Pros And Cons Of Using Copper Cookware

When choosing the perfect pots and pans for your home, the options seem endless. With so many home chefs around the world, the choice of cookware options has increased in recent years. In addition to the cookware brand, you also need to choose the material, whether you want steel, copper, or another type of cookware. Copper cookware is often considered top-tier, but is it right for you?

Copper cookware is beautiful, making it an ideal choice for display in your kitchen. Its appearance allows it to double as a serving dish. Copper heats quickly and evenly, enabling you to cook food like a professional. It is also quite durable. Some downsides to copper cookware include its difficult upkeep and high price point. You cannot put it in the dishwasher, and it can change the taste of food.

If you’re in the market for new pots and pans, you may have thought about copper. This cookware is elegant and professional, and its shine alone makes it enticing. While there are numerous benefits to this cookware, there are also some drawbacks. Below is a list of the top pros and cons of purchasing copper cookware to help you make the right decision for your kitchen.

Pros Of Copper Cookware

1. It’s The Perfect Cookware To Put On Display 

One of the most immediately noticeable benefits of copper cookware is its appearance. Cookware made of this metal has a beautiful shine. Unlike stainless steel pots that are usually run-of-the-mill and boring, most copper pots have a wow factor.

In addition to its color, this cookware is often well-designed. Many people enjoy showing off copper pots rather than hide them away. This is ideal for those with limited cabinet space, as you can store these large cooking essentials in the open and just about anywhere.

2. The Metal Heats Quickly 

Another reason to buy copper cookware involves the metal itself. Copper might look nice, but that’s not the reason this metal has been used to make pots and pans for centuries. Copper is a fantastic conductor, which means it heats and cools quickly.

This is beneficial for those who don’t want to wait forever for a pot to heat up. Furthermore, it allows a home chef to control the temperature better. You can quickly heat and cool a pan to your liking, ensuring each meal is cooked to perfection.

3. Very Sturdy And Durable

Copper cookware isn’t the cheapest, but you get what you pay for. While there are some low-quality copper kitchen items, the vast majority of copper cookware is high quality. Copper is a strong metal, which makes these kitchen tools durable and sturdy.

Copper is resistant to corrosion, which helps improve its longevity. Since it heats and cools quickly and is a strong metal, it is resistant to warping and damage. 

While it is possible to dent copper, it is a strong metal that allows it to withstand the abuse it will inevitably endure on the stove.

4. Cooks Food Evenly

Another reason chefs enjoy cooking with copper pots and pans is that this metal heats food evenly. Because it heats and cools quickly, it can also spread heat rapidly. This speed means the entire pot or pan maintains a similar temperature.

If you are constantly frustrated when one part of your pan is always burning when you cook, then copper pots and pans might be a wise investment. Even cooking comes in handy when you cook items like pancakes, omelettes, frittatas, and other meals where food lies flat on the entire surface of a pan.

5. Natural Anti-Microbial Properties

One lesser-known benefit of copper cookware is its anti-microbial properties. Copper releases its ions into food, particularly when ingredients are cooked in liquid. These ions help to break down and kill many micro-organisms, including bacteria and viruses.

Since food-borne viruses are quite common, these ions act as an extra line of defence against these tiny bacteria and viruses that can harm humans. Stainless steel and other cookware materials do not have these same anti-microbial properties.

6. Can Be Used As A Serving Vessel

Another great benefit to copper pots, pans, and accessories is that they can be used not only for cooking, but also for serving food. These vessels are beautiful, which means they should be on display not only in your kitchen, but also on the dinner table.

For those with limited storage space in the kitchen or a small kitchen with limited counter space, copper cookware can be a lifesaver. It eliminates the need to purchase decorative serving bowls and platters. Using cookware as serving dishes also makes cleanup easier, as it creates fewer dirty dishes. 

Cons Of Copper Cookware

1. It’s Expensive

With so many benefits to copper cookware, you might wonder why you don’t see it in every home. One of the main reasons copper cookware isn’t as mainstream as stainless steel is its price. Quality copper cookware is significantly more expensive than stainless steel.

For the price of one well-made copper pot, you can get a full set of budget-priced pots and pans made from cheaper metals. Therefore, while copper cookware is great, it isn’t a good option for those on a tight budget.

2. Time-Consuming To Maintain

Another downside to copper cookware is that it requires additional care and maintenance. Copper can tarnish, which means it must be treated and polished regularly to maintain its shine. While the metal itself is strong, the shiny exterior can be scratched easily. This means you shouldn’t use strong scrubbers, including steel wool or abrasive cleansers.

This added labor is less than ideal. For those who have busy lives and hate doing dishes, copper cookware is not the best choice.

3. Not Ideal For Slow Cooking As It Can Alter Taste

While copper is fantastic at cooking foods evenly and heating quickly, it becomes less ideal when slow cooking. In particular, copper is not ideal for slow-simmering stews and other meals cooked in stock pots. This is why you rarely see huge copper pots (they are also quite expensive).

Copper releases its ions into foods, especially in liquids. This doesn’t cause issues when sautéeing food, but when you slow-cook food for hours in a pot, it can alter the taste and even add toxins.

Even if you have copper cookware, you may want to consider owning a stainless steel stock pot. This will save you money and also reduce the risk of copper leaching into your food.

4. Often Lacks Non-Stick Qualities

Some copper pots are lined with either ceramic or tin, which makes the surface more or less non-stick. These lined pots usually cost more, and aren’t nearly as effective as other non-stick brands. 

If you fry eggs or cook a lot of food that requires searing, copper cookware might not be the best option. This is especially true if you aren’t a skilled chef. 

5. Can React Negatively To Certain Foods

Another downside to using copper pots is that certain foods can have a negative reaction when cooked with this metal. Acidic foods in particular react with copper. This causes the cookware to release ions that can alter the taste of the food, and not in a good way.

Acidic ingredients including tomatoes and vinegar can have an adverse reaction when cooked in copper. Even though many copper pots are lined with a protective layer inside, this layer may wear thin over time.

6. Not Dishwasher Friendly

One of the most disappointing aspects of copper cookware, and the reason so many people opt for pots and pans made of different metals, is that copper is not dishwasher safe. Dishwashers use high heat and lots of pressure. 

While this causes no issues with stainless steel, it can quickly damage copper pots, especially the shiny exterior. Even after one wash cycle, copper cookware can look dull and tarnished. If you use your dishwasher daily and despise handwashing dishes, it’s best to purchase stainless steel cookware.

Wrapping Up The Pros And Cons Of Copper Cookware

With the wide array of cookware options today, it can be hard to decide on a new set of pots and pans. Copper cookware, and its shiny exterior, may have caught your eye. There are many reasons to consider purchasing copper cookware. It is perfect to display, can double as serving dishes, and is durable and built to last. This metal also heats quickly and evenly, which is why so many home chefs love it.

Some reasons why copper cookware might not be right for you include its high price and the fact that it’s not dishwasher friendly. It requires additional maintenance, including polishing. This cookware is not ideal for slow cooking soups and stocks, as it can alter the flavor of your food.

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