Copperware: benefit and harm. How to take care of copper utensils

Many culinary amateurs dream of revealing the secrets of famous chefs. But it happens that the unusual taste of the prepared dish depends not so much on properly selected ingredients and all sorts of spices, but on the useful qualities of the dishes used. In the kitchen of an expensive restaurant, where professionals work, and the experienced hostess always has copper utensils. The benefits and harm that it exerts on human health must be taken into account before purchasing these items of kitchen utensils.

Advantages of copper utensils

The most important characteristic of copper utensils is its high thermal conductivity, which is 10 times higher than that of a steel or aluminum vessel. This contributes to a uniform distribution of heat throughout the surface, which greatly speeds up the process of cooking, without reducing its taste. It is believed that a particularly delicious jam or spicy sauce is obtained if prepared in a copper pot.

By reducing the time for thermal processing of food, its beneficial substances remain.

Light weight and durability are also indisputable advantages that copperware has. The benefits and harm that can bring copper to human health deserve special attention.

Useful properties of copper tableware

For many centuries, people used copper dishes. Properties, disadvantages, and how to care for pots and pans made of copper - all this has been known for a long time.

One of the most important beneficial properties of copper utensils is its antibacterial effect. Copper can fight a variety of fungi and bacteria, preventing them from getting into food. In the old days copper was stored in water to disinfect it. American scientists have experimentally proved that copper copes successfully with strains of Salmonella, as well as E. coli. Food that is cooked in copper dishes is disinfected, preventing the occurrence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Not for a long time, copper has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of many diseases: with intoxication, convulsions, ulcers, hemorrhoids, etc.

The Harm of Copperware

In addition to the positive properties that copper possesses, scientists have discovered a number of negative factors that may harm health or adversely affect the quality of products prepared in such dishes:

1. Ascorbic acid, which is found in fruits and berries, under the aggressive influence of copper is destroyed.
2. When storing products in copper containers, loss of vitamins and oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids occur, which can contribute to the oncological diseases.
3. Damage to the dishes is particularly serious if it is in a moist environment. The increased humidity causes oxidation of copper, this is manifested as a green plaque. When interacting with food acids during heating, substances harmful to the body are produced. Therefore, when the appearance of such a plaque on the dishes, it must be carefully removed by wiping the surface with salt, soaked in vinegar.

Coating of copper utensils

With products that have high acidity, copper dishes interact negatively. In order to prevent oxidation and make cooking safe, inside the copper container is usually covered with special alloys of tin, iron or nickel. When this coating is wiped - the dishes should be changed. When preparing food in copper vessels, it is best to use a wooden spatula to avoid scratching the inside surface.

Care of utensils from copper

Copperware requires more careful care compared to any other. It must be periodically polished carefully to avoid plaque, observe the storage conditions - such utensils do not tolerate high humidity. This is for copper enemy number one. It is not recommended to wash copper objects in the dishwasher, since the use of strong detergents can damage them, significantly shortening the service life. For the same reason, do not use detergents containing bleach for cleaning. For washing, use a soft cloth or sponge without an abrasive layer, so as not to damage the protective layer on the inner surface.

There are various gels and powders with which easy to clean copper dishes. The benefits and harms of such products are necessarily taken into account when applied to utensils having a protective layer or without it. For the cleaning of coated objects, special compounds are used which are not capable of damaging the surface. Such tools can be applied during dishwashing, as well as polishing them with already washed objects to give shine.

To clean and polish copper products, home remedies can also be used: kerosene, ammonia, vinegar, chalk, etc. It is important to wipe the entire surface thoroughly after cleaning.

A real decoration of the kitchen for many years can become copper dishes. The benefits and harms of copper, of course, must be taken into account. But nevertheless, this metal is not only beautiful, but also durable, which allows you to transfer such dishes from generation to generation as a family relic. And only on the right care will depend on whether the copper dishes are harmful or not.