Polishing My Copper
My collection of copper, with its shiny rose-gold hue, always looks so beautiful after a good cleaning.
This week, my housekeeper, Elvira Rojas, took on the task of cleaning and polishing many of the copper pieces displayed in my studio kitchen. Copper is a soft, malleable and ductile metal with a distinct pinkish-orange color. It's used as a conductor of heat and electricity, as a building material, and as a popular element for cookware and other home decorating items. Over time, copper loses its luster and acquires a tarnish when exposed to air, so it is important to clean it regularly.
Here are some photos, enjoy.
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- Here is a shelf of copper molds and other containers in my studio kitchen. A couple times a year, I try to polish all the precious metals in my home including this copper. Copper was actually one of the first metals used by humans more than 10-thousand years ago, and it remains a common household material today.
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- Polishing copper, silver, brass, or any other metal regularly is generally sufficient to keep it in good condition.
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- There are several ways to clean copper. Experts recommend using a good-quality, non-abrasive commercial copper polish. I’ve been using Wright’s metal creams for years. Wright’s Copper Cream is a gentle formula that cleans and shines – it’s also great for brass. Each cream tub comes with a sponge, but before starting, it’s also a good idea to get out any additional sponges and towels needed.
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- Using gloves to prevent the cleaning cream from coming into contact with the skin, completely coat the piece. The copper will start to brighten as it is rubbed. This task is time-consuming, but it is well-worth all the work and elbow grease. And remember to get into all the cracks and crevices.
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- Whenever cleaning any precious metal, always use a soft moistened sponge. A soft cloth can also work well. And, for tight areas – a soft-bristled brush is good to have on hand. And always use polishes that are non-abrasive, and opt for formulas, such as creams and gels instead of sprays.
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- After rubbing the piece with cream, wash it with dish soap and water to ensure all the cream is removed.
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- And give it a thorough rinse with tepid water.
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- Drying copper as soon as it is washed also helps prevent watermarks. And never place any copper in the dishwasher. The detergents’ aggressive chemicals, combined with the washer’s high cleaning temperature, will eventually cause any copper surfaces to dull, so hand-wash all copper mugs, pots, and pans instead.
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- Here, Elvira polishes a mold. It may take a little longer when cleaning a piece with more intricate designs or indentations.
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- But here, one can see the differences between the polished molds and the one still left to do. Notice the ones on the left are in the final soap and rinse stage – so shiny, while the darker piece on the right is waiting its turn.
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- And here are three all washed and ready for drying and buffing. Jello, or jelly, molds became popular during the Victorian era when cooks experimented with recipes such as meat-based aspic. Copper molds, as opposed to the more affordable tin alternatives, were a sign of wealth. And by the 1950s and 1960s, these pieces were used for other recipes, especially those well-loved jelly creations.
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- Here is a lid also being carefully rubbed with Wright’s Copper Cream.
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- And here it is completely done. Each piece takes just a few minutes to do.
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- The entire mold and lid show off such a beautiful shine.
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- The copper looks so pretty gleaming on the shelves. Another tip: if you like the way your displays are arranged, take a quick snapshot before you remove them, so you know exactly how they should be returned.
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- Here are some kettles on the stove – all cleaned and polished. I use this kitchen a lot for television and various photo shoots and for other media appearances. I also use everything that is in the kitchen, so it’s important that everything is always clean and “camera-ready.”
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- Here is my copper fish kettle poacher before it was cleaned and polished.
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- And here it is after. Copper fish kettle poachers are prized for their ability to transfer heat quickly and evenly, making them ideal for cooking fish. They are often made from heavy-gauge copper.
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- Above are many of my regularly used pots. I like to keep a lot of my pots hanging on a rack where they are easy to reach.
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- How often copper should be polished depends on the exposure to air, moisture, and handling. For pieces that are kept indoors, polishing every few months should be sufficient.
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