Cream of tartar is a white powder that is often used in baking. A pinch of cream of tartar may make a significant impact in the texture of your baked products.
You’re undoubtedly already aware that it’s a must-have ingredient for producing delectable meringue pies, melt-in-your-mouth meringue cookies, and some of the tastiest angel food cakes.
It may also be used in place of baking soda. But did you know that cream of tartar may also be used as a potent cleaning agent?
Cream of tartar works wonders for cleaning a variety of surfaces.
This is particularly true with aluminum pans. Hence, if you don’t like using harsh cleaning chemicals or pricey cleansers, cream of tartar is your best alternative for removing crud from metal cookware.
Without further ado, read on to learn how to clean metal pans using cream of tartar.
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How Does Cream of Tartar Clean Aluminum Pans?
Do you have a scuffed aluminum with gunk attached to it? No worries, cream of tartar is all you need to restore your pan’s luster.
Here are a few methods to clean metal pans using cream of tartar.
Remove Baked-On Food and Stains Using Paste
This procedure is ideal for removing muck and stains from the pan’s bottom or sides.
It may take a few attempts to get the desired results, but your aluminum pan will appear as good as new in the end.
Here’s how to use cream of tartar to remove baked-on foods and stains from metal cookware.
- Make Cream of Tartar Cleaning Mixture: To scrub away gunk and bleach stains, the first thing you need to do is make the cleaning mixture using the cream of tartar. While you can use it alone on its own, it is best to make this powerful cleaning mixture for effective cleaning. To make this super powerful cleaning agent, simply add vinegar to the cream of tartar. Mix them in equal parts to make a paste. You can adjust the consistency of the paste but make sure that it is not too runny as that may diminish the scrubbing effect.
- Apply on the Pan: Once your cleaning mixture is ready. Apply it on the affected areas of the pan. Use a piece of rag for this purpose. Let it sit on the pan for at least an hour. However, for best results, it is advisable to let it sit overnight. Both vinegar and cream of tartar will work to loosen the food stuck on the surface of the pan. At the same time, the mild bleaching properties of the cream of tartar will work to get rid of the baked-on stains.
- Scrub and Clean: Keep in mind that you may require some elbow grease to scrub the pan clean. However, avoid using very hard or abrasive materials to scrub. It is best to use the same piece of cloth you used earlier to apply the paste. Scrub for a few minutes to see the results.
- Repeat If Required: If you are not satisfied with the cleaning, repeat the process a few times and you’ll get the desired results. Once you are done, make sure to wash the pan thoroughly with soap and cold water before using it again for cooking.
Removing Burnt Food from the Bottom of the Pan Using the Boil Method
Have you ever made the careless error of leaving a pan on the stove for an extended period of time?
If you have, you are surely aware of how difficult it can be to remove burned food leftovers from the pan, particularly when they are lodged at the bottom.
The good news is that cream of tartar is an excellent treatment for this issue. Here’s how to use cream of tartar to quickly remove burned food from the bottom of the pan!
- Make the Cleaning Solution: Vinegar and cream of tartar is a powerful combination when it comes to removing stubborn gunk and remains. So, combine the two to make your cleaning agent. Pour around 2 cups of vinegar in the pan and add 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar to it. Mix thoroughly with a spoon.
- Place the Pan on the Heat: Once the solution is ready, place the pan on the stove and turn on the heat. Make sure that you prepare enough solution to cover the affected area of the pan completely. Bring the solution to a boil. Leave it on the stove for at least another 10 minutes before taking it off.
- Let It Cool and Clean: Let the solution sit in the pan until it is cooled. The scorched food will become loose. This will make it easy for you to scrub it. Once the solution has cooled enough, discard it carefully. Use a piece of cloth or a sponge to scrub the affected areas. Burnt food should come off easily.
- Repeat the Process If Required: Repeat the process if you are unable to get the desired results in the first go. For especially thick and stubborn buildup, let the solution boil for a few extra minutes. However, keep an eye on it at all times. Once you have successfully removed every bit of scorched food from the pan, wash it thoroughly with soap and water. Your pan will be as good as new!
Cleaning Techniques for Aluminum Pans
Maintaining your metal pans in good condition is simpler than you may think.
Check out these simple ways for keeping your metal pans clean and shining.
- If you are out of cream of tartar, you can use baking soda instead. It is the perfect replacement for the cream of tartar and will get the job done. Simply make a paste of water and baking soda and use it in the same way as the vinegar and cream of tartar paste!
- Want to make your aluminum pans extra shiny? Then boil apple peels in it! Simply fill the pan with water and place a handful of apple peels in it. Bring the water to boil. Then turn down the heat and let it simmer for about half an hour. Pour out the water and peels and scrub the pan to get rid of the scorched food and stains.
- If you are planning to clean all your aluminum pots in one go, mix one-part water with one part vinegar to make a solution. Wipe it all on your pans and pots to bring out a shine in them. Use a soft cloth to rub and buff.
- If your aluminum pans often discolor quickly, you are probably washing them wrong. It is best to avoid washing them in a dishwasher. Also, don’t let them soak in soapy water for extended periods as that can lead to discoloration as well.
- When cleaning your aluminum pans, it is advisable to use a steel-wool soap pad to remove food. It will make scrubbing and cleaning much easier.
- If your aluminum pan has discolored, you can reverse the discoloration with the cream of tartar in just a few simple steps. Fill your pan with water and add one tablespoon of cream of tartar and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in it. Bring the water to boil. Then turn the heat down and let it simmer for a few minutes. Complete the process by scouring the pan. This should work to remove interior discoloration. Repeat the process if required.
Cream of Tartar for Other Cleaning Purposes
Since cream of tartar is a potent cleaning agent, you may use the same combination to clean most other surfaces in the kitchen.
Apart from metal pots and pans, you may clean ceramic or glass cookware using leftover vinegar-cream of tartar paste.
It may also be used to remove spill stains off stove burners. Here are a few more uses for cream of tartar around the home.
- Cream of tartar is the ideal ingredient to make an acidic yet gentle scrub. For this reason, it is the perfect cleaner for stainless steel pans, pots, and other surfaces.
- Cream of tartar works extremely well for copper pots. All you need to do is combine cream of tartar with lemon juice or vinegar to make an abrasive paste. Use this paste to shine up your copper pots!
- Scratches can take away the appeal of your dishes. However, if you have scratch marks on well-used dishes, you can reverse the damage using the cream of tartar. Sprinkle powdered cream of tartar on the surface of the dish. Then add one teaspoon of water and rub gently with a wet cloth. Let the dishes sit for a few minutes before washing with soap and water. This should buff out the scratch marks!
In conclusion
Cream of tartar is more adaptable than you may think. In fact, it might be one of the greatest cleaning agents in your cupboard.
Now that you know how to clean aluminum pans and other pots using cream of tartar, make the most of it and maintain your cooking equipment in good shape!
Additional cooking pan articles you may be interested in:
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- Why Do Eggs Turn Green in Aluminum Pans?
- Can You Use Aluminum Foil Pans in a Convection Oven?
- Is it Safe to Put an Aluminum Pan in the Microwave?
- How to Clean Broiler Pans?
- How to Clean Aluminum Sheet Pans?
- How to Season an Aluminum Pan
- How to Clean Oxidized Aluminum Pans