Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----
Magnalite Cookware Refinishing
Quickstart: It appears that Magnalite Lifetime Warranty is not actually being honored anymore. A number of approaches for restoring it or at least improving it yourself are discussed. Read on ...
Restoring the surface of Magnalite
Q. I have Magnalite cookware and the "nonstick" finish is destroyed due to age and use; specifically scratches. What can I do to restore the finish, or where can I have this done?
Barbara G [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Bellville, Texas
2003
Q. I have the Magnalite Cookware Set but, time has destroyed the beautiful finish of the cast aluminum set. My question to you is what can I do to restore the shine to this great set? For the price of the product, you can't find a better cookware set. I just want to bring back that new shine. I hope you can give me the name of a product that will do the job. Maybe one day my grandchildren will appreciate the quality of this cast aluminum cookware.
Thank you,
Georgia B [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Houston, Texas
adv: (affil link): Magnalite cookware on eBay
A. Use the finest grade #0000 steel wool ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . Scrub with a blob of Mothers on the steel wool. It will turn into a grey sludge. Use dish detergent to cut the sludge. Rinse and repeat as many times as necessary to remove all tarnish. Then to restore the shine use Simichrome ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] . It is expensive but worth it ⇨
Marilyn B [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Denver, Colorado
2003
A. Marilyn's advice sounds excellent for the outside of the pots & pans, but I would be more comfortable with the insides being re-anodized rather than polished.
If you get the inside good and clean (steel wool and pumice
⇦ this on
eBay or
Amazon [affil links] or cream of tartar
⇦ this on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links]
), you can do a somewhat passable job of "re-anodizing" by simply boiling distilled or de-ionized water in it for 24 hours. You don't need to dangerously keep it boiling while you sleep, you can do it in two 12-hour sessions. Have extra bottles of the water on hand because it will be constantly evaporating.
Luck & Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Want My Lifetime Guarantee Honored!
Q. I have 11 various pieces of Magnalite Cookware "non stick inside & out" (DARK GRAY). The finish on most of my pieces is is about 85% gone. When I purchased these I was told they had a life time guarantee & was given documents verifying this. The merchant I purchased them at is no longer in business. I purchased them in 1998. The guarantee was backed by the manufacturer, I would like to get these replaced or repaired. Any input on who I should contact would be really appreciated.
Bob M [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Bridgeport, Michigan
2005
Q. I own many pieces of Magnalite GHC anodized cookware. Many are in need of having the finish restored, which is covered by the "lifetime warranty". Would like name of anybody who can help me with this problem.
Jack K [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Cerritos, California
2006
A. Apparently the manufacturer of Magnalite has been taken over by American Culinary. They can be contacted through their web site at
americanculinarycorp.com ⇩
It would be interesting to know if they will honor this warranty.
- Tucson, Arizona
2006
[Ed. update: The above link isn't loading. Thankfully, The Internet Archive has preserved many versions across the decades
These days information often never sees print, then disappears forever. If that frightens or concerns you please consider a donation to The Internet Archive.
A. I believe the name of the company that makes Magnalite is General Housewares Corp. Their address is 1536 Beech Street, Terre Haute, IN 47804. Hope this helps anyone trying to use the warranty to get them refinished.
Paula D [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Phoenix, Arizona
Thanks to the folks in AZ for the info, I'll pursue this warranty issue and report back.
- Cerritos, California
A. Just to let you know - General Housewares (800-999-3436) just told me to call 888-327-8472, who told me to call 800-767-5160, who told me they are only honoring the Magnalite warranty on pans made in Korea. I am unable to find who is honoring the warranty on the Magnalite Professional pans which were made in the U.S. Does anyone out there know?
Sara R [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Wellington, Florida
A. I, also, have Magnalite Professional purchased in the late 80's. Although they look terrific from the outside, the insides are discolored and very unprofessional. Using the telephone number offered by a previous message, I called today. The company representative or CEO on the other end was very informative and concerned. He said that the discoloration was a result of acidic foods or carbon build-up. He recommended a thorough scouring with Bon Ami
⇦ this on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links]
and a Scotch-Brite
⇦ this on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links]
to be followed by wiping the inside with Wesson Oil. Afterwards, heat it in the oven or on top of the stove to allow the pores of the metal to absorb the oil. This seasoning is similar to the process completed upon using the cookware for the first time. Also suggested was a spray sold in restaurant supply stores called "Carbon Off"
⇦ this on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links]
. In addition, to take away the discoloration of the handles and lids a metal polish was recommended. This polishing paste made in Germany is called "Flitz" ⇦[this on
eBay or
Amazon affil links]
The gentleman also said that if there were further issues to please e-mail him at
wagnerware.com or americanculinarycorp.com ⇧.
I hope this helps others who thought we had bought the last pot in our lives. I might add that the representative or owner of the company thought we had the best cookware on the market and it was indeed professional quality.
