Is Copper Cookware Dangerous?
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.
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