Tea lovers for generations have enjoyed the beauty and quick-heating characteristics of copper teapots. While teapots made or handcrafted from copper have been produced in the United States for decades, most cookware of this type are now made in England, Portugal, India, and China. Due to the high cost of genuine copper, many kettles are now made of copper-coated stainless steel.
Solid Copper Tea Kettles
When selecting a new or used one solid copper kettle, it is important that the inner lining of the kettle is in good condition to avoid a metallic taste that can occur if copper is exposed inside the kettle. Most teapots made from real copper are lined on the inside with tin or nickel to avoid the metallic taste of copper. With use, the kettle will fog up or develop an “aged” appearance. If you prefer to keep the kettle shiny on the outside, the exterior of the kettle should be cleaned regularly with a high-quality non-abrasive metal polish. To quickly remove stubborn tarnish, Wenol Metal Polish does an excellent job and leaves a clean, polished appearance on the surface. 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 inner lining of the pot. Because copper cookware is a fast conductor of heat, solid copper kettles typically work well on medium or low heat settings, saving time and energy. Great care must be taken not to allow a solid copper kettle to boil dry on the stove. While most kettles will be damaged by this fact, allowing a solid copper kettle to dry boil can seriously damage the kettle’s inner lining. A solid copper kettle with a burnt or damaged inner lining should not be used. Allowing a solid copper kettle to boil dry can also warp or damage the kettle.
Copper plated teapots
Many of the new generation copper kettles are made of stainless steel with a copper cladding and feature a sturdy construction for everyday use. To eliminate the need for polishing, some (but not all) of the new generation of copper-lined stainless steel kettles also feature a high-temperature outer clear coat that seals the outer copper coating to minimize tarnishing. Because the kettle is made of stainless steel, the interior of the kettle is easy to clean and resistant to damage.