Copper pots and pans are known for heating up fast and retaining a good, even heat. But their greatness for all kinds of cooking, and the expense of the materials, means they represent a fairly large cookware investment. Of course, that means you want them to last as long as possible. Some might say it’s hard to care for, but it’s really not! Here’s a guide to caring for your copper pots.
1. Keep Heat Moderate
Since copper heats up so well and is so great at retaining an even heat, there is no need to crank up your flame. Usually you don’t even need to pre-heat the pan. Keep it to moderate heat and let the pan do its thing. Turning the heat up too high can cause discoloration, but if this happens to you, some copper cleaner can shine it back up.
2. Wash & Dry the Usual Way
If you don’t put your best pots and pans in the dishwasher anyway, you’ll find washing copper isn’t any different. Just hand wash the usual way, then make sure you dry them thoroughly to avoid tarnishing.
3. Use a Mild Abrasive on Tarnish
If you get spots or blemishes on your copper cookware from use, no worries. A mild abrasive, like half a lemon sprinkled with table salt, should remove any discoloration. You can even make a 50/50 paste from baking soda and lemon juice and rub away. A soft cloth dampened with vinegar can really bring back the shine.
4. Keep an Eye on the Lining
Copper pots are perfectly safe and great to use under normal wear and tear. But if you notice cracking or flaking of the material your pots are lined with, you’ll want to replace them or send them to a professional be re-lined. Copper is reactive, so the lining helps protect your food from any reactions it might have with the copper.
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