The Pot Tinner

The pot tinner was the skilled craftsman responsible for cleaning and polishing copper cookware, re-coating it with tin to protect it from rust and oxidation and to preserve the natural flavor of food. Using traditional tools with remarkable precision small hammers, wire brushes, and fire furnaces he would melt tin and restore the pots to their original shine and purity.

His work began by scrubbing the blackened surface and removing deposits. Then, he would heat the pot and sweep molten tin across its interior, creating a bright, protective layer that enhanced both utility and beauty. He didn’t just polish; he also repaired cracks and holes with manual soldering or copper patches, and occasionally added simple decorative engravings to the edges of trays used for hosting and special occasions.

Often, he would roam the alleyways of Baghdad with his wooden cart, knocking on doors and announcing his arrival “the pot tinner has come!” Families would welcome him with their large inherited pots and traditional serving trays. Though the craft has faded with the spread of modern kitchenware, Baghdad’s Souq al-Safafeer (Coppersmiths’ Market) still holds the last shimmering echoes of this ancient art.