Has the lustre of your copper pots, pans, and mugs faded? If your copper cookware is dull and tarnished, it's definitely time to polish it to restore its natural lustre. Here's all you need to know about cleaning and polishing your copper pieces so they last for years. Warm water and dish soap are the finest way to clean copper pots and pans. Use a soft, gentle cloth, brush, or sponge to scrub away any residue. Soak the pan in hot, soapy water for 15 minutes before scrubbing to remove stuck-on food. On your copper pots and pans, avoid using rough, abrasive cleaning tools or harsh cleaners like Bon Ami. After washing, always hand dry your copper pots and pans. Allowing them to air dry can result in water spots and cause the metal to tarnish faster.
Putting Copper In The Dishwasher: Is It Safe?
Copper cookware should always be hand cleaned and never put into the dishwasher. Copper-coloured spoons and other culinary implements are exceptions to this rule. These are made of stainless steel with a copper-coloured coating, but they do not contain any copper. It's a good idea to double-check the manufacturer's instructions, but these products are normally safe to put in the dishwasher.
How Can You Tell If Copper Has Been Lacquered?
Some copper cookware is valuable because of how the material reacts with the contents. Copper mixing bowls, for example, aid in the stabilisation of whipped egg whites, and a copper pan's smooth surface and capacity to conduct heat make it perfect for jam making.
Some copper cookware, on the other hand, is lacquered to a glossy, reflecting sheen rather than the gentler glow of unlacquered copper. Lacquer also keeps copper from tarnishing, so if the piece doesn't develop a subtle patina over time, it's probably lacquered. To be sure, always check the packaging or contact the manufacturer. Simply wash the item in warm, soapy water, rinse it, and dry it by hand with a soft, clean cloth to clean lacquered copper cookware.
What Is the Best Way to Clean Lined Copper?
Some copper cookware is coated on the interior with tin or stainless steel to offer a non-reactive cooking surface. These goods should be hand washed and dried thoroughly. The copper exterior of these products can be polished, however, the tin or stainless steel lining should not be polished.
It should be noted that lined copper cookware made of tin may darken and develop a patina over time. After years of use, these goods may also need to be re-tinned. The presence of copper flecks visible through the tin lining indicates that it is time to re-tin.