Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Need a food-safe finish for a hammered copper fruit bowl

I made a hammered copper fruit bowl for my mom for Christmas, and put a heat patina on it. I've finished the outside with standard finishing wax, but it has a really toxic smell to it and I'm searching for a food-safe way to finish the inside (both to preserve the patina and to make it food-safe; I've been told raw copper isn't too safe for prolonged food exposure). Somebody suggested krylon matte finish, but warned it may be toxic. Any ideas?

Jess Kilby
- Portland, Maine
2002

The only safe way to serve food in your copper bowl is to use a glass insert. Never, never serve food from a copper container! Not only may your food be contaminated, the bowl may also be damaged or discolored by the food!

Gayle Coffey
- Lenoir, North Carolina
2003

Glass insert is safest but thick tin plate is also safe.

Goran Budija
- Cerovski vrh Croatia
2003