COPPER LIDS by T.J.
- The Copper Lid of 25cm/9.5inch goes on all pots 16-17-18-19-20
-21-22-23-24cm.
- The Copper Lid of 21cm/8.2inch goes on all pots 12-13-14-15-16
-17-18-19-20cm.
This means that the 21cm lid fits all copper pots of the classic 12-14-16-18-20cm series!
Going back in time, we can discover that copper lids were not much different from those of today.
Here are some very old models of copper lids offered by DEHILLERIN.
But there isn't one like mine.
Here, some models of copper lids, also very old, from the GAILLARD house in Paris. No model like mine.
And here, models of copper lids from the JACQUOTOT house in Paris. There is still no model like mine.
Nowadays, all the manufacturers who offer culinary copper pots have remained on the old bases by offering the same type of lids. Either, stepped Lids with central handle or flat Lids with long handle.
All these manufacturers have great know-how and make very beautiful copper pots. None offer lids like mine.
Now I'm going to show you my Lid in action and then explain why no one has made this type of Lid.
You saw that in this video, my 25cm lid behaves perfectly on a small 16cm copper splayed sauté pan! So for pots with larger diameters, no worries! Easy to handle without getting burned, with a simple small towel you can place the lid on a plate. You have seen that it cannot tip over on its own. Even when trying yourself, it automatically falls back in its place (obviously if you force it harder it will fall but there is no point in doing that).
Now a little more precise:
You have noticed that today, as in the past, no one offers the model of copper lid that I am presenting to you.
Why ?
The answer is very simple :
1 - Sell one lid per pot?
2 - Sell a lid that fits on several pots?
Obviously, the manufacturer chooses option 1, it is completely logical commercial evidence. But I am not an industrialist, I chose option 2.
With the same amount of copper:
1 - Make several lids?
2 - Make only one lid?
Again, commercial logic dictates that the manufacturer chooses option 1. And again, not being an industrialist, I chose option 2.
Here are the details that will help you better understand:
Most of the copper lids in the past and now are made from 0.8mm to 1.3mm thick copper. Even if there were from the houses Gaillard, Jacquotot, Legry, Dehillerin, etc ... thicker lids and even if nowadays manufacturers offer thicknesses of 1.5mm, 1.6mm (DUPARQUET), 1.75mm (some BCC models), those looking for lids, especially second-hand ones, will almost always find degree lids and long-handled flat lids between 0.8mm and 1.3mm.
So, flat lids with central knob 0.8mm or 1.3mm thick would have been possible but frankly, those lids would have been ridiculous.
They would have been too light, too deformable, too slippery. From the grip, they would not have inspired any confidence.
A flat cover with a 1mm thick central button would immediately have shown something very low quality, very low end.
That's why it was better to do what you find most often: degree lids.
It does not matter that they are made of very fine copper because there is no risk of them slipping. And the fact that they are in degree (with rim), gives them a good rigidity. A 1mm thick flat lid could very easily be bent or deformed by hand. But folding a 1mm degree lid by hand is not the same story!
Commercially, for manufacturers, it is very interesting. Degree lids are beautiful and fit perfectly. The copper savings are significant and everyone is happy.
The concern is that you need a lid for each pot. This poses a problem of storage and arrangement when you have a lot of copper pots and little space in the kitchen.
The problem is greater when buying used pots. They are very rarely with their lid on. So you have to go looking for lids and it can get very complicated and very expensive.
My approach in life as in work is to save time, save space, save money, not waste, take care of our planet and simplify the life.
That is why I looked for a solution to make a practical copper lid.
So many people have copper pots without lids.
In order to be able to make a flat copper lid with a worthy center button, only one thing was needed. The thing that all other copper lids haven't (or rather what they don't really need), it's the thickness!
Real thickness. My lids, with their 2.5mm thickness are not afraid of any others! You will understand that with such a thickness, by taking the same quantity of copper as my flat 25cm diameter lid, we can make 2 degree lids of 23cm and 1.25mm thick! Or 2 degree lids of 23cm with 1mm thickness + 1 degree lids with 1mm thickness.
The mere thought of placing a 25cm flat copper lid on a 16cm diameter pot is an aberration for most people. How would that be possible? It will fall! It will never hold! It will tip over, slide!
This reaction is perfectly understandable.
But when you have this lid in your hands and use it, you immediately understand that you have a high-quality product.
Robust and practical. The 25cm model can be placed without worry on the 16-17-18-19-20-21-22-23 and 24cm pots, without it falling. It stands firmly in his place.
In addition, it can cover all types of pots, marmites et casseroles of any material.
By lifting it straight, it can be placed on a plate without causing damage.
Storage is very easy.
You can unscrew the button yourself and put it back just as easily.
I didn't want to put a fixed button for a specific reason.
For even more practicality, this allows the lid to be used as a baking sheet in the oven or as a cooling plate (for example for jellies, pastries, etc.) in the refrigerator. I will explain these additional advantages to you later.
To all Copper Lovers ! Regards, T.J.
MAY 13, 2021
