Restore Copper Cookware: Easy Diy Guide

Copper pots and pans are beautiful, but they require careful maintenance to keep them in good condition. While copper is a fantastic conductor of heat, it is also delicate and reactive to other substances. This means that special care must be taken when cleaning and repairing these items. There are a variety of methods to restore copper cookware, from simple cleaning techniques to more complex processes such as re-tinning.

Cleaning copper cookware

Copper cookware is delicate and reactive to other substances, so it's important to clean it properly to protect your investment and keep it looking as good as new. Most copper cookware is lined with another material, typically tin, which makes cleaning the interior easy as tin is naturally non-stick. To clean the interior of tin-lined copper cookware, use a sponge, soft brush, or washcloth with some dish soap. For stuck-on food, let the pan soak for 10-15 minutes in hot, soapy water before scrubbing. After cleaning, be sure to dry the pan thoroughly, especially the copper exterior, as moisture speeds up the rate at which copper tarnishes.

To clean the exterior of lacquered copper cookware, simply wipe it down with a soft cloth and mild dish soap, then rinse and dry thoroughly before putting it away. For unfinished copper cookware, a combination of acid and salt is often used to remove tarnish and restore shine. One method is to mix tomato paste with salt and rub the mixture onto the copper, letting it sit for a few minutes before wiping it off with a soft cloth. Another option is to cut a lemon in half, dip it in kosher salt, and use it as a scrub brush, rubbing the salt and lemon juice onto the copper. Let the mixture sit for a minute or two, then wash off with soapy water and dry thoroughly.

For more challenging tarnish, a boiling method can be used. Create a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar, 3 cups of water, and 1 tablespoon of salt in a large stockpot, then place your tarnished copper piece into the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Let it boil until the tarnish begins to fall off, then remove from the heat and allow the water to cool before removing the copper piece. You can then use one of the previous methods to remove any remaining tarnish.

In addition to the above methods, there are also commercial copper cleaners available, such as Wright's Copper Cream, which uses a combination of citric acid and ammonium chloride to clean and protect copper cookware. However, these commercial products tend to be more expensive than simply using pantry items like lemon, salt, and vinegar.

Removing tarnish from copper

Copper is a delicate metal that is highly reactive to other substances. This means that it requires careful cleaning and maintenance to prevent tarnishing and discolouration.

Firstly, it is important to determine whether your copper cookware is lacquered. Lacquered copper will have a glossy finish and will not discolour over time. If your copper item is lacquered, it should be cleaned with mild dish soap and a soft cloth.

If your copper item is not lacquered, it will require more specific care to remove tarnish and restore shine. The good news is that there are several effective methods for removing tarnish from copper, and many of these use common household items.

One popular method is to create a paste by mixing an acid such as lemon juice or vinegar with a gentle abrasive like salt, flour, baking soda, or cream of tartar. This paste can then be applied to the copper surface and buffed with a soft cloth. For tougher tarnish, the paste can be left on the surface for a few minutes before buffing.

For lighter cleaning, ketchup can be used as a condiment and rubbed onto the copper surface with a sponge. For medium cleaning, a lemon can be cut in half and dipped in salt before being rubbed onto the copper surface. For heavier cleaning, a scrub sponge can be used instead of a lemon.

For more stubborn tarnish, heat can be used to accelerate the cleaning process. This involves boiling a mixture of vinegar, salt, and water in a large pot and adding the copper item. The item should be boiled until the tarnish begins to come off, then removed, cooled, and polished.

It is important to note that copper should not be cleaned with abrasive tools or harsh chemicals as these can damage the finish and accelerate tarnishing.

Repairing cracks in copper pots

Copper pots and pans are beautiful and excellent heat conductors, but they do require careful maintenance. If you have a crack in your copper pot, it is possible to repair it and prevent the crack from getting worse. Here are the steps to repair cracks in copper pots:

Clean the Pot

First, clean the pot inside and out. Soak the pot in a solution of distilled white vinegar and water for about half an hour to remove any grime and patina. Then, scrub the pot with a non-scratch sponge and a mild cleaning agent such as Bar Keeper's Friend. For the inside of the pot, use fine steel wool or a Brillo pad to remove any remaining verdigris (green copper oxide).

Pickle the Pot (Optional)

If there is still carbon buildup, grease, or dull tin remaining after cleaning, you can pickle the pot in acid. Soak the pot in a solution of three gallons of water and one gallon of muriatic acid. Always pour the acid into the water, never the other way around, and be very careful as even diluted acid is nasty stuff. Wear gloves and eye protection.

Tin the Pot

Coat the inside of the pot with a flux of your choice. This will help the new tin stick to the pot. You can pre-heat the pot in an oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit to help the tin flow more easily. However, if you do this, make sure to apply the flux once you are outdoors and ready for the next step. Put on long sleeves, long pants, closed-toe shoes, eye protection, a respirator, and leather gloves for safety.

Use a low-to-medium heat source such as a propane turkey fryer or a plumber's torch to heat the pot. Do not use an oxy-acetylene torch as it burns too hot. Once the pot is hot enough (around 456 degrees Fahrenheit), the tin will melt and turn liquid. Swirl the molten tin around and rub it on the inside of the pot with a plumber's wad (thick cotton cloth) or tongs. You may need to heat the sides of the pot separately to ensure the tin bonds everywhere.

