Why are copper pots and pans the choice of most professional chefs around the world? And why the heck do they cost so darn much money? I’ll explore these questions and more in this article today. At the end you’ll know everything you ever wanted to know about copper cookware, and also know how to find the set that’s right for you at the cheapest price.
Why Are Copper Pots and Pans So Good?
People often ask me if copper is a marketing gimmick of some sort. The answer is no, it’s no marketing gimmick at all; copper pots and pans really are that much better than everything else. They can be incredibly expensive compared to stainless steel pots and pans but for good reason.
So what’s so special about them?
Well mainly it’s because they conduct heat much more evenly than anything else. That means you can cook things at the bottom of the pot and the top of the pot equally because the heat is distributed right up the sides of the walls of the pot or pan.
Copper also conducts heat much quicker than anything else which allows for quicker cooking times. There are many different benefits for this, not just saving time. Cooking faster allows meats to be cooked without becoming too dry, for instance.
Basically you have two options in a copper pans, one with a tin lining or one with stainless steel lining. Tin tends to wear out over time (and can melt at high temperatures) and eventually you will see holes develop in the tin. When this happens, and it may be 5 to 10 years from now, you simply bring your pot or pan in to have it “re-tinned”, which is relatively inexpensive and makes your pots look as good as new. If you don’t, you can actually get sick from the copper leaching through.
How much can you expect to pay?
Copper isn’t cheap, and that’s its greatest drawback. For a high quality set of heavy duty copper pots and pans, you can expect to pay over a thousand dollars, and in some cases several thousand dollars depending on the number of pieces and the quality of the pots and pans. One of the most popular companies that makes copper cookware is Mauviel, they’ve been around for a couple hundred years and you really can’t go wrong with Mauviel copper cookware.
Copper Pots and Pans are a sign of the true chef. They’re a status symbol and a sign that you’re a chef who really knows what they’re doing. If you don’t spend a lot of time cooking, or if money is tight, then I highly recommend you focus on finding a nice stainless steel set that won’t break the bank. But if you want the absolute best of the best and don’t care about the price, then copper may be right for you.
