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I want to learn to re-tin copper cookware as a hobbyist
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I have a set of very old copper cooking pots which were, at one point, plated on the inside with what I think was zinc. I would like to have the interior of these pots replated with whatever is the standard food grade coating. Can someone help me find a service provider for this?
Scott C [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]- Georgetown, South Carolina
^- Sorry! This RFQ is outdated -^
Hi, Scott
The coating would be tin rather than zinc. Hopefully one of the site's supporting advertisers will contact you privately to offer this services.
Regards,
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 Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |
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I am an amateur cook. Recently I acquired used copper cookware. some of the pieces require re-tinning. I would like to try to re-tin the pans myself, but would like to read up on the process as much as possible before starting. I have a source of virgin tin, but need more information on what type of flux is necessary. Basically, I would like instructions on how to do all of this. Can you help with a source of such instructions?
Thank you,
Daniel Lovickhobbyist - Monterey, California
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1. apply flux on your object (rosin, tallow, or any proprietary noncorrosive flux) -- object must be grease and oxide free! 2. heat it to 3. wipe it with old rag-to remove any surplus and that's all 4. you can practice on some copper scrap! Good luck! Goran Budija- Zagreb, Croatia |
August 17, 2008
Was there a typo in Goran's answer to the original question? 250 (two hundred and fifty) degrees C sounds more logical.
Antony P Smith- Wentworth Falls, NSW, Australia
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Ed. note: Thanks, Antony; we've corrected it.
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September 23, 2008
I am wanting to try re-tinning also, and was wondering how this worked out for you. Also, where did you find the tin that you used? Brian Nelson- East Moline, Illinois October 7, 2008 I retin cooper cookware for a fund raiser at the National Ornamental Metal Museum every year. We use propane torches
(the kind a plumber would use), ruby fluid (as a flux)
=> - Tupelo, Mississippi |
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April 7, 2010
Hi, folks. letter 25553 has a good deal of fine detail on how to re-tin copper pots. Good luck with it! Regards,
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July 26, 2011
Hello,
I too am interested in re-tinning my copper cookware. The instructions appear to be very very helpful but I have yet to try! A few of the post suggest pickling in an acidic solution to remove oxides. My issue is that the handles to all my pots are iron and I fear that the pickling solution will attack the handles and rivets. Are there any suggestions (i.e. specific type of acid, pickling time, concentration, temperature) that will prevent or minimize attack of the iron? I've seen several posts on this and other threads by a fellow engineer, Ted Mooney, who seems to be quite knowledgeable in this area....I am hoping he can help.
Thank you and regards,
Camillo
- Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
July 26 2011
Hi, Camillo. Thanks.
The reason I have posted on the topic is only because I am the website operator, charged with keeping the forum going, not because I know much about it :-)
Still, I don't think you need aggressive acids if the pot is in generally good shape. Although a reader recommended 10% sulfuric acid on letter 25553, and it would be ideal if the pot contained only copper, I think a copper cleaner that is based on a mild oxalic or sulfamic acid with a bit of abrasive like Copper Glo [linked by editor to product info at Amazon] should do fine and avoid the need for immersing your handles and rivets in acid.
I would certainly encourage you to try retinning if it interests you, but as a hobby or avocation rather than as an immediate answer to a practical need. I suspect that the reason traditional re-tinners travelled from town to town offering this service is that there is some acquired skill involved as well as the cookbook instruction. And that the reason you'll read about several different ways to do it is that it is an art form. Best of luck.
Regards,
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Ted Mooney, P.E. finishing.com Brick, New Jersey |
August 3, 2011
Thanks for the advice Ted! I surely intend to practice before attempting to work on some of my better pots and pans. Interestingly, I'm having a hard time finding tin ingots in my home town.... May have to order online and perhaps even from your side of the border.
Thanks again,
Camillo
- Ottawa, Ontario, Canada