How to Clean Copper Bottomed Pots

My mother used these copper-bottomed pots for year and years and gave me some when I left for college. They are pretty great pans and I love using them, but over time the bottom gets tarnished and dirty looking. Thankfully, my mother also taught me how to get them clean and bright looking again! I've since learned of two more ways to get them clean too. We'll start with my mother's method first.

Here are the pots I have. I have three of them, and yes. The bottoms are not so pretty here! Let's fix that....

First, pour regular table salt onto it!

Next, pour some regular white vinegar onto the salt.

Grab a scour pad and scrub in the vinegar into the salt and clean the pan! Be sure to get the sides too! Pour more vinegar and salt onto it as needed until it's all clean.

And here's how it compares to the two other dirty ones!! Amazing difference right?!

Another way to clean them is using Bar Keepers Friend! This time, wet the bottom of the pan with water, sprinkle the Bar Keepers Friend onto the pan, let sit for a minute, then scrub with a paper towel or scour pad, and viola! A clean-bottomed copper pan!

The last way to clean a copper bottom pot, in case you're really desperate for some reason, is to use KETCHUP!

Be sure to head to my blog to watch the videos for the vinegar and ketchup tutorials in action!

If you love these type of practical cleaning tips for everyday things, be sure to check out Speed Clean the Deep Clean: A Collection of Time-Saving Cleaning Tutorials and Tips for Busy Moms! It has 50+ cleaning tutorials and tips to help you get every area of your home looking great, including all of these ways of cleaning copper pots!

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12 questions

Ssh22480665
on Apr 13, 2017

how do you clean the faberware pans with the stainless bottoms

8

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- Katelyn Fagan
  on Apr 14, 2017
  
  I would use Bar Keepers Friend!
  
  1
  Reply
- Swan Road Designs
  on Apr 14, 2017
  
  If they are truly stainless steel, you could use Easy-Off oven cleaner. You can't hurt stainless steel. Just spray some on (covering the handles if they are not stainless), then seal the pan in a plastic bag overnight. Any "gunk" should wash right off with little to no scrubbing.
  
  1
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- Ssh22480665
  on Apr 14, 2017
  
  thanks but where would I purchase the bar keepers friend?
  
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- Julie Ortiz
  on Apr 15, 2017
  
  I saw in another blog that Bar Keepers Friend was purchased from Walmart.
  
  2
  Reply
- Katelyn Fagan
  on Apr 18, 2017
  
  You can get Bar Keepers Friend from Walmart or Target and often your local grocery store too. Look in the kitchen cleaning section.
  
  2
  Reply
- Sue Laswell
  on Apr 18, 2017
  
  I always used Cooper cleaner; it worked great!
  
  1
  Reply
- Linda Shepard
  on Apr 18, 2017
  
  Regarding Farberware - the bottoms of it are aluminum, so the dishwasher really does a number on them. Using SOS pads and BarKeepers Friend is the best solution I've found - other than not putting them in the dishwasher!
  
  1
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- Ssh22480665
  on Apr 18, 2017
  
  yes they are stainless steal aluminum clad bottoms, that's what it says on the bottom of them
  
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Cle21376449
on Apr 18, 2017

No Question, but a suggestion.....

Keep the RevereWare pans OUT of the dishwasher. The phenolic plastic handles will stay in much better condition and will not develop the dull, dingy gray/whiteish "stains."

CLE RECTOR

Granger, Indiana

2

Answer this
- 9530106
  on Apr 18, 2017
  
  Alas, the ones my mom has had for 50+ years have never been in a dishwasher. But the handles are not the greatest looking anymore. She does still shine the bottoms, however!
  
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- Katelyn Fagan
  on Apr 18, 2017
  
  Thanks! Yes! I was not happy when my husband put these in the dishwasher.... I think he's finally learned to stop putting pots and pans in the dishwasher!
  
  1
  Reply
Tilda Landrigan
on Apr 18, 2017

My copper-bottom pans are not only unsightly; they also stain the surface of my white glass-top range. Will these treatments cause more problems?

5

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- Sharon
  on Apr 18, 2017
  
  Sprinkle on baking soda and use a dampened non scratching scouring pad . For heavily soiled spots leave on a few minutes Then scrub it clean
  
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- Gail
  on Apr 18, 2017
  
  Thanks, I have an old stove and never considered that anything could stain the new stoves with the glass tops.
  
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- Rjm17667944
  on Apr 18, 2017
  
  Ketchup works great, too.
  
  1
  Reply
- Kathy
  on Apr 19, 2017
  
  I have same pans 35 yrs, cleaning w/ Barkeepers Helper, also on ceramic stovetops, after cooling completely, I use razor angled 45 degrees to scrape off overspill, etc. into dust & wipe away. What could be easier?
  
  1
  Reply
- Julia Johnson Black
  on Jun 3, 2017
  
  Vinegar and baking soda also works. It's also fun to use.
  
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Skay
on Apr 20, 2017

any ideas on handles cleaning??

3

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- Grace Nielsen
  on May 3, 2017
  
  I've used Armor-all (for cars) with success!
  
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- Cyndi Dimanno-Valentine
  on May 3, 2017
  
  Barkeepers friend
  
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- Skay
  on May 4, 2017
  
  thanks all for info!
  
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  Reply
Elizabeth Helmer
on Apr 24, 2017

Does this work for brass too?

4

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- Cyndi Dimanno-Valentine
  on May 3, 2017
  
  Barkeepers friend works freat on brass
  
  1
  Reply
- Elizabeth Helmer
  on May 3, 2017
  
  Would it be okay for church brass? I don't want to scratch it! And thank you for the help!
  
