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Copper Kettle

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Farmer Steve

06-13-2003 09:06:12




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I know this in not tool talk, but thought I would ask. I need to clean a large copper kettle for making apple butter. Any sugestions on chemical's or just plain elbow grease and scrub pad. It is a 30 gal kettle. I also need to straighten a few dents in it. Should I do them when it is heated up or cold???




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Farmer Steve

06-24-2003 12:25:39




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 Re: Copper Kettle in reply to Farmer Steve, 06-13-2003 09:06:12  
Thanks Guys I will try some of these methods. Let you know how I do later.



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Fred OH

06-17-2003 13:42:47




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 Re: Copper Kettle in reply to Farmer Steve, 06-13-2003 09:06:12  
As I recall...the way to anneal copper is not to let it cool slow...quench it while hot. Someone better check the book...cause we got varying opinions here. I've done it a few times and used the hot quench method, just the opposite as steel. Working copper and brass will make it hard...heating and quenching will anneal it. And the cleanup method is still Kool-Aid...several packs in a 30 gallon container and let it boil for a while. L8R....Fred OH

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MarkB

06-14-2003 04:16:06




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 Re: Copper Kettle in reply to Farmer Steve, 06-13-2003 09:06:12  
Phosphoric acid will remove heavy tarnish from brass, I assume it works on pure copper as well. Try a weak solution of "The Works" bathroom cleaner and water. There are several products sold under the "Works" brand name; check the ingredients for phosphoric acid.

The phosphoric acid will leave thin layer of phosphate on the surface, but this is easily removed with a metal polish.



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Jack (AZ)

06-13-2003 21:26:37




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 Re: Copper Kettle in reply to Farmer Steve, 06-13-2003 09:06:12  
Lysol toilet bowl cleaner either liquid or the thicker kind and 4000 steel wool will take the tarnish off about as fast as anything-if it has a lot of black, just go a little heavier with the cleaner-won't have to scrape but is work. We clean a lot of copper boilers that have been used over an open fire and they get very blackened. After cleaning use magic wadding or any other commercial cleaner to keep the retarnishing process delayed.

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Mike

06-13-2003 19:32:27




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 Re: Copper Kettle in reply to Farmer Steve, 06-13-2003 09:06:12  
Best stuff you will ever find to clean most metals is Flitz. You can find it at Do-It Best hardware stores.



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T_Bone

06-13-2003 17:25:48




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 Re: Copper Kettle in reply to Farmer Steve, 06-13-2003 09:06:12  
Hi Farmer,

Take a wooden or rawhide hammer on a steel bench a lightly hammer the ding out. You can also use a steel hammer if you don't care if the finish is marred but use soft blows. CU expands easy when hammered.

If you get a bubble, heat with a torch until it just changes color then cool with water, then reheat and let cool normal, removes stress.

Use 1cup vinegar with a tablespoon of salt to remove tarnish. If the black is thick enough it will need scraped.

If the tarnish is difficult then use amonia but renise well with water.

T_Bone

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Rauville

06-13-2003 16:00:34




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 Re: Copper Kettle in reply to Farmer Steve, 06-13-2003 09:06:12  
If you have access to a "Conklin Products" Dealer, try their "Rust-Off", diluted with about 1/3 water. Apply to area to be cleaned, let set for minute or two, rub with 0000 steel wool, and rinse with water. If you want to polish further, to a bright finish, use any copper polish, such as "Never Dull Wadding Compound". If you can't find a Conklin salesman, "Naval Jelly Rust Remover" works about as good.
As far as the dents go; I use a rubber mallet, and if you can find one...a leather jewelers anvil for backing. I just hammer them out cold, seems to work fine. Good Luck!

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iceman

06-13-2003 10:44:52




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 Re: Copper Kettle in reply to Farmer Steve, 06-13-2003 09:06:12  
i can't help with cleaning, but the dents can probably be hammered out using a wooden dolly to back up yer hammer blows.copper gets brittle with age, but you can anneal it with a torch. Heat to a dull red, and let cool slowly. This works on copper tube. If the kettle is pure copper, and not an alloy, I'm sure this will work....mike



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