Making the most of any type of cookware can be fraught with things to remember and things to avoid and copper cookware sets are no different!  So if you want to be able to cook up a storm whilst getting the best from your set, read on for some useful copper cookware dos and donts:

DO

• Unless your set is a gift, do try before you buy.  Some copper pans can be incredibly heavy even before having any ingredients in them, so it’s useful to hold some to check whether the weight will suit you, as a pan of boiling gravy that is too heavy to lift safely can be a real issue in the kitchen!
• Do want copper but it’s just too heavy?  Do shop around, as there is now an increasing range of pans available that are manufactured from stainless steel with a copper bottom, giving you the efficiency and durability of a copper base, but with a reduction in the weight!
• Shop around anyway!  There are some very well known and highly respected brands of copper cookware that can last forever but are incredibly expensive. However, this is money well spent if they are going to be in daily use and last you the lifetime that they promise (most respectable sets come with a lifetime warranty).  As value for money, this works out to be very cost effective indeed, but often it’s buying the set all in one go that can make such ranges seem too expensive.  So, if you have decided that it’s the cookware for you, shop around department stores, kitchen specialist stores and on-line as the price can vary by a surprising amount.  If you are in no particular hurry, it may pay you to wait until your desired cookware set is on sale or you could buy one item a month until you have completed a set of items that are just what you want!

DON’T

• Forget that cookware ranges are wider than just pans.  Modern copper cookware ranges include baking trays and cake pans.
• Forget that as well as their durability, copper cookware is a cook’s favorite because it holds heat well and is therefore very energy efficient.  You will need to take this into account when cooking with your new copper pans, as you may well need to reduce the cooking time for some dishes (particularly when using copper oven cookware) because of the improved efficiency of the cooking process.  There may be a little trial and error or ‘stove-watching’ until you get used to your cookware.
• Worry about having to take extra special care of copper cookware items: polishing the copper looks lovely but isn’t necessarily essential for performance.  However, do ensure that you clean your pans thoroughly after each use to avoid the development of dark spots in the copper, which can reduce efficiency and lead to ‘hot spots’ and the burning or sticking of food. Washing in warm soapy water should be sufficient for cleaning from daily cooking, with a rub with a soft cloth as needed.
• Never scour your copper cookware with a nylon or wire wool pad as this can scratch the copper surface.
• Lastly, never just pop your copper cookware into the dishwasher without checking the manufacturer’s guidelines – of the cookware and of your dishwasher detergent, as sometimes it’s the detergent that can cause harm to your pots!  If in doubt, handwash!

Copper cookware incorporates a large range of cooking accessories and utensils, and its products boast advanced heat conductivity properties to enable consistent cooking at high temperatures. Its technology has benefited from several innovations in recent times, as in its early incarnation it was deemed to be a limited and restrictive concept, due to the nature of the tin-lining. It properties would not allow it to be preheated for certain types of high heat, intense cooking tasks, and it would need repair or restoration after several uses.

In the seventies, copper cookware was the subject of a significant innovation through western Europe, where stainless steel lining replaced the traditionally copper lining to provide a permanent and resilient cooking surface. This increased the types of process that copper cookware could endure and meant the addition of several products to the existing range.

Copper Cookware Sets and Types

Most manufacturers and retailers sell cooper cookware as sets made up of a combination of kitchen tools. This creates a uniform look for the kitchen, whilst enabling the consumer to purchase all their accessories in a single store or online visit. The most popular are five or ten piece copper cookware sets, which traditionally include saucepans, stock pots, 8 to 12 inch skillets (for frying and pan frying) and saute equipment and accessories. Another benefit or purchasing a set as opposed to individual items is its cost-effectiveness, as the bulk price will offer discounts and reductions on the aggregate cost.

Copper cookware is available in different finishes. Polished cookware boast a smooth, reflective sheen that best suits linear, straight lines in minimalist kitchens, and can be hand or machine manufactured. Another popular aesthetic is hammered cooper cookware, which is only effectively manufactured by hand. The specific products surface is beaten with a soft hammer to create a rutted, hollowed finish that gives a more rustic appearance. Due to the nature of the design, the surface does not show scratches or marks as well as polished items, which is appealing for everyday and continued use. There is a reducing amount of hammered copper on the market however, as the process is time consuming and complex and not suitable for mass design.

Copper Cookware Care

Whatever the finish of copper cookware, it is relatively easy to maintain and clean. Whilst not conducive to machine washing, it can be effectively hand washed with hot, soapy water. After washing, it is important to towel dry the piece of equipment immediately, as residual dampness or the gradual process of air-drying can create small blemishes on the surface that are increasingly difficult to remove. In terms of maintaining its appearance during use, using wooden or malleable utensils will not scratch the rim or the cooking surface, and actually help to ensure food safety and hygiene.

Copper is recognized as the premier material for cookware, due its heat conductivity properties that adapt quickly to amendments in heat sources. Despite this, copper cookware reviews of the latest product types are mixed, as many purists (especially those based throughout Europe) still favor the copper lined items for intensive cooking processes. Stainless steel lined products, whilst mildly less conductive in their modern forms, are far more durable and widely accepted by modern manufacturers and users as the most effective type of copper cookware available.