Erase Scorch Marks: Restore Your Copper Pan's Shine

Burnt copper cookware can be a pain to clean, but there are several methods to remove scorch marks from copper pans. One method is to rub the scorch mark with a crumpled-up piece of aluminium foil. Another is to make a paste out of baking soda and water and rub it onto the scorch mark with a soft cloth. You can also try using lemon and salt, or even ketchup.

Use baking soda and water

Baking soda is a great option for cleaning scorch marks off a copper pan. It has mild abrasive properties and its alkaline pH can help neutralise acidic burnt foods. It can also combine with an acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice, to create a fizzing reaction that helps loosen burnt food.

Step 1: Remove Debris

Start by removing as much food and debris from the pan as possible.

Step 2: Make a Baking Soda and Water Paste

Create a paste by mixing three parts baking soda with one part water. Make sure you make enough to cover the scorched portion of the pan. For a full pot bottom, try one cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water.

Step 3: Apply the Paste

Generously apply the paste to the burnt pan. It should be thick enough to fully coat the surface. Alternatively, you can cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of warm water and then add enough baking soda to create a paste.

Step 4: Let it Sit

Let the paste sit for a few hours or overnight. If you don't want to wait, add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water to thin the paste, then place the pan on the stove and bring it to a boil. Remove it from the heat quickly—you don't want it to burn again!

Step 5: Scrub the Pan

After the paste has had time to work, add more baking soda and scrub the pan with a nylon brush or scouring sponge. If the paste has dried, simply wet the sponge or brush before scrubbing.

Step 6: Rinse and Dry

Once all the scorch marks have been removed, rinse the pan clean and dry it with a microfiber cloth or towel.

Your copper pan should now be scorch-mark-free and ready to use again!

Try aluminium foil

Aluminium foil is a great way to remove scorch marks from copper pans. 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. If the scorch marks are stubborn, take a break and repeat the process.

Another method is to use baking soda and water. Combine the two to create a thick paste and apply an even coat over the copper pan. Leave the paste on for 10-15 minutes, then scrub with a damp, non-scratching sponge.

Apply lemon and salt

To remove scorch marks from a copper pan using lemon and salt, follow these steps:

Step 1: Wash the Pan

Before applying the lemon and salt, wash the pan with warm soapy water using a soft sponge. This will remove any dust or greasy film on the surface.

Step 2: Prepare the Lemon and Salt

Cut a lemon in half and dip it in a dish of kosher salt, ensuring the entire surface is covered. You can also squeeze the juice from a fresh lemon and mix two parts salt with three parts lemon juice to form a paste. If the paste is too runny, simply add more salt.

Step 3: Apply the Lemon and Salt

Rub the lemon onto the burned areas of the pan. The citric acid in lemon juice reacts with the scorch marks to break their bond with the surface of the copper. Salt acts as a mild abrasive to help scrub away the marks without damaging the pan. Use a sponge to spread the paste over the copper, working in small circles and gently scrubbing the surface. Mix more paste if needed.

Step 4: Treat Stubborn Stains

For stubborn stains, apply the paste and let it sit for five to ten minutes before scrubbing. You can also cut a fresh lemon in half and dip it in table salt to clean heavily stained areas.

Step 5: Rinse and Dry

Once the scorch marks are removed, rinse the pan in warm water. Use a lint-free towel to dry the pan. Do not air-dry the copper pan, as this can result in water stains or further tarnishing due to the reaction of minerals in the water.

Soak in vinegar

Vinegar is a great option for removing scorch marks from your copper pan. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which works well to break down burnt-on, crusty food.

Step 1: Prepare a Vinegar Solution

Fill your copper pan with water and add a generous amount of vinegar. You can also add a few squirts of mild dish detergent to enhance the cleaning effect. The amount of vinegar you need will depend on the size of your pan and the severity of the scorch marks. For heavily burnt pans, you may want to use equal parts water and vinegar.

Step 2: Bring the Solution to a Boil

Place your pan on the stove and turn the heat to medium. Allow the solution to come to a gentle boil. The boiling water and vinegar will help loosen the burnt-on food and make it easier to remove.

Step 3: Let it Sit

Once the solution is boiling, turn off the heat and let the pan sit for at least 15 minutes. The longer you let it sit, the more effective it will be. This step will give the vinegar time to penetrate and loosen the scorch marks.

Step 4: Test and Scrape

After 15 minutes, use tongs or a similar tool to remove the pan from the heat. Use a pointed utensil, such as a butter knife or screwdriver, to test how well the burnt-on food is loosening. If it still feels stuck, return the pan to the heat and let it boil for a few more minutes.

Step 5: Scrub and Rinse

Once the burnt-on food is loosened, switch to a soft brush, sponge, or cloth to avoid scratching the copper. Scrub the pan gently to remove the loosened food and scorch marks. Rinse the pan with clean water to remove any remaining vinegar solution.

Step 6: Repeat if Necessary

If there are still some stubborn scorch marks, don't worry. Simply repeat the process, allowing the vinegar solution to boil for a longer period this time. You can also try making a paste of baking soda and water and applying it to the scorch marks before scrubbing again.

Remember always to use a non-scratch sponge or cloth when cleaning copper pans to avoid damaging the surface. With these steps, your copper pan will be looking good as new in no time!

Ketchup

Step 1: Apply Ketchup

Spread a layer of ketchup evenly over the burnt bottom of your copper pan. Make sure the layer is thick enough so that the ketchup can work its magic. You can use a spatula or a brush to apply the ketchup evenly.

Step 2: Let it Sit

Allow the ketchup to sit on the pan for about 30 minutes to one hour. During this time, the acids in the ketchup will work to dissolve the burnt spots and loosen the burnt-on food. The longer you let it sit, the better the results will be.

Step 3: Scrub the Pan

After the ketchup has had enough time to work, it's time to scrub the pan. Use a non-abrasive scrubber or sponge and hot water to scrub the pan gently. You can also use a soft cloth if you prefer. Make sure to get into all the nooks and crannies of the pan.

Step 4: Rinse and Dry

Once you've removed all the burnt-on food and stains, rinse the pan thoroughly with hot water to remove any remaining ketchup. Then, dry the pan with a soft, clean cloth or let it air dry.

Tips:

• Always test the ketchup on a small, discreet spot on your pan first to ensure it doesn't cause any damage.
• For tougher scorch marks, you can try using a combination of ketchup and baking soda. Apply the ketchup as mentioned above, and then sprinkle baking soda on top. The baking soda will provide extra abrasion to help lift the burnt-on food.
• If you don't have ketchup, you can also use tomato paste or tomato juice as a substitute.

Frequently asked questions