What Is Hard Anodized Cookware
Do you know how to season hard anodized cookware? What is hard anodized cookware? Aluminum becomes anodized when it is exposed to air. It oxidizes, forming a thin but dense coating of aluminum oxide that shields the metal from further oxidation. Aluminum is hard anodized by immersing it in a chemical bath. An electric current is then used to initiate a controlled, fast oxidation process that results in the formation of very thick aluminum oxide.
Aluminum oxide is so powerful that it is used to create gemstones such as rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. So, in practice, what does hard anodized mean? Essentially, it strengthens and increases the durability of the resulting metal. In this blog, we have an article about hard anodized cookware set that you might want to read about it.
Hard-anodized cookware (a.k.a. hard-anodized aluminum or anodized) is made with a hard-anodized aluminum base. In most cases, it also has non-stick materials coating the cooking surface.”
Andrew Palermo, author from prudentviews.com
How To Season Hard Anodized Cookware
So, how to season hard anodized cookware. Certain users choose to season their hard-anodized aluminum cookware before seasoning their cast iron pots and pans. While the oxidation process effectively seals the surface of these hard anodized items, seasoning pans may be a personal choice.
- To season hard-anodized aluminum cookware, first wash and dry it with a paper towel to remove any leftover packaging debris.
- After unpacking, new cookware should be washed with a mild dish soap to eliminate any dust or filmy residue from the manufacturer.
- Drizzle the pan with cooking oil and place on the burner over high heat. Fill the bottoms of the pans halfway with a neutral oil, such as vegetable or olive, to coat the surface gently.
- With a clean fresh sponge, spread the cooking oil around until the whole interior surface of the cookware is covered.
- Allow the cookware to cool entirely before removing it from the fire after the oil begins to smoke.
- Once the oil has been applied, wipe away any leftover oil with a paper towel and store the cookware carefully. If you follow this guideline, you should only use warm water to wash the seasoned cookware.
- The dishwasher’s strong heat might easily erase the seasoning coating that was applied with care. To maintain the anodized pan’s seasoned surface, hand wash it after each usage.
Hard-anodized cookware starts with aluminum, which is a lighter metal that’s not as durable on its own.”
Shelley Frost, author from Hunker.com
Why Seasoning Cookware is Beneficial
The purpose of seasoning cookware is to seal the surface. Without this precious layer of season, the material would otherwise corrode. Acidic foods, sauces and cleaning agents would ravage the surface of the unseasoned cookware surface.
The aluminum cookware is more than just one material; it is aluminum oxide. The aluminum surface becomes oxidized when it is placed in an electro-chemical bath. This create a surface that is harder than stainless steel and more difficult to scratch. Benefits of hard anodized cookware
Hard anodized aluminum cookware offers many benefits:
- Easy to clean – Unlike non-stick cookware, no additional chemicals need to be added to the cookware for easy cleanup. Clean up simply requires rinsing under running hot water.
- Long lasting – Since there are fewer places where food residue could accumulate, your aluminum cookware will last longer than its non-stick counterparts.
- Non reactive – Due to the fact that aluminum is chemically inert, this type of cookware won’t react with acidic ingredients found in some recipes.
- Stronger – Because of the hardness of the hardened aluminum, this type of cook pot is also known to be stronger than regular pans. This means that you don’t have to worry about accidentally dropping your cookware and having it shatter.
- Durable – Once finished cooking is complete, the cookware can be put right back on the stove for another batch of delicious meals. No fear of rusting.
- Safe – Hard Anodized Aluminum cookware is extremely safe since it contains no toxic metals. When cooked properly, it is perfectly safe to eat!
Keeping a Seasoned Pan
If you have cleaned the anodized cookware with soap, you may re-season the inside of the hard anodized cookware. Commercial aluminum cookware cleaning solutions may be used to maintain the perfect condition of the seasoned surface.
Using the dishwasher is not recommended unless you don’t mind re-seasoning after each cycle. The dishwasher’s intense heat may easily remove the seasoning coating you’ve worked so hard to establish. After usage, the anodized pan should be hand cleaned to maintain the pan’s seasoned surface.
Use just water and a good sponge to scrape away any food particles or sauce slicks that have adhered to the surface. Use soap only when absolutely required. If you must use soap, the pan must be seasoned after each use of cleansers, whether commercial or homemade.
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