Copper in the Kitchen:The Metal That Makes Holidays Happen

As the leaves turn gold and the temperatures begin to dip, many of us start preparing for one of the most anticipated moments of the year—Thanksgiving. It’s a season filled with warmth, nostalgia, and the steady hum of a kitchen working overtime. Fridges are packed, ovens stay warm for hours, someone’s always hunting for the good serving spoons, and the dishwasher seems to run on a continuous loop. Families gather, conversations flow, and tables become places where memories settle in as easily as the aroma of pumpkin pie.

But behind every successful holiday gathering is an invisible network making all that comfort possible. And at the center of that network? Copper.

Copper tubing might not get a seat at the Thanksgiving table, but it plays a vital role in the holiday festivities we all enjoy. From the appliances that keep your ingredients fresh to the HVAC systems that hold off the cold, copper is quietly supporting the season’s most meaningful moments. This month, we’re celebrating the unsung metal that helps make the holidays happen.

Keeping the Feast Fresh: Copper in Refrigeration

Before a turkey ever hits the oven—or a casserole bubbles to life under a layer of crispy onions—it needs to stay fresh. Refrigerators and freezers go into overdrive during the holidays. Doors open constantly. Shelves groan under the weight of ingredients, leftovers, and carefully prepped desserts. A single fridge might house more food in the week of Thanksgiving than it does in an entire month.

At the center of all this seasonal strain is a cooling system built on copper tubing.

Copper’s superior thermal conductivity allows refrigeration systems to transfer heat efficiently, helping maintain consistent temperatures even when the door is open every five minutes. Copper also boasts natural antimicrobial properties, adding another layer of protection in environments where food safety matters most. When refrigerators work harder, copper steps up—ensuring that grandma’s pie dough stays cold, the turkey stays safe, and the whipped cream for the pumpkin pie stays perfectly chilled.

Behind every “Could you grab the butter?” moment is a quiet copper partnership working exactly the way it should.

Warm Water, Warm Home: Copper in Heating Systems

Once the meal is underway, there’s a whole different set of behind-the-scenes systems working just as hard.

Think about everything that requires hot water during Thanksgiving: boiling potatoes, washing dishes, cleaning hands covered in flour, rinsing cutting boards, and tackling the mountain of plates afterward. Hot water heaters must keep pace, and their performance depends on piping they can trust—copper.

Copper tubing withstands high temperatures and fluctuating pressure, making it the industry standard for reliable hot water systems. It doesn’t corrode easily, doesn’t degrade quickly, and doesn’t compromise water quality—things that matter on an ordinary day, but especially during a holiday marathon in the kitchen.

Beyond hot water, copper plays a starring role in something just as important: keeping the home warm. Copper tubing inside HVAC systems, heat pumps, and mini-splits helps maintain comfortable temperatures. While November can bring unpredictable weather, good HVAC performance ensures the dining room stays cozy for family, friends, and anyone else fortunate enough to gather around your table.

Copper doesn’t just heat water. It helps heat memories.

The Comfort Factor: Copper and HVAC Performance

Imagine Thanksgiving Day without a properly functioning HVAC system. No one wants to shiver between bites of sweet potato casserole—or worse, sweat through their flannel shirts because the house can’t regulate heat.

Copper is the hero that keeps indoor climates steady.

Its excellent heat transfer properties allow HVAC systems to warm or cool spaces quickly and effectively. Copper linesets help ensure that, even with a full house and constantly opening doors, indoor temperatures remain balanced and welcoming. For commercial spaces—restaurants, hotels, churches—copper-based HVAC systems make it possible to host everything from community meals to banquet gatherings without concern.

Copper handles the heavy lifting behind the scenes so people can focus on the good stuff: laughter, stories, and second helpings.

A Touch of Culinary History: Copper in the Kitchen Itself

While copper tubing is essential to modern heating and cooling, copper’s connection to the kitchen extends far beyond infrastructure.

For centuries, copper cookware has been prized for its superior heat distribution. Chefs love copper pots and pans because they heat evenly, respond quickly to temperature changes, and make delicate cooking—from caramel to custard—remarkably precise. Many of the holiday dishes we love today were perfected in kitchens lined with gleaming copper cookware.

Whether or not your household uses copper pots, its influence on culinary tradition is undeniable. Copper has always belonged in the heart of the home.

Why Copper Continues to Shine—Season After Season

What makes copper such an enduring material, especially during busy seasons like fall and the holidays?

• Durability – Copper tubing lasts for decades without losing integrity.

• Recyclability – Copper is one of the most sustainable materials on earth.

• Consistency – It performs predictably in extreme temperatures—hot or cold.

• Efficiency – Its thermal conductivity is unmatched by substitutes.

• Reliability – Industries trust copper because it simply works.

The holiday season is built on traditions that endure. Copper fits right into that story.

GLA’s Role in the Season

At GLA Sales, we’re proud to supply the copper tubing that helps keep holiday kitchens running smoothly and homes warm and welcoming. As the year winds down and demand rises, we maintain strong inventory levels and fast, dependable service so our customers can keep their projects moving.

From contractors preparing buildings for winter to manufacturers assembling the next generation of HVAC systems, we’re honored to support the trades and businesses that make our communities stronger—especially during a season focused on gratitude.

Closing Thoughts: A Reason to Be Thankful

Thanksgiving reminds us of the value of good food, warm homes, and the people who make life meaningful. Copper may not be the first thing people think of during the holidays, but its role is undeniable. It’s part of the infrastructure of comfort—an essential ingredient that keeps gatherings joyful, kitchens humming, and memories cooking.

From all of us at GLA Sales, thank you for trusting us to be part of your work and your year. We’re grateful for each of you and wish you a warm, wonderful, copper-powered holiday season.