Tiffany Haney
Getting grease off copper pans can be a challenge, but there are several methods to try. One option is to use a commercial copper cleaner like Bar Keepers Friend or Wright's Copper Cream. For a more natural approach, create a paste with vinegar and salt or lemon juice and baking soda, and apply it to the copper surface. You can also try melting butter in the pan over low heat, or even try cola or apple cider vinegar.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cleaners | Lemon juice, baking soda, vinegar, salt, ketchup, Barkeeper's Friend, Bon Ami, Bar Keepers Friend, Wright's Copper Cream, CLR, oven cleaner, cola, cream of tartar, dish soap, water, Elbow grease, butter, Coke, apple cider vinegar, hot diluted apple cider vinegar, scouring powder, scouring pads, dishwasher tablet, Easy-Off Oven Cleaner, ammonia, peroxide, Barkeeper's Friend liquid, Stain Solver, Bon Ami, oxalic acid, Stain Solver, flour, microfiber cloth, scrub brush, scrubber, sponge, scouring pads, scrub brush, scrubber, sponge, scouring pads, scrub brush, scrubber, sponge, scouring pads |
| Techniques | Soak, scrub, boil, rinse, repeat, dry, polish, spot test, buff, wash, wipe, melt butter, tie up pan in airtight garbage bag, heat, chisel, coat with mineral or baby oil, store in a cool, dry place, coat with varnish, apply a gentle wash, use a soft sponge, use a non-scratch sponge, use a non-scratch scrubber, use a soft cloth, use a toothbrush, use a non-scratch sponge, use a non-scratch scrubber, use a soft cloth, use a toothbrush, use a non-scratch sponge, use a non-scratch scrubber, use a soft cloth, use a scrub brush, use a non-scratch sponge, use a non-scratch scrubber, use a soft cloth |
What You'll Learn
Use baking soda and water
Baking soda and water can be used to clean a copper pan with burnt grease. Firstly, remove as much of the burnt food and debris from the pan as possible. Then, make a paste with baking soda and water. The paste should be thick enough to fully coat the burnt area. For a whole pot bottom, try using 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water.
Apply the paste liberally to the burnt area of the pan. Let the paste sit for a few hours or overnight. After this, add more baking soda and scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge. If you don't want to wait, you can add 1/4 to 1/2 a cup of water to thin the paste, then put the pan on the stove and bring it to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat quickly so it doesn't burn again, and let it cool before wiping or scrubbing to remove the burnt bits.
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Try lemon and salt
Lemon and salt are a great natural way to clean copper pans and remove tarnish. This method is not recommended for lacquered copper, so be sure to check if your copper pan has a lacquer finish before you start. To do this, rub the surface of the pan with a microfiber cloth dipped in white vinegar and baking soda. If nothing happens, the pan is lacquered.
To clean your copper pan with lemon and salt, start by cutting a lemon in half and dipping the cut ends in table salt. You can then rub the salty lemon over the outside of the pan, adding more salt as needed to loosen the grease. Rinse the pan in warm water and dry with a lint-free microfiber cloth.
For stubborn grease, you can make a paste with lemon juice and baking soda. Apply the paste to the pan with a sponge and let it sit for at least 5 minutes. Then, use a damp microfiber cloth to buff the pan in a circular motion. Repeat as needed until the copper is clean.
Lemon and salt are a great, easy way to clean your copper pan and remove grease, and you likely already have these ingredients in your kitchen!
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Apply vinegar and salt
Vinegar and salt are effective ingredients for cleaning copper pans. The vinegar contains acetic acid, which reacts with the copper tarnish and breaks its bond with the copper. Salt acts as a mild abrasive to scrub away the tarnish without damaging the surface of the metal.
To clean your copper pan with vinegar and salt, start by washing the pan with warm, soapy water to remove dust and grime. This is an important first step when cleaning copper. Next, make a paste by combining three parts distilled white vinegar with two parts salt in a small bowl. You can also add baking soda instead of salt, but be aware that this will cause fizzing.
Once you have your paste, spread it over the copper with a sponge and scrub in small circles to remove the tarnish. If the tarnish is not easily removed, add a bit of baking soda to the paste to act as a gentle abrasive cleaner.
