Sizzling Secrets: Mastering The Art Of Puckle Pot Cooking

A pickle pot is a container for pickling solutions used to clean soldered jewellery. The optimum temperature for pickling is between 64 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Pickle pots are made of stainless steel and have a stoneware inner bowl. They are typically used by jewellers to clean soldered jewellery with a pickling solution, and the compact size makes them perfect for softening plastic strips.

How to use a puckle pot to make jewellery

A puckle pot (or pickle pot) is used to clean oxidation from freshly soldered pieces of jewellery. The puckle pot holds a liquid compound known as a 'pickle solution', which is heated to remove oxidation from the jewellery.

Step 1: Prepare the pickle solution

The pickle solution can be purchased or made at home. If you are making it at home, you will need a few simple ingredients, such as vinegar, water, and salt. You can also add hydrogen peroxide to enhance the solution's effectiveness. Mix the ingredients in a glass or ceramic container, ensuring that you do not use any metal utensils as the solution can damage them.

Step 2: Heat the solution

Place the puckle pot on a hot plate or slow cooker and gently heat the pickle solution. It is important to maintain a consistent heat and avoid boiling the solution. Keep the setting on low heat, and use the pot's lid to prevent the solution from evaporating.

Step 3: Prepare your jewellery

While the solution is heating, prepare the jewellery pieces that need cleaning. Ensure that the pieces are free from any gemstones or embellishments that may be damaged by the solution.

Step 4: Place jewellery in the solution

Once the solution is steaming, it is ready for use. Using plastic or brass tweezers, carefully place your jewellery pieces into the puckle pot, ensuring that they are fully covered by the solution. You may need to turn the pieces over if they sit directly on the bottom of the container.

Step 5: Remove and neutralise

Once the oxidation has been removed, take the jewellery out of the solution. Place the pieces in a baking soda and water solution to neutralise any remaining acid. Rinse and dry the jewellery thoroughly.

Step 6: Clean the puckle pot

Over time, oxidation and residue will accumulate in the puckle pot, turning the solution blue. When this happens, it's time to clean the pot. Neutralise the solution by adding baking soda until the liquid stops frothing. Dispose of the neutralised solution at a hazardous waste facility.

Some additional tips to keep in mind:

• Always use copper tongs to handle jewellery in the puckle pot. Other metals, like iron, will react with the solution and may cause copper plating on your jewellery.
• Do not use the puckle pot for cooking. The pickle solution is toxic and can contaminate the pot, making it unsafe for food preparation.
• Be cautious when handling the solution. Avoid contact with skin and eyes, and always store and dispose of the solution properly, especially if you have children or pets.

By following these steps and staying mindful of safety precautions, you can effectively use a puckle pot to clean and prepare your jewellery pieces.

The history of puckle pots

The Puckle Gun, also known as the Defence Gun, was invented by British solicitor James Puckle in 1718. It was designed to defend British ships against attacks by Ottoman pirates, who used small, manoeuvrable boats. The pirates would raid and board foreign ships, and the British needed a weapon that could combat these smaller, faster vessels.

Puckle, a lawyer, writer and inventor, designed a gun that could serve as a rapid-fire anti-boarding weapon. It was a single-barrelled flintlock weapon fitted with a multi-shot revolving cylinder, mounted on a tripod. It could fire nine shots per minute, which was three times the rate of a traditional musket. It was designed to fire both round and square bullets, with the latter intended for use against the Ottomans. It was believed that square bullets would cause more severe wounds, and thus, "convince the Turks of the benefits of Christian civilisation".

In 1717, Puckle submitted a prototype for trials, but it was rejected due to issues with the flintlock mechanism. Despite this setback, he filed a patent the following year and set up a company to market the gun in 1721. However, the Puckle Gun never achieved commercial success due to the unreliable flintlock technology and complicated design. It is believed that only two were manufactured: the prototype made of iron and one full-scale model made of brass.

The only known sale of the Puckle Gun was in 1722, when the Duke of Montagu purchased two for his expedition to the Caribbean islands of St Lucia and St Vincent. While shipping manifests mention these guns, there is no evidence that they were ever used in battle.

