Testing 4 methods for cleaning Copper Pots Without using HARSH chemicals!

[@thisismyname3328]

My grandmother would always put the salt in the vinegar until it stopped dissolving, then put it on the challenging spots and let it sit for about 2 hours - wiped away first swipe.

[@skylark4901]

Grandmothers always know, they learned from their mother/parents, the further back you go, people knew how to solve problems with things they already had in the house, including healthcare! People who lived on farms were especially knowledgeable of these things because they were more isolated, it was kind of a matter of survival!

[@kachi2782]

My grand mother told me that her grand mother's maid in the south of france would gather all the copper things that needed cleaning on a specific day and then all the other maids of the area would gather and each would bring 5 litres of vinegar and a lot of salt and they would pour all the vinegar in an empty wine barrel in which they had placed all the copper that needed cleaning which had been coverer in salt with a paste made from something, and then they would just go back home doing their daily job and would come back at the end of the day to get their copper stuff and it would be spotless clean. My grand mother as a child thought that this was some sort of magic/

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

That's such a neat story! I never would have guessed they did it like that back then!

[@roelienpostma2367]

Wow! We used to spend a whole morning polishing, it could have been so much easier!

[@jasonbond8131]

In the restaurant, we use a slurry of equal parts salt, vinegar and flour. I didn't know the other methods. Thanks for sharing!

[@her9595]

The salt and DE are abrasives. The ketchup, vinegar and lemon are acids which makes the copper react. Lemon and vinegar have the higher amount of acid (chemical) which is why they work so fast. The biggest thing about copper is to be gentle and you have to maintenance it often. You don't want to scrub it or you will REMOVE the copper. You want to rub it with a softer cloth like an old cotton t-shirt (don't use any plastic clothing like polyester.) If you want an abrasive, try the special Bar Keepers Friend for delicate items like copper. Edit for typo.

[@stevensadler6807]

I used vinegar and salt, but a little differently. I took an old, large pan and put in enough vinegar to cover the copper bottoms of my RevereWare. Add a liberal helping of salt, set the pot in it, and boil it for 5 to 10 minutes. Then take the pot out and wash it off. It worked great for me. I love RevereWare. I have a 4 quart pot and lid that was a wedding gift from my Grandmother 50 years ago. I also have a 2 quart pot and lid that was my Mother's from before I was born70 years ago. Other than the size, the two are identical. I can't even telll the lids apart. They are my go-to pots for nearly everything.

[@NJVetSite]

I thought your video was very well made, instructional and practical. I loved it. My wife bought a beautiful lamp at a flea market that had some old brass and copper on it and I was assigned the job of cleaning the lamp. The comparison of all four solutions was VERY helpful. Thank you.

[@savtapatricia]

I have a huge collection of copper, mostly antique, including copper pans. The easiest and quickest way to clean them is by using citric acid, which I buy by the kilo in the local market. I put about a cup of citric acid (lemon salt) in a plastic bath, add a kettle of boiling water as a starter, and then fill it with cold water. It takes seconds of dipping a pot in the bath for the copper to turn pink. Sometimes, I use wire wool to scrub up a really good shine. For just a few pans, try half quantities. The mixture will not harm the inside of a stainless steel pan but will dissolve a tin alloy.

[@savtapatricia]

By the way, wire wool is steel wool in the States, and it works on brass as well.

[@DaveMalby]

You can NOT beat Diatomaceous Earth and Citric Acid! Best cheap, safe copper cleaner/polish there is!

[@bezalelex31]

Have you seen the cost of lemons lately?😭😝

[@albertsenchenkov7894]

looks like a vintage revere set. i love all those pieces

[@thedailywhatthefck5781]

This was a great demonstration - giving people 4 different cleaning methods in a rather controlled experiment and seeing the first hand results. I think it's important for people to understand the science behind it all. Chemically Cleaning: The salt (sodium chloride) and vinegar (acetic acid) combo works best due the chemical reaction that takes place between the two ingredients. Salt and vinegar create hydrogen chloride which is a strong acid which helps to remove the oxidation or tarnish from the copper. The Ketchup method - Ketchup has by volume 5% acetic acid in it so the principle is similar to the salt and vinegar method but in a much weaker more dilute way. Hence it takes more time and labor for it to do the job The Salt and Lemon is similar to the salt and vinegar method again but the vinegars acetic acid is substituted with weaker citric acid from the lemon resulting in less hydrogen chloride production and less strong acid and less cleaning power. Physically Cleaning: The diatomaceous earth and water is simply abrasive. The small silica "fibrous glass" in diatomaceous earth scratch/erode the tarnish thereby physically removing it. I'm not so sure I would want to use diatomaceous earth on my cookware or in my kitchen as it can be a skin irritant and unpleasant to ingest. And Yes you can combine the chemical means with physical means for possibly faster cleaning. And Yes acids are irritants to the skin as well so please be careful when using them and use appropriate personal protective equipment

