Finishes & Decorations
Applied to Cookware & Bakeware

     A finish or decoration for cookware can be any material which, when applied, changes the basic appearance and/or function of that cooking utensil from its natural surface.

     The finish or decoration may be applied through the use of either organic or inorganic materials. It may be fused on under high heat, spray-applied and bake-dried, plated over metal, applied by an electrolytic (anodized) method, or in some cases, silk screened or applied decal, as in the case of a decoration.

     The type of finish or decoration has certain advantages in each instance, and generally, its application will be made where factors of use, durability, heat, abrasion, design and appearance or other requirements will make one finish more suitable than another.

     The finishes or decorations as outlined below are not intended to be all-inclusive, but they do represent those most commonly used on cookware products.

PORCELAIN ENAMEL ON ALUMINUM OR STAINLESS STEEL

     Porcelain enamel for aluminum or stainless steel is a vitreous or glassy inorganic material, which bonds to metal at temperatures of about 1,000° F. (540° C.), producing a glossy coating. Available in a variety of colors, it is usually applied to the exterior surfaces of aluminum or stainless steel.

Characteristics: Color; dishwasher-safe; ease of cleaning; resistant to abrasion; stain resistant.

PORCELAIN ENAMEL ON STEEL OR CASTIRON

     Porcelain enamel for steel or cast iron is a vitreous or glassy inorganic material, which requires bonding to metal by fusion at temperatures in excess of 1,400° F. (760° C.), producing a glossy coating. Available in a variety of colors, it is usually applied to the interior and exterior surfaces of steel or cast iron.

Characteristics: color; resistant to abrasion; dishwasher-safe; stain-resistant; ease of cleaning

ACRYLIC FINISH

     An acrylic enamel is a thermoplastic resin coating bonded to the metal by baking at approximately 450° F. (230° C.). Available in a variety of colors, it is usually applied to the exterior surfaces of aluminum or stainless steel.

Characteristics: color; dishwasher-safe; chip-resistant; stain-resistant.

POLYURETHANE FINISH

     Polyurethane enamel is an organic resin coating applied to metal and plastic surfaces and cured at approximately 350° F. (180° C). Available in a variety of colors, it is applied to exterior metal and plastic surfaces.

Characteristics: decorative; stain-resistant; chip and scuff-resistant; dishwasher-safe.

EPOXY FINISH

     Epoxy enamel is an organic resin coating applied to exterior metal surfaces and cured at approximately 450° F. (230° C). Available in a variety of colors.

Characteristics: decorative; stain-resistant; chip and scuff-resistant; dishwasher-safe.

SILK SCREEN – PORCELAIN

     Silk screening is a decorative process in which a special porcelain enamel is forced through a design on a screen. Design is bonded to exterior surfaces of porcelain enameled utensils, and/or uncoated exterior surfaces of aluminum, stainless steel or glass-ceramic at temperatures of about 1,000° F. (540° C).

Characteristics: decorative; ease of cleaning; colorful; resistant to abrasion; dishwasher-safe; stain-resistant.

SILK SCREEN - ACRYLIC

     Silk screening is a decorative process in which a special ink or paste is forced through a design on a screen, bonded to surface at temperatures of about 450° F. (230° C). It is applied to exterior uncoated surfaces of aluminum or stainless steel, or exterior surfaces, which have been painted with an acrylic finish.

Characteristics: decorative; chip-resistant; colorful; stain-resistant; dishwasher-safe.

PLATE FINISH>

Nickel and chrome to a base metal such as carbon steel, aluminum, copper or brass. Characteristics: hard; dishwasher-safe; bright; ease of cleaning.

TIN FINISH

     A tin finish may be applied either electroplating or by wiping melted tin onto the base metal, usually steel, copper or cast iron.

Characteristics: protective coating; good heat conductivity.

ANODIZED FINISH

     Anodizing is the process whereby the natural oxide film of aluminum is increased Electro-chemically in thickness to give it a hard non-oxidizing finish. The oxide film can be dyed and sealed to give a colored surface on aluminum cookware covers, bakeware, specialty items, giftware, etc.

Characteristics: decorative; heat-absorbent; stain-resistant (in satin finishes); scratch-resistant; cannot chip or peel (integral layer).

HARDCOAT ANODIZED FINISH

     Hardcoat anodizing is an electro-chemical process whereby the natural oxide film of aluminum is increased chemically in thickness to give it a hard stable finish. The hardcoat-anodized process develops both a thicker oxide layer than regular anodized and a natural integral color ranging from bronze to black and is used on both interior and exterior of aluminum cookware and bakeware.

Characteristics: hard; cannot chip or peel; scratch-resistant (integral layer); stain-resistant; heat-absorbent; ease of cleaning.