After scrubbing, rinse the pan with warm water and dry it with a lint-free dishtowel. Do not air-dry the pan, as this can result in water stains or tarnish from the reaction of the minerals in the water.
If you are dealing with particularly stubborn stains or tarnish, you can try the following method: mix three parts water with one part vinegar and add one to three tablespoons of salt. Submerge the copper pan in this solution and bring it to a boil. Turn off the heat as soon as the tarnish starts to fall off the pan. Leave the pan in the solution until it is cool to the touch, then remove it and scrub with a paste made from lemon juice and salt, or vinegar and salt. Finally, rinse and dry the pan as directed above.
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Ketchup can help
Ketchup is a great option to clean your copper pan and remove grease. The tomatoes in ketchup contain citric acid and vinegar, which help remove tarnish from copper. The acid in the ketchup reacts with the copper oxide layer that forms on the surface of copper when exposed to air, dissolving it and restoring the shine of the copper.
To use ketchup to clean your copper pan, start by applying a generous layer of ketchup to the tarnished areas of the pan. Use a sponge or soft cloth to rub the ketchup all over the surface of the pan. Let the ketchup sit for at least 10 minutes. The longer you let it sit, the more effective it will be at removing the grease and tarnish.
After letting the ketchup sit, use a damp sponge or soft cloth to wipe away the ketchup. If the grease and tarnish are stubborn and difficult to remove, you can add a little baking soda to the ketchup and gently scrub the surface. Rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water to remove any remaining ketchup and grease residue. Finally, dry the copper pan with a microfiber cloth or soft towel.
Ketchup is a gentle and effective way to clean your copper pan and remove grease. It is important to remember that copper is a sensitive material, so avoid using abrasive products or scrubbing too vigorously to prevent damage to the copper surface. Always test a small discreet spot on your pan before applying ketchup to the entire surface.
In addition to ketchup, there are other natural, homemade solutions you can use to clean your copper pan. Lemon juice combined with baking soda or salt can effectively remove grease and tarnish. White vinegar mixed with salt can also be used to create a reliable copper cleaning paste. These natural acids help to dissolve the copper oxide layer and restore the shine of the copper.
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Elbow grease
If you're looking to put some elbow grease into cleaning your copper pans, you've come to the right place. Here are some methods that, with a bit of elbow grease, will help you get that grease off your copper pans:
Baking Soda
Sprinkle some baking soda on a non-abrasive sponge to act as a gentle abrasive to scrub away any stuck-on food from the interior of your pan. You can also make a runny paste with baking soda and a small amount of water, heat it until boiling, cover, and remove from the heat. Let it sit for a while, and then use a scraper to remove the burnt bits.
Lemon and Salt
Cut a lemon in half and dip the cut ends in table salt. Rub the salty lemon over the outside of the copper pan, adding more salt as needed to loosen the grease. Rinse the pan in warm water and dry with a lint-free microfiber cloth.
Vinegar and Salt
Mix one tablespoon of distilled white vinegar and 1/4 cup of table salt to make a paste. Apply the paste to the copper, wait five minutes, and then buff it with a damp, soft cloth in a circular motion. Rinse the pan in warm water and dry it to prevent water spots.
Bar Keeper's Friend
Make a paste with Bar Keeper's Friend (three parts BKF with one part water) and apply it to the bottom of the pan. Let it sit for about ten minutes, and then scrub with a non-scratch sponge.
Dish Soap and Water
Wash the inside and outside of the pan in a solution of hot water and dishwashing liquid. Use a non-abrasive sponge or dish wand.
Remember to always use non-scratch sponges or cloths when cleaning copper pans to avoid damaging the surface. With a bit of elbow grease and these methods, your copper pans will be shining like new!
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Frequently asked questions
Try using a combination of lemon juice and baking soda. Apply the paste to the copper surface and buff in a circular motion using a soft, clean cloth. Rinse and dry.
You can use vinegar and salt instead. Create a paste and apply it to the surface, then buff using a soft cloth. Rinse and dry.
Try using ketchup. Apply a layer to the pan and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Then scrub with a non-scratch sponge.
You can try oven cleaner, but be aware that this can void your warranty. Another option is to use a product like Bar Keepers Friend, which is available at Walmart.
You can try a combination of hot water, liquid dish soap, and baking soda. Allow the pan to soak for at least one hour, then scrub with a non-abrasive pad.
