Monday, October 1, 2012

Copper Pot Love

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I've long since admired a copper pot collection.
Seeing them hanging on a wall...

Velvet and Linen
 ...or gathered together on a shelf makes my heart skip a beat!


A staple in French kitchens, Julia Child to Martha Stewart have their collection of copper, but for some reason, I just couldn't bite the bullet and make my first copper purchase.  
 Maybe because I don't know anything about copper cookware.

Do I want to cook with it?  Or just collect and display it?
The new copper cookware at Williams-Sonoma is gorgeous and pricey, and the older copper in antique stores with patina is more reasonable.
But is it practical?

Wikipedia
Either way, it required an investment.
This is why I just couldn't commit to another collection!

So, imagine my delight when a houseguest surprised me with this large copper pot as a thank you gift! 
I don't know how he knew that I was contemplating collecting copper cookware, but somehow, he knew!

  Behold, my first copper pot!  
I have the feeling it's the beginning of a collection that will be a lifelong obsession!
Thank you Paul!

32 comments:

  1. And what a lovely collection it will be! Your new pot is beautiful and what a lovely gift.

    Kat

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  2. I LOVE copper pots! I started a collection a long time ago and have never tired of it! Its ageless and timeless! I love the one you got! It's fabulous! Have a great Monday!

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  3. Now that's a gift I could get pretty excited about too! I'm kinda loving copper lately and have been contemplating starting to add a few pieces as well...there is something so cozy and warm...yours is gorgeous!

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  4. Oh, Delores, I love your copper pot! I started collecting them several years ago; and I display them on a pot rack over my cooktop. I absolutely love them!

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  5. Amo panelas de cobre. Aqui não tem esse tipo de panela. Quero fazer uma coleção. Lindas sugestões.
    Tenha uma ótima semana.

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  6. What a thoughtful houseguest! Beautiful.

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  7. I cook with/in mine every day. None are particularly pricey, most from HomeGoods or TJ Maxx, yard sales etc. I polish sporadically so they looks well loved and never contrived :)

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  8. Hi D!! Copper is perfect for your home!! Love it in your beautiful new kitchen, it plays off the green so beautifully. I use to collect copper molds in the 80s I got rid of them and sometimes I wish I still had them for the Fall, it is such a perfect color of warmth!! xo Kathysue

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  9. Congrats on the pot! What a treasure. I use mine and love my copper pots. I won't even begin to make veal piccata in anything but my copper pan. Old ones can be retinned so that is never a problem... Is it French Basketeer blog that had a post about it? I think.. I'll do some research. Good start to a collection... xo marlis

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  10. That is a beauty! I like them, but have no where to store a new "collection" of any kind! Have fun collecting!

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  11. Beautiful gift!! I'm inspired to get mine out and hang them again...got tired of cleaning copper and opted to hang plates that could be put into the dishwasher!

    Time for another change!! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  12. I too have a serious obsession with copper. This past weekend I picked up a set of long handle copper utensils used for an 1800's cooking fireplace. Also got a Ruffoni au gratin pan with a cute acorn handle lid. I plan to do a copper post on my pieces sometime in the future so hopefully you can catch up on some of the neat pieces then. - Tonya

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  13. Looks great...but WHERE is this picture taken? Which kitchen? I'm confused about the white cabinets I'm seeing.
    What's not to love about copper?

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  14. Your new "old" pot is beautiful!

    I started collecting copper pots and molds when I was married 35 years ago. I hung them on racks and on the wall but never used them for cooking. Just this past month we did a bit of kitchen remodeling and I decided to polish my pots and use them. They are fabulous! How silly not to have used them for their intended purpose all these years!

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  15. Delores, it will be addicting! My "chef" was bitten by the copper bug in the late 60s. He doesn't pass by vintage or new copper that he doesn't stop and take a look. Rarely buys it now, but the appreciation never fades. It adds a warmth to one's kitchen that nothing else can match. Enjoy...........Sarah

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  16. My mom just gave me all her copper and she reads your blog... shoot! hurry up and delete this post, lol!

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  17. Delores, like you I always admired beautiful copper pots; however did not know if I would be cleaning, polishing, and shining after every use!

    I am thrilled you have been gifted your first one of these beautiful pots.

    Andrea at the French Basketeer knows lots about them and gets them in France if you have any questions.

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  18. Thanks for the tip Karena! I'll check out Andrea's copper tips. BTW, this photo was taken in the kitchen in our second home. Hence, the white cabinets, to clarify for Terri...

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  19. It's wonderful just sitting there looking all French. I have some old ones, but only a few that I'd try cooking with. I just like the look!

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  20. Gorgeous!!! Bar Keeper's Friend...should be your new best friend. It works wonders on our copper posts.

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  21. That is an outstanding pot Delores - not all pots are created equal! Your friend set the bar high.

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  22. I am so with you..never met a copper pot I didnt' totally love! Gorgeous!

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  23. Copper pots make me think that a serious cook resides in the kitchen. Glad you now have one on the range to play with.
    Now be a smart girl and invite the house guest back ........ add to the collection. {seriously - that is a great gift}

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  24. Here is the link to the French Basketeers post on retinning the pots. I'm sure you can find someone to retin the old "collectible" pots on the West Coast.. Bonne chance.
    http://frenchbasketeer.blogspot.com/search?q=copper+pots
    xo marlis

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  25. I just started a collection of copper pots and mugs this summer. I have been fortunate to find several pieces at the local flea markets for really good prices. I have a pot rack over my island that is filling up slowly but surely with my great copper finds.

    Cool gift that you received!

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  26. Is it practical ? No. Is it gorgeous ? Absolutely !

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  27. Love it!!! I wish I could have all those

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  28. I got my first set of copper pots 31 years ago for a wedding gift (remember Revereware?). It wasn't the highest quality but I used them daily - rarely polishing them - until a few years ago when I gave them to my son to take to college. I still have some beauties: a huge rustic copper pot to hold firewood, a large French hammered copper stock pot that I use for canning, and various other copper pieces. I am always on the lookout for a reasonably priced piece. Sometimes Home Goods has high quality ones, but the cheaper ones look great too and work just fine - as my 28 years can attest to.

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