[@TheeOrecul]

Thank you so much. I was kinda lost because I couldn't remember the 5th grade experiment we did. But we never used vinegar and salt on copper. Amazing!! I'm glad I trusted KZbin, again. That one single video earned a sub and like. Thanks again. -Magic

[@sashineb.2114]

Thanks for showing this. I have copper pots, and I usually use either the lemon and salt, or the vinegar and salt. Your pots and pans look really nice. I might be wrong, but I think they are a Paul Revere set. My aunt had the same set.

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

Yes, mine are vintage Paul Revere, I love them!

[@kymhouse8158]

Love how clear, sensible and practical this video and approach to cleaning this is!! Thanks 😊

[@jamesphillips6778]

I had just used salt and lemon on an old copper bottom pot. Went back and used the vinegar/salt combination and got the rest of the tarnish off. Thanks for such a clear video.

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

I'm so glad it was helpful!🙂

[@Renofirefly30]

Excellent video ❤ thank you! I suggest dipping in water and baking soda at the end to neutralize the acid.

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

Great tip!

[@amywalker7515]

Thank you so much for this presentation. I have something copper that has all kinds of grooves and hard to get to spot on it. I love how the vinegar and salt does most of the work for you.

[@-Dash-]

It was really good to see the 4 methods compared thanks

[@kimesch9698]

Barkeepers Friend. Amazing product.

[@shizzahussain2630]

Wow thank you for this video, I needed to find a way to make my bottle shine again

[@marydarlenenelson7708]

Bar Keepers Friend works great. Have had these pans for years and works great for me. Also I dry mine right away. Only takes me a couple minutes.

[@bonnienichalson5151]

Tomato products work well you need to soak pot In weak tomato solutions I found good results :)

[@JMARTIN1947]

Bar Keeper's Friend -- you can get it at Ace Hardware.

[@galady8632]

When traveling in the Middle East I discovered amazing prices on copper vessels. All were old and tarnished but gorgeous. I learned the locals utilized tomato paste and salt to clean brass. I rented half a 'can' to ship brass vessels and some pieces of furniture to the USA, my travel partner did likewise. (The 'can' refers to shipping containers on planes. We stuffed them full including our clothes so more delicate items could be in our carry-on and checked luggage. Shipping via ships usually included saltwater damage and wharf rat issues. My backpack aka purse was always full of brass items, I clanged as I traversed airports.) I am not a chemist so I do not understand the chemical interactions, I only know it worked/works for me.

[@daibhiseaghdha153]

there not really dirty, it is just called " patina " which is the natural oxidisation, of the copper, which protects the copper from corrostion. the copper pans etc, are tin coated on the inside, if they are a of good quality.

[@TeresinaDZ]

Great video- clear and easy to follow, thank you! Are you using food grade vinegar or industrial strength vinegar?

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

Thanks:) I used food grade, 5% Acidity.

[@marisagallego4142]

Hint: soak your sponge with vinegar and use more salt, it will go even quicker.

[@suzilici]

What did you use for the second method? I could not understand what you said in the video.... Thanks

[@carolmorton7213]

Diatomaceous earth (an abrasive) and water.

[@hibernogirl]

I cleaned a decorative copper plate that my father had made at school many yrs ago. I forget how I did it but was a tip from KZbin. I am going to clean it again now. It has lasted well and I think the tip was to rub it in wax and polish off as I can see now the bits that got missed from wax finish.

[@asdfgoogle]

Cool. This video deserves a lot more views! You did an excellent job with editing and all.

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

Thanks🙂

[@jameskowalkowski2308]

Did this yesterday and my wrist is so sore today! Great video!

[@aaronthenorm5400]

The all time best way to clean the copper bottom pans; without harming them is with a slightly samppend soft cloth rag baking soda and elbow grease!!! Tightly wrap the rag around the middle and index fingers dip tip of the cloth in water; just to dampen it then scub away the dark! Won't harm the pan and comes new penny bright!

