Copper Saucepan Buyers Guide
The humble saucepan is easily the star of any kitchen. Whether you’re a home cook or a professional chef, you can’t do without this versatile and handy tool.
You can make both savoury and sweet dishes in the saucepan. You can find different varieties of this tool on the market. Owing to the saucepan’s versatility, it isn’t hard to imagine why they’ve been around for so many years.
There are many variations of the saucepan, and a copper bottom saucepan is a smart option. If you’re thinking of investing in a new saucepan but don’t know which one to pick, keep reading below.
We have all the information on the best copper bottomed saucepans out there.
We independently research, test, and recommend the best products just for you. In order to keep this site going, we may receive commissions on some of the purchases made from the links below.
Our Top Picks for Copper Pans
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An In-depth Look At Copper Saucepans
What are they?
Cast iron, nonstick, ceramic, stainless steel, and carbon steel are just a few of the market’s cookware variations today. Each of these cookware options has its strengths and weaknesses.
Copper cookware and specifically copper-bottomed saucepans are other variations you can pick from.
Copper bottomed pots have a layer of copper spread on the bottom of the pan. You can see these pans as the improved version of pans made entirely from copper.
Copper bottomed pans are incredibly fancy, so if you’re fond of aesthetics and practicality, this is the perfect option for you. You’ll find these pans commonly in higher-end French kitchens, making them pretty classy.
Advantages
Heat Responsiveness
One of the defining features of a copper pan is that it has incredibly heat responsiveness. Copper is the best heat and electricity conductor, and this can make it a formidable cooking companion.
If you’re tired of hot spots, uneven browning, or scorching, switching to a copper pan might solve all your problems. You can make delicate sauces without getting any burnt bits, and cook delicate proteins and vegetables without compromising taste.
With a copper pan, there’s no chance of overcooking anything.
Aesthetic Appeal
Even those with no interest in cooking will know that there’s nothing that beats the beauty of a copper pan. Their lustrous shine can make them an excellent addition to any kitchen.
Hammered or smooth finishes alike can look stunning, and the stunning finish alone can justify the hefty price tag. Copper pans are easy to maintain, and you can keep them glimmering years down the line too.
Furthermore, copper pans might be the only cookware that doesn’t look good as it ages. In fact, a mild patina or some scratches on the surface can add to the rustic charm of the copper pan.
Disadvantages
Linings
Although copper retains heat incredibly well, it also reacts badly to acidic materials. If your pan is unlined, it might react to even mild acids like those in tomatoes.
Lined pans, therefore, fare better than unlined ones. Linings can get damaged with time, and it might be costly to repair them.
If you choose to get an unlined pan, the copper won’t just react to the food, but might even leach into anything you cook. Furthermore, there are several lining options to pick from, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
It can make the process of picking a pan confusing.
Expensive
Perhaps the biggest drawback of copper-bottomed pans is that they can be incredibly costly. We’re talking hundreds of pounds on a single pan.
While your copper pans will last you a lifetime, it can be challenging to justify spending so much on cookware. Caring for copper pans can also be expensive if your linings get damaged.
Reactive
As discussed earlier, copper pans can react to even mild acids like those from tomatoes. It can limit you when you’re cooking because you wouldn’t want to damage your expensive and pretty pans.
Copper can also react with other cooking items, to favourable or unfavourable effect. This can create some uncertainty when you’re cooking, which isn’t desirable.
ProWare Copper Base Cookware
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ProWare Copper Base Cookware Review
The ProWare copper base saucepan collection is a great addition to any kitchen. It is made using high-quality stainless steel with heavy-duty rivets that guarantee a lifetime of safe cooking. They boast an ergonomic stainless steel handle with a custom-designed soft grip section to add both strength and comfort.
These saucepans are designed to work on all hobs apart from induction ones. Both the 16cm and 18cm saucepans come with dome lids which also have the soft grip handle for easy use.
Nuovva Copper Saucepan Set
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Nuovva Copper Saucepan Set Review
The Nuovva copper saucepan set comes with 3 beautifully designed pans that will satisfy all your cooking needs. It includes a 2.6 litre saucepan, a 1.6 litre saucepan both of which have tempered glass lids and a 9 inch copper frying pan. All of this cookware has a non-stick, anti-scratch surface and does a great job of evenly distributing heat so that there are no ‘hot spots’.
