The Allure Of French Copper Cookware Sets: A Guide To This Timeless Kitchen Investment

Copper cookware is a popular choice for professional chefs and home cooks alike due to its exceptional heat conductivity and control. With its quick heating and cooling properties, copper cookware offers unparalleled versatility in the kitchen, making it ideal for cooking any meal. France has a long history of producing high-quality copper cookware, with some of the leading brands found around the world.

French copper cookware is known for its durability and craftsmanship, often passed down through generations. The hammered finish, once a sign of skilled handcraftsmanship, gives the cookware a unique, artisanal look. Today, most pieces are machine-made, resulting in a smooth finish.

When it comes to French copper cookware brands, there are several renowned names to consider. Mauviel, with its Heritage Cookware collection, offers a wide variety of kitchenware, while Matfer Bourgeat caters primarily to commercial kitchens and is a favourite among restaurants and hotels. De Buyer, established in the 1830s, focuses on copper cookware and various other kitchen products. For a more affordable option, Baumalu manufactures traditional French copper cookware with a mid-range price point.

French copper cookware is an excellent investment for anyone looking to upgrade their kitchenware and enhance their cooking experience. With its superior heat distribution, durability, and timeless design, it's no wonder that copper cookware has been a staple in French cuisine for over a hundred years.

French copper cookware brands

France has a rich history of producing high-quality copper cookware, with some of the best-known brands including Mauviel, De Buyer, Matfer Bourgeat, and Baumalu.

Mauviel

Mauviel is a family-owned business founded in 1830 in Villedieu-les-Poêles, a village in Normandy known as the "city of copper" due to its long history of copper manufacturing. The brand is named after its founder, Ernest Mauviel, and his descendants still run the company today. Mauviel offers a range of copper cookware collections, including the M'Heritage and M'Tradition lines, featuring a bi-laminated copper and stainless steel design. The company employs expert craftspeople who make each pot and pan by hand, ensuring a commitment to traditional practices and high-quality materials.

De Buyer

De Buyer is another renowned French cookware brand, established in 1830. The company has a long history of innovation, offering a wide range of cookware materials such as non-stick, carbon steel, copper, and stainless steel. The De Buyer Affinity 5-ply Signature cookware set showcases their expertise, combining performance and beauty in the design of their vessels. De Buyer's products are known for their responsiveness to heating and cooling, strength, and durability.

Matfer Bourgeat

Matfer Bourgeat is a French family-owned company with a 200-year history, catering to professional kitchens and ambitious home chefs. Their copper cookware sets are designed for durability and functionality, featuring a highly conductive copper exterior and a stainless steel interior. The large handles and hooks on their vessels are not only practical but also add a decorative touch to any kitchen.

Baumalu

Baumalu, located in the heart of Alsace, France, has been producing high-quality copper cookware since 1971. The company's products are favoured by expert and amateur chefs alike due to their exceptional heat conduction properties. Baumalu's copper cookware is especially notable for its performance on gas cookers, providing precise temperature control for a variety of cooking requirements.

Other notable French copper cookware brands include Cristel, known for its removable handle design, and Emile Henry, renowned for their fine ceramic ovenware.

French copper cookware sets

French copper cookware is popular among professional chefs and home cooks due to its exceptional heat conductivity, even heat distribution, and fast cooling, giving cooks excellent control over temperature. France has a long history of crafting high-quality copper cookware, and its brands are renowned worldwide. Here is a guide to French copper cookware sets, focusing on brands, key features, and where to buy them.

Mauviel

Mauviel is one of the leading French copper cookware brands, with a history spanning nearly 200 years. The company is based in Normandy and is known for its Heritage Cookware collection, which includes a range of pots and pans of various sizes. Mauviel cookware is made from a combination of stainless steel and copper, with a copper body thickness of 2.5mm, allowing for rapid heating and cooling. The stainless steel lining on the interior makes cleaning effortless and safe. Mauviel products are carefully crafted, with attention to detail, and come with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects. However, their copper cookware is not compatible with induction stoves, although the brand offers an interface disc to address this issue.

