How to Clean Copper Pots and Pans

Copper is an excellent conductor of heat, which makes it an excellent choice of material for pots and pans. Unfortunately it tarnishes rather easily. Here's a quick and very easy way to have your copper pots and pans shining like new!

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Salt
• Vinegar
• Baking Soda

1. 
   Table salt works great

   These steps will work whether you have a copper bottom lined pan or an overall copper pot. First pour a generous amount of salt on the area you are cleaning. If it's the bottom of the pan, about a teaspoon full should do the trick.

2. 

   Next pour the same amount of baking soda on the area. It makes no difference if the pan/pot is wet or dry before you do this as well as step 1.

3. 
   Vinegar is a great multi-purpose cleaner

   Then pour a small amount of white or apple cider vinegar in the same spot. You want enough to make the salt/baking soda mixture foam a little. Scrub with your favorite scrubbing pad. It doesn't matter if it's stainless, or the green pads, just don't use the one that foams when wet as that may leave a mark on your copper pot or pan. Rinse with warm, soapy water, then plain water, and voila! A nice clean pot.

[tachic]

on 2/19/2009 Thanks for this article. Now I won't have to throw away old pots and pans.