Comments on: Is it Safe to Cook in Mexican Cookware?

By: Adam Balic

Adam Balic — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 01:42:28 +0000

You can test for lead content using a kit that can be bought either online or from a hardware store (depending on where you live).

Lead in the glaze isn’t a issue, if made well it is fused into the glass. It is any unincorporated lead in the glaze that is a problem. The kits will tell you if lead is free enough to leach into liquids.

By: Rachel Laudan

Rachel Laudan — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:54:57 +0000

Diane, I am simply not qualified to answer this.

By: Diane

Diane — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:35:30 +0000

I was given some clay cooking pots from Mexico and was told they were safe to cook in. I cannot see markings on the pots that they are safe for cooking or are lead free. I have no reason to doubt the person who gave them to me as her family is from Mexico and cook in these type pots. How can I be sure they are safe to cook in? I read you could actually place the pots in the oven at 100 degrees overnight (adding vinegar 1/4c to each cup of water) to remove the lead. Is this ture? Please help. Thanks.

By: Rachel Laudan

Rachel Laudan — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 12:35:22 +0000

Shelly,

Thanks for your query. The copper pots I see are normally sold in markets or by the side of the road. If I come across a number I will certainly send it to you.

By: shelly

shelly — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:51:10 +0000

hi, i ran across your page and was thrilled. i have been looking desperately for some copper pots from mexico. they need to have handles and big enough to put your feet in. i use them for foot baths at my pedicure studio and these particular kind are very rare. is there a way to caontact this peson who comes across the vendor with the copper pots? if my email shows up, i would love a number or way to reach this person. thank you!

By: Kay Curtis

Kay Curtis — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:34:36 +0000

On copper — many years ago I took a class in omelette making at “The Egg and The Eye” an upscale are gallery/restaurant on Wiltshire Blvd. across the street from the LA Co Museum of Art. We were told that a round bottom copper bowl is the ONLY acceptable vessel to whisk the eggs for best texture and volume and the copper pan used to cook the omelette should never be used for saute or anything else. As aside, we were also told to never use black pepper (white only) because the black was the wrong taste combination AND it would give a product that looked like it had a bunch of ants running around in it.

On lead — I think that Rachel’s guide lines are fully adequate for normal use but, if one is still squeamish, there are test kits available from several sources and one can google the Consumer Reports information on them.