Matfer Bourgeat

Matfer Bourgeat is another iconic French copper cookware manufacturer, specialising in commercial kitchen equipment. The company has been in business for over 200 years and caters primarily to restaurants, hotels, and other hospitality businesses. They release over 1000 products annually, constantly expanding their cookware and kitchen accessory collection. Matfer Bourgeat cookware is known for its lightweight yet robust construction, combining copper and stainless steel for optimal thermal conductivity and ease of cleaning.

De Buyer

De Buyer is a French cookware brand established in the 1830s, focusing on copper cookware and other kitchen products like knives and utensils. The company works closely with chefs to create innovative and versatile products suited for fast-paced commercial kitchens. De Buyer offers two distinct copper cookware collections: INOCUIVRE and PRIMA MATERA. The former features a traditional design with a stainless steel lining, while the latter is designed for induction stoves, with unique ferromagnetic stainless steel bottoms.

Baumalu

Baumalu is a younger brand, founded in 1971 in the French region of Alsace. They offer a range of traditional French-style copper cookware and kitchen utensils at mid-range prices. Their products feature a 1.7mm copper wall, lead-free tin lining, and riveted handles for a secure grip. While Baumalu cookware may not have the same premium quality as some other brands, it provides a more affordable option for those new to copper cookware.

Where to Buy

French copper saucepans

French copper cookware is popular among professional chefs and home cooks due to its heat sensitivity, even and fast heat distribution, durability, and versatility. France is known for manufacturing high-quality copper cookware, with some of the leading brands worldwide.

Mauviel

Mauviel is a leading French copper cookware brand that offers a wide variety of kitchenware. Their products are used in most professional kitchens worldwide and are known for their high quality. The Heritage Cookware collection is their most popular line, comprising pots and pans of various sizes. The cookware is made from a combination of stainless steel and copper, with a copper body thickness of 2.5mm, allowing for rapid heating and cooling. The thin stainless steel lining on the interior makes cleaning effortless and safe for cooking. Mauviel products come with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects. However, their copper cookware cannot be used on induction stoves, but the brand offers an interface disk to address this issue.

Matfer Bourgeat

Matfer Bourgeat is another well-known French copper cookware brand, especially among commercial kitchens and the hospitality industry. The company has been in business for over 200 years and launches over 1000 products annually, constantly expanding its collection. Their products are designed with functionality and innovation in mind, catering to the various cooking methods used in traditional French cuisine and beyond. Matfer Bourgeat uses a combination of copper and stainless steel in its cookware, ensuring optimal thermal conductivity and an easy-to-clean surface. Their products are finished with sturdy cast iron handles for added durability.

De Buyer

De Buyer is a French cookware brand established in the 1830s, focusing primarily on copper cookware while also producing other kitchen products like knives and utensils. The company works closely with chefs to improve industry knowledge and create versatile and innovative utensils suitable for fast-paced commercial kitchens. De Buyer offers two collections: INOCUIVRE, which features traditional copper cookware with a stainless steel lining, and PRIMA MATERA, which includes copper cookware designed for use on induction stoves due to its unique ferromagnetic stainless steel bottoms.

Baumalu

Baumalu is a more affordable French copper cookware brand that manufactures kitchen utensils and cookware focused on traditional French cuisine. Their products have an old-school appearance, with pans and pots made with a 1.7mm copper wall and lead-free tin lining. Baumalu offers a more accessible price point for household consumers without compromising too much on quality. Their products are still made of straight-gauge, tin-lined copper and have cast-iron handles, but at a fraction of the cost of higher-end brands.

Etsy

Etsy offers a wide range of French copper saucepans, including vintage and antique options. These pieces often have cast iron or brass handles and are handcrafted or handmade, ensuring unique character and patina. While some sellers offer restored and refurbished items, others provide original vintage pieces that may require re-tinning. Etsy is a great source for those seeking one-of-a-kind French copper saucepans with a rich history.

