Cleaning Copper Pans: Removing Stubborn, Burnt Food

Burnt copper pans can be a challenge to clean, but with the right techniques and a bit of patience, they can be restored to their former glory. Here are some methods to clean burnt copper pans and remove tough stains:

- Boil water with a cleaning agent such as vinegar or baking soda to help loosen the burnt food before scrubbing.

- Create a paste with baking soda and water, apply it to the burnt areas, and scrub with a soft sponge or cloth.

- Use natural cleaning solutions like lemon juice, salt, or vinegar to remove stubborn stains.

- For heavy-duty cleaning, combine vinegar and baking soda to create a fizzing reaction that breaks down burnt food.

- Avoid using abrasive tools and harsh chemicals like steel wool or bleach, as these can scratch or damage the copper surface.

- For maintenance, wash copper pans with warm water, a soft sponge, and gentle dish soap after each use.

How to clean copper pans with burnt food

Soak in hot soapy water

Soaking your copper pan in hot soapy water is a great first step to cleaning burnt food off your copper pan. It is important to let the pan cool down before you start cleaning it. Then, fill your kitchen sink or a large bucket with very hot, soapy water and let the pan soak for several hours. Replace the water with additional hot water if necessary, depending on how dirty the copper pan is.

If you are short on time, you can also try filling the pan with water and about 1/4 cup of baking soda, then put it right back on the burner. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes, then wash with soap and water.

If there is still burnt-on food, you can try a few other methods. One method is to fill the pan with water and throw in a dryer sheet. Let the pan soak for half an hour and then remove the sheet and scrub away. You can also try scrubbing the pan with aluminium foil. First, soak the copper pan in water for a few minutes. Then, ball up one or more pieces of aluminium foil and scrub over the stained area.

Remember to avoid using abrasive cleaning tools on your copper pan, as copper is a soft metal that can scratch easily.

Use natural cleaning solutions

Natural cleaning solutions are an excellent option for those who want to avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning their copper pans. Here are some detailed, step-by-step instructions for using natural products to clean burnt copper pans:

Lemon and Salt

The citric acid in lemon juice reacts with the tarnish, breaking its bond with the copper surface. Meanwhile, salt acts as a gentle abrasive, helping to scrub away the burnt residue without damaging the pan.

Instructions:

• Wash the pan: Start by washing the pan in warm, soapy water with a soft sponge to remove any grease or dust.
• Make a cleaning paste: In a small bowl, mix salt and lemon juice to form a paste. If the paste is too runny, add more salt until you achieve the desired consistency.
• Scrub the pan: Using a sponge, spread the paste over the burnt areas of the pan. Work in small, gentle circles as you scrub. Make more paste if needed.
• Treat stubborn stains: For particularly stubborn stains, apply the paste and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing. Alternatively, cut a fresh lemon in half and dip it in table salt, then use this to scrub the heavily burnt areas.
• Rinse and dry: Once the burnt residue is removed, rinse the pan in warm water. Use a lint-free towel to dry the pan. Avoid air-drying, as this can cause water stains or further tarnishing.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

This method uses a combination of vinegar and baking soda to create a powerful yet natural cleaning solution.

Instructions:

• Wash the pan: Begin by washing the burnt pan with warm, soapy water to remove any grease or grime.
• Make a vinegar and baking soda paste: In a small bowl, combine vinegar and water, then add baking soda to form a paste.
• Apply the paste: Use a sponge to spread the paste over the burnt areas of the pan.
• Soak and scrub: Pour the remaining vinegar and water mixture into a large bucket or sink, and fully immerse the copper pan. Let it soak for several hours. After soaking, use a non-abrasive scrubber to remove any remaining residue.
• Rinse and dry: Rinse the pan with warm water and dry it thoroughly with a cloth.

Lemon and Lemon Juice

Lemon is an excellent natural cleaner due to its high citric acid content, which reacts with and helps remove tarnish.

Instructions:

• Cut a lemon in half and dip the cut ends in table salt.
• Rub the salty lemon over the burnt areas of the pan. The salt will act as a gentle abrasive, helping to lift away burnt residue.
• Add more salt as needed to remove stubborn stains.
• Rinse and dry: Rinse the pan with warm water and dry it with a lint-free cloth.

Vinegar and Salt

Vinegar is another natural product that can effectively clean copper pans. The acetic acid in vinegar reacts with copper tarnish, breaking its bond with the metal.

Instructions:

• Make a vinegar and salt paste: In a small bowl, mix distilled white vinegar and table salt to make a paste.
• Apply the paste: Use a sponge to spread the paste over the burnt areas of the pan.
• Buff the pan: Wait about 5 minutes, then use a soft, damp cloth to buff the pan in a circular motion.
• Rinse and dry: Rinse the pan in warm water and dry it with a cloth to prevent water spots. Repeat the process if necessary.

Remember, when cleaning burnt copper pans, it's important to avoid using abrasive cleaning tools and harsh chemicals, as these can damage the soft metal. Instead, opt for natural cleaning solutions and gentle scrubbing tools like soft cloths or sponges.

Use chemical cleaning agents

If your copper pans have burnt food stuck to them, there are several chemical cleaning agents that can help remove the residue.

