Episode 25: Copper as a Contact Killer

What does it mean that copper is a "contact killer" or that the metal is anti bacterial / anti viral? Host and coppersmith Sara Dahmen discusses the molecular properties, interaction with oxygen, and copper's special systems that destroy bacteria and viruses within a matter of hours - all backed up by scientific studies you can read yourself! To submit your own questions on cookware, visit www.housecopper.com/podcast

Ever wonder if you can patch a hole in your tin lining by "spot tinning"? What are the possibilities, pros, and cons to do so? Host and coppersmith Sara Dahmen goes over the basics on how you might be just like those housewives back in the day, who bought little packets of "tin" to fix their own tin linings on the fly. To submit your own questions on cookware, visit www.housecopper.com/podcast

Cookware typically uses grey iron, ductile iron, and cast steel (in the old days there was wrought iron from blacksmiths, but that time is pretty much gone for mass production of cookware). Host and coppersmith Sara Dahmen discusses the three main kinds of iron, how their graphite structures work, why you use them in different types of cookware or parts of cookware, and what to look for to fill out your batterie and why. To submit your own questions on cookware, visit www.housecopper.com/podcast

If you wish to meet other tinsmiths or coppersmiths, get hands-on experience, crash courses in building cookware, and the history of cookware making, consider learning what a convergence is, how to attend, and what to expect. To submit your own questions on cookware, visit www.housecopper.com/podcast

Host and coppersmith Sara Dahmen talks about how she found her apprenticeship, the misconceptions of today’s society about what an apprenticeship should look like, and how these hands-on experiences can shape and save dying arts and trades today. To submit your own questions on cookware, visit www.housecopper.com/podcast

While everyone is aware cast iron cookware should be well-seasoned, the information about how to season and properly use stainless cookware is less known, even though many of us have stainless cookware. Host and coppersmith Sara Dahmen addresses the how and why you will season your stainless and how to care for it afterward. To submit your own questions on cookware, visit www.housecopper.com/podcast

There are several different methods to cleaning and polishing copper cookware exteriors. From the natural method, to chemical, to mechanical, host and coppersmith Sara Dahmen walks you through all the possibilities. Whether your cookware is new or super oxidized, the answers for shining up those beauties is all here! To submit your own questions on cookware, visit www.housecopper.com/podcast

Ever wonder if copper works as a baking surface? Is it better or worse or different from other types of baking sheets out there? Join host and coppersmith Sara Dahmen as she discusses the pros, cons, tips, and tricks to using tin lined copper as a baking tool in your kitchen. To submit your own questions on cookware, visit www.housecopper.com/podcast

If you wonder if copper cookware (especially tin-lined) can hold up to acidic foods, tomatoes, or, heck, even be good for baking lasagna, here's a discussion on how and why you'd be using copper cookware, safety, and care in the face of these meals. Join host and coppersmith Sara Dahmen for some foodie tips, cooking hacks, and FYI's when it comes to copper. To submit your own questions, visit https://www.housecopper.com/podcast

Host and coppersmith Sara Dahmen discusses the different types of handles found on copper cookware, what it can signify in terms of age and dating cookware, and the pros and cons of the multiple metals used. Don't forget to head over to www.housecopper.com/podcast to submit your own burning cookware questions!