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Aluminum boiling pot question.

Posted on 1/28/13 at 11:19 am
Posted by LSUTygerFan
Homerun Village
Member since Jun 2008
33232 posts
Posted on 1/28/13 at 11:19 am
I inherited a small 5GL or so boiling pot with basket which was left at some rental property that i owned. I decided to clean it up and use it for making stock. I scrubbed it with soap and water then decided to fill it and let it boil for a while. After about an hour or so of boiling, the metal below the water line turned a dark gray color.The color doesn't come off when rubbed with a hand or a rag.Any idea why this happened? Or if this thing is safe to use?
Posted by RhodeIslandRed
Adrift Off the Spanish Main
Member since Aug 2009
3175 posts
Posted on 1/28/13 at 11:22 am to
I have a small aluminum fryer and also an aluminum crawfish pot. Both did the same thing as yours and I've never had a problem. I'm not saying you won't, just that I never have.
Posted by GeauxPack81
Member since Dec 2009
10482 posts
Posted on 1/28/13 at 11:23 am to
Maybe thats the natural color of the pot, and the rest is just still dirty...?
Posted by CHEDBALLZ
South Central LA
Member since Dec 2009
21921 posts
Posted on 1/28/13 at 11:25 am to
I also had one that did this. I still use it.
Posted by CITWTT
baton rouge
Member since Sep 2005
31765 posts
Posted on 1/28/13 at 11:34 am to
Use either a stainless wire brush on a 4 inch grinder or acetone to clean it. It will take on a whitish tone to it rapidly as it takes minutes for aluminum oxide to form on the surface of the metal.
Posted by MeridianDog
Home on the range
Member since Nov 2010
14182 posts
Posted on 1/28/13 at 12:04 pm to
When in doubt, ask an old chemist.

Acid reaction with the aluminum forms Aluminum oxide.

Normal and hurts nothing.

Could have the pot anodized, which electrically alters the surface of the aluminum (Think Calfalon), which wont last forever and is not really needed.

I think boiling a solution of water with Cream of Tartar in the pot will remove it. Then it will come right back.

Just enjoy your pot (a phrase now common to California).



This post was edited on 1/28/13 at 12:08 pm
Posted by LSUTygerFan
Homerun Village
Member since Jun 2008
33232 posts
Posted on 1/28/13 at 1:18 pm to
quote:

Just enjoy your pot (a phrase now common to California).




Yeah i was going to go home and fill it with salt water and boil it for a while.
Posted by MeridianDog
Home on the range
Member since Nov 2010
14182 posts
Posted on 1/28/13 at 1:26 pm to
I don't think the salt will change the color at all.

Cream of Tartar is Potassium Hydrogen Tartate. It is a salt of Tartaric Acid (2,3-dihydroxysuccinic acid) and what you want. It is an antioxidant and I guess any antioxidant would work.


This post was edited on 1/28/13 at 1:28 pm
Posted by LSUTygerFan
Homerun Village
Member since Jun 2008
33232 posts
Posted on 1/28/13 at 1:33 pm to
I guess if it's just going to come back, it's a waste of time removing it. Really wanted to make sure it was safe to cook in.
Posted by Capt ST
Hotel California
Member since Aug 2011
12818 posts
Posted on 1/28/13 at 1:55 pm to
My big pot did the same thing after a boil and we got drunk and forgot to dump and clean. Now I use it as a fill guide when I'm boiling.
Posted by Boudreaux35
BR
Member since Sep 2007
21449 posts
Posted on 1/28/13 at 2:14 pm to
Leave it, its natural. Unless you're just using it for a decoration and want it shiny, leave it that way. It actually helps protect the metal.
Posted by RhodeIslandRed
Adrift Off the Spanish Main
Member since Aug 2009
3175 posts
Posted on 1/28/13 at 3:02 pm to
quote:

My big pot did the same thing after a boil and we got drunk and forgot to dump and clean. Now I use it as a fill guide when I'm boiling.

+1
Posted by LSUTygerFan
Homerun Village
Member since Jun 2008
33232 posts
Posted on 1/28/13 at 3:07 pm to
quote:

Unless you're just using it for a decoration and want it shiny,


nope, figured it would be great for making stock. Would make the larger solids easier to remove.
Posted by LSUGUMBO
Shreveport, LA
Member since Sep 2005
8509 posts
Posted on 1/28/13 at 4:25 pm to
My aluminum pots do this after I have boiled eggs or spaghetti or something like that. It will fade after a few washes, but come right back when boil mostly water. I stopped worrying about it, and it hasn't killed me (yet )
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