How to Restore Magnalite Cookware?

Magnalite Cookware has been in the kitchens since the 1930s, serving generations. With its durability and functionality, it has been a constant choice for decades. But without proper care, even majestic cookware like Magnalite can become worsened.

Cleaning magnalite pots every day is not a complex task, but it can discolor or stain the cookware when overlooked.

Once worn out, magnalite cookware can be restored to its previous state effortlessly. Worry not. With simple tools and methods, you can do it yourself.

Here are ways to restore magnalite cookware, along with some tips and tricks to keep them that way.

What Is Mganalite Cookware and Why Is It So Popular?

Magnalite cookware is famous for its durability and functionality, like we already said. The high-quality materials used in its manufacture is another reason people love it so much.

Traditional Magnalite cookware is made from cast aluminum. Aluminum is a very light metal that retains and conducts heat. Applied to pans, it makes them transfer heat quickly and distribute it evenly.

Further, its thermal background is usually of maximum resistance. So it doesn't deteriorate with exposure to very high temperatures.

Also, anodized aluminum, i.e., the base of magnalite, is more complex than steel. In addition, cleaning is a simple and fast task – a pressure rinse removes all traces of dirt!

In brief, the pros are:

Gcccood conductor of heat
Low cost
Easy cleaning
Light
Nonstick
Anodized aluminum is safe in principle, as it does not migrate to food.

How to Clean Magnalite Pots: DIY Cleaning Tips

Cookware, such as Magnalite used for long periods, can become discolored if not well cleaned. It is caused by cooking with fatty foods or oils, which will leave layers of grime on the cookware.

When this happens, the cookware needs to be reset by cleaning and sterilizing. To do this, follow the below instructions:

Cleaning Process:

Fill a plastic container with hot water.
Soak the Magnalite pot in water overnight. It will soften burnt food that may be on the cookware.
Fill your kitchen sink with hot water.
Add two to four drops of flat liquid soap to the water.
Place the Magnalite in the sink and wash it with a sponge or flat cloth.
Remove the pot from the sink and dry with a clean cloth.
Drain the water and rinse the sink.
Pour the water out of the plastic container and dry with the towel.

Sterilizing process:

Add 1 teaspoon of bleach to a gallon jug.
Fill the gallon jug with warm water and pour the bleach and water solution into the plastic container.
Place the clean Magnalite cookware in the bleach and water solution for one minute.
Add two to four drops of flat liquid soap to the water.
Now remove the pot from the plastic container and allow it to air dry.

Advice and warnings:

Wear rubber gloves to avoid getting bleach on your hands.

How to Restore Magnalite Cookware: Simple and Easy Tricks

There are different ways to restore magnalite items:

Add a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar (fill the pot almost to the top).
Boil your pot with the mixture for 10 min. or until the discoloration disappears.

N.B: If you have other aluminum utensils, you can put them inside the pot. With use, the aluminum can become blackened; to restore its shine

Rub the entire surface with a cloth soaked in milk.
Make a mixture of baking soda with warm water.
Pass it over the entire surface with the help of a sponge.

How to get the shine of Magnalite cookware back?

By using them over and over again, their internal and external surface tends to darken. The question, therefore, arises spontaneously – how to clean magnalite cookware to remove the blackish spots? Then, how to get the shine back?

Not in the dishwasher, that's for sure. Aluminum pans are very delicate. In contact with aggressive detergents, they can irreparably damage them. The best solution is the dear old hand wash.

To make even the blackened aluminum inside pots and pans shine and shine again, you can put it on the stove with a bit of milk and bring it to a boil. This procedure will eliminate the unsightly dark spots.

Another tip: pour water, lemon juice, and white wine vinegar into the blackened pot and boil the solution for 10 minutes. Even then, the dark patina will disappear!

Another way to return the shine to the pots is to boil it with water and 2 tomatoes for 30 min.

Maintenance of Magnalite Cookware

Recommendations Before use:

Before you start using your magnalite products, it is vital to:

First, remove all adhesives or residue that may remain after removing the packaging. If any sticky parts remain, these are easy to remove with an alcohol wipe.
Wash your pots and pans very well before their first use. You can do it with warm water and neutral dish soap to remove any manufacturing oils or greases that may remain.
Drain and dry very well.
Cure your pots – it prevents food from acquiring a metallic taste, food sticking, or the pot from staining.

