Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing 1989-2025
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Copper Kettle Restoration
Q. I have an antique 50 gal. copper apple butter kettle which has blackened being used over a wood fire. How do I restore the finish?
Connie GambleCorner Stone Farms - Dry Run, Pennsylvania, USA
Large Copper Kettles on eBay
A. You can use Texas pete and salt mixture. Put some on kettle let stand for app 1 minute then rub with a 00 steel wool ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] that will work.
James Jones- Cana, Virginia
Q. I too have a copper kettle that was used for many years on my husband's family farm to make apple butter. I would like to restore the blackened outside of this kettle. Read the answer to use pete and salt and rub with steel wool. Do not know what pete is. Are there any other methods of restoration?
Dee Goodwin- Marysville, Ohio, USA
A. Don't ever use steel wool! Use vinegar ⇦in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] and salt to scrub with a rag.
Rick- Herrin, Illinois, USA
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