TL;DR: Copper has been used to make cookware for centuries and is still lauded for its superior heat retention. When picking out a piece of copper cookware, consider whether you want new or vintage and if you have what you need to properly care for it.

I grew up learning to cook by helping my mom in the kitchen. Once I was old enough, I began making my own recipes and realized how much I enjoyed it. I’ve been a hobbyist cook for the better part of fifteen years and have tried out all kinds of cookware during that time.

Copper has long been prized for its heat distribution and natural beauty, making it the go-to material for high-end cookware. With a bit of information and a little extra care, your copper cookware can work wonders for you for a lifetime. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to find out more about it, start a chat with one of our Kitchen Experts.

What Is Copper Cookware?

Copper and cast iron have both been used to make cookware for centuries. Copper’s even heating and beautiful appearance is still prized by cooks and chefs worldwide.

Almost all modern copper cookware is going to have a stainless steel liner because copper is reactive to acids, meaning that your spaghetti sauce would otherwise taste like it was made with a box of pennies. Copper is also a softer metal and can be scratched, which is why it’s often used only on the exterior or as an interior layer.

One of the fascinating things about copper is that it’ll develop a patina over time. While it’s the metal's form of oxidation, it’s not harmful to it like rust is to iron or steel – it actually adds a protective layer. So if your pots turn greenish, it’s a natural process.

If you prefer the look of shiny new copper, you can take the patina off easily enough. Copper polish or Bar Keepers Friend will both do an excellent job of removing it. If you’d prefer not to use harsh chemicals, using salt and lemon or vinegar will also bring the shine back to your copper cookware.

Things to Consider When Buying Copper Cookware

Copper cookware is an investment that can last you a lifetime, so it’s important to consider what’s best for you when picking out a new piece of cookware. Here are some questions to ask yourself to make sure you get the right item for your needs.

What Type of Cookware Do I Want?

Most types of cookware can be made out of copper. Not every copper pan or pot will be oven-safe, so be sure to consider that for pans that are often used in the oven, like skillets. There are specialty pieces of cookware out there, but here are the most common types:

• Stockpot: One of the most versatile pieces of cooking equipment out there, stockpots are used for larger, largely liquid recipes. They’re great for boiling pasta, corn, or lobster. Soups, stews, chilis, and pot roast are all made in a stockpot. They come in a number of sizes and are measured in quarts.
• Fry pan: Also called a frying pan or skillet, fry pans are great for eggs, stir-fries, and bacon. They have sloped sides, making it easy to turn food over or even toss it when cooking. The common sizes are 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch.
• Saucepan: Saucepans are in between a pot and a pan because they have high, straight sides but only have one handle – which earns them their place as a pan. A saucepan tends to be smaller and is excellent for rice, small batches of sauce, and homemade pudding.
• Saute Pan: While this can be mistaken for a fry pan, it has straight sides. It’s great for saucier dishes, as it has more depth, meaning that it won’t overflow. A saute pan almost always comes with a lid, too, while fry pans often don’t.

How Do You Care for Copper Cookware?

Copper is a softer metal than stainless steel, meaning that it requires more care and attention. Here are some ways to keep your copper cookware looking like new.

• Hand wash: Copper cookware isn’t dishwasher safe – unless it has copper cladding (a copper core between layers of stainless steel) – as the harsh detergents can harm it. Washing your cookware by hand will ensure that it lasts longer and stays beautiful.
• Polish it: Copper will naturally develop a greenish patina over time. A lot of people love the way their cookware changes appearance over time and consider an aspect of having a copper pot or pan. But, if you prefer it to look shiny and brand new, going over it with copper polish or lemon and salt will shine it back up.
• Don’t put a hot pan in cold water: Extreme temperature changes can warp your cookware. This is especially important with copper cookware, as it usually has a stainless steel interior. The different metals can start to separate from each other with temperature changes, potentially running your cookware.

Do I Want New or Vintage?

As people have been making cookware out of copper for a very long time, there are a lot of vintage options out there. A well-cared for copper pot or pan can last for generations, which means that a used or vintage one can still serve you for the rest of your life.

