How to Solder Stainless Steel Cookware

When the manufacturer attached the handle to your stainless steel pot, it was likely welded on with a metal inert gas (MIG) or tungsten inert gas (TIG) welder. Not everyone has access or the training to use these types of welders, but with the proper flux, you can use a propane welder and weld a broken handle back onto a stainless steel pot. Using a propane welder requires a very similar process required to solder plumbing pipes. You can find everything you need to solder stainless at most well-stocked hardware stores.

Mineral spirits
Rags
Small paintbrush
Liquid stainless steel solder flux
Propane torch
Silver solder
Leather gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Clean the surfaces you plan to solder with mineral spirits to remove any grease that could weaken the solder joint.
- 2
  Apply liquid stainless steel solder flux to the surfaces you plan to solder. Use a small paintbrush to paint the liquid onto the surfaces. Flux helps solder adhere to the metal surface.
- 3
  Heat the end of the handle with the propane torch to heat it up. Touch a silver solder rod against the metal surface. As the rod melts, coat the end of the handle with the solder. This process is called “tinning” and it helps to create better bond with the solder.
- 4
  Tin the area on the pot where you want to connect the handle. Use the exact same manner that you used to tin the end of the handle.
- 5
  Hold the handle in place against the solder. Heat the joint area between the pot and the handle. Touch the solder rod against the joint and then flow the solder around the joint. Make sure you solder around the entire joint. Allow five minutes for the solder joint to cool down.

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