Cleaning Old Grease Off Black Copper Pans

Copper pans are a great addition to your kitchen, but they can be prone to discolouration and burning if not properly cared for. To clean burnt grease and scorch marks off copper pans, you can use a combination of vinegar, salt, and baking soda. You can also use commercial copper cleaners such as Bar Keepers Friend or Wright's Copper Cream. However, it's important to avoid using abrasive cleaning tools and harsh chemicals like bleach on copper pans, as they can scratch the surface and cause further damage. With the right techniques and a little patience, your copper pans can be restored to their former glory!

Soak in hot water and scrub with a non-abrasive sponge

Soaking your copper pans in hot water and scrubbing them with a non-abrasive sponge is a great way to clean them without damaging the surface. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it effectively:

First, fill your kitchen sink or a large bucket with very hot water and add a generous amount of mild dish soap. You can also use a specific copper cleaner, such as Bar Keepers Friend, but be sure to follow the instructions on the product and always spot-test first. Submerge the copper pan in the soapy water and let it soak for several hours. If necessary, replace the water with fresh hot water to keep the temperature consistent.

While the pan is soaking, you can prepare your non-abrasive sponge or scrubber. It's important to avoid using steel wool or other abrasive cleaning tools as they can scratch the soft copper surface. A soft sponge or a non-abrasive scrub pad is ideal for this task. You can also find copper-safe scrubbers that come with some copper cleaning products, like Earth Brite.

After the pan has soaked for a few hours, take your sponge or scrubber and gently scrub the surface to remove any burnt-on food or grease. Work in circular motions and apply light to moderate pressure. If the pan has heavy burn marks or stubborn grease, you may need to spend more time scrubbing those areas. Remember to be gentle to avoid scratching the copper.

Once you've scrubbed the entire surface, rinse the pan thoroughly with warm water to remove any soap or cleaning product residue. Dry the pan with a soft, clean cloth. This step is crucial, as moisture can accelerate the tarnishing process. Make sure to dry both the interior and exterior of the pan completely before putting it away.

While this method is effective for removing grease and burnt-on food, it may not completely remove tarnish or patina from the copper. For tackling tarnish, you can try using natural acids like lemon juice or vinegar, combined with salt, to create a paste that you can apply to the copper surface. However, always do a small patch test first to ensure it doesn't damage the copper.

Additionally, remember to always assess the severity of the burn or grease buildup before cleaning. For lighter stains or marks, a simple wash with dish soap and a soft cloth may be sufficient. For heavier buildup, you may need to repeat the soaking and scrubbing process a few times or try a different cleaning method.

Use a chemical cleaner, such as Bar Keepers Friend

Bar Keepers Friend is a bleach-free, oxalic-acid-based powdered cleaning product that can be used to clean your copper pans. It can be used to remove rust, tarnish, mineral deposits, and tough stains from most surfaces. It also protects the surfaces of your pans, helping to prevent tarnishing and rusting in the future.

To use Bar Keepers Friend, first wet the surface of your copper pan. Then, scrub the surface with a damp sponge, using Bar Keepers Friend powder instead of dish soap. Unlike dish soap, Bar Keepers Friend doesn't work up a lather, so you'll want to scrub with your faucet off, using just the moisture on the surface of the pan to turn the powder into a paste. If necessary, add a small splash of water to hydrate the powder.

For a very tarnished or greasy pan, you may want to start scrubbing with steel wool. Once you've mostly cleared the surface of the pan, switch to a soft sponge or rag. Rinse the pan well once you finish cleaning. Bar Keepers Friend recommends not letting the product sit on the surface for longer than a minute, but you can scrub for longer than that.

If you have particularly sensitive skin or are scrubbing a lot of pots, consider wearing kitchen gloves to protect your skin. This product is abrasive.

Before using Bar Keepers Friend, test the cleanser on a small area first. Some products marketed as copperware may be a mix of metals. Wet a spot on the copperware and add a slight amount of Bar Keepers Friend. Use a wet sponge to lightly cleanse the area, rinse, and check for any dullness or scratches.

Make a paste with baking soda and water

To clean old grease and blackened copper pans, one method is to make a paste with baking soda and water. This method is suitable for non-stick, stainless steel, ceramic, cast iron, and copper-bottomed pans.

