The Best Copper Cookware That’s Worth Every Penny

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Following Oct 4, 2023, 05:15pm EDT | Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin No type of cookware is quite as aspirational as copper. While it doesn’t come cheap, the best copper cookware offers superior heat conductivity on top of being downright gorgeous. For those who are ready to invest in some heirloom-quality pots and pans from an iconic French manufacturer, the Mauviel Copper M’3 S 7-Piece Cookware Set is a timeless collection that’s worth every penny—but it’s not the only set that can add elegance to your home kitchen.

For those drawn to the texture of hammered copper, the Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper Cookware . . .

[+] Set—which features lid knobs shaped like acorns—is as beautiful as it gets. Illustration: Forbes / Image: Retailers Though copper cookware’s best-known quality might be its beauty, it has more than good looks going for it. Stainless steel may be the most versatile material while cast iron wins the durability contest, but copper has unmatched heat conductivity.

In other words, “If you are cooking and the [copper] pan starts to get too hot, simply removing it from the heat source cools it down much quicker than aluminum and certainly faster than heat-holding cast iron,” explains Roger Sitrin, lead recreational–chef instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education. For this reason, copper cookware excels at searing extra-thick proteins as well as preparing delicate sauces and jams. Ahead, here are the best copper pots and pans to make your kitchen and cooking routine feel that much more sophisticated.

(And if you’re not ready to shell out yourself, maybe remind your loved ones that copper cookware makes a great anniversary or wedding gift . ) Best Copper Cookware Set Overall: Mauviel Copper M’3 S 7-Piece Cookware Set Best Value Copper Cookware: Cuisinart Copper Tri-Ply Stainless 8-Piece Cookware Set Best Splurge Copper Cookware: Mauviel Copper M’150 B 15-Piece Cookware Set Best Hammered Copper Cookware: Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper 7-Piece Cookware Set Best Induction-Safe Copper Cookware: Viking Copper Clad 4-Ply Contemporary 9-Piece Cookware Set Best Copper Frying Pan: Hestan CopperBond Open Skillet Fry Pan Best Copper Cookware Set Overall A Timeless Set From One Of The Best Brands In The Game Williams Sonoma Mauviel Copper M’3 S 7-Piece Cookware Set Buy From Williams Sonoma Included pieces: 10-inch fry pan, 2-quart saucepan with lid, 3. 5-quart sauté pan with lid, 6.

5-quart stew pan with lid | Materials: Copper, aluminum and stainless steel | Dishwasher safe: No | Oven safe: Up to 500 degrees When shopping for copper cookware, you’re bound to see the name Mauviel come up time and time again. This French brand has been crafting professional-grade cookware since the early 19th century—and this set, which includes the most essential pots and pans, stands up to the brand’s reputation. “They are durable, look great and perform beautifully,” says Sitrin, who considers Mauviel his favorite brand in the space.

(“They are definitely worth the investment,” he adds. ) With a stainless steel interior, aluminum core and copper exterior, each piece in this collection can help you cook like a pro for years to come. Best Value Copper Cookware A Dependable Set That Doesn’t Cost An Arm And A Leg Sur La Table Cuisinart Copper Tri-Ply Stainless 8-Piece Cookware Set Buy From Sur La Table Included pieces: 8-inch skillet, 10-inch skillet, 2.

5-quart saucepan with lid, 4-quart sauté pan with lid, 6-quart stockpot with lid | Materials: Copper, aluminum, and stainless-steel | Dishwasher safe: No | Oven safe: Up to 500 degrees A set of copper cookware can easily cost thousands of dollars—but this set from Cuisinart proves that it doesn’t have to. Coming in at $300, this collection includes two skillets, a saucepan, a sauté pot and a stockpot, each of which are crafted from 18/10 stainless steel and feature an aluminum core with a professional-grade copper exterior. Better yet, the handles are designed with “cool grip” technology, meaning you don’t have to reach for oven mitts whenever you want to adjust the pots and pans on the stovetop.

Best Splurge Copper Cookware A Lust-Worthy Complete Set Of Pots And Pans Williams Sonoma Mauviel Copper M’150 B 15-Piece Cookware Set Buy From Williams Sonoma Included pieces: 8-inch fry pan, 10-inch fry pan, 12-inch fry pan, 1. 25-quart saucepan with lid, 1. 75-quart curved saucepan with lid, 2-quart saucepan with lid, 3.

5-quart saucepan with lid, 3. 5-quart sauté pan with lid, 5-quart rondeau pan with lid | Materials: Copper and stainless steel | Dishwasher safe: No | Oven safe: Up to 500 degrees Think of this cookware set from Mauviel as a larger, slightly fancier version of our top pick overall. Not only does the 15-piece set include every size fry pan and saucepan that the average home cook could possibly need, but each piece is crafted with 1.

5-millimeter copper, which offers the absolute best heat conductivity and temperature control. Additionally, the stainless steel interior is nonreactive, which means you can cook anything in it (including acidic sauces like marinara and beurre blanc). The only downside of this set is its high price.

Thanks to its premium construction, though, it should last decades and decades. Best Hammered Copper Cookware Heirloom-Quality Pots And Pans Handcrafted In Italy Williams Sonoma Ruffoni Historia Hammered Copper 7-Piece Cookware Set Buy From Williams Sonoma Included pieces: 10-inch fry pan with lid, 2. 5-quart saucepan with lid, 4-quart chef’s pan, 4.

75-quart stockpot with lid | Materials: Copper, tin, bronze | Dishwasher safe: No | Oven safe: Up to 450 degrees If you’re drawn to the look and texture of hammered metal, this set from Ruffoni is the real deal. Each piece is crafted from a single sheet of copper that gets hand-hammered in Italy, yielding a gorgeous exterior that glistens in the light. And while the interior of the pots and pans are lined with tin (which you typically don’t want), the tin is non-reactive, meaning you can cook without fear.

But the best part? The gold acorn-sharped knobs on the lids, which add even more visual appeal to an already-beautiful collection. Best Induction-Safe Copper Cookware A Versatile, Classic Cookware Set For All Stovetops Crate & Barrel Viking Copper-Clad 4-Ply Contemporary 9-Piece Cookware Set Buy From Crate & Barrel Included pieces: 10-inch fry pan, 12-inch fry pans, 3. 4-quart saucepan with lid and steamer insert, 4.

8-quart sauté pan with lid, 8-quart stockpot with lid | Materials: Copper, aluminum, and stainless-steel | Dishwasher safe: No | Oven safe: Up to 600 degrees Whether you just moved into a new house or you’re renovating your kitchen, finding induction cookware is easier said than done. Fortunately, this 9-piece set from Viking fits the bill. Featuring an aluminum core, a stainless steel interior and a beautiful copper exterior, this induction-friendly set gives you the look and feel of traditional copper cookware with the flexibility of stainless steel.

Also, it can withstand higher oven temperatures—up to 600 degrees. Best Copper Frying Pan An Induction-Friendly Pan Featuring a Copper Core Williams Sonoma Hestan CopperBond 11-Inch Open Skillet Fry Pan Buy From Williams Sonoma Included pieces: 11-inch fry pan | Materials: Copper, aluminum and stainless steel | Dishwasher safe: No | Oven safe: Up to 600 degrees If all you want is a single copper frying pan for searing thick steaks and sautéing vegetables, this Hestan skillet—which is available in 8. 5, 11 and 12 inches—is a fantastic piece to add to your existing cookware collection.

“Heston sandwiches copper with stainless steel to get the properties of copper at a lower cost and higher durability,” explains Sitrin. It’s a genius solution, making this fry pan worth the investment. Bonus: It’s induction safe, too.

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