Copper teapot question - Upgoat - "where a goat can be a goat"

Copper teapot question
submitted by Her0n to AskUpgoat 7 monthsOct 25, 2024 20:14:34 ago (+1/-0) (AskUpgoat)

The Mrs left a copper teapot on a hot coil too long. The metal got burned and she tried using Brasso on the teapot. The end result looks like it got some paint stripped off. Does anyone know if this teapot is beyond repair?

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[ - ] Sector2 2 points 7 monthsOct 25, 2024 23:47:18 ago (+2/-0)

Old and truly antique copper tea kettles are often made of solid copper and don't have any kind of protective lining. This can be dangerous when used to boil water. Copper poisoning can occur from consuming food and beverages that have come in direct contact with copper.

Get a new teapot. Maybe stainless steel or glass.

[ + ] Her0n

[ - ] Her0n [op] 1 point 7 monthsOct 26, 2024 15:46:48 ago (+1/-0)

It's from 1901, made of steel, and really all she did was polish the varnish off it.

I made the post before I personally tried anything.

Worst case I'll strip it down and electroplate it with copper again.

[ - ] AugustineOfHippo2 2 points 7 monthsOct 25, 2024 21:57:01 ago (+2/-0)

Pics would help in the diagnosis.
But seriously, teapots are cheap, just get a new one.

[ + ] Her0n

[ - ] Her0n [op] 0 points 7 monthsOct 26, 2024 15:47:14 ago (+0/-0)

She stripped the varnish off it, I took a better look at it.

[ - ] MaryXmas 1 point 7 monthsOct 25, 2024 22:05:28 ago (+1/-0)

Copper is expensive so I can understand. If you heat copper you anneal it - meaning you make it malleable. That may make the teapot weak. The bigger problem is that the metal will denature to some extent which may make it brittle or my fear of losing copper pieces in your tea. I am the risk taking type and I would recommend finding another tea pot and not taking the risk. You can toss spent brass or copper on a fire and it will both anneal and turn blue/white/green. Copper burns green, try it some time. If we can see that copper does indeed burn, that is how I personally know that it will compromise the metal in the teapot. It just depends on how hot for how long.

[ + ] Her0n

[ - ] Her0n [op] 1 point 7 monthsOct 26, 2024 15:51:50 ago (+1/-0)

It was actually copper plated stainless. She stripped off the varnish and left most of the copper on the teapot.

[ + ] MaryXmas

[ - ] MaryXmas 1 point 7 monthsOct 26, 2024 16:09:49 ago (+1/-0)

Probably fine then. Clean it real good. I doubt it actually has varnish, maybe just patina that may come back.

[ - ] lord_nougat 0 points 7 monthsOct 25, 2024 21:30:42 ago (+1/-1)

You need to get a better wife!

[ + ] Gowithit

[ - ] Gowithit 2 points 7 monthsOct 25, 2024 21:33:44 ago (+2/-0)

Shit happens. If it was the only thing that got burnt that day it was a good day.

[ + ] MaryXmas