Vintage cookware is more a collector’s item, which means it’ll take time and research to make sure you’re getting a well-made item for a good deal. Sometimes, though, you can get lucky and find one at a secondhand store, yard sale, or flea market for short money.

Some vintage copper cookware may not be lined, so you’ll need to be careful what you cook in it. Others may have a tin lining, which, while nonreactive, is a soft metal, meaning it can be easily scratched or scored.

Features to Look for

Getting a piece of cookware that has copper in it pretty much ensures that it’s high-end, which means that it’s hard to go wrong with one. That being said, there are certain features that make some products stand out.

Fully Clad

The term “clad” is most often used with stainless steel cookware. It means there is a layer of another metal on the bottom of the pan, typically aluminum, though it can be copper. Fully clad means that the copper or aluminum core reaches all the way up the sides of the pot or pan, too.

Benefits:

• More even heat distribution.
• Greater durability due to even thickness.

Be Aware:

• More layers make the cookware heavier.

Full Copper Exterior

A lot of cookware that’s made with copper has only a band of the metal on the side. Other pieces will have a full copper exterior, which lends the pot or pan a whole different appearance.

Benefits:

• Most often found in high-end, handmade cookware.
• Results in eye-catching cookware.

Be Aware:

• Cookware with a copper bottom won’t work on an induction burner, as the metal isn’t ferromagnetic.

Aluminum Layer

A number of copper pots and pans will have an aluminum core, just like a stainless steel pan. That means that the pot will consist of a layer of stainless steel, a layer of aluminum, and then copper on the outside.

Benefits:

• Aluminum's heat distribution is more similar to copper’s. As stainless steel and copper distribute heat differently, the metals can, over time, shrink or change shape in different ways, causing the stainless steel to pull away from the copper.
• Improves heat distribution.
• Makes the cookware more durable, as it’s thicker.

Be Aware:

• Another layer of metal makes it heavier than cookware without it.

How to Pick the Right Copper Cookware for You

Copper cookware is really no different than buying a stainless steel piece of cookware. In order to help give you a jump-start on the process, I’m going to describe three different people and what copper cookware I’d recommend to them.

Rohan: Hobbyist Who Wants to Try High-End Cookware

Rohan cooks regularly as a hobby. He’s recently decided that he should invest in his hobby and wants to try out some high-end cooking equipment. He’s heard good things about copper and would like to see how much of a difference it makes. As he’s considering upgrading to an induction stove, he’d like something that’d work on it.

Features to look for:

• A stainless steel bottom, so it’ll be compatible with an induction stove.
• Individual pieces of cookware so he can try them out.

Recommended Products: Hestan CopperBond Induction Copper Open Skillet, Hestan CopperBond Induction Covered Essential Pan

Sapphire: Dedicated Cook Looking to Upgrade her Cookware

Sapphire has collected her cookware haphazardly over her life but has decided it’s time to upgrade it. She’d like a full set so that everything will match and perform the same. She doesn't mind spending money as long as it’s high-quality and will last a long time.

Features to look for:

• 3-ply or 5-ply for sturdiness.
• Well-known brands for a quality guarantee.

Recommended products: Viking Copper Clad 3-Ply Hammered 10 Piece Set, All-Clad Copper Core 5-ply Bonded 10 Piece Cookware Set

Lennie: Host Who Wants Cookware That Are Showstoppers

Lennie loves hosting fancy dinner parties and wants cookware that is both useful and can double as a beautiful serving vessel. A friend of his recommended copper cookware because it’s both effective and gorgeous. He’s unconcerned about cost so long as it serves both purposes and will last a long time.

Features to look for:

• Ornate handle on the lids or sides of the cookware.
• Full copper exterior for eye-catching beauty.

Recommended Products: Ruffoni Opus Cupra Copper Cookware 6 Piece Set, Ruffoni Historia Handmade Copper Cookware 5 Piece Set

Let Us Help You Find the Right Copper Cookware for You

Copper cookware is known for its excellent performance, but its high price means that few people have experience with it. That means that it can be difficult to get good advice or recommendations. If that’s what you’re looking for, chat with a Curated Kitchen Expert! Our Experts have a lot of personal experience with kitchen equipment, combined with time spent doing research. That means that you can get personalized advice and recommendations from an Expert in the subject — for free!