Aluminum circles commonly used in making kitchen utensils (such as pots, basins, steamers, pot lids, baking trays, etc.) are indeed a practical and economical material choice. Aluminum is light, has fast heat conduction, is easy to process and form, and has a relatively low cost, which is very in line with the needs of kitchen utensils manufacturing.
Material and specifications
- Common grades: 1060 (pure aluminum), 3003 (aluminum-manganese alloy), 5052 (aluminum-magnesium alloy), etc. Among them, 3003 has a corrosion resistance close to that of industrial pure aluminum and is suitable for deep drawing processes.
- Temper and performance: Common tempers are O state (soft state), H12 (semi-hard state), etc. Aluminum circles in a stretchable state are not easy to crack during stamping and spinning.
- Thickness and diameter: Thickness range 0.3-6mm, diameter 100-1250mm, some aluminum circles manufacturers can customize products with a thickness of 0.6-10mm.
Pot lids, steamers, thin baking trays: 0.3mm - 0.8mm is commonly used
Soup pots, milk pots: 0.8mm - 1.5mm is commonly used (high deep drawing performance requirements)
Frying pans, woks: 1.5mm - 2.5mm is commonly used (even thicker, especially composite bottoms)
Pot bottoms (especially composite bottoms): may be thicker, or use multi-layer composite materials.
Key performance requirements of aluminum circle for utensils:
- Food grade safety:
This is the first requirement! Aluminum must comply with national food contact material safety standards and US FDA standards. Ensure that the migration of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, etc.) is within the safety limit. Suppliers should be able to provide proof of compliance with food grade standards (material certification/MSDS).
- Formability:
Kitchenware manufacturing uses a large number of stamping (deep drawing, shallow drawing), spinning and other processes, requiring aluminum circles for cookware to have excellent ductility and plastic deformation capabilities.
- Corrosion resistance:
Kitchen utensils will come into contact with water, salt, acid (such as tomatoes, vinegar), etc., requiring aluminum to have sufficient corrosion resistance to avoid premature rust or the production of harmful substances. 3003 and 5052 have good corrosion resistance, and pure aluminum is also very good but has low strength.
- Thermal conductivity:
The thermal conductivity of aluminum is one of its core advantages as a kitchenware material, and it can transfer heat quickly and evenly. Pure aluminum has the best thermal conductivity, and alloys will be slightly lower, but the thermal conductivity of 3003/5052 is still far better than stainless steel and other materials.
- Surface quality:
The surface of the aluminum circles should be smooth, clean, free of oil, and without obvious scratches, indentations, oxidation spots and other defects to ensure the quality of subsequent surface treatment (such as anodizing, spraying) and the appearance of the finished product.
Features of aluminum circle for kitchen utensils:
- Lightweight: Aluminum is light and easy to operate and carry.
- Good thermal conductivity: Aluminum has excellent thermal conductivity and can conduct heat quickly and evenly, making it suitable for cooking and baking.
- Corrosion resistance: The oxide film naturally formed on the surface of aluminum materials can effectively resist the erosion of moisture and air, reducing the risk of rust and corrosion.
- Easy to process: Aluminum circles are easy to cut, form and weld, and can be customized in size and shape according to different needs.
- Non-toxic and safe: Aluminum meets food safety standards and is suitable for kitchen utensils that come into direct contact with food.
Application scenarios of kitchen utensils aluminum circles include but are not limited to:
- Pots: used to make various aluminum pots, such as frying pans, woks, etc.
- Baking utensils: making baking utensils such as baking trays, pizza trays, cake molds, etc.
- Tableware: used to make aluminum dinner plates, bowls, etc.
- Kitchen accessories: such as aluminum lids, partitions, etc.
Quality judgment of aluminum circle for utensils:
- Thickness: Uniform thickness is the key, for example, aluminum pots with thicker pot walls have a longer service life.
- Surface treatment: Anodizing, enamel and other processes can improve corrosion resistance and aesthetics, and avoid choosing products with scratches, oil stains or oxidation spots.
- Brand and certification: The product qualification rate of HC Aluminum and other enterprises reached 98%, and they have passed many international certifications.
Precautions for use:
- Avoid acidic environment: Long-term contact with acidic foods such as vinegar and tomatoes may cause aluminum ions to precipitate. It is recommended that the cooking time should not exceed 30 minutes, and avoid long-term storage.
- Cleaning and maintenance: Use neutral detergent, avoid high-temperature cleaning, and wipe dry in time after cleaning to prevent oxidation.
- Coating maintenance: Avoid scratching the non-stick pan coating with sharp kitchen utensils. If the coating falls off, stop using it.
For aluminum circles used to make kitchen utensils, 3003 and 5052 aluminum alloys are the absolute main force. With their excellent formability, sufficient strength, good corrosion resistance, excellent thermal conductivity and reasonable cost, they are widely used in various products such as pots, basins, lids, drawers, and plates.