[@lisamilsom5037]

Thank you! I have a copper kettle that was my Grans and I'm ashamed to say I've neglected it. I tried to polish it tonight but I didn't have a clue how to get the marks off. So tomorrow I'll be having another go, armed with this new information! Thank you! Hopefully now I can return it to its former glory!

[@sukhdeepsidhu2245]

I try salt and lemon its magic

[@lolanelson9634]

I was gifted a beautiful copper poor and pans. It’s just so challenging to get the tarnish off after using. Thank you so much!

[@bunsonhoneydew9099]

Yup. Good idea

[@roospike]

Bar Keepers Friend I suggest a liquid over the powder for convenience, a green abrasive pad or bronze wool ( bronze versus steel wool as bronze is softer and can be used on Chrome and such)

[@ArlenePMCM]

Wow, salt & vinegar for the win. Thank you. ** Q - How to restore shine to knobs and handles of cookware?

[@stevensadler6807]

You might try some 0000 steel wool. We used to use it to clean and polish glass.

[@ArlenePMCM]

@@stevensadler6807 I'll try that, thanks!

[@regisnyder]

I will definitely try the salt & white vinegar solution to clean a pair of copper salt & pepper shakers. Thanks for the demonstration!

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

Awesome! You are so welcome!

[@dimas1469]

Thanks, i clean my laptop heatsink with ketchup it worked 🤣

[@soapsforlove4168]

That is fantastic. A wonderful demonstration and I really appreciate that. Thanks.

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

Thank you! 😊

[@hscurt]

I just cleaned a Revere pot that someone left empty on a hot element. I dry sanded starting with 400 grit dry sandpaper. From there I went 600 dry, 800 dry, 1200 wet, 1600 wet, 2000 wet and finally 2500 wet. I did the inside and outside as the pan discoloured from over heating. The pan has never looked better. It, too was a thrift shop purchase.

[@p4pking393]

wow thank you so much

[@deborahstegall6651]

Perfect! Exactly what I wanted!!! This video is so very helpful. Great presentation, comprehensive and thorough. Thank you very much. 🌺🌺🌺

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

Great to hear! Thanks😊

[@ctheforestthroughthetrees3413]

Excellent demo! ( I played on a faster speed and loved seeing you work lightning fast!) I am going to the grocery store for supplies!)

[@upscalebohemian5372]

Also, whenever I make something like bechamel or gravy involving flower and some gets on the tarnished copper it cleans that spot when I go to wash the pot later, so I think there is definitely something to Jason's post below where it says in a restaurant setting they use "a slurry of equal parts salt, vinegar and flour."

[@LumiNary-r3q]

Thanks very much for this

[@ShanaynayLover1]

I am definitely going to try this! I am curious if just the lemon method would have worked better if it was squeezed(or from the bottle) on to a rag instead. I doubt the surface of the lemon translates that elbow grease well. Thank you for the video!!!!

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

I can for sure see the lemon working better with just the juice and something to help scrub it!😊

[@tulipthorn]

Thank you for testing these out on our behalf!😃

[@Elkins24]

I have been using bar keepers friend and vinegar works very well...

[@2derekjeter2]

would there be a problem if you use sand paper ? there is fine and coarse i was thinking of using fine with water running .....i found these same pans at a yard sale i was wondering if they were good pans...

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

I wouldn't use sand paper on them, even fine sandpaper could ruin the pans. Vinegar and salt work really well for bringing them back to life! These are really good pans, I highly recommend them!!

[@williamkaye8710]

Many thanks for posting.Very useful and brilliant video.

[@yogibearstie]

Bartenders Keeper works well but the vinegar with salt is great too.

[@janeycookevogt8703]

Barkeepers Friend is the best thing ever for Revere Ware. After using your pan, just sprinkle a little on the bottom and shine it up. It will keep a very old pan looking great!

[@jynmeyerdesign14]

Technically, Ketchup has vinegar in it which is an acid as is the tomato in it. Basically Tomato, sugar and vinegar and salt. So- the only difference- is the amount of vinegar and salt compared to the vinegar and salt method haha! The Diatomaceous earth is just an abrasive where the lemon and salt is that acid and abrasive mix. The best way really is the Vinegar and salt- but instead, put it in a larger pan- make a paste of the vinegar and salt, and cover it in that for a few minutes- then pouring boiling hot water with some baking soda over it to neutralize the acid.

