topic Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore. in Kitchen

Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

bonnielu — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 20:39:13 GMT

Found a box with two stockpots in them. I took everything my mother ever gave me after she had no use for them. Everything. You have no idea how much to be a good daughter and free her of her stuff that she thought would be great in my house.

I found a box of Mirro aluminun stockpots, in pretty good shape. I have a young friend with a young family and I asked her if she wanted them. The answer was a quick yes. So without thinking I put them in the dishwasher. Well before they went in to the wash they were mirror perfect. When I took them out they were stained and spotted. Three hours later, I simply give up. I have tried everything to restore them. What an ugly mess.

Is all lost? Is there a product to make them look better, take the dark spots off and restore them. Or was my mistake by trying to make them clean and perfect a fatal decision. I doubt if she will want them now. I don't even want them now. And I looked them up and Mirro is no longer made and not sold except in second hand websites.

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

adoreqvc — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 20:43:31 GMT

Hi bonnielu,

There are some alerts on the internet about cookware which is no longer considered safe.

Unfortunately aluminum cookware is included as being toxic causing health problems....but you read and research yourself, then decide if you still want to clean your aluminum cookware, and gift it to a young mother with children.

(If it were me though I would toss it all away, and not give it to a mother with children, or anyone else for that matter).

Also knowing what you do about aluminum and it being considered toxic and unsafe please tell the young mother so she too knows not to use it in her household.

When your Mom purchased these items perhaps at that time they did not know that aluminum is toxic and unsafe to use in the kitchen.

(Now we know better so we can safeguard ourselves and those we like and love).

Is your cookware killing you? Some cookware is better than others and some is just plain toxic.... click on the link below:

http://www.naturalnews.com/036029_cookware_non-stick_chemicals.html

Aluminum cookware is one of the most common cookware to use, but can be very toxic as this heavy metal is absorbed into all food cooked in it. The aluminum released into foods during cooking ends up in your body. Excess aluminum has been associated with estrogen-driven cancers and Alzheimer's Disease.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is some help below with links, should you still need help to clean the aluminum cookware.

P.S. Do not use barkeeper's friend on them as that will harm them and is not made for aluminum.

These links below are specific hints and help to restore and clean aluminum cookware.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdTpp_Z_8Fo

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Housecleaning Tips : Aluminum Cleaner Recipe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH-GyGj8Z7M
A recipe for cleaning aluminum pots and pans consists of a quarter cup of cream of tartar, a quarter cup of vinegar, a quarter cup of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of soap flakes. Scrub this mixture into the aluminum for a deep clean with advice from a professional house cleaner in this free video on housekeeping.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cleaning Aluminum Pots how to:

https://ask.extension.org/questions/111278

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

peachesncream — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 20:58:06 GMT

I hope the advice from adoreqvc works. Ive never had any luck in restoring stained aluminum. I love aluminum for baking, as it heats so well and so evenly. But dishwasher detergent is too harsh for it. Also, aluminum shouldn't be soaked in water as it will discolor. I don't think the discoloration affects the use of it, it just looks bad. I have some Mirror baking pans. It's good stuff. I'm sorry they don't make Mirro anymore. I don't have any aluminum stockpots, though. Acidic foods shouldn't be cooked in plain aluminum - such as tomatoes, as the food can taste off.

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

goodstuff — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 21:07:35 GMT

I hope the cleaning advice others have given is helpful.

I don't use aluminum cookware either. There's evidence that the aluminum leeches into foods and changes the chemistry. I've heard aluminum linked to brain problems like Alzheimer's. Stainless steel for me.

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

bonnielu — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 21:34:09 GMT

Thanks so much. I had no idea. They are very large and I believe were only used for cooking large amounts of corn on the cob. Why she ever bought it was beyond me. But I am going to just get rid of it. When I saw them safely packed away I thought they were stainless... no such luck.

I am very appreciative of the advice.

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

Tigriss — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 21:48:50 GMT

On 1/25/2015 GoodStuff said:
I hope the cleaning advice others have given is helpful.

I don't use aluminum cookware either. There's evidence that the aluminum leeches into foods and changes the chemistry. I've heard aluminum linked to brain problems like Alzheimer's. Stainless steel for me.

That is great, but what about tin foil and all those tin cans that your canned foods are in. They are pressure cooked in the cans at the factory, plus they are lined with BPA. There is some great science in it, but just stopping using aluminum pots and pans is not going to affect your health, just like the Teflon issue. Most of our cookware does not get anywhere near hot enough to case the health concerns that the research shows. I use stainless steel and cast iron because I prefer them, but at some point, my age would not allow me to use heavy pots and pans, so lightweight aluminum and non-stick will be what I end up using, unless there is another invention in some 40-50 years when I get to that point.