One option is to use a commercial copper cleaner, such as Bar Keepers Friend. Apply the cleaner to the bottom of the pan and scrub with a soft cloth. Then, rinse the pan with warm water and dry it with a cloth. However, it's important to note that chemical cleaners can be harsh on your hands and may also affect your copper pans, so use them with caution.

Another method is to create a paste by combining baking soda and water in a ratio of 3:1. Apply this paste liberally to the burnt areas of the pan, allowing it to sit for a few hours or overnight. Then, scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if needed. This method can also be adapted for cast iron pans, where you combine baking soda with just enough water to create a sandy paste and scrub with a stiff-bristle brush.

For a heavier-duty cleaning solution, you can combine white vinegar and baking soda. First, remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, add enough white vinegar to cover the bottom of the pan with at least half an inch of liquid. Boil the vinegar in the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add a cup of baking soda, which will cause a fizzing reaction. Set the pan aside until the fizzing stops, then discard the liquid and scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge, adding more baking soda if necessary. Finally, rinse and dry the pan.

Additionally, you can use lemons to clean and shine your copper pans. Cut a lemon in half and dip the cut ends in table salt. Rub the salty lemon over the outside of the pan, adding more salt if needed to loosen the burnt residue. Rinse the pan in warm water and dry it with a lint-free microfiber cloth. For heavier tarnishing, create a paste with lemon juice and baking soda. Apply this paste to the copper with a sponge and let it sit for at least five minutes. Then, use a damp microfiber cloth to buff the copper in a circular motion, repeating as needed until the desired shine is achieved.

Remember to always exercise caution when using chemical cleaning agents, and ensure proper ventilation during their use.

Remove burnt food

Before attempting any cleaning methods, it's important to remove as much burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Fill your sink with very hot, soapy water and allow the pan to soak for several hours. You can also fill the pan with water and add a few squirts of mild dish detergent and/or a generous splash of vinegar, then bring it to a boil. For heavy build-up, add a cup or more of baking soda for a more abrasive cleaning agent.

If there is still burnt-on food, scrub the pan with a non-abrasive brush, sponge, or cloth. You can also try using a soft-bristled brush or a wooden spatula to dislodge the burnt food. Avoid using abrasive tools or scrubbing pads on copper pans, as these can scratch and damage the surface.

If there are only a few burnt food particles remaining, they can usually be removed with a soft cloth and some dish soap. For more severe burn marks, you may need to try a more aggressive cleaning method.

Common household items for removing burnt food

• Baking soda: Make a paste with three parts baking soda to one part water, or simply sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the pan and add water. Let the mixture sit for a few hours or overnight, then scrub with a brush or sponge.
• Fabric softener: Soak the pan in water and add a few squirts of fabric softener. Let it soak for about an hour, then pour out the water and scrub the pan.
• Aluminium foil: First, soak the pan in water for a few minutes. Then, ball up a piece of aluminium foil and scrub the stained area.
• Lemon and salt: Cut a lemon in half and dip the cut end in salt. Rub the salty lemon over the outside of the pan, adding more salt as needed to loosen the burnt food.
• Ketchup: Spread ketchup over the burnt area and let it sit for at least 10 minutes, then wipe away with a sponge. If necessary, add a little baking soda to the ketchup and scrub.
• Vinegar and salt: Mix one tablespoon of distilled white vinegar with 1/4 cup of salt to make a paste. Apply the paste to the copper and let it sit for five minutes, then buff with a damp, soft cloth.
• Cottage cheese: Coat the pan with an even layer of cottage cheese and let it sit for five minutes or more. Then, dampen a cloth and scrub the pan before rinsing off the cheese with clean water.

Polish with a soft cloth

Once you have removed the burnt food from your copper pan and cleaned it, it's time to polish it with a soft cloth. This will help to restore its shine and keep it looking like new. Here are some detailed instructions on how to polish your copper pan:

Start by drying the pan thoroughly with a clean towel or lint-free microfiber cloth. This step is crucial to prevent water spots from forming on the copper surface. Make sure that the cloth you use is made of soft, absorbent material to avoid scratching the pan.

After the pan is completely dry, it's time to break out your soft cloth. A microfiber cloth is an excellent option for this step, as it is gentle on the copper surface yet effective at removing any remaining residue. You can also use a soft, non-abrasive sponge if you prefer.

Apply a small amount of polish to the cloth or sponge. You can use a commercial copper polish or a natural option like lemon juice and baking soda. Make sure to read the instructions on your chosen product and test it on a small area first to ensure it doesn't damage the copper.

Gently rub the polish onto the surface of the pan using circular motions. Take your time with this step, ensuring that you cover the entire pan evenly. Pay extra attention to any areas that may be more heavily tarnished or stained.

Once you have applied the polish, use a clean, dry section of your cloth or a fresh cloth to buff the pan to a shine. Again, use gentle circular motions, and you'll start to see your pan's beautiful copper glow return.

Finally, give the pan one last wipe with a clean, dry cloth to remove any excess polish or residue. Your copper pan should now be clean, shiny, and ready for its next use!

Remember to clean and polish your copper pans regularly to maintain their shine and prevent tough stains from building up. With proper care, your copper cookware will last for years and continue to add a touch of elegance to your kitchen.

Frequently asked questions