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With the purchase of a dishwasher, there is often a desire to wash everything that comes to hand. But some dishes and kitchen utensils should not be washed in PMM. So, aluminum dishes in the dishwasher are at risk of spoiling. Why this happens and how to deal with the consequences, we will consider in the review.
Why you should avoid washing aluminum in PMM
The dishes will be covered with plaque, as aluminum is too active metal and reacts with other substances, including water. Its surface is an oxide film that dissolves in an alkaline medium.
Alkalis are often part of the kitchen “chemistry”. Manufacturers use them to better wash difficult contaminants. The combination of alkalis with hot water helps to wash off the oxide film from aluminum objects. After that, they freely react with water, which ends with the destruction of the metal and the appearance of a dark coating. If you constantly place aluminum cookware in such conditions, it will completely darken and collapse.
Users share their experience that when washing in water at a temperature of 35 degrees, this effect was not observed. But after a few washes, the effect will make itself felt.
Important! It is necessary to use aluminum utensils correctly so that metal impurities do not enter the body. Cook in it, but do not store dishes and food, do not scrape off burnt food.
Washing in manual mode is not capable of causing such damage to dishes as a dishwasher, because manual washing products are less aggressive than special “chemistry” for PMM. But even in this case, no one is immune from the darkening effect. Do not use hard or metal brushes – you can damage the surface during the usual cleaning.
So, can aluminum cookware be washed in the dishwasher? The answer is unequivocal – no, otherwise the consequences will not keep you waiting:
- the appearance of the dishes will be distorted, it will darken;
- hazardous to health, as if the coating is damaged, impurities enter the body.
How to restore darkened aluminum
If you did not know that aluminum is not intended for washing in PMM, and it has darkened, do not despair. Accidentally washed aluminum items: a pot, a frying pan, a garlic crusher, cutlery or meat grinder parts? You can try to bring them back to life. It is important how dark the products are – not everything can be restored.
How to wash dishes, what to do to cope with a dark coating? Start with manual cleaning using specialized products.
Do not believe the “folk” methods: do not boil dishes with washing powder and soda on the advice of grandmothers – it will only get worse.
Try the following methods if the aluminum has oxidized:
- Clean and polish products using GOI paste. Apply the substance to a piece of felt or a felt cloth and rub the device.
- Polish damaged utensils with Dialux special paste.
- Treat damaged areas with HORS Automotive Rust Converter, then polish with any of the above products. It is recommended to resort to the method when other methods have not brought results.
You can try to clean aluminum after washing with nitric or sulfuric acid, but this is not safe. Weaker acids, such as citric or acetic, are unlikely to cope.
Important! Even when hand washing aluminum cookware, avoid conventional detergents. Use special gels and powders for aluminum or a bar of kitchen soap.
What other dishes are forbidden to put in the PMM
We already wrote about what dishes can not be washed in the dishwasher, but since we are talking about aluminum, we recall that along with it you should not put such products in the bunker:
- Wooden utensils, knives with wooden handles, etc. The tree swells and cannot be restored, as it irrevocably loses its appearance.
- Dishes made of silver and cupronickel – it darkens, like aluminum.
Important! Some manufacturers, such as Neff, offer the buyer a lot of accessories for dishwashers, among which you can find containers for washing silver.
- Teflon pans – non-stick properties are lost in the dishwasher. An exception is cases when the package has an icon that allows washing the product in PMM.
- Knives – in hot water, they begin to become dull quickly.
- Porcelain (especially elite) – it can darken and stop shining.
When washing any dishes and utensils, it is worth monitoring the temperature of the water of the selected mode and correctly arranging the dishes in the baskets. Even ordinary dishes can be ruined if washed in boiling water with a high concentration of harsh chemicals.
Conclusion
Aluminum dishes are a taboo for the dishwasher. If you value a new meat grinder or skillet, don’t listen to anyone’s advice and wash them by hand. The mistakes of thousands of users should be a good example for you.
And a “snack” review:
Nastya, Moscow
Several times I washed the knives and nets from the new meat grinder in the dishwasher. Each time, their appearance worsened. I leafed through the entire manual for the meat grinder – not a word about it. When everything turned completely dark with the fifth wash, I took it to the store – to change or hand it over. There they asked me if I washed the parts in the dishwasher. In general, I did not immediately draw a parallel. But the consultant in the store clearly explained that the parts are aluminum and cannot be washed in a typewriter. Refund not issued, but advised cleaning agent. Bought and will try.