  6
  Reply
- Lynne Webb
  on Jan 3, 2018
  
  I would test an inconspicious spot on 'church' brass but my own opinion is, Barkeepers Friend would not harm it. Use a soft cloth and rinse to remove residue. It's a fantastic product. Some dear soul recently did our Altar brass and it looks beautiful.
  
  1
  Reply
- DB
  on Jan 3, 2018
  
  For Church Brass -- use Brasso tried and true
  
  3
  Reply
- Elaine
  on Jan 3, 2018
  
  For cleaning Brass, I always use Brasso with great results. My Revere Wear pots and pans with copper bottoms, look great and they are now over 40 years old. I use a regular Copper Cleaner for them. I tried ketchup with no luck at all.
  
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Ellen King
on May 3, 2017

I have the same pans and if you put them in the dishwasher it will eventually take off the copper. I used mine for many, many years and then this happens in the dishwasher. Umm, makes me wonder if the finish is just a thin layer of spray on copper. What do you think? Has anyone else had this problem also?

5

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- Ann M
  on May 4, 2017
  
  Not at all. I've had my revere ware pans for 44 years. I put them in the dishwasher all the time. In the rinse aid part I poor vinegar. My glasses are beautiful and the brass on the bottom of the pans are always shiny.
  
  13
  Reply
- AJ
  on May 8, 2017
  
  Ummmm -- Revere Ware pan bottoms are clad in copper, not in brass.
  
  8
  Reply
- Ann dowdy
  on May 16, 2017
  
  Ann M do you put the vinegar in the same place that the Jet Dry? And do you use vinegar instead of Jet Dry?
  
  25
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- Ardale
  on Jan 3, 2018
  
  My grandmother had a whole set of Revere Ware and she always cleaned her copper bottoms with table salt and a lemon cut in half. Made them shine like a new penny!
  
  6
  Reply
- Deborah S Cripple
  on Jan 3, 2018
  
  My Revereware is over 40 years old and used all the time...still like new! I always
  
  13
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- Betsy
  on Jan 21, 2018
  
  I wouldn't put Revere Ware, or any pots with non-metal handles, in the dishwasher. The handles will get dull and over time, break. Grab the dish soap and sponge add hot water and look out the window as you wash your pots. I always wash my dishes by hand, it's nice, and the kids stay away because they think you will try and get them to help, so this is some great quiet time. Stretch it out!!! :)
  
  11
  Reply
Barbara
on Aug 7, 2017

How do you polish brass?

8

Answer this
- Dana
  on Jan 2, 2018
  
  Barbara, if your using copper bottom pots, you can’t keep them clean apart from cleaning them. If your copper is not for use and only for show after you clean them put a clear coat of lacquer on the clean surface. This is the only way to keep the copper clean. Keep in mind it will wear off with handling. This is not recommend for pots.
  
  2
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- Naomie Moore aka baileyanddaisey, Castaic CA
  on Jan 2, 2018
  
  I use brasso.
  
  3
  Reply
- Bird
  on Jan 2, 2018
  
  Neverdull
  
  3
  Reply
- Marian B Paschket
  on Jan 2, 2018
  
  Wrights copper cleaner works great my pans are 50 years old and always clean the insides with the same cleaner food will never stick for you.
  
  3
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- Lisa
  on Jan 2, 2018
  
  Ketchup
  
  7
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- Jane Doe
  on Jan 16, 2018
  
  Red Bear
  
  1
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- Jer24088705
  on Jan 21, 2018
  
  I clean lots of brass things I brought home from India in the 60's with salt and rub with !/2 lemon. (I have a lemon tree !) I imagine it would work for copper, too. lemon juice and vinegar are both acidic.
  
  3
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- Regina Boyd
  on Dec 25, 2018
  
  Brasso.
  
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- Peggy Burnette
  on Jan 7, 2019
  
  They look like new. Thanks for sharing.
  
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  Reply
Dar27905338
on Jan 11, 2018

Is this mainly for copper bottomed pots?

3

Answer this
- Cheryl Buck
  on Jan 23, 2018
  
  Bar Keepers Friend is a great cleaning product. It can be used on many surfaces. Just make sure you rinse well, otherwise you will have a white powdery residue.
  
  7
  Reply
- Dar27905338
  on Jan 24, 2018
  
  Thank you!
  
  3
  Reply
- Tina
  on Jan 4, 2019
  
  I use it to clean my glass top stove and it's great and much less expensive. Any rust spots ANYWHERE!
  
  1
  Reply
Steve Bales
on Jan 4, 2019

Can I use this on Stainless Steel pots and pans?

1

Answer this
- DebraY
  on Jan 5, 2019
  
  Yes, vinegar shines up full stainless steel.
  
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Georgette
on Jan 24, 2019

Is only for copper pots or can u do any pot with that.

0

Answer this
Rosemary
on Aug 31, 2019

will this clean grease off also?

0

Answer this
Becky Eisenman
on Oct 1, 2019

Don’t really have a question just love that someone else likes to stick with the old pans. I have had mine since 1975 and they still look fantastic. Can’t say that about some of the new stuff they are making.

0

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2 of 102 comments

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Pam Davis
on Oct 2, 2020

I swear by Bar keepers Friend. It cleans everything. I have stainless steel pot set and I can have them looking shiny and new no matter how bad they get 🧡

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Reply
Joanie
on Nov 29, 2020

These look absolutely beautiful! So clean.........great job!!

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How to Clean Copper Bottomed Pots

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