Aluminum Products

Popularity

Aluminum probably makes a stronger appeal to the purchaser than any other ware in house furnishings. Its attractiveness, lightness, and durability have been so widely advertised by the manufacturers that few housekeepers are unacquainted with its advantages. The salesperson therefore needs to be particularly well informed in regard to all its good points.

The stock includes utensils of the same sorts as those made of enameled ware, and in addition others, such as frying pans, which cannot safely be made of enameled ware, because of the extreme heat to which they are subjected. Fireless cooker receptacles are usually of aluminum.

Attractiveness

The bright, silvery appearance of aluminum ware makes a strong appeal to all purchasers. Aluminum, moreover, does not tarnish as silver does. A kitchen in which many of the utensils are of this metal is decidedly attractive.

Lightness

Aluminum is one-third the weight of iron, one-fourth the weight of silver, and lighter than glass. Its lightness makes it especially suitable for such articles as large frying pans, double boilers, and roasters, which in cast iron are too heavy to be handled conveniently.

Durability

Aluminum is as strong as iron. In fact it is often used in the place of iron when strength and lightness are both required, as in air-ships. The remarkable durability of the metal assures the purchaser of an article of aluminum that it will last a lifetime. In addition to its inherent strength this metal has the advantage of being non-rusting. This quality means much in any cooking utensil.

Economy

The initial cost of aluminum is rather high. This is offset, however, by its durability, and by the economy in fuel which attends its use.

Aluminum ware requires less fuel, for it conducts heat readily. Heat is distributed through it twice as fast as through tin, and three times as fast as through iron. It requires a large amount of heat at first, but when the article is once filled with heat very little is required to keep the contents of the aluminum kettle boiling. If gas is used, it should be turned down by one-third or one-half after the contents of the utensil have begun to boil. This is very different from iron or steel, where the heat collects in the center of the utensil. This characteristic of aluminum makes it a good warm-weather utensil.

Handles of aluminum utensils are quite often of tinned iron, steel, or wood, because aluminum ones become hot so quickly.

Furthermore, as aluminum is a good conductor of heat, food does not burn in aluminum utensils quickly: the heat distributes itself through the vessel instead of concentrating in one place.

In addition to conducting heat rapidly aluminum also holds heat longer than any other metal. This is a valuable property when food is to be kept warm. Coffee and tea will keep hot longer in aluminum pots than in other materials.

Aluminum is therefore the common material for fireless cooking. Food which has started to cook on the stove and has been transferred to the fireless cooker will retain the original heat for a long time. (For further information upon fireless cooking.

Occurrence of Aluminum

Aluminum is more abundant than iron, constituting 8 per cent of the earth's crust, but it is always found in combination never as a free metal. Its most common form is in combination with oxygen in clay. In fact, aluminum is the basic metal of all clay. It is also found in nearly all rock. Even the beautiful precious stones, the ruby and the sapphire, are forms of aluminum in combination with other elements.