Drinking water from a copper vessel can have incredible health benefits, but did you know that some kinds of copper water vessels are better for your health than others? In this post, we’ll describe a three-step process that you can use to ensure that you are choosing the pitcher that is right for you. 

Is it 100% Pure High-Grade Copper?

The first question you should ask when evaluating a copper pitcher is whether it is made from 100% pure high-grade food-safe copper. As the popularity of copper pitchers has increased in recent years, so have the numbers of sellers trying to pass off cheap metal pitchers as real copper pitchers. In particular, a number of manufacturers (most of which are selling on Amazon, Ebay, and Etsy) falsely claim to sell pure copper pitchers that are actually only plain metal pitchers plated with copper, or, in more egregious cases, plain metal pitchers covered with a thin coat of metallic copper paint.

There are a number of problems with these “fake” copper pitchers. First, the copper plating or metallic paint will start to rub off these pitchers after only a few months of use, leaving you with a very unattractive water pitcher. More significantly, water pitchers produced by those manufacturers are often made from a cheap alloy of metals which can include dangerous metals such as lead. As a result, water stored in these copper pitchers can become highly toxic.

If a water pitcher is made from 100% pure copper, you should also evaluate the grade and quality of the copper. Copper varies greatly in price depending on the quality of the copper, with lower quality copper being available quite cheaply. Although a number of manufacturers (most of which are selling on Amazon, Ebay, and Etsy) are able to offer their pitchers at a low price, they are able to do so because they are using low quality copper that is not food-grade and therefore not suitable for drinking water. In addition, lower quality copper is often prone to chipping, which can result in dangerous copper shards ending up in your drinking water.

We are pleased to say that all of our copper pitchers are made of 100% pure high-grade food-safe copper. Our copper pitchers are of exceptional high quality and will last a lifetime.

How is the Handle Attached to the Pitcher?

The second question you should ask when evaluating a copper pitcher is how the handle is attached to the pitcher. In general, handles are either welded or riveted. There are some very important differences between the two that can make all the difference to your health.

When a handle is welded, it means that heat has been used to melt copper in the handle in order to attach the handle to the body of the copper pitcher. The welding process should, if performed properly, leave the interior of the body of the copper pitcher completely intact. Although welding is a more complicated and expensive process, it will, when properly performed, ensure that the copper pitcher will be completely water-tight and leak free.

Conversely, when a handle is riveted, it means that metal bolts have been used to attach the handle to the body of the copper pitcher. The riveting process is much easier and cheaper than the welding process, and is therefore the preferred method for attaching handles for many manufacturers. However, there are several problems with the riveting process. First, the rivets themselves are rarely copper and are often made from a metal alloy which contains toxic metals such as lead. Second, the riveting process creates holes in the body of the copper pitcher which lead to constant leaking.

In order to avoid leaks, manufacturers who produce riveted copper pitchers often add a few dollops of glue to the interior of the copper pitcher in order to “plug” the holes left by the rivets. Although the addition of glue may stop the leaks, the glue has a very strong chemical smell, is highly toxic and will contaminate the water stored in the pitcher. Definitely something to avoid!

We recommend that you ensure that the copper pitcher you are considering has a welded handle rather than a riveted handle. In addition, you should also ensure that the welding process has been properly performed. Welding is a complex process, and, in many cases, inexperienced manufacturers apply too much heat during the welding process which causes microscopic holes to be “burnt” through the body of the copper pitcher. Although these holes are small and hard to see, they will eventually lead to leaks in the same way as pitchers with riveted handles.

We are pleased to say that all of our copper pitchers are handcrafted with handles that have been welded (rather than riveted) to the body of the copper pitcher, which leaves it intact on the inside and ensures that it remains water-tight and leak-free. In addition, all of our pitchers are handmade by skilled craftsmen to ensure perfection in the welding process.

What is the Texture of the Copper Pitcher?

The third question you should ask when considering purchasing a copper pitcher is its texture. In general, copper water pitchers are either smooth or hammered.

A smooth copper pitcher is made from copper sheets that are flat and have not been indented. Conversely, a hammered copper pitcher is essentially a smooth copper pitcher that has had its exterior “tapped” hundreds of times with a small hammer in order to create an indented texture.

Hammered copper pitchers have two very significant benefits. First, the hammering creates a beautiful and unique aesthetic which also reduces the occurrence and visibility of copper patina, which is generated through the natural process of oxidation. In addition, and more importantly, the hammering increases the surface area of the copper inside the copper pitcher, which means that a greater amount of copper will make contact with the water stored in the copper pitcher. The greater the physical contact between the water and the copper pitcher, the greater the health benefits for you.

We are pleased to say that all of our copper water pitchers are hammered in order to create a beautiful and unique aesthetic and maximize the health benefits enjoyed by our customers. If you are looking for a high-quality 100% pure copper pitcher and cups, check out Shantiva.

Did You Enjoy This Article?

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