28 Sep
Taking Copper Cookware to the Next Level
Let’s start by getting something out of the way. Odds are pretty slim that you have any cookware in your house that is solid copper. There are pieces in existence, but it is rare in everyday use.
There are a couple downfalls to consider when thinking about copper. For starters, it will react poorly with acidic food. This reaction will add a taste to your food that you probably weren’t expecting. Feeling brave? Cook a tomato slice on copper and taste the difference (DON’T ACTUALLY DO THIS).
Copper also tarnishes when exposed to air and heat, turning from a brilliant copper shine to a dull brown. If you REALLY let your copper go it will turn green, like the copper Statue of Liberty.
The nice thing about copper, and the reason it is sought after in cooking, is that it conducts heat quickly and efficiently. This keeps the heat spread evenly on copper cookware and makes for excellent cooking.
So how do we take copper to the next level?
Copper Exterior Pots and Pans
One step up from solid copper would be something you’re much more likely to find: copper exterior.
This option allows the heat spreading powers of copper to be utilized while removing the flavor altering possibilities.
Generally, you’ll find this type of cookware with a stainless steel cooking surface.
While this is a step up, the exterior still remains open to oxidation and tarnish. Let’s take it up another notch.
Copper Bottom Pots and Pans
Although it might not be that much of a level switch, copper bottom cookware does offer a slight advantage. Not only will you still get heat conducting well on the cooking surface, there is less copper overall. Copper bottoms are generally found, again, on stainless steel cookware. Since stainless steel is easy to clean, this make overall maintenance less of a hassle.
You’ll still have copper tarnish to deal with, but less surface area to worry about polishing and cleaning.
How do we take copper cooking to its full potential?
Copper Core Pots and Pans
The best way I could find was by using All Clad Copper Core pots. This All Clad cookware has the copper on the inside, between two stainless steel layers. It has all of the conductivity bonuses of copper without exposure to air. Win, win.
As you go up in level, you also go up in price. Whatever your spending limit may be, you should be able to find copper cookware out there that is right for you. I know I did!
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