This stunning small Vintage French Copper Sugar or Caramel Pan is made from professional quality 2mm thick copper and weighs 750 grams; quite heavy for a pan this size. This is in good condition as shown in the pictures with a little distortion to the shape, not a flaw, just because it is at least 80 years old, probably more and has been hand made; it is not a factory. This has a flat base, is a professional 2mm thick (worn down to 1.5mm in places from years of use) and was bought at a French brocante market in the north of France. This pan is ready to use straight away and requires no preparation.
Why is this pan not tin lined? We generally assume that copper pans must be lined, usually with tin or steel: cooking food produces acids that, with heat and prolonged contact, react with bare copper to produce toxic chemical compounds. But sugar pans, jam pans, and mixing bowls are an exception, as they are conventionally used for specific cooking tasks that don’t produce the acids in question. The caramelization of sugar is a chemically complex process, but none of its products react with copper. It is therefore not necessary to tin a sugar pot that is used as intended for confectionary, sugar work, jam making or chocolate work.
Why is the handle hollow? The handle of the sugar pot is a conical tube of copper which seems unusual for a handle. However, these pans would originally have been used over an open fire so a wooden handle would be inserted, usually quite long to ensure it was possible to use it without getting too close the open flames. These type of pans would have been used in large kitchens where many pots were used - handles could therefore be swapped between pans without the need for a handle for every pan.
All the items we sell are used or vintage and will show signs of a previous life. This is part of their unique French shabby chic appeal.
See our website vintage shop home page below where we have over 300 unique, vintage and up cycled French finds for your home and garden, all sourced from markets across France. Visit our NEW dedicated copper cookware section here for our full range of copper kitchen pieces, some with new tin lining.
🏠 Visit our online shop home page here:
www.allthingsfrenchstore.co.uk
Pan diameter 12cm
Depth 9cm
Length including handle 25cm
Unpacked weight 0.75kg
Copper thickness 1.5mm-2mm
🚚 Free tracked postage is by Yodel, DPD or Royal Mail for mainland UK including Scottish Highlands and Islands, Channel Islands, NI and IOM. See below for international shipping details