How to care for your puckle pot

A puckle pot is a handy tool for jewelry making. To care for your puckle pot, follow these steps:

Prepare the Pickle Solution:

Before using your puckle pot, you need to prepare a pickle solution. The pickle solution is used to clean oxidation from freshly soldered jewelry pieces. You can use either a biodegradable or non-biodegradable pickle solution.

Biodegradable Pickle Solutions:

• Citric Acid
• Vinegar
• Commercial-grade citric acid

Non-Biodegradable Pickle Solutions:

Sparex #2 (add grains to distilled water)

Use the Right Tongs:

Always use copper tongs specifically designed for pickling. Other metals, like iron, will react with the pickle solution and may cause your jewelry to become plated with copper.

Heat the Pickle Solution:

For best results, heat your pickle solution before use. The ideal temperature range for a pickle solution is between 64-74°F (18-23°C). Keep your puckle pot at a low temperature until the solution starts to steam; this indicates that it is hot enough.

Avoid Overheating:

While it is easier to work with a hot pickle solution, be careful not to overheat it. Overheating may cause the solution to evaporate too quickly.

Clean Your Puckle Pot Regularly:

Over time, oxidation from pickling and soldering metals will accumulate and turn the pot blue. To clean your puckle pot, neutralize the pickle solution by pouring it into a container and adding baking soda. Once the liquid stops frothing, dispose of the solution at a hazardous waste facility.

Dedicated Use:

It is important to only use your puckle pot for pickle solutions. Pickle solutions are toxic and can contaminate other substances. Do not use your puckle pot for cooking or any other purpose besides jewelry making.

Storage:

Store your puckle pot in a cool, dry place when not in use. Keep it separate from your kitchen cookware to avoid accidentally using it for cooking.

By following these care instructions, you can maximize the lifespan of your puckle pot and ensure effective jewelry cleaning.

The different types of puckle pots

A puckle pot is used in jewellery-making to hold a pickle solution, which is used to clean oxidation from soldered jewellery pieces. Pickle works best when heated, so a small crock pot is ideal for this purpose.

There are two types of pickle solutions: biodegradable and non-biodegradable. Biodegradable pickle is considered more natural as it doesn't contain toxic compounds, but this also means it is less strong and long-lasting. Non-biodegradable pickle, on the other hand, is toxic and must be handled with copper tongs and disposed of at a toxic waste facility. However, it lasts much longer.

When it comes to the crock pots used to heat the pickle solution, it is important to only use them for this purpose, as the solution is toxic and will contaminate the pot.

In addition to the crock pot, there are several other tools that can be used to make pickling easier and safer. These include:

• Jar and lid lifters
• Racks
• Funnels
• Canning jars and lids
• Fermenting crocks

What not to do with a puckle pot

A puckle pot is a handy tool for jewelry-making, but there are a few things you should avoid doing to ensure your safety and get the best results. Here are some important tips on what not to do with a puckle pot:

• Do not use a puckle pot for cooking food. The pickle solution used in the pot is toxic and can contaminate any other substance. Keep your puckle pot separate from your kitchen crock pot to avoid confusion.
• Avoid overheating the pickle solution. While it's easier to work with the solution when it's hot, keep the temperature low until it starts to steam. Overheating can affect the quality of your jewelry and cause safety hazards.
• Do not use iron tongs to handle items in the puckle pot. Iron tongs will react with the pickle compound solution and cause your jewelry to have a copper plate. Always use copper tongs specifically designed for pickling.
• Do not dispose of the pickle solution down the drain or in the trash. It is a toxic substance that must be neutralized with baking soda and disposed of at a hazardous waste facility.
• Do not put porous or heat-sensitive gemstones in the puckle pot. Some gemstones may be damaged by the hot temperatures. If you must put gemstones in the solution, use a cold solution rather than a hot one, but proceed with caution.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can ensure that you use your puckle pot safely and effectively for jewelry-making.

Frequently asked questions