How to Care for copper pots

Extend the life and luster of your copper pots with a few items that are probably in your kitchen.

You Will Need

* A soft cloth

* Mild dish detergent

* Warm water

* Lemon juice

* Kosher salt

* Ketchup

* A steel wool pad

WARNING: Never heat copper pots lined with tin over a high flame – it will cause the lining to melt and toxic copper to seep through to your food.

Step 1: Store your copper pots

Prevent tarnishing by storing copper pots in a low-humidity area.

Step 2: Clean the tin lining

Use a soft cloth, mild dish detergent, and warm water to clean the tin lining inside a copper pot.

Gently rubbing the inside of the pot in a circular motion helps maintain the tin's quality.

Step 3: Clean the copper

Rub the outside of the copper pot with a paste made from one part lemon juice and three parts kosher salt. Wash thoroughly with soap and water.

For really tough stains use ketchup and a steel wool pad.

Step 4: Re-tin copper pots

Have your copper pots professionally re-tinned after a long period of use.

Step 5: Use your copper pots

Get cooking! Copper pots may look attractive, but they're really made for frequent use!

Fact: The Copper Age dates from 5500 to 3000 B.C.