I debated about writing this blog post because in a way, it sort of undermines my own business (House Copper & Cookware). Of course I want everyone to buy some of my wares – they are guaranteed to be pure, they are made 100% in America and I only work with family-owned and operated companies, so the purchases support small businesses and local jobs.

But I recognize that the cost of a heavy, original, locally made piece of copper cookware doesn’t work for everyone’s wallet. And that is absolutely and utterly expected. And there is good news – everyone still can have copper in their kitchens, even if they have a limited budget!

TRUTH! 🙂

Here’s how you do it:

You look at online sales, such as eBay, or scour the newspaper for estate sales, or go to local little auction houses and bid. You can find old tin lined copper pots at flea markets, Goodwill and secondhand stores, antique stores, or at garage sales. Most of the time, these copper pieces will be marked quite low as the interiors will have not been kept up, and are very dark oxidized tin and the exterior won’t be shiny. Often times, sellers will say these pieces are “decorative” – but really they can almost always be cleaned up and lined with new tin and usable.

Some of my customers routinely find pieces for $5 – $10 at their local Goodwill, and have be re-line the pieces. Even with the cost of cleaning up and re-tinning, which can range from $3.95 – $6/linear inch depending on which re-tinner you use, you are still a fraction of the cost of a brand new piece.

Even better, you may have scored a very old piece that is a few hundred years old, and you’ll still be able to use it!! How cool is that? It’s like a double win – for both your stove and your wallet!