I put my aluminium stove top coffee pot in the dishwasher ...

[TheFarSide]

... and it came out with a grey powdery coating. I've washed this off with soap and water and have polished it with Silvo but it's still looking dull.

Can it be restored?

No, I don't think so as the same thing happened to ours. I can't use it now as it sets my teeth on edge!

Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

I bought it in Italy and I am very attached to it.

Most places I've looked (I'm bored this afternoon!) say you can't fix it, though Kim Pace of Fort Worth, TX suggests "Try making a paste of water and cream of tarter (available in the spice aisle at the grocery store, if not already in your kitchen cabinet). Use either a clean cotton cloth, or in this case, an old tooth brush, nail brush or sponge, and work the paste until the shine has been restored."

(That was for a meat tenderiser, btw.)

Have also done this with a stove top coffee pot, but it must have been bought in Britain. Maybe you can get a replacement?

Thanks OldLady - I had another go with the Silvo and I think if I do a LOT of polishing it might help. I might just buy another similar one - there are a few on Amazon and Ebay.

I'm just annoyed with myself!!!

No. I knackered ours in the dishwasher.

Sorry.

I'm quite attached to ours after it's dishwasher trip - looks quite cool I think in its own battered, dull way...

Try some baby oil, I did the same with my eye watering expensive knife block. Granted, I don't handle it often but it brought it back to life.

I've used white vinegar on glasses when they've got that white crap on them - give it a try.

I wouldn't mind the dull pewter look but for some reason only the top part is discoloured while the bottom part is still shiny.

Thanks all for some interesting suggestions - I shall go a hunting in the cupboards for white vinegar and baby oil.

when aluminium goes black like that, you can only get it bright by repolishing it. Metal polish like Silvo or Duraglit will do it, or you can get a paste called Solvol Autosol at some motorists toyshops. The black tarnish is very hard though and you may get better results using the polish with a nylon kitchen scourer rather than a rag or toothbrush. With rough aluminium castings you can use a brass wire brush to brighten them but the surface will never be smooth again.

In my experience it will never look right again so think about a new one.

Cheers Piglet - two goes with the Silvo has helped a lot. I think I might be able to live with it. It's not a madly expensive coffee pot - I was just annoyed that I have ruined yet another thing in the dishwasher.