skip to main content

Copper gratin pan

2 years ago

One of my favourite dishes to use is an oval gratin pan made of copper with a shiny silver coloured interior finish. i have use it so much that the inside finish has worn off in places and the copper oxidizes in spots and leaves a blue stain that I can easily remove, but I worry about the food safety of what I am serving in it. is it safe to use? I really miss it!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

plllog
2 years ago
It depends on your pan. Likely, the ”shiny silver finish” is tin, because stainless probably wouldn't wear off. Acids will react with copper and leach some out (think shining up a penny with vinegar (the actuve ingredient in Taco Bell Hot Sauce, per the urban legend). Too much copper in your diet isn't good, but I don't know where the line is. OTOH, you can get your pan retinned. Here's an article from a high end cookware maker on cooking with copper. I haven't read it through, but it looks interesting. https://debuyer-usa.com/blogs/how-to/copper-and-sugar-how-copper-affects-your-food#:~:text=For%20general%20cooking%2C%20you%20want,into%20the%20food%20being%20prepared.
Lulu thanked plllog
chloebud
2 years ago
I agree the interior is likely tin. If so, you can (and should) have it retinned. Just check online for places that do it in your area. It might mean sending it out.
Lulu thanked chloebud
Related Discussions
tin lined copper saute pan
Q
Comments (8)
Thank you. I've done some more reading and I believe that it may have been a combination of heat and wine. I see no copper so I think its ok but I've located a nearby shop that does retinning so I'm going to take it to them and have them look at it. (Fante's in Phil.). I don't mind paying to have it redone since I only paid 20$ for it :)! It's a nice pan that looks like a mauviel but has no marks so I have no idea of the maker. Has heavy iron handles on both sides (one for hanging).
...See More
Copper pans on sale
Q
Comments (1)
GWlolo Thanks for listing this. I found the jam pot tempting also, but it doesn't look like it is stainless lined. I think I remember that jam pots are not. Unnecessary for jam, I guess, but I would want to use it for other foods as well. Don't think I am tempted by the others, but lovely pots.
...See More
Why can't I pass up copper pans?
Q
Comments (11)
The long oval pan with the handle is a fish pan. As in sole meuniere (and this movie scene, lifted from Julia Child's auto-biography: LINK) The ones without handles and the small ones are gratins. The long oval ones can be used for vegetables (e.g. asparagus), gratins, fish and for finishing meats in the oven. The best copper for cooking is generally 2mm+, or generally the thickness of a nickel, or above. That's a handy way to check when you are shopping. No matter what, you had an excellent score. I too have too much cookware, include a lot of new and vintage copper. @ritaweeda -- it's easy to be afraid of tin. just remember -- always use medium heat or less, never anything above 400F, avoid preheating a pan without at least some oil in it (easy to forget it's on the stove) and never use metal utensils.
...See More
Copper shower pan on tonight's (1/6/22) This Old House
Q
Comments (14)
@HU-867564120. My surprise at the use of silicone to connect the drain to the copper pan is that I'm use to a brass drain being soldered to the pan and then a PVC 2" IPS adapter being used to glue it to the PVC drainpipe. That's what my plumber did in my shower. But all these methods seem a bit hokey to me. Anyway my plumber and tile guys were wedded to the copper pan and full mud bed so I went with it and then covered everything with Hydroban. 5 years in and It's working perfectly well, but next time I do a shower it will probably be something like a Kohler cast iron shower base and Laticrete board for the walls.
...See More
colleenoz
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I would not use it unless it was re-tinned. Copper toxicity is a thing and it doesn’t take much to make you sick and children are even more vulnerable:

Copper toxicity- from the National Library of Medicine
Lulu thanked colleenoz
Gooster
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
There are a few retinners operating throughout the US. If you don't have one locally, there are several operating nationally, I've used this firm, Rocky Mountain Retinning: link

Some people actually retin themselves, but unless you are used to working with molten metal, I would not recommend it.

There is also a couple on the east coast, like East Coast Retinning.

Be careful with peak cooking temperatures with tin, stay below 450C and watch empty pans carefully. Bubbling is a sign of damage to the tin lining, and then the tin will begin to flake off. If you simply like the material but don't want to worry about retinning, Falk makes some excellent stainless steel lined gratins.
Lulu thanked Gooster

Related Stories

HOUSEKEEPING Shine On: How to Clean Copper

By Bonnie McCarthy

Restore the luster to your copper pots and pans with these tips for using both natural and store-bought cleaners

REMODELING GUIDES 15 Ways to Design With Copper

By Becky Harris

Get Inspired to Add the Long-Lasting Beauty of Copper to Your Home

METAL Why Copper Shines in the Kitchen

By Anne Ellard Design

Learn about the practical and aesthetic beauty of copper and why it works so well in food prep and cooking areas

REMODELING GUIDES Materials: Highlighting Copper Around the Home

By Becky Harris

KITCHEN DESIGN Hang 'Em or Hide 'Em: 10 Stylish Ways to Store Pots and Pans

By Jennifer Ott Design

Keep cookware neat and at the ready with racks, drawers and creative storage solutions

KITCHEN STORAGE 10 Bright Ideas for Displaying Pots and Pans

By Becky Harris

Hang your cookware collection in full view for easy access and to enjoy its sculptural beauty

KITCHEN STORAGE 7 Reasons to Hang Your Pots and Pans on a Rail

By Becky Harris

Well-placed utility rails are popping up in stylish kitchens. Here’s why you may want to consider one too

KITCHEN STORAGE Where to Put Holiday Pots, Pans and Platters the Rest of the Year

If your holiday meal plans involve large cooking and serving vessels, consider these 9 kitchen storage options

METAL Copper: A Traditional Metal Gets a Shiny Update

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

Although the metal is no stranger to home design, these days its uses are downright brilliant

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Sinks: Antibacterial Copper Gives Kitchens a Gleam

By Rachel Grace

If you want a classic sink material that rejects bacteria, babies your dishes and develops a patina, copper is for you

Sponsored

More Discussions

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, Anyone?

11

Have you made fruit leather? Any tips?

3

Hasselback Plum Tomato Caprese

17

10

I can get ONE FREE spice. What would YOU choose?

14