[@elainelily9910]

I had a Revere ware pot in the dishwasher. I couldn’t remember if I ran the dishwasher or not so I ran it again. And again because the electricity went out and it may not have finished running. So the pot was washed 3 times in hard water and Lemishine. Very spotty copper and dark spots. I was in a hurry to leave so I poured cleaning vinegar over the copper bottom and nothing happened. Then I remembered about salt and how jewelers use it to make a pickle solution for when they solder, so I poured on some regular cheap salt and instantly it shined up. Minimal scrubbing. Now I will get some BarKeeper’s Friend and try to polish it up better.

[@terrapin52]

Barkeeper's Friend, fast and easy. You have to get in the habit of using it every time you use your pot and they always stay clean

[@MSEI1844]

When I was young my mom made us polish the copper bottoms every time the pans were used as part of our dishwashing chores. We had a scouring powder for copper pots.

[@wholegrain27]

Hi Are your pots Paul Revere ware? My mom's are nearly 70 years old and still beautiful. The logo is getting a little faint though. We used copper twinkle on them for years but it's hard to find. Now we use the vinegar/salt made into a paste with flour. It works fine as long as the pots get regular cleaning. But I have a frying pan that's very tarnished that's why I'm here. Your straight vinegar/salt is way faster then the paste. I have left the mixture soaking on the pan a few times now then sprinkling the pan with salt again and soaking a magic eraser with vinegar and scrubbing...... slowly the deep tarnish are coming off. Read further down the comments....someone suggested lettting it soak in a pool of solution, so trying that now.

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

Mine are Revere ware as well, not sure on the age of mine but I would guess they are from the 60's. I love them and use them every day but they are hard to keep clean!

[@wholegrain27]

@@TheOldCountryPorch right. Best to clean each use and immediately towel dry (air drying isn't fast enough) I've neglected a frying pan. It's taken 2 days of soaking in your solution with scrubbing from time to time but it's finally sparkling again. Thanks for your video and rely. Ours are from the early 50's. Yours look similar so maybe from the 50's too. Long lasting!!

[@smitha1958]

Those pots are Revere Ware - not Paul Revere. Great video! Thanks!!

[@Britineeng]

What if you tried lemon with the vinagar and salt?

[@vanessatetek7577]

not sure if this has been asked on here because i have not read any comments yet but what if the only salt you have is pink himalayan salt??will that work just as well to mix with the vinegar?

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

I just tried it and pink himalayan salt works just as well as table salt😃

[@davidj.jorgensen4828]

The reason PINK is BEST to ingest is because of the 84 trace minerals that our body uses. 😉

[@goldenlol6280]

What was the diotamaceous earth called, like the company or brand name?

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

I use the brand Harris, you can find it on Amazon 🙂

[@raymondharris7226]

Absolutely Excellent... Thanks so much...

[@MrsIda]

Rinse with baking soda water to neutralize the vinegar?

[@francescodivita2509]

I really like your video but most of all I really like your way to present yourself. 👏🏻👏🏻 applause..

[@EatingAnElephant]

I just cleaned mine! They look amazing!!

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

Awesome!!

[@cartoonpete407]

Cool! Subscribed!

[@guidocavalieri]

the best is vinegar and salt added after on top of the copper so it generate chemical reaction and is abrasive at the same time

[@philcamp9663]

Gr8 review.thanks....

[@Vojife]

Salt and vinegar crisps with ketchup it is then

[@jamesmorrison7847]

It's easier to just dissolve salt in white vinegar to make a solution to clean the pots. About 1 tsp or more per cup of white vinegar. Rinse with plain water and dry afterwards. Burned on food will come off with barkeeper's friend powder.

[@Bhau235]

Thank you for making such a clean n quick informative vdo ;but Can we use vinegar and salt on steel pots ??? to get rid of blackened bottom

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

Thanks😊 Salt won't work for steel pots, I will have to test some options for steel!

[@Bhau235]

@@TheOldCountryPorch Thank you! for you quick response!

[@marthacollingsworth9626]

You got that right we need that third thing called elbow, something we can't buy at the store.

[@shivampathak3004]

Thanks for this wonderful video and can u tell me it will work on copper bottle?????

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

Yes, it should work on anything copper🙂

[@shivampathak3004]

@@TheOldCountryPorch okhee ..I will apply it surely thanks ❤️

[@carolmorton7213]

Thank you! I have one heavily abused very old Revere Ware pan and I’m gonna restore it.