- Santa Ana, California
2006
Q. Did anyone try the Bon-Ami/Carbon-Off Carbon remover solution listed above? Also, does anyone know if there is a hazard to your food by cooking things like tomato sauce and other foods in a pan that has lost it's anodized surface on the inside? What a huge disappointment these pans have been. I paid a lot of money for them when I purchased them way back in 1990. I've since been buying Circulon pans which I've had no problem with.
Ursula Gruenewald- Henderson, Nevada
May 4, 2008
Q. I would like to know if anyone found out about the lifetime warranty on the Magnalite pot. I too have a set from Katrina and would like to contact the company.
Terri D [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Norco, Louisiana
After several e-mails to American Culinary Corp., I am about ready to give up the quest for refinishing of my Maglite Pro GHC cookware. So much for lifetime warranties.
I have purchased a couple of pieces by Analon, and they seem to be okay, but just loved that Maglite. Too bad the company doesn't respond to e-mail.
- Cerritos, California
2006
A. I looked on the bottom of my Magnalite classic pots that I bought in 1996 and it has a phone number 1-800-545-4411. I don't know if they can help with warranty, but I'm going to try and call when they are open Monday.
Tricia Barber- Prairieville, Louisiana
June 8, 2008
Q. I have a very large Magnalite pot which was very expensive. The cover does not fit the pot any longer. Would this be considered a warranty issue?
Margaret Dugas- Donaldsonville, Louisiana USA
August 28, 2018
[editor appended this entry to this thread which already addresses it in lieu of spawning a duplicative thread]
Q. I purchased a complete set of Magnalite cookware when we were newlyweds in 1974. At that time we were offered a 50 year warranty (we chuckled and asked if we would still be married..we are!). I used them for many years but have ceased using them due to reflectance of contaminating our food. My pans never had a non stick coating on the inside. My pots never had a bright shine on the outside either. In addition, on the bottom of my pots one reads: MAGNALITE GHC USA and another pot reads: MAGNALITE PROFESSIONAL ITEM NO. 5383 MADE IN THE USA BY CHICAGO CUTLERY HOUSEWARES, A DIVISION OF GHC.
I would appreciate any suggestions about the 50 year warranty or their company sponsored refinishing program. Thank you.
Marlene Wilson- Alameda, California USA
March 12, 2019
A. Hi Marlene. We appended your inquiry to a page which already has numerous suggestions about the warranty, which I have reviewed and summarized here ...
- "the manufacturer of Magnalite has been taken over by American Culinary. They can be contacted through their web site at americanculinarycorp.com"
- "the company that makes Magnalite is General Housewares Corp. Their address is 1536 Beech Street, Terre Haute, IN 47804"
- "General Housewares (800-999-3436) just told me to call 888-327-8472, who told me to call 800-767-5160, who told me they are only honoring the Magnalite warranty on pans made in Korea"
- "I called General Housewares ... about 8 years ago ... and they replaced them"
- "please e-mail wagnerware.com or americanculinarycorp.com"
- "After several e-mails to American Culinary Corp., I am about ready to give up the quest ... the company doesn't respond to e-mail"
- "I looked on the bottom of my Magnalite classic pots that I bought in 1996 and it has a phone number 1-800-545-4411"
- "purchase the original Magnalite pots (not made in China). Go to www.wagnerware.com"
After decades of acquisitions and divestitures, there might not be an answer for Magnalite. And a more recent sin, which Congress refuses to outlaw, is 'meatball whoring': licensing trademarks, with their history and implied promises, to companies who actually have nothing to do with that history and who feel no obligation to honor its history when they slap the trademark on their product :-(
So at this point please try those leads, and please get back to us with what you find out, but frankly I expect little success based on this Wikipedia entry ⇨
You probably can't expect the millionaires who made you those promises to dock the yacht and honor them. Still there ought to be a law preventing selling off a company or buying one up in a way that cheats customers out of their warranty.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
I too have several pieces of Magnalite pro. After a few years all of the saucepans had lost their anodized surface on the inside. I called General Housewares and explained this to them and they replaced them. (This was about 8 years ago) When they sent me my replacement pans there was a letter advising me not to cook anything acidic in the pans as that is what erodes the anodized aluminum surface. Now I have Three 'like new' (because I hardly ever use them)'sauce' pans that I cannot use wine, lemon juice, or even make tomato sauce in....Kind of useless as far as sauce pans go! I have another mag pro 8 quart stock pot that the same thing has happened to. I don't even know if it is worth the trouble to get it replaced..or if they will even replace it! For the last ten years or so I have been buying All-Clad and have been very pleased. I will not ever buy any more mag pro or any other anodized aluminum pans.
- Farmington Hills, Michigan
2006
Repairing damage from Hurricane Katrina
Q. I would Like to know where and if it is possible to repair the Magnalite Pots I have that were caught in the hurricane Katrina flood waters. The pots I'm able to clean but due to the salt water of six feet in my home, screw tops have fallen off. Desperately need help.
Brenda C [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Carencro, Louisiana
2005
Q. Can I ever use my Magnalite pots that went through Hurricane Katrina again at our house in Bay St. Louis, MS? How do I clean the corrosion out of the inside? What type of cleaner? Do they need to be sandblasted?
