With its shimmering golden appearance, brass has been used for centuries to create decorative objects, from doorknobs to jewelry. But its lustrous appearance is not the only reason it’s widely used. Thanks to its low melting point, malleability, durability, and conductivity, it’s also a fantastic material for many other practical tools and utensils, such as locks, hinges, valves, musical instruments, and yes, you guessed it, pasta tools!
Brass has higher malleability than other metals. This means that when a manufacturer is creating pasta tools molded out of brass, they are able to get a much more precise mold cut. Moreover, brass has a good amount of weight to it. While this might sound like a negative quality, it’s a useful feature when cutting out pasta: the brass naturally presses down on the dough with little effort, leaving a more defined and even cut.
There’s a reason why you find brass objects from thousands of centuries ago in museums: they can last forever! Brass is considered an alloy of copper and zinc (who remembers their periodic table elements?), two materials that are incredibly durable and strong. Pasta tools made out of brass will last a lifetime (and probably more) and withstand many pasta making sessions.
Another reason why we prefer brass tools? Simply put, they’re beautiful! As passionate Italian cooks, we love having tools that are both functional and pretty to look at. And we have no doubt that we’ll pass them down to our children and grandchildren to use for years to come.
We should note that brass does tarnish slightly and lose its luster over time, but it’s nothing that a quick clean can’t fix. To clean brass tools, take a clean rag and dampen in a mixture of water and lemon juice, or water and baking soda. Squeeze out excess water and gently rub the brass to clean off any dough or flour stuck to the surface. Allow tools to dry in a cool, ventilated place. Note: never run brass through the dishwasher, and do not use dish soap!
Metal Utensils have been popular in India since ancient times. Copper, Brass and Bronze Utensils are known to have ayurvedic importance. According to Ayurveda, these metals are a great cure for several diseases like anaemia, diarrhea, inflammation, etc. Hence, even today it is common practice to use Brass and copper utensils in India. Brass is used for cooking, serving and eating food from it, as well as storing water for drinking. Pital metal, in English, is known as Brass.
Brass is an alloy that is yellow in colour and is a mixture of two metals: Copper and Zinc. It consists of 70% Copper and 30% Zinc. It is known as Pital in Hindi
Copper and zinc have their own properties that fight to cure certain diseases in human body and Brass is a good source to acquire the benefits of both these metals.
7 health benefits of using Brass Utensils:
1. Brass Produces melanin for healthy hair and skin
2. Drinking water stored in Brass vessel Increases strength and immunity
3. Eating food from a brass vessel Prevents abdominal infections
4. When food is cooked in brass utensils, natural oil gets released that adds unique flavour and taste to the food.
5. As zinc is present in Brass, it helps purify the blood
6. Zinc is also known to Sharpen the memory of your brain; hence, consuming water or food from a brass vessel sharpens the memory.
7. Consuming food or water from a brass vessel helps cure respiratory diseases like cough and asthma.
Precautions to be taken:
1. Sour or acidic food should not be cooked or stored in Brass utensils
2. Tin coating (kalai) should be done inside the brass vessels that are used for cooking
3. Brass turns green with time as it reacts with oxygen in outer atmosphere; hence, brass utensils should be kept clean
How to clean Brass Utensils:
Brass is a mixture of copper and zinc metals. So after a period of time, brass reacts with open air or oxygen and generally gets oxidized, tarnishes, and might turn black or green. Here are some ways that might help you maintain Brass products well.
1. Pitambari powder is the best and most traditional way to clean brass items.
2. Vinegar with a combination of salt can be applied and cleaned; otherwise, the brass product that is to be cleaned can be immersed in a solution of vinegar and salt in boiling water.
3. Lemon and salt mixed together can be rubbed to clean the product, and salt can also be replaced with baking soda.
List of Brass Utensils to revamp your Kitchen:
1. Brass Dinner Set:
A delightful way to enjoy your complete Indian meal in this beautiful brass dinner set. Pure Brass dinner set in 6 pieces, including 1 plate/thali, 3 bowls, 1 glass, and 1 spoon.
2. Brass Plate:
Pure Brass Plate with perfect space and raised borders. It can be used to serve appetisers, curry, rice, etc. Eating food from this Pure brass Plate would be highly beneficial to your health.
3. Brass Pot:
Pure Brass Water Pot in round shape with hammered design. Water stored in a brass vessel increases strength and immunity. It increases haemoglobin count, and improves the general condition of your skin.
4. Brass Glass :
Brass Tumbler is a traditional item with good health benefits Brass metal provides. The product is handcrafted with engraved design inside it. It can be used to drink water in it on daily basis.
5. Brass Pressure cooker:
High quality Brass Pressure Cooker with kalai- tinned inside. Kalai inside the Brass Cooker prevents the acidic reaction of food with Brass metal and makes it perfect to use it on a gas stove.
6. Brass wok (kadai) :
Pure Brass Kadai is tin plated from inside. Pure brass handles are attached to the Kadai for easy handling and carrying. Brass kadai is moulded in heavy gauge thick brass metal. It is a deep vessel which makes it easy to cook, stir or fry any type of food in it.
7. Brass Storage Box :
The Masala storage box comes with 7 set boxes and a brass spoon. These spice boxes inside will coated with tin, otherwise called as Kalai coating. This is a multi purpose storage box to store spices, mouth fresheners, etc. that is essential for every kitchen
8. Brass Cup and Saucer:
Pure Brass Cup saucer with Kalai (tinned inside). Tin plating inside the brass cup prevents the brass metal from oxidizing. It ensures easy cleaning and maintenance of the brass cup. As brass is a thick metal, your beverage inside the cup stays hot for a longer time.
9. Brass Fruit Bowl:
The brass bowl comes with an open-feathered, engraved Peacock and floral design over it. This product, along with the spoon, is packed and delivered inside a red-colored gift box. Ideal to be used for serving fruits, dry fruits, mouth fresheners, etc.
10. Brass Boiling Pot (Patila):
Plain Brass Tope, also known as Brass patila is tin plated from inside
Plain Brass Tope, also known as Brass patila is tin plated from insideBrass Patila It comes with a stainless Lid to cover the top.Brass Kalai Tope retains heat, which makes the food stay hot for a longer time.The brass patila has slight round sides and a flat base for easy stirring, better visibility, and easy removal of food.Brass is a good conductor of heat, hence, a brass utensil will take less time to prepare your food when compared to other metal utensils.Utensils made of brass are easy to clean compared to other metal utensils.