Easy steps to clean copper/ brass cookware ( தாமிர பாத்திரங்களை சுலபமாக சுத்தம் செய்யும் முறை )

Easy steps to clean copper/ brass cookware 

( தாமிர பாத்திரங்களை சுலபமாக சுத்தம் செய்யும் முறை )

                                                           

My Notes:
     A digression, little away from recipes, this post is included in the blog to benefit a few friends who had been discussing about maintaining / cleaning  copper vessels.
I could feel a recent wave of surge on copper utensils. 
A decade ago, the restaurants brought back the bygone metal to the dining table in the name of authentic dining. Also chefs prefer copper cookware due its high heat conductivity.
People started talking about it and the benefits of using copper utensils. Fast becoming the favourite choice in many households.
Copper is called செம்பு அல்லது தாமிரம் in Tamil. In earlier days it was mainly used in coin minting. 
Copper, one of the oldest known metal, has known to have antibacterial property and various other health benefits. Water stored in copperware is believed to have healing properties. But it has to be stored at least for 8 hours. Normal suggestion is to store water at night and drink it the first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. 
Copper is not innately utilized by our body. 12 mg/day is the recommended dosage. So limit yourself to drinking twice or thrice in a day from a copper vessel to reap its benefits. Drinking 1 to 2 litres of water from copperware will provide around 30 % of the daily requirement of copper. Rich source of copper are seafoods and also other sources like milk, apple, banana, etc..

Now comes the cleaning part...

If left unused and wet, or dirty with moist food particles, copper and brass will develop some discolorations ranging from grey to green-blue. It is unsafe to use in that condition. A good care is required. If the discoloration is scrubbed off, the cookware is food safe.











Requirements

Tarnished copperware

Lemon peels ( the leftover skin after squeezing out the juice of it for a drink or cooking) - from 2 lemons

Water and a container big enough to immerse your copperware.

Steps:

Cut the lemon skin into pieces. Fill the container with water, add in the lemon pieces. The copperware has to be fully immersed.

Leave it aside for 2 to 3 hours. 

Remove the copperware and with any dishwashing powder or liquid and using your fingers clean inside and out 

Rinse thoroughly.

Hand dry thoroughly after washing to prevent spotting.

Your shining copperware is ready for use.

Soaking in lemon peels makes the work a breeze. This method can be used once in 3 or 4 days for a sparkling ware.

Sabeena available in India is the best after my trials with different brands.

The pitambari powder recommended for shining brass and copper is also damn good.

The above 2 powders, when used directly, do not give a very good result. Soaking with lemon makes work a lot easier and ensures less of the chemicals used.

Copper is a wonderful material for cookware. To choose the right alloy, the cost and the requirement of some work to maintain it in top condition are the few challenges. But if you are willing to do the above, then this lustrous material is a great addition to the kitchen, whether has health benefits or not.