First, cover the bottom of the pan with a layer of water. Then, sprinkle baking soda liberally over the water to create a thin paste. Leave the paste to sit for a few minutes. Next, scrub off the crusty food or burnt-on grease using a scouring pad or the scrubby side of a sponge. Repeat or leave it to sit overnight if the stains are not removed the first time.

For tougher stains, a stronger method is required. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of water to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil. As the water evaporates, scrub off the film of baking soda and food residue with a scrubby sponge or kitchen scrub brush.

For burnt-on stains on both the inside and outside of the pan, the entire pan can be boiled. Fill a large pot, such as a stock pot, with water and add the pan, submerging it completely. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of baking soda to the pot and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to a gentle boil and boil for 15 to 30 minutes. Brown residue should begin to flake off. While the pan is still hot, remove it from the boiling solution and, for lingering stains, create a paste or slurry by adding more baking soda and water to the pan. Scrub away the stains.

Baking soda is alkaline and reacts with mild acids like vinegar, lemon, and hydrogen peroxide to create a foaming cleaner, which is more effective at removing stains and burnt-on food. However, this stronger option should not be used on cast iron, as it can cause rust.

Use lemon and salt

Lemon and salt are a great natural combination for cleaning copper pans. The citric acid in lemons reacts with the tarnish, breaking its bond with the copper surface, while the salt acts as a mild abrasive to scrub away the tarnish without damaging the metal.

Step 1: Wash the Pan

Firstly, always begin by washing the pan in warm, soapy water with a soft sponge or cloth. This will remove any dust or greasy film from the surface.

Step 2: Prepare the Lemon and Salt

Cut a fresh lemon in half. You can either dip the cut ends of the lemon in table salt or squeeze the lemon juice into a bowl and mix in the salt. The former method is better for quick, light cleaning, while the latter is more suitable for tougher stains and heavy tarnishing.

Step 3: Scrub the Pan

Use the lemon like a scrub brush, rubbing the salty lemon onto the surface of the pan. The salt will help to loosen and remove stubborn tarnish. For tougher stains, you can also cut a fresh lemon in half and dip it in table salt to clean those heavily stained areas.

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

Once the pan is tarnish-free, rinse it in warm water. Then, use a lint-free or microfiber cloth to dry the pan. Do not air-dry the copper as this can result in water stains or further tarnishing due to the reaction of minerals in the water.

Tips and Tricks

• For a more intensive treatment of tough stains, apply the lemon and salt paste and let it sit for 5-30 minutes, scrubbing periodically.
• If you are worried about scratching your copper, squeeze the lemon juice into a bowl and mix it with salt to form a less coarse paste.
• Lemon and salt are not recommended for lacquered copper. You can identify lacquered copper by its shiny, glossy finish that does not change colour or brown with use.
• Always dry your copper pans immediately after washing and try to store them in a cool, dry place to prevent tarnishing.

Use vinegar and salt

To clean old grease off black copper pans with vinegar and salt, follow these steps:

Firstly, pour around half an inch of distilled white vinegar into a frying pan or skillet. If you don't have distilled vinegar, you can dilute the vinegar with water. Sprinkle a generous amount of salt into the vinegar. The exact amount isn't crucial, but the more salt you add, the more abrasive the cleaning mixture will be.

Next, heat the vinegar and salt mixture on the stove. Heat it up to just below boiling point. Place the bottom of the copper pan into the hot vinegar. If your pan is floating, add some water to the pan to weigh it down. Allow the pan to soak in the vinegar for about 10 minutes.

After this, remove the pan from the vinegar and rinse it off. If there are any remaining stains, you can sprinkle salt onto a sponge that has been dipped in the hot vinegar mixture and scrub the pan with this.

This method works because the acid in the vinegar helps to dissolve the burnt grease, while the salt provides an abrasive element to help scrub away the residue.

You can also make a paste from vinegar and salt and apply this to the pan with a sponge. Leave the paste for around five minutes, then buff it with a damp, soft cloth in a circular motion. Rinse the pan with warm water and dry it to prevent water spots. Repeat these steps if necessary.

Frequently asked questions