http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=236x51087Oh my.
no_hypocrisy (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-07-08 08:54 PM
Original message
How can you tell whether a pan is made of aluminum?
I picked up a really cool 10" (base) pan (2-1/2" high) at a consignment store. All I know is it was made in Taiwan and is a no-name brand. There are no other words on it. It has circles in the metal going up the sides. I put water in it and allowed to dry to see if it rusted. It didn't.
I want to know whether this is aluminum or steel. And if it's aluminum, is it safe to use? I remember reading about the harm of aluminum leaching into foods.
Like Superman bursting through the doors of a telephone booth, the warped primitive immediately soars to the rescue:
Warpy (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-07-08 08:58 PM
Response to Original message
1. My best guess is that it is aluminum
The next thing you can try is using a magnet. If it sticks, it's steel. If it falls off, it's aluminum.
I suspect the warped primitive's "guess" is right on the money.
franksolich is never troubled by such things, because franksolich uses only cast iron, stainless steel, and glassware for cooking things, and those are easily identifiable.
franksolich wouldn't touch a piece of aluminum cookware with a ten-foot primitive.
no_hypocrisy (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-07-08 09:11 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. Follow-up Question
Magnet stuck to the bottom of the pan. It didn't stick to the inside or the exterior sides.
Can it be a steel or iron bottom but aluminum top? Or can it be all steel or iron but "coated"?
Warpy (1000+ posts) Sun Dec-07-08 11:58 PM
Response to Reply #2
3. Bottom line
Magnets will stick to ferrous metals: iron, steel, most stainless steel. They don't stick to aluminum, brass or bronze.
A thin coating won't affect this, which is why magnets will stick to a painted fridge.
Petrushka (573 posts) Mon Dec-08-08 06:31 PM
Response to Original message
4. "Test" it with vinegar, lemon juice, or tomato juice---anything acidic will darken aluminum.
