First, copper is malleable and ductile, allowing it to be shaped easily. Second, copper conducts heat better than aluminum; in fact, the conductivity of copper is ten times that of glass or stainless steel. This shortens the time needed to cook your food. In addition, copper also loses heat more quickly, preventing delicate foods like sauces from burning or becoming overdone.

Conductivity means the measurement of the rate of the transfer of energy, whether emission or absorption. Copper has a high conductivity, which means its’ rate of energy transfer is very high: it both absorbs heat quickly and emits heat quickly. In a metal, conductivity can be increased by making it thicker, but this increases the metal’s weight. Copper is beloved for it’s lightness and high energy transfer rate.

Copper also has a low heat capacity and high diffusion rate. A metal’s heat capacity refers to the amount of energy needed to raise the overall temperature of the metal. Because copper’s heat capacity is so low, it takes a fraction of the energy to heat copper that it takes to heat other metals. For example, aluminum would need to be approximately 1.5 times the thickness of copper to achieve the same effect. A high diffusion rate means the rate at which heat is spread through the metal. Copper’s being so high, copper diffuses the heat very fast, allowing the metal to be heated quickly. These two aspects of copper allow for temperature control and a more exact cooking environment.

The conductivity properties of copper also make it ideal for sautéing and frying. Copper cookware is very popular for making French dishes. However, the conductivity of copper has a downside: copper is extremely reactive to almost everything, even the air. If directly exposed to the food being prepared, the copper can make the food have a metallic taste. For this reason, copper cookware is often lined with stainless steel on the inside to prevent the food from reacting with the copper. It’s also important to wash and shine your copper cookware regularly to prevent it from rusting.

Copper has a sheen and luster which make it attractive for pots, pans, and other cookware. Copper is popular among cooks and food professionals because of it’s elegant and stylish look. A copper cookware set is a great investment for your kitchen, especially if you’re fond of or good at cooking elegant, delicate dishes.