Dear Gavin

The black-grey film to which you refer is aluminium oxide and this is produced when the exposed surface of the aluminium bases are allowed to come into contact with any strong alkali, such as sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), which is the main active ingredient found in dishwasher detergents of all types. I imagine therefore that you have been washing this up in a dishwasher.

We would recommend hand washing this product using handwashing detergent which will not cause this problem.

To remove the current light deposits before changing to hand washing, use a little washing up liquid on the base and a little bit of elbow grease rubbing with a Scotchbrite green scouring pad or something similar. This will abrade the current aluminium oxide deposits and you will return to not having grey-streaked dishcloths etc. You can also use either of the AGA cleaning pastes if you have them and they will work even better. Once cleaned, rinse and dry off with a damp dishcloth and then place a drop of vegetable oil on the newly cleaned surfaces and wipe all over and then off using a piece of kitchen paper.

Best wishes


Richard Maggs
The AGA Cookery Doctor

Dear Heather,

Thank you for your question, we can confirm that these lids will fit the ceramic coated saute pans.

Best wishes,
AGA Cookshop.