Magnalite cookware has been around since the 1930s and many people still don’t know how to clean magnalite pans properly. If you’re one of those people, this post is just for you!
Let’s begin with appreciating magnalite pans for the many benefits they bring to the table.
And later in this article, I will show you the step by step process of cleaning a magnalite pan.
Why People Love Using Magnalite Pans
For starters, magnalite pans are extremely durable – and who doesn’t want their baking cookware to last for years?
Its durability comes from the casting process of magnesium and aluminum alloy. Moreover, these pans have a shiny appearance, which makes them look bright and stylish.
They are also known to be excellent conductors of heat.
The Importance of Proper Maintenance of Magnalite Pans
As with any bakeware, you’d want to keep your magnalite pans in top condition by making sure that they always remain stain-free.
You must know that these pans are unique, high-quality cookware that requires proper cleaning and regular maintenance if you don’t want to lose its smooth, durable finish.
Without proper care and maintenance, the aluminum in your magnalite pan will probably cause it to become stained.
While discoloration will not compromise the performance of your pan, it will certainly make it look unappealing. Plus, the mere thought of serving food in a stained pan is so unappetizing!
Apart from this, ill-maintenance of magnalite pans can result in a pitted or flaking surface, which is extremely unhygienic. Such cookware should immediately be replaced.
Want to know how to give your magnalite pans the special treatment they truly deserve?
Let’s dive in!
How to Clean Magnalite Pans: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you love baking with magnalite pans, you should clean them thoroughly after each use. Also, it’s a good practice to sanitize them at least once a week.
For proper cleaning of your precious pans, you’ll need to gather a few things.
Items You Need:
Apart from a magnalite pan, you must have the following things before you start the cleaning process.
- Warm water
- A toothbrush with soft bristles
- Regular dish soap
- Regular bleach
- A sponge without scrubbers
Once you have everything with you, follow the steps below.
Step 1 – Remove excess food/debris
First and foremost, you’d want to get rid of the debris or food residue stuck on the surface of your magnalite pan.
You can simply do this by holding the pan under warm running water.
This will loosen all the particles and give you a plain surface to work with.
Step 2 – Apply Soap and let it soak
Next, take the dish soap that you use for regular chores and apply some to the surface of the pan.
Use your hand to massage the surface and work the soap around.
Set the pan aside for a couple of minutes and wait for the soap to do its job.
Step 3 – Rub with a soft brush or sponge
Now it’s time to use the soft-bristled toothbrush. Alternatively, you can pick a sponge that doesn’t have any scrubbers on it.
You’ll be rubbing the surface of your pan with this item so make sure that it isn’t something harsh.
Step 4 – Soak in warm water
The next step is to soak your pan in warm soapy water and wait for a few minutes if you see stubborn food debris stuck on the surface.
This step is crucial, as it will make it easier to get rid of the remaining food particles.
Step 5 – Rinse under warm water
After that, you’ll have to rinse your pan under warm running water to wash off the traces of dish soap.
It’s important to note that if you let the dish soap dry on the surface of the pan, you’ll end up ruining the finish and material of the cookware.
Step 6 – Soak in bleach to sanitize
This step is the most important. Take a couple of gallons of warm water and add two teaspoons of unscented bleach that you use regularly.
Soak your magnalite pan in this solution for one minute.
This step will sanitize your pan just like you use a dishwasher to sanitize your dishes.
Tips to Remember When Cleaning Magnalite Pans
Here are a few tips to make the cleaning process safe and efficient.
- Wash your magnalite pan with warm water and dish soap after every use
- Follow the sanitization step involving the bleach mixture once a week
- Always wear gloves when working with bleach
- Never use a scratch pad or a pointed tool on the surface of the pan because it can damage the pan’s coating
- Make sure that your dish soap has no added chemicals that can ruin the pan’s surface
Can You Restore Magnalite Pans?
If simple discoloration is your problem, then you don’t have to worry as such.
Given that your magnalite pan is still structurally sound, you can fight discoloration and restore the natural shine of the cookware with just a few items that you can easily find at your home.
Things You Need
- Discolored magnalite pan
- Warm water
- Wool pad
- Cream of tartar
- White vinegar
The Restoration Process
For restoring discolored and stained magnalite pans, you simply have to scrub the affected surface areas with a wool pad. Next, rinse the surface with warm water.
In case you see that the stains haven’t gone, you should consider following the process by mixing cream of tartar with water to create a paste.
Use this mixture as a scrub over the entire surface and then use warm water to rinse the paste off before drying the surface of the pan with a clean, dry towel.
If the stains and discoloration persist, consider trying another method of restoring a magnalite pan. All you have to do is to add two teaspoons of white vinegar to the pan and fill it with warm water. Place the pan on the stove and bring the water to a boil.
As soon as it starts boiling, remove the pan from the stove and set it aside. Wait for it to cool down. Meanwhile, vinegar will cause the discolored areas on the pan’s surface to lift due to the change in temperature.
Apart from these methods, you can try using a product that serves as a cleanser and polisher when it comes to restoring magnalite pans. You may easily find such products online or in stores that work to remove discoloration and give magnalite pans a natural shine.
While such products are specifically designed for this purpose and hence, they are safe to use on cookware, you should always rinse your pans thoroughly after polishing them. This careful step will help you get rid of any lingering residue, smell, or abrasive materials.
If you wish to avoid the problem of discoloration of your magnalite pans and want to save yourself the time, energy, and hassle of restoring them, you must seriously consider preventative care of your cookware.
Preventative Care for Magnalite Pans
Since magnalite pans are cast aluminum pans, they tend to oxidize and lose their performance and durability over time when exposed to certain conditions.
You must know that cooking tomato-based food items in magnalite pans can ruin them. Tomatoes have considerably high acidic content that is capable of cutting into the surface of the pan, resulting in pits that can’t be fixed.
Apart from this, you should never put your magnalite pans in the dishwasher. Always scrape out the food residue first and then rinse the pan with warm water before drying it with a towel.
You must also know that while you can use a little amount of dish soap for removing dried, stubborn food particles, it may strip the seasoning on the surface of the pan. This may eventually cause the surface to become sticky.
That being said, it is crucial to maintain a properly seasoned magnalite pan because it ensures a non-stick surface and produces better tasting food. It also protects the surface of the pan from the damaging effects of oxidation.
How to Season Magnalite Pans
The ideal time to season your magnalite pan is before using it for the first time and of course, whenever the old seasoning has been stripped away. The seasoning procedure for these pans is simple and easy to follow.
You simply have to preheat your oven to 2500 F. Meanwhile, pour some olive or vegetable oil on a clean paper towel and wipe the entire surface of the pan with it.
Once the interior surface is all oily, place the pan in the oven and wait for one to two hours. When you take out your pan from the oven, it will be fully seasoned!
Just make sure that you rinse the seasoned pan with warm water right away after you’re done using it. Always dry the surface with a clean towel.
The grease or oil that remains from your meal will add to the seasoning of the pan. If you think washing your cookware with dish soap might be necessary, go ahead but don’t forget to repeat the seasoning procedure after you have cleaned it.
Related: How to Season Stainless Steel Frying Pans
The Bottom Line
You should know how to clean magnalite pans if you have them at home and want to make the most of them.
Learning how to properly take care of your cookware and maintain it will go a long way. With proper use and care, you can prolong the life of your pans and reduce the chances of having to restore them on a regular basis.
Follow this guide about cleaning the magnalite pans to keep them in good condition even after you have used them several times.
Always remember, preventative care is the key!
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