using Easy-Off on the interior, at all.

Start with vinegar or cream of tartar for the interior.

I have a few pieces of Magnalite, a griddle, and a covered square 2 quart casserole, and I treasure them, and use the casserole frequently.

Lawrence/Maytagbear
 
Easy-Off Problem:

The trouble with Easy-Off (or other oven cleaners) on aluminum is that aluminum is easily damaged by alkali, which oven cleaner is full of.

Oven cleaner will usually leave a dull white place wherever it's used on aluminum. It can be buffed out, but it can be quite a bit of work, depending on how long the alkali sits on the aluminum and the quality of the aluminum.

When I clean a nasty piece of vintage Farberware (stainless with an aluminum-clad bottom), oven cleaner is often the only thing that will get burned-on grease off the bottom. But it usually takes a good bit of work with a Brillo pad to shine the bottom back up and get rid of the white, dull finish the oven cleaner leaves.
 
If all else fails...

Clean it once as suggested above, then just use it and love it. I have an aluminum roaster almost identical to the one you own, and it is by far the most even heat cookware you will ever use, just use it and clean it good every time with brillo, and you will eventually wear some of it down, if not all down. I think the most loved pieces, can have a few battle scars on them, it just shows how much you love them. I try to keep my cookware as near to spotless as possible, but this type will always have a few stains on them. Enjoy it!

Hugs
David
 
Please don't put the bakelite stuff in the oven. Bakelite is a resin and it doesn't take normal oven temps very well - it will char and eventually crumble. Self-cleaning oven temps would be even quicker destruction.

As I understand it, Magnalite was an alloy of aluminum and magnesium (hence its lighter weight and excellent heat conductivity). It was anodized inside and out (I think) and it does look like the corrosion in your pot has eaten through the interior anodizing, leaving pits. I don't know if there is any way to correct this, although perhaps if you abrade or sand off the anodize layer you might be able to level the surface and get rid of the pits. It would be a lot of work, and then you'd have a non-anodized interior surface that will corrode more quickly.

I have a small set of Wagner Magnalite. Unfortunately it was a variant with teflon interiors. The coating was supposed to be very durable, as it was applied to a thin layer of stainless steel on the interior (or so the accompanying literature claimed). The problem I've run into is that the teflon on the frying pan wore away and then the stainless, being rather thin (more like a plating) also wore out, and the aluminum alloy underneath pitted. I've been tempted to take an abrasive wheel to it and remove all that stuff... someday... It is a very nice frying pan, in terms of flatness and heat distribution.

The pots in the set have also had some pitting as well - it shows up as white bumps if the pot is left in water for a length of time. I'm guessing the teflon/stainless coating was a desperate attempt on the part of Wagner to have Magnalite catch up with the rest of the market. Too bad, since I understand the plain anodized interiors generally held up pretty well.
 
Safety

I think the black spots are due to pitting. I'm not sure that it will ever look as good as our other set. I've tried the cleaning methods and it looks much better. The aluminum is nice and shiny, but the black spots won't come off. I can even feel the bumps in the bottom of the pan. Would it be safe to use the way it is now?

Tim
 
Tim,

It should be fine to use as it is.  I have my grandmother's 5qt Magnalite dutch oven which is over 60yrs. old, and looks somewhat the same inside.  Just accept it for what it is.  Don't feel that it has to be picture perfect.  Love it, use it, and just live with it.  I think the whole aluminum cookware scare is just a huge bunch of hogwash!
 
AMEN!!!

Aluminum is in practically everything!,also when you use anti perspirant, you are putting on aluminum!! Common sense prevails, dont leave foods in ANY cookware after cooking, wash cookware as soon as possible, and if you will use a brillo pad evertime your aluminum will stay new looking.
 
Self clean

We decided the oven needed cleaning today, so I put the pot through a 2 hour cycle. I removed the handle and screw from the lid before doing this. It came out very clean. I polished it again with Bar Keepers Friend. It looks much better. I seasoned it with vegetable oil, and I think I have a very nice addition. Thanks for all of the advice.

Tim
 

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