Unsurprisingly, the kitchen can be the dirtiest place in your home. That is if you fail to clean it thoroughly after every use. Leftovers and excess water on your table and countertop are the favorite hangout of bacteria. They also attract rats and roaches that might carry diseases into your home.
Sometimes, bacteria can thrive on the surfaces of poorly cleaned utensils. This is particularly alarming considering that these are items your family use on a regular basis. Fortunately, utensils that are made of copper alloys such as bronze have certain antimicrobial properties, which can help kill bacteria naturally.
Why Use Bronze Utensils
Bronze is one of the few metals that are capable of producing the oligodynamic effect, a force that can kill bacteria. An alloy of copper and tin (both oligodynamic metals), it is widely used for a huge array of applications, including the manufacture of musical instruments and springs, bearings, and bushings in electric motors. Today, it is regaining popularity as a material for kitchen utensils, including cookware.
Bronze utensils have been used for thousands of years. A lot of unearthed bronze artifacts are in fact kitchen items, such as cooking pots and plates. Because bronze is so durable, most of these artifacts are still intact, some can even be polished into their original state. Bronze is tough to destroy largely because it reacts passively to oxidation. When exposed to moisture, bronze develops a layer of patina, which hardens and functions as a shield against the elements.
A Few Safeguards for Using Bronze Utensils
Unfortunately, bronze is not your conventional utensil material. Using bronze cookware and flatware has its share of risks that you should do well to avoid. For instance, if you’re using a really old bronze pot for cooking, it is highly recommended that you replace with a recently manufactured one. Older bronze items are known to have been manufactured with lead and arsenic, both considered cumulative poisons. Also, newer bronze utensils are coated with tin to prevent tarnishing and affecting the quality of food cooked or stored in them.
When cleaning bronze utensils, it is imperative to use a cleaner that is especially formulated for bronze. This way you can be sure to eliminate all foodstuff and fluids that may corrode the surface of your bronze utensils. Those with tin coating normally do not require any special cleaning agent or method.
If you are planning to make your own bronze kitchen utensils either for decorative or for practical purposes, you should get your materials from a trusted supplier. Premier bronze and brass suppliers like Rotax Metals offer high-quality materials. You can surely find the bronze sheet metal that best suits your needs.
Sources:
The Safety of Bronze Eating Utensils
Selecting Bronze Bearing Materials
