Copper cookware is a lot more expensive than normal cookware and hammered copper cookware is normally the most expensive of the copper cookware range as it is normally hand crafted and not machine made. Hammered copper cookware is where you can still see the hammer marks made by the maker during the production of the cookware; the hammered effect is a great look for a copper cookware set.

Not only are copper cookware sets more expensive than normal cookware sets but they are also a lot heavier than normal pots and pans. This is mainly due to copper being more heavy than the normal metals now used in cookware, however if you want quality long lasting cookware then copper is the best choice. Lots of professional cooks prefer cooking with copper cookware because copper is a very good conductor of heat it will evenly distribute the heat which in turn cooks the food more evenly.

Just think of producing your favorite sauce with a nice hammered copper sauce pot or what about a nice big hammered copper stockpot to make lovely stews to warm you during the long winter months. Most of the copper cookware is no longer produced in the US but has to be imported from either Europe or the Far East this also adds to the expense of the cookware.

One disadvantage of having hammered copper cookware is that it tarnishes easily and will need cleaning often to keep it clean and shiny, lots of cooks however prefer their copper cookware not shiny but allow it to dull and tarnish to give the copper pot or pan its own effect and keep the wear of the copper to a minimum as copper is easily scratched and constant cleaning will add to this.

Some of the best hammered copper cookware sets are made in Italy such as the Ruffoni hammered copper sets which are guarantee to cook evenly even at low temperatures as long as the correct heat and stirring techniques are used. Ruffoni hammered copper is nearly twice as conductive as aluminum and nearly ten times more conductive than stainless steel making it the perfect cooking metal. The Ruffoni Opera is hand hammered copper with Brass Handles and brass knobs in the shape of an acorn. The Ruffoni Classici is a line of specialty dishes such as the pig roast tin, risotto dishes, polenta pans, sauce pans and its unique chocolate melting pan and warmer.

Although the Ruffoni copper cookware sets are not cheap a typical 10 piece set will cost in the region of $2500 if treated correctly these pans and pots should last a lifetime. So in the grand scheme of things how many different lots of pots and pans would you have to buy in your life, probably a lot more than $2500 so it will eventually be cheaper to buy a great new set of hammered copper cookware than lots of different sets, you will also get the added advantage of equal temperature cooking and a nice looking set of cooking pots and pans. Cooper cookware will give your kitchen the professional cook look for a reasonable price, and there is a vast range of items to choose from such as casserole dishes to frying pans and stock pots.

No, not really. It depends on what you mean by ‘copper cookware’. Copper cookware is not dangerous as long as the inside of the cookware is lined with stainless steel or some other metal. Copper cookware is dangerous if the cookware is unlined. The copper can react with the acids produced when cooking food, which can lead to a serious case of food poisoning. Even storing food without cooking it in an unlined copper container can lead to food poisoning. It is important to make sure the tin or stainless steel lining your cookware is intact and whole. Cracks in the metal can potentially let the copper react with the food, so make sure that you take care of your cookware.

With the proper care and attention, your copper cookware can serve you very well without poisoning you. Do not cook at very high temperatures unless your cookware explicitly says so. Always make sure you are using metal that has been properly treated before cooking at high temperatures. Do not forget to check with the store or your manufacturer’s customer service department if you are unsure if what your metal is made for in terms of cooking. Also use common sense – do not use a copper wok to bake a turkey with.

Copper cookware is dangerous only if used improperly. Think of the famous adage about computers: the only mistakes they make are the ones that humans program into them. In a similar vein, cooking mistakes are the fault of the chef, not of the cookware. Make sure you know what you are doing by asking for help if you can. Read books on cooking with copper cookware or watch television shows if you have to. Cooking does not have to be dangerous and is not dangerous if you follow the proper directions for cooking meals.