Bakeware Care
The guidance below applies to Fat Daddio’s anodized aluminum and natural aluminum bakeware: hand wash, dry, store dry, and skip the dishwasher. Stainless steel bakeware is dishwasher safe and rated to a higher temperature. Silicone mats and molds follow their own routine.
Jump to: hand washing · dishwasher · restoring discoloration · deep cleaning · stainless steel · silicone
Hand washing instructions
To maintain the beauty and performance of Fat Daddio’s Anodized Aluminum Bakeware, our cleaning recommendation is a simple hand washing or soaking in warm soapy water, followed by a quick rinse and towel or air drying.
Do not use dishwasher detergents, bleaches, harsh chemicals, abrasive soaps, wire brushes, scouring sponges or sharp tools when cleaning as they can damage the surface of your bakeware.
Can I put my pan in the dishwasher?
Yes. It is rust-proof and will continue to perform just as well even after repeated dishwasher cycles. For the best long-term appearance, though, we recommend hand washing your bakeware.
We would consider washing in the dishwasher a good option if you could eliminate phosphates from all dishwasher detergents. Many dishwasher detergents contain aggressive chemicals and phosphates that can discolor the baking surface. This can also be true of bleaches, oven cleaners and other caustic cleaning agents. The beauty of our non-reactive anodized aluminum bakeware is that you do not need these aggressive chemicals.
My pan just went through the dishwasher…
We occasionally receive a call from a customer (or their significant “non-baking” other) with a slightly discolored pan from a phosphate-laced journey through the dishwasher. Discolorations may be dark random patterns, smudges or white chalky spots. Do not worry and do not throw the pan away as it still has a lifetime of baking performance ahead! Try first, seasoning the pan with a few drops of good quality baking oil and a cloth. This works well for removing most phosphate residue. For extreme discoloration, you may need to coat the entire pan in shortening or butter and place on a cookie sheet. Bake the pan at 300° F (150° C) for 10 minutes. Let the pan cool for a few minutes. While still warm, wipe the pan clean with a towel. This process may not return the “off-the-shelf” beauty it once had, but will effectively season the pan for future use.
Detergent discoloration is cosmetic. It does not affect performance, safety, or the lifetime of the pan, which is why it counts as normal wear rather than a defect and is not covered by our lifetime limited warranty. Flaking, peeling, pitting, and rust are a different matter, and those are covered.
How do I clean stainless steel bakeware?
Stainless steel is the exception to everything above. It is dishwasher safe, it tolerates the alkaline detergents that discolor anodized aluminum, and it is rated to 932° F (500° C) against 550° F (288° C) for anodized and natural aluminum. Hand washing still gives the best finish over time, but the dishwasher will not harm the metal or the performance. Read Why Anodized? for how the two materials behave differently in the oven.
How do I restore my bakeware?
Bakeware can take a beating in the kitchen. After continual use, it will build up a patina from the grease and butter. Most professional bakers do not mind this buildup as it actually increases the performance of the pan. Baked goods will come out of it even easier. Some home bakers do not like the look of a well-seasoned pan and want to restore its beauty. For these tougher cleaning jobs, it can be achieved with a little effort.
Tools needed:
- Well-used bakeware
- Soft cloth
- Warm water
- Bar Keepers Friend Cookware and Cleanser Polish. Be sure to get the Cookware Polish, which uses a non-bleach formula recommended for cookware.
- Run bakeware under warm water. Sprinkle pan with Bar Keepers Friend Cookware and Cleanser Polish.
- Gently rub the powder into a paste and allow to sit for 1-2 minutes. Stubborn stains may take up to 5 minutes. Scrub well with soft cloth.
- Rinse with warm water. Repeat this process until tough stain no longer remains.
This deep cleaning is purely for aesthetic purposes. These steps are completely optional if you like the well-worn look of your bakeware. Fat Daddio’s anodized aluminum bakeware will perform well with regular soap and water cleanings.
Patina is not damage. It is the seasoned layer that builds from pan prep and baking fats, and most professional bakers leave it in place because it improves release. Read what patina is and why it helps, and see Pan Prep for how to prepare a pan before every bake.