Winter break festivities have come and gone. But after all the inevitable baking, entertaining, and giving that comes with the season, do you have more than a few aluminum pie pans left over?
As you probably already know, the good news is that aluminum pans are recyclable. But before you throw it in the recycling bin, you might want to see if you can get more use for it. Here are some reuse and upcycling ideas for old aluminum pans. From practical to quirky.
1. Feed the birds and squirrels
Birds, squirrels and other wildlife tend to have trouble finding food during the cold winter months. Make an inexpensive feeder out of an aluminum pie pan and give it back to friendly critters in your yard.
Place the pan on a flat surface outdoors, weigh it down with rocks from your yard, and then fill it with birdseed of your choice. If the squirrel doesn’t eat it all first, your feathered friend will probably thank you with a cry or two.
2. Use a pie pan for crafts
Aluminum pans are especially suitable for crafts made by young children. Use it as a paint palette. Or store beads, glitter, and glue here while you work on projects with your kids.
When you’re done with your craft time, wash your pans well in warm water and dry them. You can then save it to make later or place it in your recycling bin.
3. Hall Deck
If you’re looking to give your decor a more rustic feel, take a lesson from the ages. In the past, people Crafted holiday ornaments From old cans and scrap tin. With a little effort and creativity, you can create your own traditional style ornaments. All you need to get the job done is an aluminum pan and a few basic tools.
4. Don’t mess up your candles
Pillar candles tend to fall off, and a big mess definitely ruins the mood. Before lighting the candle, place an aluminum pie pan under the candle to protect the surface.
If you’re worried your aluminum pan will clash with your decorations, use sturdy scissors to cut off the bottom and throw the sides in the recycling bin. The flat aluminum circle is less noticeable but protects the table from wax drippings.
5. Feed Fido on the go
Because they’re lightweight yet fairly sturdy, aluminum pie pans are perfect for cooking for your pet on the go.
Store it with your outdoor gear and use it as a food and water bowl on your next camping trip, picnic, or beach trip.
6. Making a picture frame
SFGate.com contributor Mary Love suggests using pie pans to: alternative picture frames Or a frame to display your child’s artwork. All you have to do is paint a plate with craft paint, cut out a circle from a photo and glue it into place. You can display the picture on your refrigerator by attaching a magnet to the back.
7. Reduce mess while cooking
Networx.com writer Sayward Rebhal suggests using an old pie pan to: Basket for roasting vegetables. To prevent vegetables from falling onto the coals, poke a few holes in an aluminum pan, fill it with vegetables, and place it on the grill.
Aluminum pans with small holes are also great for reducing the mess when frying food on the stove. If there is a lot of oil splattering, you can protect yourself and your kitchen from hot cooking oil by simply placing the pie pan on top of the food in the frying pan.
8. Cooking tools
During outdoor cooking, try using an old aluminum pan to protect your hands when grilling food on sticks over an open fire.
Just drill two holes on opposite sides of the pan. Then slide the stick you’ll be using to roast marshmallows or hot dogs through the hole. Aluminum sits on one end of the rod and the other end allows you to stick food into it. Aluminum provides a heat shield for your hands when placing food over a fire or coals.
9. Garden planter
This isn’t a reuse idea for pie size pans, but I thought I’d include it since you might have some larger aluminum pans you’d like to reuse before recycling.
Contributors at ThriftyFun.org suggest using an old aluminum roasting pan or loaf pan as a cooking utensil. garden flower pot. This large pan can hold several seed pots when you start planting seedlings in the spring. The pan can hold water and has raised edges to keep the seedlings upright and stable.
Editor’s note: This article was first published on November 27, 2013 and updated in November 2024.
