Copper Cookware: Best Pots And Pans

Copper cookware is a status symbol for home cooks, thanks to its hefty price tag. But there's a reason for that: Copper is prized for its unrivalled heat sensitivity and beautiful appearance.

Copper's heat conductivity is what makes it so desirable, but it can also be finicky. Without the right know-how, it can lead cooks down a trail of ruined meals. Copper is highly reactive to temperature changes, so when using it for tasks that would typically require high heat, you need to ease up on the throttle. Its conductivity is so efficient that medium heat yields the same result as high temperatures with other cookware.

Copper is heavy. It's heavier than cast iron, and at 3mm+ you are really going to feel it. For some users, the weight can be too much.

Copper cookware is pretty fussy. It's almost never dishwasher-safe, and if that’s a dealbreaker for you, your money might be better spent elsewhere. Copper pots and pans are bright and shiny when new, but the material quickly fades and develops a patina when exposed to heat and liquids.

- Hestan CopperBond 10-Piece Cookware Set

- Williams Sonoma Thermo-Clad Copper 10-Piece Cookware Set

- Mauviel Copper M'200 CI 10-Piece Cookware Set

- Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper 11-Piece Cookware Set with Olivewood Tools

- Viking 4-Ply Contemporary 9-Piece Copper Cookware Set

Copper cookware is pricey but there are budget-friendly options available

Copper cookware is highly sought after by chefs and home cooks alike due to its ability to conduct heat efficiently, resulting in perfectly cooked meals. While it is true that copper pots and pans can be expensive, there are budget-friendly options available that offer similar benefits without breaking the bank.

One such option is the Cuisinart Copper Collection Tri-Ply Cookware 8-Piece Set, which offers excellent value for money. At just $300, it is the least expensive set on our list and provides six pans, making it a great choice for those seeking a budget-friendly option. While it may not have the same responsiveness as some of its pricier competitors, it is still a good choice for those new to copper cookware.

Another budget-friendly option is the BergHOFF Vintage Copper 10-Piece Tri-Ply Cookware Set, which offers a handsome collection of copper pots and pans with excellent heat distribution. Priced at $339, it is a great choice for those seeking both style and functionality without breaking the bank. However, it is important to note that the set does not include a large skillet or stockpot, and it is not induction or dishwasher-safe.

For those seeking a more traditional option, the Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper 11-Piece Cookware Set with Olivewood Tools offers both style and functionality. Priced at $1,500, it is a handcrafted set with a hammered copper surface, brass-plated bronze handles, and acorn-shaped lid knobs. While the hammered surface does not affect its cooking performance, it certainly enhances its visual appeal. This set is lined with tin rather than stainless steel, which provides a stick-resistant surface but will eventually need to be retinned.

Lastly, the Viking 4-Ply Contemporary 9-Piece Copper Cookware Set is a great budget-friendly option for those with induction cooktops. Priced at $900, it is one of the few copper cookware sets that is safe for use on induction burners. It heats up quickly and evenly thanks to its solid disc of stainless steel on the bottom, and it includes a steamer insert for added versatility. However, the set only includes five pots and pans, and the handle design may be uncomfortable for some users.

Copper is highly reactive to temperature changes

Copper's high thermal and electrical conductivity are second only to silver among pure metals. This high conductivity is due to copper's softness, as the resistivity to electron transport in metals at room temperature originates primarily from scattering of electrons on thermal vibrations of the lattice, which are relatively weak in a soft metal. The maximum possible current density of copper in open air is approximately 3.1×106 A/m2, above which it begins to heat excessively.

Copper is also highly reactive to changes in temperature when it comes to chemical reactions. For example, in the presence of high concentrations of chloride ions, Co2+ appears pink when dissolved in water but forms a blue-coloured complex. This reaction is endothermic, meaning that it shifts to the right at high temperatures or to the left at low temperatures.

Copper is an excellent choice for cookware if you are an experienced cook who values speed and efficiency. Just be aware that it may take some time to master the use of copper pans due to their extreme reactivity.

Copper is heavy

Copper is a heavy metal with a density of more than 5 g/cm3. It is denser than light metals like sodium, potassium, and strontium, which were discovered in 1809.

Copper's density gives it several advantages over other metals. For example, copper cookware is highly reactive, meaning it heats up and cools down quickly. This makes it ideal for cooking delicate proteins, sauces, caramel, or chocolate. However, copper cookware is not recommended for beginners as the rapid temperature changes can result in unevenly cooked food.

Copper is also strong and durable, making it useful for manufacturing tools, machinery, appliances, utensils, pipes, railroad tracks, and more. It is often alloyed with other metals to enhance their properties. For instance, copper alloys with nickel to make coins or with zinc to make brass.

Additionally, copper has excellent electrical conductivity, making it ideal for electrical wiring and electronics. It is also highly reflective, which is why it is used in mirrors and precision astronomical instruments.

Copper's density and weight also make it useful in sports and mechanical engineering. For example, in golf, tungsten, brass, or copper inserts in clubs lower the centre of gravity, making it easier to get the ball into the air. In track and field sports, steel balls used in throwing events are filled with lead to attain the minimum weight required under international rules.

Overall, copper's density gives it several advantages and use cases, making it a versatile and valuable metal in various industries.

Copper is fussy and almost never dishwasher-safe

Copper cookware is an investment, and it requires some care to keep it in good condition. Copper is fussy and almost never dishwasher-safe. It is best to clean your copper pots and pans after every use, as you would with any other cookware. This will help to maintain their quality and ensure that you don't cross-contaminate when you cook next.

Copper is reactive to temperature changes and can be prone to staining over time. It is not recommended to use a dishwasher, as this can cause discolouration and damage to the copper. Instead, hand-washing with warm water and a soft cloth is the best way to clean copper cookware. Avoid using abrasive sponges or scrubbing too hard, as this can scratch the copper and encourage premature tarnishing.

To remove any tarnishing, a gentle polish is recommended. This can be done using a combination of lemon juice or distilled white vinegar and salt or baking soda. Simply apply the paste to the copper's exterior and buff with a soft cloth. Rinse and dry thoroughly.

Alternatively, a commercial copper polish can be used to restore shine. It is also possible to use ketchup to polish copper, as the acid breaks through the tarnish.

It is important to note that bleach should never be used on copper, as it is too corrosive for this delicate metal.

Copper is not induction-safe

Copper cookware is highly sought after by cooks for its ability to gain and lose heat quickly, making it ideal for cooking delicate proteins, sauces, caramel, or chocolate. However, copper cookware is not induction-safe. Here's why:

Induction cooking relies on direct electrical induction heating, achieving rapid increases in temperature through instantaneous changes in heat settings. To work with an induction cooktop, cookware must have a ferrous metal base, such as cast iron or certain stainless steels, as these materials can concentrate the current to produce effective heating.

Copper, on the other hand, is a non-ferrous metal. When used with a standard induction cooker, the magnetic field cannot produce a concentrated current in copper cookware, resulting in poor efficiency. This inefficiency could potentially damage the cooktop, which has safety mechanisms to detect and reject such pans.

However, it's worth noting that newer induction cookers, such as the Panasonic "Met-All" model released in 2017, can work with copper cookware. This unit uses a higher-frequency magnetic field and a different oscillator circuit design, making it compatible with copper, aluminium, and multilayer pots and pans.

While copper cookware may not be induction-safe with most standard cooktops, its heat conductivity and reactivity make it a desirable choice for cooks seeking precision and control in their cooking.

Frequently asked questions