Our process: Where art, chemistry, and magic collide.

Step 1: Inspection

Before anything, I always check the pan for leaks, loose rivets, dents, cracks, lining type (confirm if it’s tin lined or something else) and take a second to just appreciate the pan. So many pans I receive have led incredible lives (not literally) in world famous kitchens in France or even renowned hotels in NY. I also determine if lead is present, and then decide if the lining must be stripped completely or just partially for safety. I then take pictures or videos to completely document the changes.

Step 2: stripping the lining

After a cleaning, I mechanically remove the old tin (and possibly old lead or nickel) to expose the bright, unoxidized copper. The tough part is removing material around the rivets or the rim. Those small details can be the difference between a good retinning from a great one. Next, the fun part!

Step 3: fire and tin!

Once I’ve cleaned and stripped the lining, a chalk paste is painted on the outside of the pan to protect the exterior from tin droplets and flux is applied to the interior. Then the pan is heated to over 450°. Once hot, I add the tin which flows beautifully like liquid mercury and I wipe it around the pan carefully and quickly to cover every inch. The goal is to achieve a beautiful hand-wiped look. That last process is very difficult, but adds character reminiscent of old-world tinsmiths from northern France. I never get tired of the process. It is challenging and very rewarding.

Step 4: Buffing

After retinning, a final cleaning takes place before buffing. I find cotton buffing wheels are very mild on the copper exterior, retaining all the character while just removing oxidation and light scratches to unveil copper’s bright potential. The result is stunning—I never tire of the sight of near mirror-polished antique copper. The before-and-after is always better than I could have hoped. It amazes me how well copper can be restored to like-new condition. Very few metals can boast the same. After a hand-wash and wipe down, they are ready to go!

  • “Their faces were as a rule good-natured rather than beautiful, broad, bright-eyed, red-cheeked, with mouths apt to laughter, and to eating and drinking. And laugh they did, and eat, and drink, often and heartily, being fond of simple jests at all times, and of six meals a day (when they could get them). They were hospitable and delighted in parties, and in presents, which they gave away freely and eagerly accepted. [...] Growing food and eating it occupied most of their time.”

    ~Prologue, The Lord of the Rings