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Before investing in a copper, bronze, or brass sink, it’s important to understand their shared characteristics. Each metal develops a unique patina, reacts to elements over time, and requires little care to maintain its beauty. Knowing these traits will help you appreciate and enjoy your sink for years to come.
We exclusively use domestic 14-gauge cold-rolled copper, which is eight times stronger than the annealed copper found in imported sinks. This durability prevents denting during use and ensures the sink remains perfectly true to the dimensions specified in your design. You can trust your sink will arrive precisely as ordered, without deformation from shipping.
Also... Pet friendly!
What you see is our 22 year old copper sink. Maintaining your copper sink’s beauty is easy—simply rinse after use and avoid leaving items in the basin. While items left in the sink may temporarily affect the patina, this natural patina is designed to evolve over time, telling a unique story through its subtle changes. The patina’s transformation adds character, enhancing the sink's distinct and beautiful look.
" I love your sinks because they are EASY to take care of (yes- I am lazy). I used to have a stainless steel sink in my kitchen and the smudge marks used to drive me crazy. I really don't do much to keep my sinks looking beautiful now- I simply rinse them out with soap and water while washing my dishes. Nothing else!!!!" Jessie
"Paint" with ketchup and a paint brush, and the patina temporarily vanishes. The sink will re-patina over the next several days simply by using the sink. The speed in which the sink will re-patina has a bit to do with how much you use the sink and what type of water you have. The more minerals in the water, the faster it will change. You truly cannot permanently damage the interior of our copper sinks.
Our copper sinks are crafted to combine beauty with exceptional functionality. Each sink includes an option for a ledge designed to support a half-sheet pan, freeing up valuable counter space during meal prep. With this feature, your countertops may feel almost obsolete—just give them a quick dusting and let your sink handle the heavy lifting
Even a deep, intentional cut vanishes in just a few weeks in the bowl of our copper sink. The middle photo is after two weeks, and the bottom photo is after 4 weeks. The cut is still in the copper. However, the "self healing" properties of the copper act as camouflage. You never have to worry!
I did this to a working sink in our showroom. Once the patina healed, I told visitors that if they could point to the deep cut, without feeling for the cut with their fingernail, they could have their sink for free!
Linda sends an email to a new Rachiele copper sink owner...
"Dino Rachiele forwarded an email you'd written regarding your new sink and asked if I would contact you. I purchased two copper sinks and have been using them daily since 2012.
I read your email and saw the picture that you'd sent Dino and wanted to share my thoughts. The first thing I thought when I saw the picture was that your sink looked brand new and hasn't had a chance to develop the patina that will come with use. When my sinks first arrived, like yours, they were a uniform color. When I first started using them, the very first marks (reactions to the copper) stood out in stark relief against that uniform color. They were very noticeable, and your eye can't help but go right to them. You said in your email that you aren't even using the sink like you will be once you're cooking and entertaining. Once you start really using it, the sink will have a lovely, varied finish. You won't have that one mark that stands out like you do now.
The beauty of the sinks really comes out as you have lots and lots of marks that are made and then fade and change. You'll have layers of overlapping reactions that will create a gorgeous patina.
Best of luck and enjoy your new kitchen!
Linda White"
Copper is not only stunning but also highly functional in the kitchen. Thanks to its excellent heat conductivity, copper can speed up the thawing process—just place frozen food directly on the surface, and watch it defrost quickly. In comparison tests, ice melts in just 6 minutes on copper versus 46 minutes on stainless steel. Beyond heat conduction, copper boasts impressive antimicrobial properties, naturally reducing bacteria on its surface. This makes it an ideal choice for a hygienic, efficient, and beautiful kitchen workspace
At less than a year old, this imported copper sink has already lost its beauty due to its unnatural finish. Unlike naturally weathered copper, which develops a rich patina over time, these sinks often discolor permanently from water pooling, especially with flat bottoms. Copper naturally ages to a beautiful, old-penny color, but many imports require drying after each use to prevent unsightly blemishes. Our sinks are designed to avoid these issues, ensuring a durable, authentic patina that enhances their beauty with time
Hammering adds a captivating, artisanal beauty to each sink, creating a rich texture that catches and reflects light in unique ways. This hand-hammered finish brings out copper’s natural warmth, giving the sink a distinctive character that enhances any kitchen style. Each mark tells a story of skilled craftsmanship, adding depth and individuality to the sink’s appearance. For those who value both aesthetic and authenticity, the hand-hammered look offers a timeless elegance that transforms a functional piece into a true centerpiece.
The aftermath... Being Italian, we eat salad last. We had guests help us load the dishwasher, and the sink was not rinsed and left over pieces of salad and vinegar were not rinsed away. Most of our customers would not find this objectionable, as the sink would have some gorgeous patterns in the patina the following day. I, on the other hand, occasionally remove most of the bottom patina, illustrating the ease of regenerating a more uniform patina. - See the comment below from Linda White.
I simply take the sponge you see in the photo with the ScotchBrite side down, and I scrub over the bottom of the sink using only warm water until most of the patina is gone. You will see some scratches initially, however, the following day they should be mostly invisible. I suggest that you remove the bottom patina ONLY. Do not remove the patina on the sides. The sides of the sink do not get enough activity to rapidly regenerate the patina.
This is a video illustrating how simple it is to go over the bottom of one of our copper sinks with a ScotchBrite pad. It took me only 60 seconds in my 24" sink.
For new Rachiele copper sink owners, the first few months can feel challenging, as they often believe the sink requires delicate handling. However, as they begin to use it freely and see how resilient it truly is, they quickly gain confidence and start to appreciate the sink’s durability. This realization transforms their experience, allowing them to enjoy their sink without worry, embracing its functionality and beauty. See the use and care section of our website here.
In case your copper sink's patina does need a refresh—perhaps due to an overzealous cleaning or a well-intentioned gift of polishing—restoration is simple. Click to download this simple guide to restoring the original luster of your copper sink.
Restoring the Patina of Your Rachiele Custom Sink (pdf)
DownloadThis is an older video, however, it does highlight some of the vast differences between our copper sinks and sinks you might find elsewhere.
Two Very Different Types of Pure Copper
Annealed and cold-rolled copper are two different types of copper with distinct properties and uses. Annealed copper has a reddish-brown color and a slightly rough texture, while cold-rolled copper has a smoother surface and a more uniform color.
Annealed copper has been heated to a high temperature and then allowed to cool slowly. This process makes the copper soft and malleable, which means it can be easily shaped and formed. Annealed copper is often used in electrical wiring and electronics, as it can be easily bent and twisted to fit into tight spaces. This is the type of copper the vast majority of, if not all, imported copper sinks are made of.
On the other hand, cold-rolled copper has been rolled through a series of rollers while it is at or below room temperature. This process makes the copper stronger and harder, but also less malleable than annealed copper. Cold-rolled copper is often used in applications where strength and durability are important. We use only cold rolled pure domestic copper! This is just one way we ensure our sinks will stand the test of time.
Zero-radius sinks are often seen as tough to clean, but we’ve solved that! Our advanced welding creates smooth, seamless corners, so food particles won’t get trapped, making cleanup a breeze.
Rachiele Custom Sinks
2360 Clark Street Suite E Apopka, FL 32703 Email - Office@Rachiele.com
407-880-6903 Office - 407-576-8581 Cell
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Custom Sinks Hand-Crafted in the U.S.A.