Final Steps

Allow the pot to cool down naturally or slowly with the assistance of a bucket of water. Do not dunk hot copper into cold water, as this could warp your pot. Once the pot is cool, give it a final scrub to remove any loose bits, and your pot is ready to use!

Note: If you are not confident in your ability to repair the crack, it is best to seek professional help.

Retinning copper pots and pans

Copper pots and pans are beautiful and functional items that can last for many years. However, over time, the tin lining can wear down, exposing the copper and requiring retinning. This process involves removing the old tin lining and applying a new layer of pure tin to the interior of the cookware. Here is a step-by-step guide to retinning your copper pots and pans:

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

You will need the following items: distilled white vinegar, a non-scratch sponge, fine steel wool or a Brillo pad, Bar Keepers Friend (a cleaning product), muriatic acid (also known as hydrochloric acid), Stay Clean flux, a heat source such as a plumber's torch or propane turkey fryer, pure tin, a plumber's wad/wiping cloth, safety gear including safety glasses, a respirator mask and heavy work gloves.

Step 2: Clean the Pot

Start by cleaning the exterior of the pot with a non-scratch sponge and distilled white vinegar. For the interior, use fine steel wool or a Brillo pad to remove any grunge, verdigris or dull tin. Soak the pot in a hot solution of water and vinegar to remove stubborn grime. You can also use Bar Keepers Friend and a sponge for extra shine.

Step 3: Pickle (Degrease) the Pot (Optional)

This step may not be necessary if the pot is thoroughly cleaned in Step 2. Soak the pot in an acid pickle solution to remove any remaining carbon build-up, grease or dull tin. Create the solution by mixing water and muriatic acid in a plastic container. Always pour the acid into the water, never the other way around, for safety. Protect your eyes and skin from the acid and rinse the pot thoroughly after soaking.

Step 4: Tin the Pot

Coat the inside of the pot with flux. This will help the tin stick to the surface. Pre-heating the copper pot in an oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit can help the tin flow more easily, but this is optional. Set up your heat source outdoors, as the process will create smoke. Heat the pot slowly until it is hot enough for the tin to melt and turn liquid. Swirl and rub the molten tin around the inside of the pot, using a plumber's wad or tongs to avoid direct contact with the hot pan. You may need to heat the sides of the pan separately to ensure even coverage. Allow the pan to cool down naturally or use a bucket of water to assist, being careful not to warp the pot by dunking it into cold water.

Step 5: Care and Maintenance

Once your pot has been retinned, there are a few things to keep in mind. Never heat a tinned copper pot when empty; always have water or vegetables inside. Avoid using high heat, as copper pots excel at simmering and sautéing rather than searing. Use wooden or plastic utensils to protect the soft tin lining from scratches. To keep the exterior of your pot shiny, use Bar Keeper's Friend or a combination of lemon and coarse salt to remove tarnish. For the interior, Wright's Silver Cream can be used to restore shine as the tin lining dulls over time. If an area larger than a quarter is showing bare copper, it's time to retinning.

Caring for copper cookware

Copper cookware is delicate and reactive, so it's important to care for it properly to protect your investment and keep it looking its best. Here are some tips to help you care for your copper pots and pans:

• Copper cookware is often lined with another material, typically tin, which makes cleaning easy as tin is naturally non-stick. To clean the interior of tin-lined copper cookware, use a soft sponge, brush, or washcloth with some mild dish soap. For stuck-on food, let the pan soak in hot, soapy water for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing.
• Always dry your copper cookware thoroughly after washing, especially the exterior, as moisture speeds up the rate at which copper tarnishes.
• Check if your copper cookware is lacquered, as this will impact how you clean the exterior. Lacquered copper cookware can be wiped down with a soft cloth and mild dish soap, while unfinished copper will require special treatment to remove tarnish and maintain its shine.
• To remove tarnish from unfinished copper cookware, create a mixture of an acid and salt. You can use tomato paste and salt, or lemon and salt. Apply the mixture to the copper, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it off with a soft cloth. Rinse and dry the cookware completely to prevent water spots.
• For smaller pieces of copper cookware, you can try boiling them in a solution of vinegar, water, and salt to remove tough tarnish. Bring the solution to a boil and let it cook until the tarnish begins to fall off.
• If the above methods are unsuccessful, you can use a commercial copper cleaner like Wright's Copper Cream, which contains citric acid and ammonium chloride.

What Not to Do:

• Never put copper cookware in the dishwasher.
• Do not use bleach to clean unfinished copper, as it can cause pitting or pockmarks.
• Avoid using abrasive scrubbers or brushes, such as steel wool, as these can damage the surface of your copper cookware.
• Never leave unfinished copper wet, as this will accelerate the oxidation process.
• Do not cook in a copper pot or pan where the tin lining has worn down and the copper is showing through.
• Avoid preheating or searing in tin-lined copper pans, as tin melts at a relatively low temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Frequently asked questions