Copper is used for many high-end cookware on the market. But most cookware made from copper has a stainless steel, nickel, or tin cooking surface. And while cookware made from copper is excellent for thermal conductivity, there are some pros and cons.
advantage:
Because copper is a malleable and ductile metal, it is used in many high-end cookware, which is why it is preferred over other materials by high-end cookware manufacturers. And of course, the look of copper is distinct and very attractive, making copper cookware a popular choice for many households.
But cookware made from copper also has functional purposes. Compared to stainless steel, glass, and aluminum, copper cookware distributes heat much more effectively, sometimes ten times more. And it doesn’t take as long to prepare food in copper cookware than it does in other types, which reduces the number of burnt spots unfortunately seen on non-copper cookware.
These types of cookware made of copper are easier to clean and maintain. Although bright copper looks amazing, there are many people who prefer the aged look of striped copper. Some higher-end copper cookware models have a brushed look, saving the user the time it takes to polish them.
As mentioned above, copper cookware is usually lined with a different, separate metal. By making copper cookware in this way, the copper will not be able to react with the food and it will cook evenly.
Disadvantages:
Although there are many great aspects of copper cookware, there are some drawbacks experienced by amateur and professional chefs alike. First of all, due to the malleability of high-end copper cookware, they tend to scratch easily, which is why manufacturers reinforce their copper cookware with other metals. However, metals like tin can become unstable at higher temperatures.
Heat can alter the color and appearance of copper. And since high-end copper cookware will often be exposed to heat, there’s no way around it. Most of the time, the beautiful copper color will change to orange, purple, and deep pink, but you can help lessen this effect by cleaning your copper cookware properly and regularly.
Acidic foods can also tarnish high-end copper cookware, allowing the metal to seep into the food. The acid sensitivity of copper can eventually render copper cookware useless if it is plated with tin and the tin wears down to the copper at the bottom; cooking in it will make your food toxic.
Of course, copper is heavier than tin and aluminum, so it’s easier to dent high-end copper cookware. And the cost of copper far exceeds any other type of metal used to create cookware. You need to take proper care of your copper cookware so that it looks the same as the day you bought it.
Even with all the downsides of these cookware, they are still the metal cookware of choice for chefs around the world, as high-end copper cookware can distribute heat better than any other type of cookware metal kitchen And the beauty of copper cookware is unmatched, making it more of a household investment rather than a kitchen utensil.