[@mouaddouae8746]

Ty for your help . Caus i have more old antik things .

[@shadanb2856]

Thank you such a useful information l can clean my copper vase and pots 😊💕⚘

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

I'm glad it was helpful 😊

[@MK-fn1er]

Does the salt and vinegar method scratch the copper?

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

I didn't notice any scratching with mine but you can try dissolving the salt in vinegar to avoid any potential scratching🙂

[@MK-fn1er]

@@TheOldCountryPorch thank you so much. I will definitely try it. 😊

[@joeluisishere]

I tried salt and vinegar and it didn't do anything to my old copper pot

[@Lovepreet_Singh93]

I clean it with just lemon and salt.

[@donaldhaley8320]

The most intrinsic aspiration of the message of course, the levels. Whollistically

[@christinetempleton7657]

I've tried various things but always lots of scrubbing. This looks promising, I'll try it.

[@christinetempleton7657]

I did try it... and... it works! The salt and white distilled vinegar method really works. Yes, it does take some scrubbing but it's fairly minimal compared to what I was doing before. And it's mostly to brighten the copper as it seems to have a pinkish cast to it after the salt and vinegar got rinsed off. I did use rubber gloves and apron... anything that works that well should be respected.

[@obig9194]

Ketchup is salt and vinegar with some tomatoes

[@luisfal1]

No, it isn't

[@ahmedhalawa7701]

Add baking soda to vinegar and salt

[@chicagochicago3404]

Excellent good job 👍

[@paranoidgenius9164]

I didn't catch the second method, I heard you say Earth & water, but I know I misheard. I have never heard of......the second one, what is it? Salt & vinegar looks to be more effective, yes. I've been experimenting with copper coins to make batteries, & some coins have scorch marks to do with chemical reactions, the coins are solid copper & I left in vinegar & salt solution for about half hour, the scorch marks remain.

[@carolmorton7213]

Diatomaceous earth, an abrasive.

[@onexpressocafe1821]

I also just viewed a tuber using Coke Cola Soda, which worked without scrubbing. "How to clean a copper pot with COCA COLA". Ketchup, Lemon and Vinegar all are the Acidic and the Salt or Diamacious Earth the abrasive for scrubbing.

[@fabianmitrache5799]

congrats, it is very well made, very helpfull, did not took away much of my time! i loved it!

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

thanks!

[@thirupathaiahkondu2666]

Very useful.. thank you.

[@RenormalizedAdvait]

Wow that's one best example of kitchen chemistry, please upload a video explaining the chemical reactions and mechanism why it works.

[@ameepster]

Just apply a paste of equal parts flour, salt and vinegar. It will start to work instantly with only minimal scrubbing necessary.

[@NaybOrkana]

I have a non-tinned copper pot and I tried the ketchup method but it made it worse actually. Salt and vinegar remove all of the oxidation on the outside bottom, but the inside of the pot remains the same.

[@lelanixon3248]

Thanks for sharing your video! I have some copper mugs I need to clean for some Persian mules I’m making this weekend.

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

You are so welcome! 🙂

[@tomitstube]

some people suggest mixing the lemon, salt, and vinegar.

[@roelienpostma2367]

Better eat the lemon

[@MartinPlanner2]

this was VERY helpful! thank you for your great thinking and testing it for us!

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

Glad it was helpful!

[@amywalker7515]

There could be a lot of burned on foods or oil that takes more effort to remove.

[@JDL_2020]

Put ketchup on and let sit for s couple hours or all day, no scrubbing needed for most tarnish. Baked on gunk is another thing. Copper bottom tea pot I just soak in shallow plate with water and vinegar for a few hours, do the same for the inside.

[@heathersummerfield344]

Brilliant thank you so much x

[@MicroageHD]

Vinegar should bei regarded as a "harsh chemical" especially mixed with salt. Also citric acid is pretty harsh too.

[@carolmorton7213]

As is diatomaceous earth - unless using it outside, it’s wise to wear a mask while using it.

[@carolwilliams8840]

Thanks. Very helpful. Putting vinegar on my shopping list now.

[@TheOldCountryPorch]

Glad it was helpful!😊

[@briwozniak4529]

I just passed on a set at the thrift store yesterday and I shouldn’t have 😩

[@tomschneider7788]

Have you ever tried baking soda and vinegar or water?