Hi, I've had this set of stainless steel Prestige saucepans for about
18 years.

Recently a couple of the pans overheated on the hob and the outer 1 or
2mm layer of copper on their bases warped away from a thicker base
layer of aluminium. The thin discs of copper are now half on and half
off.

I'm guessing that the best approach for repair purposes would be to
re-overheat the pans and attempt to remove the copper completely and
clean both faces. Then perhaps reheat, re solder and clamp the copper
sheet firmly to the bottom of each pan before it cools.

Will the solder used be an unusual type where the joining of copper
and aluminium is concerned?

Any tips on other aspects of this repair job?
--
Kind regards,
Geoff Mills

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"Geoff Mills" wrote in message
...
Hi, I've had this set of stainless steel Prestige saucepans for
about
18 years.

Recently a couple of the pans overheated on the hob and the outer 1
or
2mm layer of copper on their bases warped away from a thicker base
layer of aluminium. The thin discs of copper are now half on and
half
off.

I'm guessing that the best approach for repair purposes would be to
re-overheat the pans and attempt to remove the copper completely and
clean both faces. Then perhaps reheat, re solder and clamp the
copper
sheet firmly to the bottom of each pan before it cools.

Will the solder used be an unusual type where the joining of copper
and aluminium is concerned?

Any tips on other aspects of this repair job?
--
Kind regards,
Geoff Mills

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---

Not what you want to hear probably, but realistically it's probably
better to reckon 18 years is a good run, and replace them - they will
have been bonded / soldered / aluminium brazed using a large press
with several tons force to form them together when originally made.

AWEM

On Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:18:06 -0000, "Andrew Mawson"
wrote:

Not what you want to hear probably, but realistically it's probably
better to reckon 18 years is a good run, and replace them - they will
have been bonded / soldered / aluminium brazed using a large press
with several tons force to form them together when originally made.

AWEM

You're probably right there.
Cooking is a major social activity here and it's easy to become very
attached to some of the tools over time.
--
Kind regards,
Geoff Mills

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On Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:04:27 +0000, Geoff Mills wrote:
You're probably right there.
Cooking is a major social activity here and it's easy to become very
attached to some of the tools over time.

In the spirit of DIY though, it'd be interesting to know how it goes if
you try... :-)

Oh, when we first moved into our current place, we needed another set of
pans and all the money was going on tools, materials, furniture etc. so we
just bought a cheap set for $50 (about 30 quid) expecting them to do us
for three or four months and then we'd spend a sensible amount on
something good.

Two years later, they're all still going strong with no wear problems, and
they're reasonably heavy pans with good heat transfer. Whether they'll do
18 years (or whether I even want them to!) I don't know - but it's one of
the very few times I've knowingly bought something cheap and cheerful and
it's far exceeded expectations; I really don't know how anyone can even
make and ship a set of pans for that kind of price!

cheers

Jules

"Geoff Mills" wrote in message
...
Hi, I've had this set of stainless steel Prestige saucepans for about
18 years.

Recently a couple of the pans overheated on the hob and the outer 1 or
2mm layer of copper on their bases warped away from a thicker base
layer of aluminium. The thin discs of copper are now half on and half
off.

I'm guessing that the best approach for repair purposes would be to
re-overheat the pans and attempt to remove the copper completely and
clean both faces. Then perhaps reheat, re solder and clamp the copper
sheet firmly to the bottom of each pan before it cools.

Will the solder used be an unusual type where the joining of copper
and aluminium is concerned?

Any tips on other aspects of this repair job?

Had something similar with a cheaper and shorter lived pan.

As far as I can work out a small amount of water had managed to get between
the pan and base, then expanded as steam and blown the base off.

As already suggested, be grateful that they lasted 18 years.

You could always be very cheeky and complain to Prestige that they only
lasted 18 years (although there is a suggestion that user error caused
oveheating and damage).

Cheers

Dave R

On 20 Jan, 17:36, Jules
wrote:

In the spirit of DIY though, it'd be interesting to know how it goes if
you try... :-)

Web search for "mokume". Fiendishly difficult.

I've been truly inspired by the articles I've read on Mokume.
So, I'm going to contact Prestige and ask if they can replace or
repair the pans.
--
Kind regards,
Geoff Mills

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