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

adoreqvc — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 22:13:44 GMT

On 1/25/2015 bonnielu said:
Thanks so much. I had no idea. They are very large and I believe were only used for cooking large amounts of corn on the cob. Why she ever bought it was beyond me. But I am going to just get rid of it. When I saw them safely packed away I thought they were stainless... no such luck.

I am very appreciative of the advice.

I am so glad you read the information I provided above bonnielu, and will now also toss them in the trash. It was very thoughtful and sweet of you to consider giving your friend those items, but I am glad you received the important information that they do cause health issues, and are considered unsafe to use.

In my family we never used anything made of aluminum.

I still prefer SS cookware even though I have other types of cookware, but my preference is still SS.

(I inherited my beloved Mother's large Revere ware SS cookware set with copper bottoms, and it looks as brand new now as it did when she received it as an teenage bride to be. (Those years gals married earlier than they do now).

It was part of her trousseau from her family. Now I have it displayed in my kitchen. It performs beautifully with great results, cleans easily, and makes a lovely stately display presentation).

I love my inherited Revere ware stainless steel cookware set, and it is my absolute favorite of all my different type cooking items.

My Mother was a fabulous cook and taught me if the Revere SS cookware is warmed well on the stove before adding oil or butter, or whatever is preferred, nothing will stick.

She used to always say "Warm pans, cold oil and food won't stick".

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

Zhills — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 22:54:16 GMT

Your Mom was a wise woman. I heard that statement and it really works!

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

Sabatini2 — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 23:35:04 GMT

bonnie, I wouldn't throw the pots out! Yeah, the dishwasher ruined their looks, but not their functionality.

I disagree about the inherent danger of cooking with aluminum pots and pans, and don't buy into the 'aluminum cookware is dangerous', or 'aluminum cookware causes Alzheimer's disease' thing. That was debunked years ago.

Memory Loss Myths & Facts | Alzheimer's Association (Regarding a link btwn Alzheimer's and aluminum cookware - Alzheimer's Association says FALSE)

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

debic — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 23:41:07 GMT

Well they'll never have that mirror finish again, but you can take a SS scrubber and remove the discoloration, they'll just be brushed aluminum. I certainly wouldn't toss them

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

jackthebear — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 00:01:27 GMT

Never put Aluminum in the dishwasher which you have learned too late I am sorry to tell you.

The surface gets etched, you could try some internet searching but if they are useful I would continue using them. I think the health issue has been debunked.

No tomato sauces or anything else acidic

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

Sabatini2 — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 01:24:20 GMT

On 1/25/2015 tigriss said:
On 1/25/2015 GoodStuff said:
I hope the cleaning advice others have given is helpful.

I don't use aluminum cookware either. There's evidence that the aluminum leeches into foods and changes the chemistry. I've heard aluminum linked to brain problems like Alzheimer's. Stainless steel for me.

That is great, but what about tin foil and all those tin cans that your canned foods are in. They are pressure cooked in the cans at the factory, plus they are lined with BPA. There is some great science in it, but just stopping using aluminum pots and pans is not going to affect your health, just like the Teflon issue. Most of our cookware does not get anywhere near hot enough to case the health concerns that the research shows. I use stainless steel and cast iron because I prefer them, but at some point, my age would not allow me to use heavy pots and pans, so lightweight aluminum and non-stick will be what I end up using, unless there is another invention in some 40-50 years when I get to that point.

tigriss, ITA!

I included a link above (post #8 - Memory Loss Myths & Facts | Alzheimer's Association ) about aluminum cookware NOT being detrimental to our health, but here are a few others to further illustrate that point:

ATSDR - Public Health Statement: Aluminum (Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry - aluminum cookware has no effect on health)

Cooking Utensils and Nutrition - The New York Times

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

Tigriss — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 01:44:56 GMT

Yes, I lived through the whole onslaught from the Southern Baptist Conventions emails on why BPA caused boys to be gay and girls to develop quicker. People just look for a cause when they can't explain it, then jump on it to their own detriment. What they forgot about BPA is that it is in every canned food, bottles used for meds, cosmetics, everything in a plastic bottle, plus food containers and lids. There are dangerous things out there, look at asbestos and how very well and quickly documented that was, but some of these things are quite far fetched in their "research", some are not, but require more significant studies to replicate the results. Aluminum and BPA either need far more specific research of quality not panicking for political/self purpose.

