Containers: Cooking Containers: Copper

Copper is one of the few pure metals used in the kitchen. It is strong and easy to forge either hot or cold. This metal is one of the fastest heat conductors, making it ideal for saucepans, water boilers, and teapots. However, its relatively high cost limited extensive use to more prosperous kitchens.

Because it is so ductile, copper is often beaten out into thin sheets and made up into vessels of various sorts. Typically, the side of a pot is made of one sheet and the bottom another. The edges of the pieces are notched, interlocked, and soldered with brass, which has a high melting point. Afterwards, the seams are hammered flat and smooth. This produces the characteristic dovetail seams found in coppersmith’s work.