Cooking
- Never heat the pot empty – always add water, oil, butter or a fat of your choice, before turning on the flame.
- Cook on low/medium heat and adjust the temperature as you go – high temperatures are not necessary and can damage your copper cookware. All our cookware can be used in the oven — do not exceed 450 F (230 C), or 430 F (220 C) if the copper is tin-lined.
- Avoid scratching the inside of your cookware, especially if tin-lined, with metal utensils or scouring pads – use wood, plastic or silicon tools.
- Always use oven mitts because handles and finials, especially those made of bronze, can get hot.
- Do not store leftovers in your cookware – use it to prepare and serve your meals at the table, then transfer any leftovers to an appropriate storage container and wash and dry the pan as per instructions.
Cleaning
- Wash your Ruffoni cookware inside and out by hand, with warm water, regular non-aggressive dish soap, and a soft sponge.
- Sticking should not happen if you follow use directions and keep the cooking temperature to low-medium. If there is any food stuck to the inside, do not scrub with scouring pads – soak your Ruffoni with hot soapy water and any stuck-on food should soften and detach. After washing, rinse and dry well immediately to prevent water stains.
- Do not wash your Ruffoni in the dishwasher – harsh detergents can seriously tarnish copper surfaces, tin linings and silver finials, dull the shiny surface of your pots and pans and cause rim corrosion.
Polishing
- With use, copper develops a rich patina that many love and cherish.
- To restore a polished shine, use a good copper polish (like Ruffoni Cleaner or Kleen King) or go for the tried-and-tested nonna’s remedy: mix fine salt and an acidic ingredient (lemon juice or vinegar), rub gently all over the tarnished copper surface, then rinse off and dry well.
Retinning
- Tin will naturally change color over time, although it will remain equally safe and effective.
- Depending on use, the tin lining will eventually wear off and require retinning.
- Prolong the tin lining's life by not scratching it with metal tools, never overheating the cookware, and limiting the use of acidic ingredients.
- Have your cookware retinned only when its tin lining wears out and copper becomes clearly visible through the bottom, as the copper may then react with acidic foods.
- Have a look at our FAQs for more information about retinning and advice on where to re-tin your Ruffoni Historia nationally.
Silver care
- The silver-plated finials will naturally tarnish over time: use a silver-polishing cloth to restore their shine.
- For a more thorough polish, finials can be removed from the lids by twisting the special screw under the lid – always rotate the screw, not the finial, to prevent irreversible scratches to the lid.
- Always hand-wash as dishwasher use causes severe silver tarnishing.
