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The heat retention in copper cookware is unmatched.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Copper is an ideal cooking metal, saysPeter Servold, Founder and Head Chef at Petes Real Food.
Nothing conducts heat as well or as evenly.
Especially compared tostainless steel pans.
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Every piece in this set is made with a tri-ply material that is 2.8 millimeters thick.
It is made with a stainless steel cooking surface, an aluminum core, and a copper exterior.
However, because of its light weight, it didnt feel quite as balanced as other sets we tested.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore
The skillet also heated up very quickly.
Then, wecooked the chicken breastfor three minutes on each side and took the chicken breast out to evaluate.
This skillet worked well for the first chicken breast, but it burnt the second chicken breast.
Cleaning this copper cookware set was also a bit of a challenge due to the burnt chicken.
However, we found that usinga mixture of vinegarand water was the best way to remove the burnt residue.
I like using copper cookware for sauces, saysBernadette Machard de Gramont, food expert and writer.
The 5-quart stock pot in this set isnt as large as the other stock pots on this list.
They are all made with a heavy-gauge copper exterior and an 18/10 stainless steel interior cooking surface.
Additionally, the handles are made from cast iron.
We could feel the quality of each piece just by picking it up.
We found that the cookware felt balanced while cooking, and the handles were comfortable to hold.
The temperature was consistent across the bottom of the pan, and there were no hot or cold spots.
Its not as balanced as other sets we tested.
However,stainless steel is magnetic, making it compatible with induction stovetops.
Because this copper cookware set has a magnetic stainless steel exterior, it is compatible with induction stovetops.
TheViking 4-Ply Contemporary 9-Piece Copper Cookware Setfeatures a four-ply construction that includes both copper and stainless steel.
When we tested cooking chicken breasts on the pan, the saute pan impressed us.
The chicken was evenly seared on both sides, and it released easily from the pan with tongs.
This is a heavy set, and food will add additional weight.
For comparison, theMauviel Copper M200 CI 10-Piece Cookware Sethas a stockpot with a 5-quart capacity.
However, the feature we liked best was how easy it was to clean.
We also appreciated how well balanced the cookware set felt, and the heat distribution was even and consistent.
For a more lightweight option, theBergHoff Vintage Copper Tri-Ply 10-Piece Hammered Cookware Setwould be a better fit.
Each cookware set was tested using the same methodology.
Then, we used the stock pots and Dutch ovens to complete a heat retention test.
Then, we turned off the heat and timed how long it took the water to return to 180F.
We also evaluated if the handle was comfortable while tossing food in the skillet or fry pan.
While lifting and moving the cookware pieces, we also determined how ergonomic the handles were.
Then, we added 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and swirled it into the pan to evenly coat it.
We picked the top five copper cookware sets based on the results of these tests.
Credit: Williams Sonoma
Many copper cookware sets come with at least a fry pan, a stock pot, and lids.
For beginners or those who dont cook very frequently, a smaller set will suffice.
TheViking 4-Ply Contemporary 9-Piece Copper Cookware Sethas a higher oven-safe temperature at 600F.
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore
Material
Copper is ideal for cooking because it is a great conductor of heat.
Most copper cookware is constructed with a copper exterior and a stainless steel interior.
Additionally, some copper cookware will have a layer of aluminum in the core.
It is important that you look for 100% copper, not copper plated materials, Amoretti says.
Look for copper cookware that is at least 1.5 to 2 millimeters thick.
When compared to stainless steel cookware, one downside to copper cookware is that it is not as durable.
However, it is more reactive to heat than stainless steel.
Copper cookware is more responsive than stainless steel when it comes to heat, Machard de Gramont says.
It distributes heat more evenly and also reacts faster when turning your burner up or down.
This feature makes it a great option for home chefs who want precise temperature control.
Most of the others were boiling in five minutes or less.
It also has fewer pieces than some of the other sets at a similar price.
This set performed well during the boiling test and hit the boiling mark in 4:55 minutes.
The biggest issue we faced was that it was difficult to clean.
Your Questions, Answered
Do copper pots change color?
One consideration when shopping for copper cookware is that it will naturally patina over time.
Is copper cookware safe to use?
To combat this flavor issue, most copper cookware is lined with stainless steel or another metal.
Can copper cookware go in the oven?
Both theMauviel Copper M200 CI 10-Piece Cookware Setand theViking 4-Ply Contemporary 9-Piece Copper Cookware Setare oven-safe up to 600F.
Can you use copper cookware on an induction stovetop?
Many copper cookware sets are not suitable for induction stovetops due to the nature of the metal.
Forinduction stovetops, you oughta use cookware that has magnetic properties, such as stainless steel orcast iron.
Copper is not magnetic, so most copper cookware pieces arent compatible with induction stovetops.
Megan has been updating this article since January 2023.
What Is BHG Recommends?
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
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Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore
Credit: Williams Sonoma
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Russell Kilgore
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
