What is the main reason of using aluminum in cooking pans?

Recently, I bought a set of aluminum cookware. I love my new pots and pans so much, and for many reasons. Much of its benefits derive from aluminum. In fact, I discovered 5 benefits of using aluminum cookware.

In my long-forgotten past, I had a large and heavy iron skillet. While it took a long time for that monster to heat up, once it got hot, it stayed warm for a long time. It was expensive, but like many things in my life, I misplaced it somewhere along the way.

Now, I have an entire set of aluminum pots, pans, and a light-weight aluminum skillet. My complete set of aluminum cookware cost less than that old and large iron skillet from my past.

Since I purchased my aluminum cookware, I have learned that this abundant metal has many benefits when compared to iron or steel cookware.

1.

Aluminum is a good conductor of heat

Aluminum conducts heat much faster and more efficiently than iron or steel. The metal’s high conductivity makes it an ideal material for cookware. My aluminum pots and pans heat up much faster than my old iron skillet.

In addition, aluminum cookware does not require high heat settings to heat up evenly. That means the homeowner who loves to cook with aluminum pots and pans saves money on electricity each month.

Plus, I love that my aluminum cookware also cools down faster. That’s because the high conductivity of aluminum works both ways — cookware heats up faster, but also cools down faster when cooking is complete.

By the time my lunch is over, my cookware has returned to room temperature. Then, I can easily hand-wash my aluminum pots and pans in soapy, luke-warm water, put them away, and get back to work.

2.

As a metal, aluminum is relatively light-weight

Compared to other metals, aluminum is lightweight. Its light-weight make it easier for a manufacturer to form the cookware. Since the finished product weighs less, shipping costs are less. It takes less fuel to get aluminum products to the consumer.

In the kitchen, I love the almost feather-light weight of my cookware. At first, it gave me the false impression that it was cheap or flimsy. However, that is not the case — aluminum is strong and durable. If you and I use proper care, our aluminum cookware should last decades.

Proper care means to never turn the burner on your stove top above the medium heat setting. If you use your aluminum cookware in an oven, limit the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or whatever the manufacturer recommends. I have not used my cookware in an oven. With aluminum, a cook does not need high temperatures to prepare a meal.

3.

Cookware made of aluminum is non-toxic

Even before aluminum cookware arrived in my kitchen, I was using aluminum foil to protect baking pans and to wrap my leftovers for a later lunch. Plus, before I started my unprocessed foods diet, I used to drink sodas Those soda cans were made out of aluminum. Even the beer I buy today comes in aluminum cans.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), we stand little risk of toxicity from the small amounts of aluminum that we ingest. In fact, the WHO stated:

“…there is little indication that orally ingested aluminium [or the more familiar name, aluminum] is acutely toxic to humans despite the widespread occurrence of the element in foods, drinking-water and many antacid preparations.”

Since aluminum is often found in processed flours, baking powders, food additives, and even buffered aspirin, it’s safe to say that we all ingest small amounts of the metal as we conduct our lives.

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry (ATSDR), the typical person in the United States consumes “about 7-9 mg of aluminum per day in their food”. And, according to a 2007 table on the National Institute of Health website, one antacid tablet can contain 110-174 mg of aluminum.

To protect yourself, it’s always a wise idea to store leftovers in a food storage container that you can stick in the refrigerator. Then, hand-wash your aluminum cookware. That will prevent your leftovers from absorbing any aluminum, and it preserves the finish of your cookware.

For instance, acidic vegetables like tomatoes can absorb the most aluminum, so it is best to store them in another container. Either way, cookware made of aluminum is non-toxic under normal use, especially when compared with how much aluminum we ingest from one antacid tablet.

4.

Aluminum cookware is easy to clean

Your aluminum cookware will be easy to clean. However, there are some pointers to keep in mind as you clean up your pots and pans.

First, be sure to allow your cookware to cool down. Since aluminum is a great conductor, it will quickly cool down to room temperature. Once cool, use soapy, warm water and hand-wash your cookware.

For best results, do not clean your aluminum pots and pans with a dishwasher. The high temperatures in a dishwasher could damage the material’s finish. Also, never use abrasive cleaning materials like steel wool. Instead, soap, warm water, and a light pressure should be enough to remove even stubborn food particles.

5.

Aluminum can be recycled

While I want my aluminum cookware to last a decade, or maybe even a lifetime, it’s nice to know that the metal can be recycled. In fact, aluminum can be recycled over-and-over again. As opposed to other materials, 100% of aluminum can be recycled, according to Waste Management.

It’s nice to know that the aluminum foil or cookware we use today in our kitchens can be reused in other products. Aluminum should never be taking up precious space in a landfill. Instead, let’s demand that our cookware is made out of aluminum.

Takeaway

5 benefits of using aluminum cookware

Out of all the benefits of using aluminum cookware, I especially appreciate the metal’s light weight and its high rate of conductivity. My cookware heats up fast at moderate heat levels.

Then, when my meal preparation is finished, it also cools down fast. That means I can clean up my kitchen mess and get back to work!

By Doug Martin, Opportunity Muse.
Photos and graphics by Doug Martin, © Opportunity Muse, Doug Martin.
All rights reserved.

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