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Cleaning Tinned Copper

post #1 of 10
8/17/02 at 8:50am
Thread Starter 
Is there some way to make the tinned part of a copper pot LOOK clean? Mine looks a lot like a badly cared for carbon steel blade. I find Barkeeper's Friend cleans it up a bit but doesn't do the whole job.

In the days of aluminum pans, I found that boiling some citic acid got rid of the dark discoloration. But I'm afraid to try it with my tinned copper lest it do something weird (like the baking soda I tried on my Caphalon).

BTW: The Barkeepers does a fair job in getting rid of the worst part of the copper crud. Not bright and shiny like a good polishing, but makes polishing a lot easier if you care to do it. I don't try to keep a high shine and even like a moderate copper patina, but I don't like it to get really dark.
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post #2 of 10
8/17/02 at 1:44pm
Wet the copper with water. Sprinkle generously with Kosher salt. Cut a lemon in half and scrub with the cut (juicey) side of the lemon. Within 30 seconds you will have a beautifully clean copper pot-bright and shiney.
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post #3 of 10
8/19/02 at 6:09am
Dehillerin, the French purveyor of Mauviel copper cookware, says in their catalog that the tin will turn gray with use. No problem; that's the way it is. DO NOT use abrasives on tin because it is a very soft metal and easily worn away.

To remove food that's stuck to the inside, just fill the vessel with warm water and allow to set for some time to loosen it.
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post #4 of 10
8/19/02 at 6:34am
Dark is good, Alexia. If you remove the tin, you will need to have you pans retinned $$$
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post #5 of 10
8/19/02 at 6:58am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the help. I had hoped to make it a little more sightly as I sometimes serve from the pot at informal gathering. (One of the reasons I love LeCreuset.)

Foodnfoto, I do often use the salt and acid when I'm out to really shine up my copper. But since I discovered that Bartenders' does a fair very quick job, I sometimes use it as it's right to hand. Mostly, though I go with "patina."

Kimmie, you're so right! I've had to do some retinning from time to time. My next new copper pot will be ss, but I sometimes run into good thick copperware pieces at flea markets, etc . I once came upon a wonderful roaster shaped piece for only $40 that looked as if it had never been used.
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post #6 of 10
8/19/02 at 8:13am
Lucky you, Alexia! I'm green with envy!!!

I wouldn't like to tell you how much I paid for some of my heavy copperware! :rolleyes:
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post #7 of 10
8/19/02 at 9:22am
Thread Starter 
Kimmie, I do know. - My last copper purchase was a ss evasee from Bwy Panhandler (a great pan).

The pieces I'd still like in copper are middle sized pans (the big ones are too heavy for me). I've been eying the Dehilleran website. Even with the devalued dollar, tax, and shipping, they're still way cheaper than here.

I justify my kitchen vices: good equipment is cheaper in the long run (if only I didn't buy more, anyway), my grandchildren will probably use them someday, and besides I have no other costly vices.
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post #8 of 10
8/19/02 at 9:27am

Dehillerin Catalog

Alexia:

Request a catalog from Dehillerin. It's more complete than their website and includes cleaning instructions.
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post #9 of 10
8/19/02 at 9:32am
Thread Starter 

Re: Dehillerin Catalog

Thanks for the suggestion. I've been there, so I know they have way more than what's posted on the website.
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post #10 of 10
8/19/02 at 11:44am
Alexia,

My last «effort» was a turbotière from Havard. Fortunately, it was discounted as the shop I bought it from was just about to file bankruptcy.
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