Katherine C [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
2006
Q. I have read a couple of posts about GHC Magnalite cookware that went through Katrina. I have a large roaster that has corrosion in the bottom but has partially washed out. I would like to hear from anyone who knows how to sanitize this and other pots in the series so I don't have to be afraid to use them. The thought of having to throw them away makes me sick all over again.
Thanks for any help,
Wanda J [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- New Orleans, Louisiana
2006
Ed. note: We suggest scrubbing with cream of tartar ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and seeing what you have. If that cleans it up, boil distilled or deionized water in it for a total of 24 hours.
A. For those asking about their MAGNALITE that went through Katrina. All you need to do to sanitize them is to fill with clean water and add approx. 10% Chlorine and allow to sit for 2 -3 hours, Empty and wash with Bon Ami cleanser
⇦ this on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links]
. After the cookware has been dried, apply a VERY THIN coat of vegetable oil to both the inside and out, then bake in the oven @ 350 °F for 1 hour to Re-Season the cookware. In the future as I mentioned before use only Bon Ami
⇦ this on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links]
or Dish Soap to clean in the future and re-season approx. once a year. I am a retired Captain FDNY and used to cook for my Engine and Ladder Companies. I have a very large set of the Magnalite Professional Cookware that I purchased over the years and used at the Engine house. They all are still in excellent condition and I still use them today.
Stay Safe,
- Bridgeport, West Virginia
2006
Are Magnalite Professional pans teflon coated?
Q. I have a whole set of Magnalite professional pans and have recently read several articles about Teflon products being carcinogenic! Does anyone know if these pans are coated with Teflon? If so I believe we should throw them out and buy something different!
Thank you!
Loan Officer - Danville, California
2006
A. Hi Charlett. Countless millions of teflon-coated pots and pans and other food service items are in use, so millions of people feel they are safe. You certainly don't have to agree, and certainly don't have to use them, but don't throw them out and overload the landfills -- sell them. But I suspect they are anodized rather than teflon coated.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. Hello,
I'm trying to find out if my Magnalite GHC cookware is non-stick? Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Debbie
- oceanside, California
June 29, 2008
A. Hi, Debbie. You should be able to detect whether your cookware has a smooth teflon-like lining or not in these ways ...
You can feel the softness of the coating, you will see that water beads on it instead of any tendency to wet the surface, and you'll observe that it tends to "scuff" as opposed to scratch because it is relatively soft whereas anodized aluminum is extremely hard.
Hopefully, of course, it functions as a non-stick surface :-)
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
A. To update you on having your Magnalite pots refinished, I just had 36 pieces of mine done by this company here in Los Angeles. My pots are back to a new and even better shine! This company is willing to refinish any cast aluminum pot, i.e. MagPro, Magnalite Classic, All-Clad, Revere-Ware, Wear Ever,Vintage aluminum pots and pans like Wagner Ware, Guardian Service and 18 grade Stainless Steel. His specialty is anodizing. He does Residential or Commercial Pots and Pans (like for restaurants and such). I took pictures of my pots to show to anyone interested.
Duran Mouton- Venice, California
2007
Q. Looking for the name of the company that did the refinishing in Los Angeles. I have a huge set of Magnalite Pro that needs attention.
Michelle Welter- Miami, Florida
2007
Q. I have a set of Magnalite GHC pots that have lost their anodizing. They used to be grey black but are now the aluminum is exposed on the inside. What is the name of the company in Los Angeles and does anybody know of any companies that does the same process on the east coast?
Dave MacMaster - Woodstock, Vermont2007
Q. Does anybody know the name of the company in California that re-anodizes cookware?
Arthur Geffen- Dallas, Texas
2007
A. For all that is interested here is the name of the company in Los Angeles, CA that cleans pots including copper and brass: Kaleidoscope Polishing. The company is in the City of Gardena, which is a suburb of L.A. The owner is Mr. Ray H. Johnson, when contacting his office, speak to him and let him know I referred you to him from this site.
As I stated in March, my Magnalite pots are beautiful and since then I have more that I purchased from an Estate Sale along with some other items I will be taking to him. Good Luck and post your comments or questions here for all to share!
Duran Mouton [returning]- Venice, California
2007
A. Just heard from the man at Kaleidoscope and they do NOT re-anodize AllClad. Just clean and polish. Anybody know anyone who might re-anodize allclad?
Arthur Geffen- Dallas, Texas
March 6, 2008
Q. I HAVE RECENTLY PURCHASED A CAST ALUMINUM DUTCH OVEN (AMERICA/CLUB)AT A FLEA MARKET WHICH HAS BAKED ON GREASE AND DIRT ... WHAT CAN I USE TO GET THIS CLEAN SO IT CAN BE USED..SANDY
Sandy Duckerhomemaker - Canton, Ohio
2007
Ed. note: Another reader has suggested that Carbon Off ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] is for this situation
adv: (affil link): Magnalite cookware on eBay
(you are on the 1st page of the thread) Next page >
Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread