Tea lovers for generations have enjoyed the beauty and fast heating characteristics of copper teapots. While copper made or handcrafted teapots have been produced in the United States for decades, most cookware of this type is now made in England, Portugal, India, and China. Due to the high cost of genuine copper, many teapots are now copper-plated stainless steel.
Solid Copper Tea Kettles
When selecting a new or used solid copper kettle, it is important that the inside lining of the kettle is in good condition to prevent a metallic taste that can occur if the copper becomes exposed inside the kettle. Most teapots made from real copper are lined on the inside with tin or nickel to prevent the metallic taste of copper. With use, the kettle will tarnish or develop an “old” look. If you prefer to keep the teapot shiny on the outside, the outside of the teapot should be cleaned regularly with a high quality, non-abrasive metal polish. To quickly clean the most stubborn tarnish, Wenol Metal Polish does an excellent job, leaving a clean and polished surface appearance. Never clean the inside of a solid copper kettle with metal polish, metal scouring pads, metal utensils, bleach, vinegar, or strong cleaners, as this can seriously damage the inside coating of the kettle. Since copper cookware is a fast conductor of heat, solid copper teapots will typically perform well on medium or low heat settings, saving time and energy. Great care should be taken never to allow a solid copper kettle to boil and dry out on the stove. While most kettles will be damaged by this fact, allowing a solid copper kettle to boil and dry out can severely damage the kettle’s interior lining. A solid copper kettle with a burnt or damaged inner lining should not be used. Allowing a solid copper kettle to boil and dry out can also warp or damage the kettle.
copper plated teapots
Many of the newer generation copper teapots are made from copper-clad stainless steel and feature heavy-duty construction for everyday use. To eliminate the need for polishing, some (but not all) of the new generation of copper-plated stainless steel kettles also feature a high-temperature outer clear coat that seals the outer copper plating to minimize tarnishing. Because the kettle is made of stainless steel, the inside of the kettle is easy to clean and resistant to damage.
