Copper Pitchers & Ewers

Copper pitchers and ewers

This category covers water jugs, ayran churns, ablution ewers and basin-and-ewer sets. Copper keeps water naturally cool: take a pitcher from the fridge and the outside beads with condensation while the water inside stays cold for hours. Tin-lined models are for drinking water; unlined ones are decorative, each product page says which.

The ewer, the ibrik, is one of the oldest shapes we make. Narrow neck, long spout, and a handle set so the balance stays right as the vessel empties. That balance separates a good ewer from a decorative one, and it comes from where the handle is fixed rather than from the drawing.

Sizes and uses

Pitchers of 1 to 1.5 litres (34 to 50 fl oz) suit the table; 2 to 3 litres are for larger gatherings and for ayran. Ablution ewers are usually 1 to 2 litres with a narrow spout. Basin-and-ewer sets are the traditional hand-washing arrangement and are also chosen for henna nights and weddings.

A 1.5 litre pitcher fills six water glasses and leaves a little in the bottom, which is roughly what a family table needs between refills. Heights run 20 to 30 cm on the table sizes and up to 40 cm on the ceremonial ewers.

• 1 to 1.5 L: table pitcher, six glasses of water
• 2 to 3 L: gatherings, ayran, a long iftar table
• Ewer of 1 to 2 L: ablution, narrow spout, easy to control
• Basin and ewer set: hand washing, henna nights, wedding ceremony

Cold water and copper

Copper does not chill water by itself; it moves heat quickly in both directions. Chill the pitcher along with the water and it will hold that cold longer than glass. Left standing on a hot table it warms just as fast, so bring it out when people sit down rather than an hour beforehand.

Use and care

Do not leave water standing in a pitcher; empty and rinse it daily. The Ayurvedic practice of storing water in copper exists, but it should not be done for long periods in unlined copper. Wash by hand in warm water and dry the inside completely. A soft bottle brush reaches the narrow neck easily, and a spout brush is worth owning for ewers, since the spout is where residue hides.