All of these pans are both PTFE & PFOA free and are suitable to use on stovetops and heatproof up to 450c.
KitchenCraft ARTMSAUC10 Artesà Tri-Ply Copper
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KitchenCraft ARTMSAUC10 Artesà Tri-Ply Copper Review
If you are perhaps living alone and are looking for a single copper saucepan then you simply cannot go wrong with Kitchencrafts model. It has a luxurious and trendy design that not only looks great but performs great too. Kitchencraft have built their saucepan with a state of the art, triple-layer construction that ensures precise heat control.
This precise heat control makes this pan the ideal companion when tackling the more tricker recipes. If you are looking for a single copper saucepan, then we’d recommend picking up this guy immediately!
Vogue CM676 Tri Wall Copper Sauté Pan
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Vogue CM676 Tri Wall Copper Sauté Pan Review
The Vogue copper sauteing pan features a thermocore design that ensures superior heat conductivity and reducing the number of heat spots that lead to uneven cooking. The pan itself is made up of 3 layers. Aluminumum has bee place between layers of high-quality stainless steel and copper. The result is a great pan that provides both super cooking results and is easy to clean & maintain.
This pan can be used on all types of stove tops apart from induction hobs.
ProWare Copper Base 14cm Milk Pan
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ProWare Copper Base 14cm Milk Pan Review
The 14cm ProWare saucepan boasts a heavy-gauge stainless-steel body with a modern copper base. This combined with the trendy, strong stainless steel handle with an ergonomic grip makes this mini saucepan the perfect companion for any home cook.
It is suitable for all hob types with the exception of induction. This is a truly beautiful pan that will not only yield superior cooking results, but look good whilst doing it!
Frequently Asked Questions About Copper Saucepans
Are copper saucepans any good?
Copper saucepans are a great addition to any kitchen. Although they can be a tad more expensive, copper-based saucepans can make your cooking much better.
The layer of copper on the bottom can help spread the heat more efficiently across the bottom. Furthermore, the pan heats up quickly but loses its heat just as fast.
This makes it perfect for cooking more delicate proteins like fish, scallops, or other seafood. So, copper saucepans are pretty good if you know how to use them.
You can also use copper saucepans for cooking creamy, intricate sauces without compromising on taste. Furthermore, nothing can elevate your kitchen better than a set of copper cookware.
So, it’s safe to say that copper saucepans are excellent additions to any kitchen.
Are copper pans harmful?
Much like nonstick coating, some copper pans come with drawbacks. If your copper pan isn’t lined with steel, and if you aren’t using a wooden spoon, it can be dangerous.
It is because copper from unlined copper pots can leach into your food. Too much copper in our body can be toxic.
However, even copper from unlined copper storage bottles can seep into the food. Acidic foods can further destroy the copper and cause it to seep into your food.
If your copper pans are lined, however, they should be perfectly safe to use. Stainless steel or tin are the most common coatings for copper pans.
If you use wooden utensils with your lined copper pans, they should be safe to use.
Why are copper pans so expensive?
Copper pans are a much pricier option than nonstick, stainless steel, or even cast iron pans. It is because copper is a far more superior cooking product.
Copper pans distribute heat much more evenly than other pans. Copper is also more expensive than steel, which accounts for its high price.
There is also a limited supply of copper and high demand, which keeps the prices inflated. Even practised chefs covet having a copper cookware set, which gives them an inevitable hype and increases the cost.
What should you not cook with copper?
While most foods are safe to cook in a copper pan, you should refrain from cooking anything acidic with copper. Fruit juice, vinegar, or lemon juice can damage the copper coating and cause it to leach into your food.
Anything with a pH of below 6.0 can damage the coating. Furthermore, you shouldn’t cook anything that needs very high heat.
If you need to sear a steak or roast some vegetables, you’re better off using a cast iron pan. You might damage the copper coating if you cook at very high temperatures.
Are copper pans better than Teflon?
Copper pans are indeed better than Teflon. Teflon is an affordable nonstick option you can get if you don’t feel like splurging.
However, there are several drawbacks of cooking with a Teflon pan. The most significant disadvantage is that Teflon pans can suffer from thermal shock.
Thermal shock is when your pan warps when you place a hot pan on a cold surface or in cold water. Furthermore, like all nonstick pans, the coating on Teflon pans is very detrimental to your health.
