Dhanteras buying guide: steel, copper and things built to last

Dhanteras falls on Friday 6 November this year, opening the five days of Diwali. Buying gold, silver or new utensils on this day is believed to bring prosperity. From a sustainability point of view, the tradition has a lot going for it: durable metal goods last for decades, often generations, and are fully recyclable.

The key is to buy something you will actually use.

Stainless steel

Good-quality stainless steel is the workhorse of an Indian kitchen. It does not rust, needs no coating, and lasts for decades.

• A heavy-bottomed kadhai or pressure cooker
• A set of steel containers to replace plastic tubs
• A steel water bottle or lunch box
• Steel plates and tumblers for guests, reducing disposable use

Look for food-grade stainless steel, often marked 18/8 or 304, with a solid, heavy feel.

Copper and brass

Copper water vessels are traditional, and many people prefer storing water in them. Copper and brass cookware must be lined, usually with tin (kalai) or stainless steel, for cooking acidic foods. Unlined copper should not be used for cooking sour or acidic dishes, because copper can leach into food.

Copper and brass need regular polishing, but they last a lifetime and can be relined when the coating wears.

Cast iron

A cast iron tawa or kadhai is nearly indestructible and becomes naturally non-stick with use. It is a good alternative to coated non-stick pans, which wear out and may contain PFAS coatings.

Gold and silver

If you buy precious metals, buy hallmarked pieces from a reputable jeweller. Old jewellery can be exchanged or remade, which uses existing metal rather than newly mined material.

What to avoid

• Cheap utensils that dent, rust or lose their handles within a year
• Decorative items bought only for the day
• Non-stick sets that will need replacing in a couple of years

The best Dhanteras purchase

The most auspicious buy, in sustainability terms, is the one that replaces something disposable or short-lived with something that lasts. One good steel container set or cast iron pan, used every day for twenty years, keeps the spirit of the tradition and lightens the household's footprint.