French copper frying pans

Brands

French copper cookware is known for its high quality and craftsmanship, with some brands specialising in copper cookware for centuries. Here are some popular brands known for their French copper frying pans:

• Mauviel: This iconic French brand has been crafting copper cookware since 1830 and is a favourite among professional chefs and home cooks alike. Their Heritage Cookware collection is particularly popular, offering a range of copper frying pans in different sizes. Mauviel's products are known for their attention to detail, with carefully designed handles that offer balance and style.
• Matfer Bourgeat: This brand is well-known for its commercial kitchen cookware, supplying to restaurants and hotels worldwide. While they focus on the professional market, their copper frying pans are also a great option for home cooks looking for durable and high-quality cookware.
• De Buyer: Established in the 1830s, De Buyer offers a range of copper cookware, including their Prima Matera collection, which is induction-compatible. Their products are handmade by craftsmen and artisans, ensuring the highest quality.
• Baumalu: Founded in 1971, Baumalu is a mid-range brand that offers good quality copper cookware at more accessible prices. Their copper frying pans have a traditional French cuisine design and are made with a 1.7mm copper wall and lead-free tin lining.

Benefits of Copper Frying Pans

Copper frying pans offer several advantages over other types of cookware:

• Excellent Heat Conductivity: Copper is an excellent conductor of heat, allowing for even and fast heat distribution across the cooking surface. This makes it ideal for searing and sautéing without hot spots or burning.
• Temperature Control: Copper frying pans heat up and cool down quickly, giving you unmatched temperature control while cooking. This feature makes it easier to prevent sauces from burning or scorching.
• Durability: French copper frying pans are known for their durability, ensuring that your investment will last for years with proper care.
• Versatility: Copper cookware is very versatile, allowing you to cook any meal you desire. It is suitable for a variety of cooking methods, including traditional French cuisine and beyond.

Buying Guide

When purchasing a French copper frying pan, here are some things to consider:

• Thickness: Thicker cookware generally performs better. Look for copper frying pans with a thickness of at least 1.5 mm to ensure optimal heat conduction and even cooking temperatures.
• Lining: Copper frying pans can have different linings, such as tin or stainless steel. Tin lining is traditional and offers non-stick properties, while stainless steel is easier to clean and more resistant to rust and corrosion.
• Handle Material: Handles can be made of stainless steel, which stays cool during cooking, or bronze, which adds a stylish touch. Consider your priorities when choosing the handle material.
• Compatibility: If you have an induction cooktop, look for copper frying pans specifically designed for induction stoves, such as those with magnetic bottoms.

French copper jam pans

There are several options available for purchasing French copper jam pans. Amazon offers Mauviel M'Passion copper jam pans in a variety of sizes, ranging from 6.6-qt to 17.3-qt, with cast iron or bronze handles. These pans are made in France and have excellent reviews, with one pan in the range having 4.8 out of 5 stars. The Mauviel M'Passion range also includes a 3-piece set, which comes with a kitchen towel and wooden spoon.

Etsy is another great place to look for French copper jam pans, with a huge variety of options available. You can find vintage and antique pans, as well as new pans with a vintage look. Many of the vintage pans are restored and refurbished, ensuring they are in the best condition and will last a lifetime. Etsy sellers offer a range of sizes, from small pans with a capacity of 3.1 qt to large pans with a capacity of 12.5 qt. Some of the vintage pans also come in sets, such as a trio of small French copper jam pans, perfect for serving jam and marmalade.

For those looking for a new French copper jam pan, Normandy Kitchen Copper offers a 28 cm pan with iron handles, while de Buyer has a 6202.40N copper jam pan made of 100% copper with cast iron handles. Both of these options are made in France and are suitable for all types of cooktops, except induction.

Frequently asked questions