Teflon pans also need to be seasoned, and the coating can easily flake or peel off if you don’t use the pan delicately. So, copper pans are a better option compared to Teflon.
Is copper or stainless steel better for cooking?
Copper and stainless steel are both popular options for cooking. Both have their pros and cons, and which is better depends on your needs.
Stainless steel pots are incredibly durable, and they don’t rust, stain, chip, or scratch easily. Furthermore, they are simple to clean and non-reactive with most cooking items.
Stainless steel pots are also resistant to rust and don’t corrode easily. Furthermore, they have a classic and beautiful look, which is timeless.
Copper pans, however, have a look completely different from steel. They have a unique colour, which makes them desirable for the home cook and professional chef alike.
It can look fantastic in any kitchen and add a touch of elegance and class. Copper pots and pans also have excellent heat conductivity and heat up much faster.
However, they also lose heat just as fast. It means that you don’t need to worry about scorching anything and ruining your dish.
However, unlined copper can be dangerous, as it can leach into your food. Copper is also generally more expensive than stainless steel.
Lined copper pans make an excellent addition to any cook who takes their time in the kitchen seriously. If you want to skip the hassle, stainless steel pots get the job done just as well.
Copper Based Pan Buying Guide
Before buying your first copper-bottomed pan, you need to know what it takes to make a good copper pan. Here are some factors to consider before your purchase.
Thickness
The thickness plays an integral role in determining how well the pan cooks. What makes copper cookware so excellent is its ability to conduct heat.
Copper can conduct heat incredibly fast and can lose this heat just as rapidly. If you opt for a pan thicker than 3mm, you’re likely to compromise this quality.
Pans that are too thick might not heat up evenly. However, you shouldn’t opt for pans that are too thinly lined either.
Any thinner than 2mm and your pan might not be functional at all. Your food will be much more prone to scorching, and you will easily damage your pan.
Hammered vs Smooth finish
You can find copper pots in a variety of finishes. Hammered or smooth finish are the two more popular options.
The smooth finish is pristine, while the hammered finish is mottled, with slight indentations. Initially, a hammered finish was indicative of a higher quality product.
However, nowadays, machines make all copper pots with similar processes, and the finish is merely a matter of aesthetic preference.
Both finishes are of high quality, so you can pick whichever one appeals to you more.
Linings
While the finish is merely an aesthetic preference, the lining is anything but. Most copper pans have a tin or stainless steel lining.
Of these two, the stainless steel lining is often the better option. It doesn’t rust, discolour or chip easily, making it incredibly durable.
It also doesn’t affect the pot’s ability to conduct heat, since only a thin lining. Tin lining, conversely, can wear out fast.
It can develop discolouration, and start to leach into your food. Apart from this drawback, a tin lining doesn’t impair the pan’s ability to conduct heat.
How to Care for your Copper Pans
Since copper pots and pans are quite expensive, you need to know how to take good care of them. Luckily, it’s pretty straightforward to care for these pans.
It’s essential for you to regularly polish your copper pans; otherwise, they’ll lose their lustre. Before you start polishing your copper pans, please give them a nice scrub with dish soap and warm water.
You can polish your pans using any speciality copper cleaner, helping keep rust and corrosion at bay. Another trick to keep your pans in great shape is by keeping them away from the dishwasher or any abrasive products.
Furthermore, you might not want to heat your copper pan when it’s empty. This rule applies to every pan, and the copper pan is no exception.
If your lining starts to deteriorate, it’s smart to get it repaired as soon as possible. Not only will this keep your food safe, but it’ll ensure the longevity of your pans.
Conclusion
Copper saucepans can make your kitchen look incredible easily. Their heat conductivity can let you cook even delicate proteins in a flash, without burning or scorching anything.
While they may be on the pricier side, this is definitely an investment that you won’t regret. So, get your hands on your copper set today, and watch your kitchen light up.
Andy
Ever since I started cooking I’ve been fascinated by how different people’s techniques are and how they best utilise the ingredients around them. Even the person living next door will have their own unique way of frying an egg or cooking a salmon fillet.
This fascination led me on a journey across the globe to discover the countless practices and traditions the world of cooking has to offer. I thought you’d enjoy and find value in sharing that journey with me so I created Cooked Best!