Calphalon is known as the number one hard-anodized aluminum cookware brand in the U.S. The company was established in 1968 and has established its reputation for affordable kitchenware that lasts for a very long time. (Many of its ranges offer a lifetime warranty.)
It is therefore understandable if you become upset when your Calphalon pans develop white marks or patches on them. We are here to tell you about the probable cause of the problem and how to fix it.
Read on and we will soon have your Calphalon pans shiny again!
Why Your Calphalon Pans are Turning White
Pans suddenly starting to turn white is a common problem and isn’t just exclusive to Calphalon pans. The issue is faced regularly by many people with various cookware brands and luckily isn’t anything too serious.
The probable reason why your Calphalon pans are starting to turn white is hard water. Certain areas of the country have hard water which simply means that the water contains a lot of minerals – usually calcium and magnesium.
These minerals are not harmful but do leave unsightly limescale deposits on pots, pans, inside kettles, and on taps.
How to Remove the White Deposits
A simple rinse in water or dishwashing detergents will not help you to remove the limescale. If you think back to your high school science lessons, you may remember that limescale dissolves easily in acids.
Even mild acids will do the trick. (By the way, this is why you should never use anything acidic on your kitchen countertops if they are marble. They will end up with small holes in them!)
We have two solutions for your Calphalon pans turning white using everyday acids that you probably already have in your kitchen.
1. Vinegar
Vinegar (otherwise known as acetic acid) has a pH of between 2 and 3, making it acidic and therefore able to dissolve limescale.
To clean your pots, fill them with a solution of half vinegar and half water. Any cheap vinegar will do. Bring this to a boil then turn off the heat and leave the pans to soak overnight.
In the morning, throw out the vinegar solution and wipe the pans with a non-abrasive scouring pad. The limescale should come off easily. If it doesn’t, try putting pure vinegar with no water onto the sponge and rubbing the white marks with that.
Once clean, rinse the pan with clean water, dry it carefully, and put it away for later use.
2. Cream of Tartar (Powdered Tartaric Acid)
This is another mild acid found in many people’s kitchens. If you don’t have any, you should be able to find some in the grocery store with the baking products or the household detergent section.
Cream of tartar is a by-product of the wine-making process and has a pH of around 3.6.
To use it on your pans, make it into a paste with a little water or lemon juice, then rub this paste over the white limescale marks using a soft cloth or sponge. Leave it to soak for a while if necessary.
When done, rinse the pans with clean water then dry them for storage.
To Conclude
We hope we have set your mind at ease about why your Calphalon pans are turning white. It is usually a problem that is easily remedied with a mild acid such as vinegar or cream of tartar.