Is it safe to eat off pewter?
Modern pewter is lead-free and safe to use. It is made from 95% tin, plus copper and antimony. According to one manufacturer, “The products are guaranteed lead-free and quite safe to be used for all kinds of food and drink.”
Is it safe to use pewter for cooking?
Since pewter has a relatively low melting point, it is unsuitable for cooking.
What’s the best way to clean pewter pewter?
Washing with hot, soapy water will often remove a surprising amount of dirt and tarnish and should always be the first step. A light oxide can often be removed with a hard rub and repeated application of a proprietary metal (not silver) polish.
What kind of metal is used to make pewter?
In most modern pewter, the remainder is a mixture of copper and antimony, both of which are food safe. Sometimes there is a small amount of silver, which is also food safe – all of this being true so long as you avoid acidic foods that contain tomatoes, vinegar, etc.
What happens if you put pewter in the dishwasher?
Pewter is an incredibly soft metal with a low melting point. The hot water in the dishwasher can warp the pewter pieces if you leave them for too long. Also, soaps that are alkaline, as well as acidic foods can also discolor pewter. If you’ve run your pewter through the dishwasher, you can restore its finish using one of the methods listed above.
What’s the best way to clean a pewter piece?
But kept clean and protected from extreme temperatures, pewter pieces keep their beauty for generations. Fill a bucket with hot water. Squirt in some mild dishwashing soap. Dip in a sponge and squeeze out the excess water, then proceed to wipe down the pewter surface. Rinse off the piece and dry it with a soft cloth.
Is there lead in pewter that you cook with?
Acidic foods can etch the pewter and also draw too much of the metal into the food. However, pewter originally contained lead also and some modern pewter does, too. You must know factually that there is no lead in the pewter before you cook with it.
What kind of Polish do you use on pewter?
Pewter does not tarnish like silver, so a periodic clean with an all-purpose metal (not silver) polish will keep it looking bright. Much old pewter is patinated and has a colour ranging from mellow silver to charcoal grey, a more ‘antique’ appearance favoured by many collectors, especially in Britain and Europe .
What foods should you avoid when using pewter?
Tips Avoid using pewter with acidic substances. Soda, for example, is highly acidic and damages pewter with ease. Rinse food remnants off immediately, particularly if they include acidic food such as tomatoes.