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

KYToby — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 01:56:45 GMT

First off, taking the word of an anonymous forum poster based on a pseudoscientific junk website is ridiculous -- period. NaturalNews is nothing but hokum.

Now, as far as the cookware goes, you are likely out of luck. The aluminum reacts to the oxidizers in the dish detergent and cannot be restored. Your best bet is t just trash them -- or recycle them.

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

Sabatini2 — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 02:05:14 GMT

On 1/25/2015 KYToby said:
First off, taking the word of an anonymous forum poster based on a pseudoscientific junk website is ridiculous -- period. NaturalNews is nothing but hokum.

Now, as far as the cookware goes, you are likely out of luck. The aluminum reacts to the oxidizers in the dish detergent and cannot be restored. Your best bet is t just trash them -- or recycle them.

But I'd keep the big pots! Even if you don't use them for cooking, they can come in handy, even in the garden when transplanting. I used to have a huge stockpot that I'd fill with water & plunk a fresh Christmas tree into before getting around to bringing the tree inside to decorate.

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

Tigriss — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 02:13:00 GMT

Heck, put them in with the can recycling to up your poundage for the spare money if you really don't want to use them, RECYCLE THEM.

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

cah — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 02:16:06 GMT

I've been making tomato sauce in the same aluminum pan for over 55 years.
No adverse problems yet!

If you want to clean them up, make a big pot of tomato sauce, the acid in the tomatoes cleans them like magic!

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

dooBdoo — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 02:55:03 GMT

On 1/25/2015 KYToby said:
First off, taking the word of an anonymous forum poster based on a pseudoscientific junk website is ridiculous -- period. NaturalNews is nothing but hokum.

Now, as far as the cookware goes, you are likely out of luck. The aluminum reacts to the oxidizers in the dish detergent and cannot be restored. Your best bet is t just trash them -- or recycle them.

Indeed. "NaturalNews" is a dreadful website, the source of a wealth of misinformation.

Also, great posts, Sabatini and tigress!

I've learned it takes at least a hundred truths to even begin to erase bad information, so it's worth repeating. And repeating.

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

maryebrown_1 — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 03:18:40 GMT

On 1/25/2015 Sabatini2 said:
On 1/25/2015 KYToby said:
First off, taking the word of an anonymous forum poster based on a pseudoscientific junk website is ridiculous -- period. NaturalNews is nothing but hokum.

Now, as far as the cookware goes, you are likely out of luck. The aluminum reacts to the oxidizers in the dish detergent and cannot be restored. Your best bet is t just trash them -- or recycle them.

But I'd keep the big pots! Even if you don't use them for cooking, they can come in handy, even in the garden when transplanting. I used to have a huge stockpot that I'd fill with water & plunk a fresh Christmas tree into before getting around to bringing the tree inside to decorate.

Great idea !

Re: Old Stockpot help... MIrro aluminum. Stained Advice to restore.

bonnielu — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 05:12:12 GMT

On 1/25/2015 adoreqvc said:
On 1/25/2015 bonnielu said:
Thanks so much. I had no idea. They are very large and I believe were only used for cooking large amounts of corn on the cob. Why she ever bought it was beyond me. But I am going to just get rid of it. When I saw them safely packed away I thought they were stainless... no such luck.

I am very appreciative of the advice.

I am so glad you read the information I provided above bonnielu, and will now also toss them in the trash. It was very thoughtful and sweet of you to consider giving your friend those items, but I am glad you received the important information that they do cause health issues, and are considered unsafe to use.

In my family we never used anything made of aluminum.

I still prefer SS cookware even though I have other types of cookware, but my preference is still SS.

(I inherited my beloved Mother's large Revere ware SS cookware set with copper bottoms, and it looks as brand new now as it did when she received it as an teenage bride to be. (Those years gals married earlier than they do now).

It was part of her trousseau from her family. Now I have it displayed in my kitchen. It performs beautifully with great results, cleans easily, and makes a lovely stately display presentation).

I love my inherited Revere ware stainless steel cookware set, and it is my absolute favorite of all my different type cooking items.

My Mother was a fabulous cook and taught me if the Revere SS cookware is warmed well on the stove before adding oil or butter, or whatever is preferred, nothing will stick.

She used to always say "Warm pans, cold oil and food won't stick".

I have the Revere Ware Stainless copper bottom from the day I was married. I cannot kill it. Nothing compares and except for a wobble or two from the handles, it looks like almost new.

I have tossed out the big ole pots. Thanks all for the advice.