Maybe you spotted a set browsing through Williams-Sonoma, or your best friend just got some as a wedding gift. Maybe you just saw a set on TV and were drawn by the deep metallic shine. Either way, copper cookware is gaining popularity in American homes, and for good reason. However, you need to do your research. There are many advantages to copper cookware, but there are plenty of disadvantages, too.
Pros
Copper is an excellent conductor of heat. Next to silver it is the best of any metal, so, unless you want to drop however many thousands of dollars a set of silver cookware would probably cost, copper is your best bet. Because of its conductive abilities, copper cookware reduces cooking times and requires less heat, saving you energy. It also disperses the heat more evenly, which helps to eliminate hot spots, making your job as the cook a lot easier.
It's beautiful. The bottom line is copper cookware looks great. Many people are drawn to it based purely on looks, and there is nothing wrong with that. When it isn't being used, it is enhancing the appearance of your kitchen.
It's easy to clean. They usually come with coatings that make it easier to clean off little bits of burnt-on food.
Cons
It's expensive. Copper cookware is some of the priciest on the market. If you want some of copper's conductive abilities, without sacrificing an arm and a leg, cookware is available that is made from a sheet of copper sandwiched between other metals. It doesn't conduct heat as well, but it's still superior to most cookware.
It doesn't work on all cooktops. If you have a kitchen with a fancy induction cooktop, the cookware will not conduct the heat due to copper's molecular structure. They do make disks of a metal that is compatible with the cooktop to place between the copper pan and the burner, but it still diminishes copper's conductive abilities.
Copper reacts with acids. Due to this reaction, the copper has to be lined with another metal, such as tin, which does not react with acids. If this lining fades, the cookware could be tarnished by acidic foods, or the metal could leach into what you are cooking and cause illness.
With this knowledge, you'll be able to make an informed decision about copper cookware. You'll need to consider how well this cookware will work with your kitchen, not to mention your budget, before you go shopping.
 | An essential piece of the culinary puzzle is your cookware. Focus your options around how you cook, durable materials and care and maintenance before setting your budget. |
 | Cleaning cookware is an easily accomplished task, but one that should be tackled immediately after cookware becomes dirty. When dirty cookware is allowed to sit, stains may set in that will require scrubbing or soaking. Since scrubbing can harm most cookware, allowing stains to set in is obviously not the best idea. In the event of stubborn stains and tarnishes, however, vinegar is almost always the quick fix you're in need of. |
 | Buying cookware seems an easy task. Head for a big box store, pick out the color or design that attracts you the most, and "voila!" go home and whip up culinary masterpieces like a Julia Child. Hold on! |
 | My Grandma used cast iron cookware almost everyday. She actually preferred it over the expensive set of pots and pans that were seldom used. "The good stuff" as my Grandpa called it was stored in the back of a cupboard and succeeded quite well, at taking up space. |
Your guide to buying, caring for and cleaning cookware so your investment lasts for years to come. |&&| |
