Many professional cooks choose copper cookware because of its superior heat conductivity. It has an attractive and shiny appearance that will increase the beauty of your kitchen. However, copper can be toxic when used on the interior side of the cookware which is harmful to health. Because of that, it’s usually reserved for use on the outside or with a lining of other materials. In this article, you will get everything related to copper cookware which you should know before you buy it.
Table Of Contents
Copper Cookware Pros and Cons
Advantages of Copper Cookware (Pros)
There are some of the reasons why you need to use copper cookware for your daily cooking.
- Even-Heat Distribution
Compared to other metals like aluminium, stainless steel, and glass, copper cookware can distribute heat more evenly and effectively. Since cooper has excellent heat conductivity, it takes less time to cook foods.
- Attractive and Stylish Outlook
Copper cookware is popular among chefs and culinary experts due to its stylish and attractive appearance. Its silvery-white and pinkish splendor will make your kitchen elegant to look.
- Easy to Maintain and Clean
The cookware that is made of copper is easy to clean and maintain. The smooth structure of this cookware helps to remove small pieces of foods easily.
- Resistant to Burnt Spots
Copper cookware transfers heat rapidly throughout the bottom of the pan or pot which eliminates the number of hot spots. This also helps to cook your foods evenly whether the food is in the center or near the edge.
- Non-Reactive
High-end copper cookware is usually lined with other metals such as stainless steel. This lining prevents metal from leaching and makes the cookware non-reactive as well.
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Disadvantages of Copper Cookware
Before purchasing copper cookware, you should check all the downsides that it offers. There are some of the disadvantages of copper cookware, check the following list to get more.
- Scratched Easily
Since high-end copper cookware is naturally soft, it may become scratched easily. Even though copper cookware is lined with other materials, however, metals like tin may become unstable at a higher temperature.
- Prone to Discolour
Colour and outlook of the copper cookware can be changed by heat. As high-quality copper cookware is likely exposed to high heat, but it’s something that you cannot avoid. The beautiful color of your copper cookware is likely to change to orange, dark pink, and purple. However, this problem can be slowed with regular and proper cleaning.
- Expensive
When compared to other metals such as stainless steel or aluminium, copper cookware is much more expensive. Copper pan or pots can cost several hundreds of dollars per piece.
- Prone to Rust
High-end copper cookware may prone to getting rust by acidic foods. As a result, the metal may leach into food and can harmful to health.
- Requires Extra Care
Copper cookware is sensitive to acidic foods. The pan or pot cannot be used again when foods are cooked on the surface. It requires proper maintenance and care in order to keep it looking like brand new.
How to Choose the Best Copper Cookware
There is a complete guideline for you so that you can choose your required copper pan or skillet easily.
- Thickness
When it comes to copper cookware, the thicker the material, the better. The optimum thickness for high-end copper cookware is 2.5mm. The thickness makes a perfect balance between making method, weight, and heat conductivity. When choosing a pan or a complete set, you should check the exact weight of the item and ask about how thick the copper actually is.
- Tri-ply Construction
Tri-ply copper cookware products feature with a stainless steel interior, an aluminium core on the bottom and a copper coating. This superior construction makes the cookware stable to transfer heats evenly without forming any hotspots. Moreover, it helps to retain heat better makes the surface more resilient.
- Appearance
Copper cookware is available in both a smooth shiny finish and a hammered appearance. A smooth finish is super stylish and a hammered finish is a classic timeless appearance. However, the final decision is totally up to you and depends on what type of feel you want to bring to your kitchen.
- Handles and Lids
As handles can get hot on the stove, cool-top handles will protect your hand from high heat during cooking. Some pots or pans may have copper or stainless steel lids while others may have tempered glass lids. Even though stainless steel and polished copper has a stylish look, however, glass lids are still the best option. Because the glass lid allows keeping an eye on the culinary creation which makes cooking easier.
How to Clean Copper Cookware
There are some most effective ways to clean your copper cookware without much more trouble. Hopefully, you can clean your copper pan properly by following these rules.
To clean tin-lined copper pan or pot, you can use water and dish soap as you would normally. Since tin is a soft metal so be sure clean your pan with a soft sponge pad to avoid scratching.
If you’re using a seasoned stainless steel-lined copper pan, occasionally food bits remain will stick to the bottom. Instead of scouring the pan with a scrub brush, of water in your pot or pan to help loosen remains. However, let your pan to cool completely before rinsing with cold water.
To clean tarnished copper cookware, you can use a mixture of lemon and salt. Just cut a lemon in half and add enough amount of salt to it. Now rub the lemon on your copper pan. Once tough stains are reduced, rinse and dry the pan thoroughly.
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How to Season Copper Pan
Before using your copper pan for the very first time, it is suggested to season it properly. Here is step by step instruction for you so that you can season your pan effortlessly.
- Step 01: First of all, wash the pan with soap and warm water and let it dry completely.
- Step 02: Once the pan is fully dry, spread a thin coat of vegetable oil using a paper towel. Ensure that you spread the oil on the entire inner surface of the pan.
- Step 03: Place the pan in a preheated 300F degree oven for at least 20 minutes.
- Step 04: Remove the pan using oven mitts and let it cool down on its own completely.
- Step 05: Wipe away any excess oil from your copper pan with paper towels.
Tips on Cooking with Copper Cookware
There’re some useful tips for you that will help you to cook with your copper cookware without too much worry.
- Have All the Ingredients Ready
Copper is best known for its excellent heat conductivity. To start your cooking with copper, make sure you have all your ingredients washed and ready to go.
- Use Only Wooden or Silicone Utensils
Since tin is a soft material it can be scratched easily. To avoid any unexpected scratching use only wooden or silicone utensils instead of metal ones.
- Cook with Medium-High Heat
If you’re completely new to copper, try to use medium-high heat for at least a few cooking sessions. This will help you to learn the idiosyncrasies of your new cookware without any worry of ruining a meal.
- Do Not Preheat your Copper Pots
Copper cookware should never be preheated empty. This can permanently discolour the exterior and the tin-lining copper cookware can melt even in just a minute.
- Avoid Searing in Copper Pans
As because the tin-lining melts at only about 450 degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s not an ideal option to searing meat. To sear meat at high heat, you can choose cast iron, stainless steel or aluminium instead of your copper cookware.
Copper Vs Ceramic Cookware
Compared to other cookware materials, copper is the best heat conductor. It heats and reacts to temperature changes quickly and helps to cook food evenly. Copper is a reactive metal, so it must be lined with another material such as tin or stainless steel.
Ceramic cookware, on the other hand, heats-up gradually, it is an ideal option for the dishes that need slow and even cooking. However, ceramic coated non-stick cookware is not recommended for high heat temperature as this will affect its non-stick properties.
Final Verdict | Is Copper Cookware Safe
In conclusion, copper cookware is lined with other materials like stainless steel or tin which can protect you from potential toxicity related to copper. Copper is easily dissolved by some foods and a large amount can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. To avoid this, choose protected copper cookware instead of uncoated ones.
