Keeping Copper Polished

[Roach1948]

Following on from my post last week about Pascal Atkey Pansy heaters, I am now a proud ownder of a MK1 copper and brass version (yes, I know - I was advised to go stainless - but it is in very good condition - hardly used - and when it falls apart I will replace with stainless).


The thing is that it looks black. I know that heat makes copper look black, but was wondering why all those copper kettles and professional copper chefs' pans all remain shiny when they are constantly heated.

The Pansy fits in with the cabin "look" as it is, but it would look great if I could have it looking like copper - any suggestions or do I have to resolve myself to black or endless polishing?

 

[Peterduck]

Before rushing into cleaning the balck off, have a talk to Pascall-Atkey. It is entirely possible that they have applied a black heat-proof coating such as powder-coating. This would be to improve the transmission of radiant heat. I had a copper one for a while but didn't install it as it so rarely gets below 10 deg C here that it wasn't worth the effort. I lovingly buffed it to a bright shine, but it soon reverted to a dull brown. One of my friends pleaded with me to accept his stainless one in exchange for my copper one, to which I agreed. I have since sold the stainless heater to some other friends who are cruising around Tasmania.
Peter.

 

[bdsweeting]

SWMBO uses plain vinegar at home to clean the brass and copper.

Might be tricky with a vertical surface but might be worth trying with a damp rag, as they say.

 

[Roach1948]

I don't think it has got a coating as it can be buffed quite easily - its how to retain the shine that eludes me. I dont think powder coating was invented in the 1940's?

 

[tidclacy]

I used to clean copper pans in a kitchen and they were endless trouble. Half a lemon and salt was what we used.

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

Constant polishing I'm afraid! That was my job in the restaurant when I was a student. After Sunday lunch was over I had to do the copper polish.........

 

[Aja]

Don't even bother. My father has one - we tried Brasso many years ago and gave up. As soon as it heats up it starts discolouring.

Donald

 

[old_salt]

As suggested above don't bother so if you get fed up with it being black and discoloured you are very welcome to Chuck it in my bin, please don't throw it to hard as to damage it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Roach1948]

I will polish her once - and only once - and then I will take photos of the interior and show you lot, but then I will allow her to go brown gracefully...

(bit of a purist - prefer brown to ubiquitous stainless!)

 

[Aja]

It actually looks quite nice this way. A sort of golden at the top getting progresivley darker until it is almost balck at the bottom.

Work of art...

Donald