Archive for November, 2010

Get the Most From Your Mauviel Copper Cookware

Copper cookware can certainly be your best friend in the kitchen and if you’ve invested in a high quality set, such as a Mauviel copper cookware set, then you will want to get the most from your money by using it as much as possible and by looking after it well!

1)      The first and very simple rule in caring for your copper cookware items: never put them in a dishwasher as the detergents used, as much as the intensive action of the machine and long, slow drying method, can cause deterioration in the copper very quickly.

2)      As with the majority of copper cookware on the market, most of Mauviel copper pans are lined with stainless steel, to avoid the copper from reacting to acidic foods.   Happily, using stainless steel helps to eliminate this problem, whilst the copper’s even heat distribution stops the problem of foods burning onto the base of pans.  However, although lined with stainless steel, you should still not use abrasive cleaning fluids or scourers to scrub the pans after use.  Warm, soapy water should be enough to clean the inside of the pan, whilst the outside benefits from polishing with a soft cloth and occasionally with a copper polish or a mild solution of salt and white vinegar, to keep its pristine gleam adding a shine to your kitchen.

3)      Once your copper cookware item has been washed, dry it promptly by hand, using a soft cotton cloth.  This is essential because water residue in copper pots that are left “to drain” can quickly cause the copper to ‘oxidize’, resulting in it turning green!

4)      If you are hoping to gradually build up a set of copper cookware, do check out the wealth of Mauviel copper cookware reviews that are available on-line.  This is an excellent way of picking the brains of both professional and domestic cooks in order to find out which are the must-have items and which are the ‘good if you can afford the extra’ items!

5)      Although genuine copper cookware is expensive, do consider the multi-use potential of some of the items.  For example, items such as the Mauviel copper roaster are designed to transfer from hob to oven to table as needed, so by carefully deciding which items to purchase alongside the needs that you have, you could find even the more expensive items offer excellent value purely on account of the use that you will get out of them: due to their versatility, as well as their endurance, of course!

6)      Additional items, such as the Mauviel copper soup station can also be an excellent value for money choice if you have a large family.  As well as enabling you to serve good tasting, but economical to make soup, the size and shape of the stockpot also makes it ideal for spaghetti cooking.

Although one of the more expensive ranges, Mauviel copper cookware is highly respected in catering circles and is a name worth investigating if you are seriously looking into investing in copper cookware – just make sure you look after it!

Luxury Copper Cookware Sets

Copper cookware prices vary according to the make and are also dependent on if they are made from just copper or are lined with another metal. Copper bottomed cookware sets are normally slightly cheaper than the full copper cookware sets and if they are copper bottomed you will get the same conductive properties as with the normal copper sets but as the copper bottomed cookware is coupled with either stainless steel, aluminum or another metal this will also make the sets a lot lighter than full copper cookware. Below are my recommendations for both copper bottomed cookware sets and full copper cookware sets.

Copper Cookware Sets

The French Copper Studio have some very nice full copper cookware sets at various prices starting at about $1,500 for a five piece Chef smart set and under $2,500 for the nine piece set, There are also other sets available at different prices depending on composition of the set, you can also make up your own set and save money. There is also the option of having a hammered copper finish as well, but these costs more.

Another good company which makes good copper cookware sets is the Falk Copper Cookware who has similar sets to above for under $1,200 for the five pieces and under $1,700 for an eight piece set. There are also Copper cookware sets available on both Amazon and eBay which are slightly less in price for similar sets, however for the best deals you need to look around for the correct set for you and then compare prices.

Copper Bottomed Cookware Sets

As mentioned before Copper bottomed cookware sets are much cheaper than copper cookware sets you can buy a T-Fal stainless steel copper bottomed ten piece cookware set for under $120 which is a fraction of the price of a full copper cookware set, however care must be taken and read the description as some copper bottomed cookware sets do not have a full copper bottom but have a copper insert in the bottom of the pans. However if you get a set such as Cooks copper bottomed cookware sets on Amazon you can buy a full copper bottomed 13 piece set for about $180 which is a fraction of the price you would pay for a fully copper made cookware set.

There is also another version of Copper Cookware where you can have a copper outer skin then the copper is lined with stainless steel or aluminum. You can also get sets where there are three layers a copper outer, aluminum middle and a stainless steel interior this means you get the even cooking temperatures coupled with a light and robust pan. The copper and aluminum combine for effective heat conduction while the stainless steel interior stops the metal reacting with acidic food a 10 piece set will cost approximately $450.

All these prices for Copper cookware sets are a rough guide you will be able to look around yourself for the best prices and which types of copper sets you want. In the end its down to personal choice and how much you are willing to pay for your Copper cookware, but have a good look around first prior to purchase for the best deals.

Copper is one of the most heat resistant and conductive materials available to any consumer. These properties have always marked it as a prominent feature in cookware and kitchen utensils, whilst its rich and vibrant color adds dash to any professional or personal kitchen space. Falk Culinair, who produce their Falk copper cookware range, are one of the market leaders in the design and supply of these products to market.

Falk are the leading manufacturers of Belgian copper cookware and one of the leading manufacturers anywhere in the world. They have a long history in producing items for the copper cookware market, and have always been at the forefront of breaking technology within the industry. Their products are used and featured in many of the professional kitchens throughout the world, and renowned for their stylish appearance and excellent functionality.

Cooper Cookware Sets

A copper cookware set will typically be made up of several pans, sauciers and relevant kitchen accessories and utensils. The individual components that make up these sets are given much thought as the sets themselves need to suit a wide range of culinary tasks within a kitchen. Cooking methods such as frying, boiling, and baking all require different heats and equipment, so including these within one product is especially important to the consumer.

The range of Falk copper pans is perhaps the most diverse; including pans designed for frying, sautéing, saucepans and professionally engineered chef’s pans. The quality of the goods and the levels of technology incorporated in the designs remain identical, while the shapes and sizes of the respective pans differ depending on their application. This contemporary range includes a stainless steel lining inside the pan (of approximately 2.5mm) to provide more resistance against long term marking, staining and overall wear and tear.

These pans heat up exceptionally quickly thanks to the conductive properties of cooper, a material which uses these same properties to react and reduce the temperature once the pan is becoming too hot to cook the food efficiently. The incorporation of steel is a fairly recent innovation, and it serves a dual purpose in copper cookware products: it is not only a stronger material in terms of durability and its resistance of wear through use, but it also conducts heat at a more than capable level to compliment the copper base.

A Versatile Tool

 

In terms of versatility, the Falk copper saucier is the most multifunctional pan within the range, and is a cornerstone of most copper cookware sets. It serves many purposes thanks to its design, and can be used for stir-frying, sautéing, or the creation of reductions and sauces to garnish a main meal. These models boast a deep pan (especially suitable for stir-frying vegetables and other ingredients) and a long, easy to hold handle, which also provides and element of safety when sautéing.

Whether you are a professional chef or an aspiring amateur, the Falk copper cookware range of products has something to suit everybody. With its ground breaking technology and stylish, colorful design, there is not a kitchen in the world where these items would not be at home.

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