How to cure the magnalite cookware:

In a bowl, pour hot water and liquid dish soap to make lather.
With soapy water and an anti-scratch sponge, remove the oils that your new pot brings.
Rinse.
Dry your pot with a clean towel and let it air dry.
Then fill it with water almost to the top.
Add 1 tbsp of white vinegar, 1 handful of hibiscus flower, or 1 tbsp of lemon juice for every litre of water.
Let it boil for a few minutes.
Remove from the fire and let cool.
Empty the contents and clean with paper towels.

Recommendations for use

Every time you use, clean magnalite pots as soon as they have cooled down.
Since aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat, working at low and medium temperatures is advisable to avoid stains.
Wash your magnalite utensils with liquid dish soap. Avoid using creamy soaps to avoid creating a layer on the surface. In addition, it causes them to lose their shine.
Avoid using utensils that can scratch the bottom of your pots, pans, and griddles.
Avoid storing food in the pots.
Dry utensils immediately after washing to avoid staining.

Care

Allow magnalite pots to cool before washing them to avoid deformation caused by sudden changes in temperature.
If the pot has stains or food remains that are difficult to remove, add water and vinegar in a 4 to 1 ratio for 5 min and wash regularly.
Drain and dry immediately to avoid staining.
To store them, put the lids up to prevent odors from being preserved.
Do not use scourers or fibers that can scratch the items.
Store your pots and pans properly.
Wash them regularly.
Try not to cook with cutlery (Either use the fork or knife to chop the food that is in the pan or pot.)

Useful Tips to Keep the Magnalite Cookware As Good As New

Hard anodization produces a thicker aluminum coating, but it is still only a coating and may be damaged. The final product has a dark brown or black surface. Hard anodized cookware is resistant to salts and abrasions from everyday use, damaging regular or cast aluminum cookware. It has unique cleaning needs.

Do not use a dishwasher

Do not wash hard anodized cookware in the dishwasher. Dishwasher detergents contain salts that damage the surface of Magnalite Cookware.

Instead, hand washes the professional cookware thoroughly inside and out after each use. Wash with warm water, soapy water with a sponge cloth, or a soft wash pad. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.

Avoid using steel wool

Avoid using steel wool to remove burnt-on food as it can scratch and damage the cookware. Instead, let burnt pots and pans soak overnight with plain water if necessary to facilitate the removal of burnt foods.

Do not attempt to use a knife or other pointed tool to remove food stuck on hard anodized cookware.

Use mild powder

Use a soft scouring powder, or make a paste of baking soda and water to remove any burnt food remaining in your Magnalite Cookware after soaking.

After cleaning, the pan should have a uniform color tone and return to its matte finish appearance. A dark or fuzzy spot on hard-anodized surfaces means that some food residue remains on the cooking surface.

Repeat the cleaning process to remove these stains. Dry thoroughly.

Remove internal discoloration

To remove internal discoloration, fill the pot with water, add 1 tbsp. Cream of tartar or 1 tbsp. Lemon juice for every liter of water. Simmer on the stove until the coloring is gone. Wash and dry the pans as usual.

Do not let cooked food sit in Magnalite Cookware for long periods of time, or use the pot to store food in the refrigerator. Salt used in the cooking process can damage your cookware.

Bonus tip:

From time to time, coat the inside surface of your Magnalite Cookware lightly with cooking oil, especially if you intend to store it for any length of time.

Then, remove the access oil by wiping it with a paper towel. The oil will catch the dust and will make your hard anodized cookware ready for use with just a quick rinse.

When Is It Time to Change Your Magnalite Cookware?

Like we already said, a few scratches or discolorations on the pots and pans don't hurt the quality or the performance. You don't need to replace the cookware at all.

Follow the previous tips we have provided, and you can use the magnalite cookware for years to come.

But, there are several situations where you might want to change the cookware, such as:

When the foods start getting metal smell or taste from the pans.
When the handles are loose enough that it might cause an accident.
The pot is deformed beyond repair.

Bottom Line:

Magnalite cookware has established its name based on its quality. So there is no doubt about its effectiveness. And when it comes to durability, it depends on the maintenance and cares for this cookware.

So, if you know how to clean and how to restore magnalite cookware, you are good to go for years. Do you know any other ways? Let us know.