A little care goes a long way with a handpan. This guide covers how to play, clean, store and protect your instrument, including what to watch for in the Australian climate, so it keeps sounding the way it did the day it arrived.
Playing technique
- Use soft finger strikes. Play with the soft pads of your fingers. A handpan's playing surface is only about 0.5mm to 1mm thick, so hard strikes can dent a note or knock it out of tune. A gentle touch still gives you a full, resonant tone.
- Take off jewellery. Rings, watches and bracelets can scratch or dent the steel. Even small scratches can become weak spots or rust points later.
- Handle it by the rim. Always pick your handpan up by its edge, not the playing surface. Small dents or changes in the shape of a note can change its pitch.
Heat and sunlight
Australia's sun is hard on steel. Heat makes the metal expand, which puts stress on the tuned notes and can shift the tuning over time.
- Don't leave your handpan in direct sun for long, and never in a parked car on a warm day. Car interiors heat up very quickly.
- If your handpan gets hot, stop playing, move it into the shade and let it cool down naturally. Don't cool it quickly (for example in a fridge), as sudden temperature changes can stress the metal.
- Keep it away from heaters, fireplaces and air-conditioning vents at home.
Humidity and moisture
Moisture leads to rust, and even stainless steel can be affected by long exposure. This matters most in humid areas like Queensland and the tropics.
- Wipe your handpan with a clean, dry microfibre cloth after every session to remove moisture, sweat and fingerprints.
- If it gets wet, dry it straight away, including around the edges and inside the shell.
- Apply a thin layer of handpan oil (such as Phoenix oil, or an organic alternative) to create a barrier against moisture. Every fortnight is a good rule of thumb, more often if you live somewhere humid or play a lot.
- Store it somewhere dry and cool with good air flow, not in a garage, shed or damp basement.
Beaches and salty air
Salt speeds up corrosion. It draws moisture out of the air and breaks down the protective layer on the steel.
- After playing near the ocean, wipe your handpan with a slightly damp cloth, then dry it thoroughly.
- Oil it more often if you live on the coast.
- Keep sand off the surface, as it can scratch the steel.
Storing your handpan at home
- Ding side up. Always rest your handpan with the Ding (the centre note) facing up, so there's no pressure on it. The Ding is one of the most sensitive notes.
- Off the floor. A stand keeps it stable, lets air flow around the shell and stops it being knocked or stepped on. A soft cloth on a stable, flat surface also works.
- Nothing on top. Never stack anything on your handpan. Even light, uneven pressure can dent or detune a note.
- Skip household cleaners. Don't use cleaning products or abrasive cloths on the steel.
Stand or case?
A stand is ideal if you play most days and want your handpan ready to pick up. A hard case is better for travel, long-term storage, dusty places, or homes with pets and children. If you take your handpan to classes, sessions or performances, a hard case is strongly recommended. Many players use both: a stand at home and a case for travel.
Keep the original box
Hold on to the original box and foam. It's a safe way to store or ship your handpan, and you'll need it if you ever return it under our 30-day guarantee or send it in for retuning.
Long-term storage
If you won't be playing for a while, give the shell a light coat of oil, store it in its case or original packaging somewhere stable indoors, and check on it every few weeks with a quick wipe-down.
If something doesn't sound right
Handpans can drift out of tune over time, with heavy playing or big changes in climate. If you notice a change you can't explain, don't panic. Send us a short video of the issue and we'll look at it and quote for retuning. See our retuning policy.
If your handpan arrives damaged from shipping, contact us within 7 days of delivery with a short video and photos of the packaging. Here's what to do if your handpan is damaged.
Quick checklist
- Play with soft fingertips, jewellery off
- Wipe it down after every session
- Oil it about once a fortnight
- No direct sun, hot cars or damp sheds
- Store it Ding side up, with nothing on top
- Keep the original box
Every handpan is a little different. If you have questions about caring for your model, contact us and we'll be happy to help.