TL;DR: Copper is a highly praised material for cookware due to its even heat distribution, heat retention, and beauty. It also requires a bit more care and attention.

Copper cookware has been used for centuries and is still considered by many chefs to be superior due to its incredibly even heating. Copper is a bit delicate, however, meaning that you can’t use any kind of abrasive cleaner on it, and most are not dishwasher-safe.

I’ve been cooking for at least fifteen years, and have had a chance to use all sorts of cookware. Copper has excellent heat distribution, making it an ideal choice for even cooking. If you’re looking for copper cookware to add to your kitchen, then check out my recommendations at the bottom of this article.

How to Pick the Right Copper Cookware for the Job

Cookware is a broad term as it covers a lot of different tools and utensils. The piece of cookware best for you is going to depend on what you plan to make, how much care you want to put into it, and the size of your kitchen.

Construction of Copper Cookware

Copper is reactive to acid, meaning that any acidic food you cook in it, like tomatoes, will develop a metallic taste. Due to this, almost all copper cookware will be lined with a different metal. The three most common are:

• Stainless steel: This is the most common and a very practical choice. As stainless steel doesn't have as good heat conductivity as copper, there can be issues with the two metals beginning to separate over time due to uneven heating. However, a well-made and cared-for stainless and copper pot will last a long time.
• Tin: Tin is nonreactive and has similar heat conduction to copper, making it less likely to separate. However, it’s a soft metal, so you have to be careful when you clean it and which utensils you use on it so that you don't damage it. Tin linings are much less common.
• Aluminum: While I haven’t seen any pots that have aluminum lining on the interior, a number of copper pots will have an aluminum layer between the copper and the stainless steel. This helps in even heating and helps the stainless steel layer from separating from the copper layer.

It’s also important to look at how the pan is made. Most copper cookware will have a copper outer layer around the sides of the pan – some will have it on the bottom, too, but not all. For the copper layer to be effective, it should be between 1.5mm and 2mm thick. And just like stainless steel, you’ll likely see several other terms when describing the cookware. To make sure you’re armed with the information to make the best decision, here are what they mean:

• Ply: A ply is simply a layer. So a 3-ply pan has three layers. With copper cookware, that would usually be a stainless steel interior, an aluminum layer, then a copper coating. More layers are said to be better for heat distribution and durability, but they make the cookware heavier, and for most home cooks, how well-made the pan is will make a much bigger difference than the number of plies.
• Clad: Cookware referred to as clad has an additional layer of metal in it. In most cases, this is going to be aluminum. But there is also bonded copper cookware, where the interior layer of the stainless steel pots and pans is copper. A clad pan only has the additional layer on the bottom, and this is also sometimes referred to as a copper bottom.
• Fully clad: A fully clad pan has the additional layer all the way up the sides so that the heating is more even. Fully clad is preferred, but a well-made clad pan will also perform very well.

Caring for Copper Cookware

The main thing to know about copper is that it will develop a patina over time. There’s nothing wrong with this – it’s a natural process that happens when the copper is exposed to air. Some people love the patina copper gets and that it changes over time. But if you aren’t taken with it, it’s possible to restore it to its original color with copper polish.

Here are some tips to keep your cookware working like new.

• Avoid the dishwasher: While some manufacturers will say that their cookware is dishwasher-safe, it's better for the longevity of your cookware to wash it by hand. Not only does the dishwasher use harsh cleaners, it also tends to keep your pans wet for longer.
• Don’t use abrasive cleaners: Abrasive scrubbers can scratch or damage a copper exterior. Warm soapy water is best for keeping them clean, followed by drying with a soft cloth.
• Keep copper polish on hand: If you don’t mind the patina, then copper polish isn’t necessary. But if you like to keep your copper shiny and like new, then you want to invest it in. With a bit of extra care, your copper pots can look like you just bought them yesterday. If you’d rather not use a copper polish, the shine can also be restored with salt and lemon juice or vinegar.
• Check what temperature it’s safe to: Copper is oven-safe, but it’s important to check to see if it can handle the broiler. Most copper cookware is better on the stovetop than in the oven, but it’ll depend on how it’s constructed.

My Top Recommendations for Copper Cookware

It’s hard to go wrong with copper pans and pots, as most are going to be high-end. That being said, there are some sets and pieces that stand out from the rest. Here are my choices for the best copper cookware.

1. Viking Copper Clad 3-Ply Hammered 10 Piece Set

Viking makes high-end cookware. Their copper cookware set has an aluminum core, stainless steel cooking surface, and copper outer layer. It’s sharp looking with a hammered copper exterior. This set includes an 8-inch and 10-inch skillet, two different sized saucepans, a stockpot, and a sauté pan. However, the set is made in China, unlike Viking’s other line that’s made in the USA. Glass is fragile, meaning that the lids can break, and you’ll likely need to replace them more often than you would metal lids.

2. Hestan CopperBond Induction Copper 8.5-inch Open Skillet

This 8.5-inch frying pan has a copper core to aid in even heating, a stainless steel cooking surface and bottom, and an eye-catching copper ring. The pan is manufactured in Italy and has rivets that are flush with the surface to make it easier to clean. The pan is oven-safe and induction-compatible. However, if you’re looking for the beauty of a full copper layer on the outside, this isn’t the pan for you.

3. Ruffoni Opus Cupra Copper Cookware Set

If you’re looking for a set of cookware that’s a showstopper, then Ruffoni has the answer. The cookware is made in Italy out of hand-hammered copper. The handles are shaped like garden vegetables – they’re cast out of solid bronze and then silver plated. The interior is stainless steel, so it’s nonreactive, and it comes packed in a wooden box. However, all of that earns it the highest price tag on this list.

4. Ruffoni Symphonia Cupra 8 Quart Covered Stockpot

For those looking for a beautiful stockpot, Ruffoni offers a copper one. It isn’t quite as ornate as their Opus Cupra stockpot, but it’s still lovely. It’s made in Italy with hand hammered copper exertion, and has a stainless steel lining. Even the lid is clad. However, this pot won’t work on an induction cooktop, as copper isn’t ferromagnetic.

5. All-Clad Copper Core 5-ply Bonded 10 Piece Cookware Set

While All-Clad’s set of cookware has hardly any visible copper, it does have a solid copper core sandwiched between layers of aluminum. Thin copper rings on the outside allude to its copper interior, the pots have stainless steel lids, and its exterior is all stainless steel for ease of use and cleaning. This set isn’t what most people would imagine as copper cookware, as there’s hardly any copper on the outside.

6. Hestan CopperBond Induction Copper 3-Quart Covered Soup Pot

For those looking for a smaller stock pot, Hestan makes a 3-quart one that has a copper band on the bottom. It has a copper layer on the inside for superior heat distribution and a stainless steel bottom that makes it induction compatible. It’s also oven-safe and comes with a lifetime warranty. However, 3-quart is a bit small for a lot of cooks and it doesn't come in any other size.

Let Us Help You Find the Copper Cookware for You

Finding the right cookware for your needs can be overwhelming, particularly if you don’t have experience with copper. Some of it also boils down to personal preferences in terms of size or if you want a full copper outer layer. If you feel you need more information or advice, reach out to one of our Kitchen Experts! Any of our Experts would be more than happy to help you find the copper cookware that’s just right for you.