Copper ware: the intricacies of care, the benefits and harms

Today, the kitchen uses dishes made of different materials. There are objects from the latest generation of raw materials, as well as products that have been in use by humans for more than a century. The last category should include copper utensils.

The quality and appearance of kitchen utensils, which are actively used in everyday life or also serve as the decor in the room, are of great importance for every housewife. Such an attitude to such objects in the home leads to a special approach to the selection of products, in particular, to the material from which the dishes will be made. Since the appearance and durability of the acquired household items largely depend on the characteristics of the raw materials.

This is due to the fact that the alloy lends itself perfectly to processing, and this allows craftsmen to make copper utensils of any shape and size. In addition, copper items will successfully fit into any kitchen interior in a living room or in a public institution. Copper utensils can be of several shades. The following color variations are common today:

• pink and red dishes, which are equally well suited for daily use and decoration of the room;
• yellow and orange products - imitating antique products.

Such a color variety is in demand by many interior designers, as well as cooks, for whom a harmonious combination of dishes with the external design of the working area in the kitchen is important. Another feature of copper products is their attractive appearance. even with the simplest forms and the absence of additional decor. Thanks to such qualities, for many connoisseurs of beautiful things, the high cost of copper cookware is justified. Today, manufacturers offer cooks and housewives not only pots made of this metal, since copper fondue cups, stew-pots and Turks are on sale, as well as teapots, pans and much more.

Desserts and spicy sauces are endowed with special tastes. As practice shows, most of the "capricious" in the processing of products is obtained in pots and pans made of copper. In dishes made of this metal, the most tender and magnificent whipped whites are formed.

There are no restrictions on the use of certain ingredients and products with copper utensils, since modern products inside have a special coating of stainless steel or tin tin, and manufacturers also use nickel in their work. This manufacturing specificity is due to the characteristics of copper to react with an acidic and slightly acidic environment, which is fraught with the formation of compounds harmful to human health.

Given the individual properties of copper, it is also worth noting that in direct contact of metal with products at high temperatures, food loses most of ascorbic acid, therefore, a coating of another alloy inside is indispensable for preserving the benefits. Also, under the influence of high humidity, the metal oxidizes, which leads to the formation of a patina.

Since the use of copper utensils in the kitchen is in demand in many countries, in addition, utensils made of yellow and red metal for cooking have been used in everyday life for more than a century, cooks and housewives note the pros and cons of such products. So, the advantages of copper cookware include the following.

• Raw materials are distinguished by increased sensitivity to temperature values. It is noted that the thermal conductivity of the metal is 2 times higher than that of aluminum, and also 10 times higher than that of stainless steel. Such characteristics determine its rapid heating, and, if necessary, cooling. Therefore, as a main plus, it is worth highlighting the ability to control all stages of cooking in copper containers.
• The heat transfer of copper eliminates the burning of food during the heat treatment, you can also be sure that the dish will be exposed to uniform temperature effects from all sides.
• The metal has antibacterial properties. So, the use of copper utensils reduces the likelihood of infection by harmful microbes, including salmonellosis and E. coli.

Among the shortcomings of such products for cooking it is worth highlighting such.

• Dishes without processed internal surfaces can be harmful to human health. This is especially true for the release of free radicals when interacting with vitamin C.
• Also among the minuses, it is necessary to highlight the poor resistance of the metal to high humidity. In the light of constant contact with moisture, products from this metal may become covered with a green coating, which will adversely affect the external characteristics of the products, in addition, will make eating and cooking in it impossible.
• The disadvantages of copper cookware are its high cost in comparison with similar products from stainless steel and other alloys.

In light of the demand for such products for decoration and household use, many companies are engaged in the manufacture of copper products. Among the most popular domestic and foreign brands, the following can be noted.

• De Buyer. French company that specializes in the production of kitchen products. Today, copper products made in France are imported worldwide. Its main advantage is high quality, as well as the introduction of new developments in production that have a positive effect on cooking.

• TM MACO. No less popular company that produces copper utensils. The products of this manufacturer are good for their affordable cost, in light of which they are in demand not only among housewives who appreciate beautiful stewpots, pots and pans, but also among the owners of restaurants and cafes.

• Supra. The structure of this large concern includes the oldest family factory, which has been producing copper cookware for quite some time. That is why products from the Japanese brand stand out for their design, a large assortment range, as well as the preservation of centuries-old production traditions.

• TVS. Italy did not stand aside in terms of manufacturing copper products for working in the kitchen. Today brand products are successfully sold all over the world; Russia was no exception. Fans of beautiful dishes from the Italian manufacturer will be able to find it on the shelves of the largest hypermarkets in the country.

• Basilico. A sought-after brand whose products are in the middle price segment, but stand out with proven quality.

• Bioflon. A company formed in Portugal, today its products are successfully sold on the Russian market. Copper cookware of this manufacturer is suitable for any kitchen and stove; in the light of its design, it is used for interior decoration of elite cafes.

• Ruffoni An Italian brand engaged in the manufacture and sale of copper cookware. The company's assortment includes products that can be used as decor items in restaurants, as well as dishes for cooking. All products pass quality control, therefore they are absolutely safe for human health.

In addition to the above brands, copper products are manufactured by Asian, Indian and Turkish companies that offer consumers elite class products, as well as options that have a budget cost.

Regardless of whether the dishes will be used for their intended purpose or as an interior item, When buying, you should adhere to the following recommendations.

• Copper products should be bought only from trusted manufacturers. In this case, do not chase cheap goods, since such a cost is most likely due to the use of low-quality raw materials in the production process. Usually cheap pots, Turks and other utensils are made not of copper, but of alloys of unknown origin, which can be fraught with serious problems.
• Often, under the guise of copper utensils, unscrupulous sellers offer copper-plated products. To distinguish one product from another, it is worth scratching it a little to make sure the integrity of the used metal.
• Hammered or forged products will be in operation much longer.
• Copper is several times heavier than stainless steel and other alloys, so you can check your favorite dishes by simply picking them up.
• The leading positions in the market regarding the quality of dishes are held by trademarks from Italy, Iran and India.
• The inner coating must be selected based on the further use of the dishes. So, for frying, steel or nickel is better; for cooking, tin.In general, copper cookware is universal, but there may be some limitations in terms of use with different types of hob, for example, with induction cookers.

For copper products, the conditions under which they will be subsequently operated and stored will determine their operational life.

Using dishes with plaque is dangerous. Therefore, housewives and chefs who have in their arsenal such equipment for cooking should adhere to the basic recommendations for care.

• Regardless of the size of the products and the degree of contamination, they need to be washed only by hand without the use of aggressive chemical compounds and dishwashers. It is also forbidden to use chlorine and acid-based formulations during the cleaning process.
• To care for copper products, it will be more correct to use flour and salt, which are good tools for cleaning surfaces from various contaminants. As an alternative to bulk products, you can highlight tomato paste, freshly squeezed lemon juice. Any abrasive compounds and sponges should not be used.
• If the container is dry, it is forbidden to pour boiling water and just a very hot liquid into it.
• To avoid damage to dishes, it is not recommended to put it on a fire or in an empty oven.
• All cooking processes that require mixing the ingredients in the container must be carried out with wooden spoons, slotted spoon and other equipment. You can also use devices made of silicone.
• To maintain the attractive appearance of the dishes, you can treat the metal surface with a special polish that has antioxidant properties.

How to clean copper utensils, see below.