Aluminum Cookware

Aluminum is one of the most common substances. It makes up 8% of the earth's surface, the only substances in greater proportion are oxygen and silicone. More than half of all cookware sold today is made of aluminum, according to Cookware Manufacturers Association executive vice president Paul Uetzmann. Most aluminum cookware is coated with a finish, or is anodized.

No discussion of aluminum cookware is complete without talking about the connection between aluminum cookware and Alzheimer's. In the 1970's a report from Canada said the brains of Alzheimer's patients were discovered to have higher than normal levels of aluminum. This caused many to throw away their aluminum cookware in alarm. More recent studies show concerns about aluminum causing Alzheimer's may be putting the cart before the horse. According to Creighton Phelps, Ph.D., director of medical and scientific affairs at the Alzheimer's Association, current data supports the theory that brains already damaged by Alzheimer's disease may permit entry of abnormally high levels of aluminum. In any event, while uncoated aluminum cookware does release small amounts of the substance into your food, you ingest far more in other ways. For example the amount you get from cooking in aluminum cookware is no where near the amount of aluminum found in a person taking antacids. Read this LINK for the Alzheimer's Organizations response to concerns about aluminum and Alzheimer's Disorder. 

Aluminum has excellent thermal conductivity - it transfers heat from your stove to your food quickly and evenly. It is lightweight, and compared to the next highest heat conductor, copper, it is inexpensive. That is why aluminum disks are sandwiched in the bottom of less thermally conductive stainless steel cookware. However, raw aluminum has its drawbacks. It reacts with both acidic and alkaline foods, which can cause off colors and flavors. For example, mashed potatoes made in a raw aluminum pot will take on a greyish color. Raw aluminum is soft. It will warp in high heat, scratch from utensils, stains easily, and the surface can dissolve into a blackish grey film when you use harsh cleaners. 

Raw aluminum cookware Magnalite, Cajun Cookware, Amko, T-Fal/Wearever, Nordic Ware,

Raw aluminum has its pros and cons. First, the good. Aluminum cookware is lightweight. While restaurant quality pots have thick walls to conduct heat, it is suprisingly lightweight and easy to handle. If you have difficulty lifting cast iron, try out some aluminum pieces. You will find them much easier to use. While aluminum cookware is not as stick free as Teflon or highly seasoned cast iron, the surface releases food fairly easily. It is cheap and durable, in fact probably the cheapest cookware you can purchase. If you need a really, really big pot, buy aluminum. For these reasons and more, raw aluminum cookware is found in the kitchens of most restaurants and hotels. You can find cookware and bakeware of every type in restaurant supply stores and big box stores, and also check ethnic food stores for a wide variety of basic pots and bakeware, as well as specialty pieces.

Now for the bad. Raw aluminum pits, warps (especially frying pans and cookie sheets), dents, and scratches easily, and it oxidizes. The rivits in aluminum cookware tend to come loose if you cook at high temperatures. Aluminum does not work on induction stovetops. Because it warps so easily it is not recommended if you have a flat top stove.

If you have a gas or electric stove and you're hard on your cookware, raw aluminum may be the best choice for you.

Magnalite Classic 15-Inch Oval Covered Roaster and the Cajun Cookware Aluminum 11.33 QT Dutch Oven. Click on the picture to open the Amazon page to check price, read reviews, or purchase.

To minimize or eliminate the drawbacks of raw aluminum, manufacturers will finish or clad the interior and exterior surfaces of aluminum cookware.

Anodized Calphalon, Analon and Circulon

Anodized aluminum has been treated with an electrolytic process that makes it harder and less reactive to acids and alkali. Prolonged contact, such as soups, stews, and letting cooked food sit in the pot, may still result in off flavors and colors. Anodized aluminum cookware is fairly expensive.

Anolon Advanced 5-1/2-Quart Covered Saucier Pan with Helper Handle, Calphalon Commercial Hard-Anodized 7-Quart Chef's Casserole with Lid. Click on the picture to open the Amazon page to check price, read reviews, or purchase.

Stainless steel interior lined, raw or anodized aluminum  All Clad MasterChef and LTD

Very expensive, this type of cookware is strong and has all the thermal advantages of aluminum but with the non-reactive, easy to clean interior surface of stainless steel.

All-Clad Master Chef 2 1-1/2-Quart Saucepan, and the All-Clad Master Chef 2 10-Inch Petite Braiser Pan. Click on the picture to open the Amazon page to check price, read reviews, or purchase.

Stainless steel fully clad aluminum, or 'aluminized steel'  All-Clad Stainless, Calphalon, Demeyere, Chicago Metallic, USA pans, Paula Deen

Fully clad aluminum cookware has a layer of stainless steel on both the interior and exterior of the pot, providing all of the benefits of aluminum along with the strength and non-reactivity of stainless. I am very excited about the Paula Dean line of bakeware, as it is marketed at a very affordable price point. Aluminized steel is often very expensive. Note: If the layer of aluminum is too thin it will not provide the same thermal transfer as all aluminum cookware, resulting in both poorer and uneven heat conductivity. So check construction before purchase.

USA Pans 8.5 x 4.5 Inch Aluminized Steel Loaf Pan and the Paula Deen 9 x 13 Inch Aluminized Steel Cookie Sheet. Click on the picture to open the Amazon page to check price, read reviews, or purchase.

Stainless on the inside and copper on the outside Cookwell, Calphalon Tri-Ply, Mauviel

Expensive because of the cost of the materials, most sets on the market today have a copper exterior that is too thin to improve thermal conductivity but does have all of the attractiveness, and the upkeep of copper cookware. More for looks than functionality.

Cookwell 8 Piece Copper Cookware Set. Click on the picture to open the Amazon page to check price, read reviews, or purchase.