Product Use & Care Information

We want you to enjoy every purchase from our online shop! Please review the points below about care and use for many of the items that we sell.

RABBIT HILL COPPER - BASIC CARE

NOTE ABOUT USE -- all cookware is ready to use, however restored vintage and copper cookware does not work on induction tops and sometimes will not sit properly on modern electric burners. Please use your cookware for it's intended use -- sauce, stocks, stews, gratins ... as indicated in the listing. Copper cookware with a tinned interior should never be heated empty,at high heat or without sufficient liquid.

General tips:

  • Only use wood or silicon-coated utensils when cooking with your newly tinned pot. Do not use metal or sharp utensils (even a fork) that could scratch or gauge the tin surface.

  • If you use your pot regularly, check it about once a year for wear. If the copper 'shows-through' it is still safe to use but avoid cooking with acids like tomatoes or citrus.

  • The surface of your pot is almost 'non-stick' and should not be scrubbed with abrasive sponges or brushes.

  • A reminder that tin melts at 450F, so NEVER heat your pot or pan empty or use it in a hot oven without food inside.

  • Over time the tin will dull, especially if you have high mineral content in your water and although not as pretty, will still cook just fine.

  • Clean & polish the exterior of your pot with a mixture of lemon juice, vinegar and sea salt. For extra shine and to remove small scratches, use 4X steel wool that can be found at your local hardware shop.

  • You can also use store purchased polishing lotions and pastes made for copper. Do not clean your copper pot or pan in the dishwasher. You can seal iron handles with mineral oil or beeswax after cleaning if rust occurs.

  • Your pot has been hand-tinned using the 'wiping' technique and therefore swirls and bumps are inherent (especially in antique, very old pots) and do not affect the quality of use. The shiny interior will dull with use, and again, this does not impact it’s cooking ability, in fact, added patina makes the interior even more non-stick.

LINEN TOWELS, TABLE LINENS AND TOTES - pure linen items should be washed at no higher than medium temperature or 30 degrees Celsius. Most items can be machine washed, however on occasion we will recommend hand-washing for clothing items. Hanging to dry is the best method for linen clothing, towels can be safely tumbled dried at medium setting. Aprons and totes can be both machine washed and dried using low/medium temps and then ironed if desired.

VINTAGE PORCELAIN & POTTERY - Vintage ironstone porcelain is quite sturdy (unless noted as otherwise in the product description) and can be either hand-washed or put in the dishwasher. We do NOT recommend that 19th century porcelain items to be washed in the dishwasher — a good rule of thumb, if a dishwasher did not exist when the product was made (pre 1800’s to 1900’s) wash carefully by hand with WARM water and dry completely. ‘Crazing’ (tiny cracks and lines that sometimes appear to darken with water) is normal in antique pieces and add charm and character inherent of age. Delicate antique pottery should not be soaked or cleaned vigorously. Never carry a heavy antique crock by it’s handles or move without supporting the bottom. Take care when filling with water as slight cracks might not be visible.

RUSTIC OVENWARE POTTERY - is best hand-washed, but can be put in the dishwasher and washed at normal temperatures. Although the cooking pottery can sustain high temperatures in the oven, never shock your pottery by going from very cold to very hot. Glazed pottery pieces do not need to be seasoned or prepped before use and can be used in the oven up to 475 F and under the broiler.

VINTAGE WICKER - We do our best to assess the condition of all of the antique and vintage wicker and natural fiber items that we sell. If you would like to clean your wicker items, a soft brush and a bowl of warm water with laundry soap works well. Never scrub or leave wicker to soak for extended periods as the material might be altered in shape. Set the basket or item in the sun, with good air circulation to dry. Never store your baskets in damp areas.

VINTAGE TABLEWARE - Silver and silver-plated items can be safely cleaned with commercial polishes, but are not recommended for the dishwasher if they have ornate handles or handles made of bone, horn or wood, etc. Steel blades will rust if not dried completely. You can apply a thin layer of mineral oil between uses, but in most cases the ‘patina of age’ will remain.

FRENCH LIFESTYLE ITEMS - Please refer to the item description and care information in the listing when purchasing.

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