Restore Red Copper Pots And Pans To Their Former Glory

Copper cookware is a sight to behold, but it requires more care than other metals. Copper is delicate and reactive, so it's important to clean and care for it properly to protect your investment and keep it looking as good as new. Here's a guide on how to clean red copper pots and pans and keep them shiny.

Wash with warm water, a soft sponge, and gentle dish soap

To clean your red copper pots and pans, start by allowing them to cool completely. Then, fill your sink with warm water and add a mild dish soap. Soak the pans for a few minutes to loosen any stuck-on food. Next, use a soft sponge to gently scrub the surfaces of the pans. Avoid using steel wool or other abrasive materials, as these can damage the delicate copper finish. If you're having trouble removing stuck-on food, try sprinkling some coarse salt on the sponge to create a gentle abrasive. Alternatively, you can make a paste with lemon juice and baking soda, apply it to the pan, and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. Once you've finished scrubbing, rinse the pans with warm water and dry them thoroughly with a soft cloth.

Remember to always wash your copper pots and pans by hand and avoid putting them in the dishwasher. The heat and harsh detergents can damage the copper finish. It's also important to dry your pans completely after washing to prevent water spots and slow down the tarnishing process. With proper care, your red copper pots and pans will maintain their shine and performance for years to come.

Buff with lemon juice and baking soda

Lemon juice and baking soda are effective ingredients for cleaning badly tarnished copper. To make a simple homemade copper cleaner, start by combining lemon juice with baking soda and stirring until the mixture is fully blended. Next, apply the paste to the copper surface and buff it in a circular motion with a soft, clean cloth. Finally, rinse and dry the copper item.

Lemon juice is a natural acid that helps to remove tarnish from copper, while baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive to help lift away any stubborn grime. This cleaning method is ideal for copper items that are heavily tarnished and in need of a deeper clean.

For regular, light polishing of copper items, a mixture of ketchup and fine sea salt can be used. Combine two parts ketchup with one part fine sea salt, stir the ingredients into a paste, and apply it evenly to the copper surface. Let the paste sit for several minutes before washing it off with cold water. Be sure to thoroughly dry the copper item with a clean cotton cloth to prevent water spots.

While lemon juice and baking soda are effective for removing tarnish, it is important to note that copper is a delicate material and should be handled with care. Avoid using abrasive products or scrubbing copper items too vigorously, as this can cause scratches or other damage to the surface.

Clean with vinegar and salt

Cleaning red copper pots and pans with vinegar and salt is an easy and natural way to make your copper cookware shine like new. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Materials

You will need white vinegar, table salt, a scour pad or microfiber cloth, and a spray bottle (optional). It is also recommended to have a cup of water and a mild dish soap on hand for rinsing and drying.

Step 2: Apply Salt to the Copper Surface

Sprinkle salt onto the bottom of your copper pans or pots. Make sure the salt covers the entire surface area that you want to clean.

Step 3: Apply Vinegar

Pour or spray the white vinegar onto the salt. You will notice a colour change as the vinegar reacts with the salt. This reaction is what helps to break down the tarnish on your copper cookware.

Step 4: Scrub the Surface

Take your scour pad or microfiber cloth and rub the vinegar and salt into the copper surface. Apply light pressure and move in a circular motion. For more stubborn tarnish, let the solution sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. Add more vinegar and salt as needed and continue to scrub until your desired level of cleanliness is achieved.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry

Once you are satisfied with the results, rinse the copper cookware with warm water to remove any remaining vinegar and salt residue. Use a lint-free or microfiber cloth to dry the copper thoroughly. Do not air-dry as this can result in water stains or further tarnishing.

Additional Tips:

• You can also create a paste by mixing equal parts vinegar and salt. Apply this paste to the copper surface and buff it with a soft cloth before rinsing and drying.
• For more heavily tarnished copper, create a cleaning solution by mixing three parts water, one part vinegar, and one to three tablespoons of salt in a stainless-steel pot. Bring the solution to a boil and submerge the copper piece. Let it cool, then scrub with a vinegar-and-salt paste before rinsing and drying.
• Always test new cleaning solutions on a small, inconspicuous area of your copper item before applying them to the entire surface.
• Avoid using abrasive products and scouring your copper cookware too aggressively, as this can cause irreparable damage.

Polish with ketchup

Ketchup is an effective way to clean your copper pots and pans and keep them sparkling. Ketchup contains acid and salt, which work together to remove tarnish from copper. The tomatoes in ketchup contain acid that helps remove tarnish, and the salt acts as a natural abrasive to buff away the corrosion.

To clean your copper cookware with ketchup, start by applying a generous amount of ketchup to a soft cotton or hemp cloth—avoid synthetic materials as these can scratch the surface. Spread the ketchup evenly over the surface of the copper, working it into the metal with the cloth. Focus on areas with tarnish and let the ketchup sit for a bit. Next, buff the surface with a clean, soft cloth to remove the ketchup and reveal the copper's shine. Finally, rinse the pan with warm water and dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth to prevent water spots.

If you have dark spots on your copper, these are likely carbon stains from cooking starchy foods, such as pasta. Carbon bonds easily with copper, and these spots may require a stronger commercial solution or mechanical buffing. However, ketchup can still help to lighten these spots and restore some shine.

For regular maintenance and light polishing of your copper pots and pans, Mac Kohler of Brooklyn Copper recommends combining two parts ketchup with one part fine sea salt. Mix them into a paste and apply it uniformly to the copper with your fingers or a cellulose sponge. Let the paste sit for several minutes before washing it off with cold water. Then, dry the copper thoroughly with a clean cotton cloth to prevent water spots and maintain the copper's shine.

Dry thoroughly

Drying your red copper pots and pans thoroughly is a crucial step in the cleaning process. Leaving copper wet will speed up the oxidation process, so it's important to dry your cookware as soon as possible after washing. Use a clean cotton cloth to dry your pans and pots, as air-drying can cause water spots. Make sure to get into any nooks and crannies where handles or other components meet the copper, as this can cause verdigris—a combination of oxides, sulfites, and sulfates—to form. If you're drying a tin-lined copper pan, be sure to dry it thoroughly with a cotton dish towel to prevent water spots.

If your copper is lacquered, you can wipe it down with a dry cloth after washing. If your copper is unlacquered, it's especially important to dry it thoroughly with a lint-free microfiber cloth. This will help prevent water spots and slow the formation of tarnish.

Remember, moisture speeds up the rate at which copper tarnishes, so always dry your red copper pots and pans thoroughly after washing!

Frequently asked questions