The benefits of copper cookware are well known as using copper to cook with has been in existence for over 6,000 years the first copper cookware pots were being used over 4,000 BC. Anything with has been used for this amount of time has to be good. Copper conducts heat very well in fact it is the best metal heat conductor, this is why top quality chefs and cooks like to use copper. It cooks the food evenly and will allow the chef to produce better quality food. Not only that but copper cookware also looks very good as well and is much easier to clean and maintain than you think. Everyone assumes that the non-stick pans are the easiest to clean and use well copper cookware as long as you use it correctly will out perform even the best non-stick pans. The major downside with copper cookware is it is very heavy, copper being a heavy metal makes the pots and pans also very heavy and if what you are cooking is quite heavy as well then you may need some help in the kitchen.

As mentioned there are a few problems with owning Copper cookware and not only is it very heavy but also copper s quite easily scratched unless you take care when using it, the scratches will make the copper cookware harder to clean and it will not look good. Also copper tarnishes over a period of time, lots of people love the way that copper cookware sets tarnish and look when they have tarnished so this is not much of a problem but if you want to keep your copper cookware sets in tip top condition and nice a shiny at all times then you are going to have to clean the pots more often even if you haven’t used them. Another problem with copper cookware is that it is expensive, the price of copper is very high at the moment and there is a larger demand than supplies can keep up with so as with most things if the demand is larger than the supply then the price is high, so making the price of the sets high.

Due to the high price of copper some cookware manufacturers have decided to step away from the full copper cookware sets and have compromised by having cookware sets with a copper bottom and use another metal for the sides and handle. This means you get the conductive power of copper in the base allowing even and quick temperature distribution but by combining it with other metals it will allow the pans to be lighter and cheaper than full copper cookware sets. The metals used in these pans is normally stainless steel or aluminum which is much lighter than copper. When you are picking out your cookware remember these points if you want lighter and cheaper copper cookware sets then choose the ones with the copper bottom but if you do not mind a heavy cookware set which not only looks great but cooks great, however is more expensive then you must choose the full copper cookware set.

Historical copperware was made from solid copper which is very heavy, however due to the great conducting qualities of copper cookware made from copper is very popular because you get an even heat conducted through it. The price of copper is quite high so as well as being heavy copper cookware is also very expensive. Today however copper cookware is not just made from copper but normally mixed with other metals such as stainless steel or aluminum or maybe a mixture of metals including being tin lined. However you can still get solid handcrafted copperware. One of the most popular variants for this is copper cookware which has been hammered this is always handmade copperware which normally entails hammering the copperware into shape this leaves a great looking hand hammered pattern on the cookware.

Not only do you get copper cookware but there is also lots of other things which are made with copper you can get copperware sinks and table tops, furniture which has a copper finish. You can get dishes and trays made from copperware, candle sticks and vases even figures because copperware is so very desirable and can be made into almost anything and it will still look good. You can even get handmade copperware teapots in the traditional styling available on eBay for around the $15 mark. A great site for fantastic handcrafted copperware is Ozark copperware here you can see beautiful handcrafted copperware which is made in the traditional way by a coppersmith made in the Ozark Mountains. He makes everything from Tankards to cookware to buckets and the prices are very reasonable for handcrafted copperware items a tankard can cost as little as $35 and a large bucket or wash basin $75 which is very cheap for copperware items. They have a great range of teapots and coffee pots which range in price from $70 to $100 in lots of different but traditional shapes.

When copperware is new it normally comes very shiny and to preserve this lots of companies put a layer of lacquer on the copperware to keep its new looks and protect it. However if you are cooking with the copperware this layer of lacquer will wear off and then the copperware can become tarnished to keep it clean you can use baking soda and water if this does not work well then you can always us a copper cleaner but make sure you do not scratch the copperware as this will affect the copperware. Some people do not like to clean their copperware and eventually it will tarnish and this gives it a whole new look which lots of people like the copper darkens and takes on a patina which gives it that antique look and feel. Copper cookware is mostly made in France and Italy as these two countries are known for producing good quality copper cookware but most countries will have their own craftsman who will produce quality copperware items. To find a good deal on your copperware you should look on the internet for the best prices and the items you want.