Metal Guide

Copper, brass or kansa? Which metal for what

Indian kitchens have used all three for centuries, each for a different job. Here is what each metal is, where it shines, and what to avoid.

The three metals in one minute

  • Copper (tamba) is a pure metal with a rosy colour. Best known for storing drinking water: the tamra jal tradition.
  • Brass (peetal) is an alloy of copper and zinc with a golden colour. Used for puja, serving, storage and, with a kalai (tin) lining, cooking.
  • Kansa (kansya / bell metal) is a bronze alloy of copper and tin with a warm, pale-gold colour. Traditionally used for eating: thalis, katoris and glasses. It is valued in Ayurveda, and its bell-like ring is how people recognise it.
CopperBrass (peetal)Kansa (bronze)
Made ofPure copperCopper + zincCopper + tin
Best forStoring and drinking water: bottles, jugs, glasses, matka, jarsPuja items, urulis, serving, storage boxes; cooking when kalai-linedEating and serving: thali, katori, glass, lota
CookingOnly with kalai or steel liningTraditionally with kalai lining for everyday cookingKansa vessels are used for serving and gentle cooking; handle with care
AvoidLemon, milk, curd, pickles or hot drinks in unlined copperSour or salty food standing in unlined brassDropping it (kansa can crack); leaving sour food in it for hours
CleaningLemon and saltTamarind, or vinegar + salt + flourTamarind or lemon with a little salt; dry well
Classic gift forDaily wellness, elders, corporate giftsDiwali, griha pravesh, pujaWeddings, a baby's first meal (annaprashan), elders

What is kalai, and why does it matter?

Kalai is a thin coating of pure tin applied inside copper and brass cookware by a craftsman (kalaiwala). It stops sour, salty and milky food from reacting with the metal, which is why traditional copper and brass kadhai, handi and patila are always kalai-lined. Kalai slowly wears away with use and can be re-done every year or two. Steel-lined copper is a modern, maintenance-free alternative.

How to tell them apart

  • Colour: copper is rosy-pink, brass is bright yellow-gold, and kansa is a softer, paler gold.
  • Sound: tap it gently. Kansa rings long and clear like a bell; brass and copper sound duller.
  • Magnet: none of the three is magnetic. If a magnet sticks, it is steel or iron with a coating.
  • For copper specifically, see our at-home pure copper test.

So which should you buy?

  • For drinking water, buy pure copper: a copper bottle, jug, jar or matka tanki.
  • For cooking, buy kalai-lined copper or brass, or steel-lined copper.
  • For eating, buy a kansa or brass thali set.
  • For puja and festive decor, buy a copper lota or kalash and brass urulis.

Browse everything by type on our copper utensils page, and see how to clean copper for care tips.

Kansa

Kansa thalis & vessels

Bell metal for eating, the traditional way.

Brass

Brass cookware, puja & home

Kalai-lined brass for the kitchen, urulis for festivals, and handmade brass storage.

Copper

Copper for water & cooking

Pure copper for drinking water, kalai-lined copper for cooking.

FAQs

Copper, brass & kansa, answered

What is the difference between copper, brass and kansa?
Copper is a pure metal. Brass (peetal) is an alloy of copper and zinc. Kansa (bell metal) is a bronze alloy of copper and tin. Copper is traditionally used for storing water, brass for puja, serving and kalai-lined cooking, and kansa for eating and serving.
Which metal is best for drinking water?
Pure copper. Storing plain drinking water in a copper bottle, jug or matka for 6 to 8 hours is the traditional tamra jal practice.
Can we cook in brass utensils?
Yes, traditionally brass cookware is lined with kalai (tin) so that sour and salty food does not react with the metal. Dry cooking such as rotis on a brass tawa is also traditional.
Is kansa good for eating?
Kansa thalis, katoris and glasses have been used for eating in India for centuries and are valued in Ayurveda. Do not leave sour food standing in kansa for hours, and handle it gently because kansa can crack if dropped.
How do I know if a utensil is real kansa?
Real kansa has a soft pale-gold colour and rings with a long, clear bell-like sound when tapped gently. It is not magnetic.
How do I clean brass and kansa?
Use tamarind paste, or a paste of vinegar, salt and flour, rub gently, rinse and dry fully. Avoid steel wool, and only wipe lacquered or antique finishes with a soft cloth.