The Best Copper Cookware Pieces for Efficient Cooking

Best Frying Pan Set: Copper Chef Round Pan 3 Pack

4.4

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The three-piece set from Copper Chef includes an 8-inch frying pan, a 10-inch frying pan, and a 12-inch frying pan. It ensures you’ll always have the right size whether you’re cooking eggs for two or pancakes for the family.

The pans are made from aluminum, so they’re very lightweight and easy to handle. They have a proprietary Cerami-Tech outer coating, while the interior has a copper-colored nonstick ceramic coating. Our product tester finds the nonstick coating is extremely effective and praises the set's "lovely, shimmery shade of light copper"—though she notes that it lacks the same style and elegance of true copper cookware. A stainless steel bottom plate means that the pans heat evenly and can be used on induction cooktops. The handles are riveted on for security.

These pans should be seasoned before use but are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. The pans are heatproof to 850 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can use them in the oven, as well as on the stove.

Construction: Aluminum with copper-colored nonstick coating | Sizes Included: 8, 10, and 12-inch pan | Oven Safe: Up to 850 degrees | Induction-Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best Cookware Set: Lagostina Martellata Hammered Copper 10-Piece Cookware Set

4.8

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Copper cookware is stylish, but hammered copper cookware takes it to a whole new level, with an artisan look that is distinctive and classy. Lagostina has a wonderful hammered cookware set that is sure to look great in your kitchen.

The cookware has a thick aluminum core for efficient heat distribution and a stainless steel interior. The lids are also stainless steel. Besides being beautiful, the hammered copper exterior offers excellent heat control. Our product tester also loves that the handles are designed to be comfortable to hold while they stay cool on the stove.

The cookware is oven- and broiler-safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It is compatible with all stove types, except induction.

Construction: Aluminum core, copper exterior | Pieces Included: 8 and 10-inch skillets, 2 and 3-quart saucepans, 3-quart sauté pan, 6-quart stockpot plus lids | Oven Safe: Up to 500 degrees | Induction-Ready: No | Dishwasher Safe: No

Best Square Pan: Red Copper Square Pan 5 Piece Set

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Red Copper's Square Pan comes with extras that make it even more useful: a vented and tempered glass lid, a fry basket, and a steamer/roaster rack. The 4-inch high sides help reduce splattering and let you use it to cook sauces or when deep frying.

The interior is a copper-infused ceramic that is nonstick, scratch-resistant, and oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can use it in the oven and under the broiler. A helper handle makes it easy to move and empty the pan, even when it’s full. The pan should be seasoned before use. While it is dishwasher safe, hand washing is recommended.

Positive reviews highlight the pan's depth and high sides, which help prevent splattering. Many customers also rave about how easy the pan is to clean.

Construction: Aluminum core, copper-infused ceramic finish | Pieces Included: 10-inch pan, fry basket, steamer rack, and glass lid | Oven Safe: Up to 500 degrees | Induction-Ready: No | Dishwasher Safe: Yes, but hand washing is recommended

Best Jam Pot: Mauviel Copper Jam Pan with Bronze Handles

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Traditional jam pots are made from copper, like this 17.3-quart copper pan by Mauviel. The copper conducts heat efficiently, and the unlined interior doesn’t react with fruit acids or sugar. It’s perfect for turning excess or nearly-too-ripe crops of stone fruits or citrus into large batches of jams and jellies, as well as making candies like toffee and buttery caramel.

Mauviel has been making quality copper cookware in France for 170 years. This sturdy pan has bronze side handles with copper rivets for secure transport on and off the stovetop. Hand washing is recommended to ensure it gives you years of delicious jams. Customers give this jam pot high marks because nothing burns or sticks to the bottom. Plus, they love that it's heavy-duty and beautifully crafted.

Construction: 1.2 mm-gauge copper | Size: 15-inch unlined copper pot | Oven Safe: Up to 500 degrees | Induction-Ready: No | Dishwasher Safe: No

Best Saucepan: Gotham Steel Copper Covered Saucepan

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This attractive and affordable 3-quart saucepot has a copper-colored T-Cerama coating inside that releases food easily, no matter if you’re cooking rice or melting sugar to make candy, along with an elegant dark gray exterior. The coating is scratch-resistant and metal utensil-safe, so you can grab any spoon without worrying about damaging the pot. Several reviewers like that the pot is heavy-duty enough not to warp when heated, while its light weight makes it easy to maneuver.

The long handle is riveted on for safety and has a hanging hole on the end so it can hang on a pegboard or rack. The lid is glass, so it’s easy to monitor the cooking without letting the heat out. The pot is oven safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and the pot and lid are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning when cooking is done.

Construction: Aluminum base, titanium-ceramic coating | Pieces Included: 3-quart saucepan with lid, also available in 2, 5, and 7-quart options | Oven Safe: Up to 500 degrees | Induction-Ready: No | Dishwasher Safe: Yes

Best for Sugar: Mauviel M'Passion Sugar Saucepan

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Made specifically for sugar work, this 1.9-quart saucepan is made entirely from copper for ultimate heat control. It heats evenly so the sugar will melt evenly with no hot spots or burning, and it’s reactive to heat changes so the temperature can be controlled easily. Customers gave this specially designed saucepan positive reviews for its easy temperature control and how quickly it heats up, though they warn that because of its all-copper construction, the body and handle can get very hot.

The distinctive conical copper handle offers a secure grip and is attached to the body with copper rivets for security. A pouring spout on one side makes it simple to pour scalding hot syrup safely and accurately. Not just for sugar, this can be used for making small amounts of jam or other sweet sauces. This pan should be hand washed.

Construction: 2 mm-gauge copper | Sizes: 1.9-quart unlined copper pot, also available in 0.8-, 1.3-, 2.6-, 3.7-quart options | Oven Safe: Up to 680 degrees | Induction-Ready: Needs adapter disc | Dishwasher Safe: No

Best Stock Pot: All-Clad Copper C4508 C4 8 Qt. Stockpot with Lid

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This extra-large 8-quart stockpot has an attractive copper exterior and copper layers bonded with copper for excellent heat control. The layers extend all the way to the rim of the pot for even heating all around, along with perfect heat transfer from pot to food. The pot heats quickly to high temperatures for perfect searing and browning before lowering the temperature for low-and-slow braising or long-simmering stews. When it’s time for roasting or baking, the pot is oven and broiler safe to 600 degrees Fahrenheit, so there’s no need to worry about using it in a home oven at the highest heat. 

The interior, handles, and lid are stainless steel for an attractive accent next to the copper. Over time, the copper will darken, but that doesn’t affect the cooking performance. While some cooks admire the dark patina, it’s easy to polish it and return its original shine.

Construction: 4-ply bonded stainless steel and copper | Pieces Included: 8-quart stockpot with lid | Oven Safe: Up to 600 degrees | Induction-Ready: No | Dishwasher Safe: No