The Best Copper Cookware Pieces for Efficient Cooking

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. During our testing, we observed even simmering, and recorded consistent temperatures across the heated pans. We also love 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. Of course, since this is copper, you will have to hand-wash the separate pieces, each and every time.

Price at time of publish: $381

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

Best Budget

Anolon 75818 Nouvelle Stainless Steel Cookware

4.2

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Copper cookware can be prohibitively expensive, but this set from Anolon provides a nice combination of copper performance and exceptional value. Priced at just a fraction of other copper cookware sets, this includes a nice assortment of saucepans, frying pans, a stockpot, and saute pan, all constructed of stainless steel with a copper bottom.

We found the pans to be made of high-quality material, though they are a bit heavy thanks to their 5-layer construction. Somewhat slow to heat, when they were up to temperature, they held and evenly distributed heat very well, without any noticeable hot spots. The angled sides of the pans made it easy to toss vegetables and meat. One drawback is that these pans might be too small if you tend to cook in large quantities, but they might be perfect for a single person or couple. They're surprisingly versatile too, as they are induction compatible and can also be used in the oven up to 500 degrees.

These are technically dishwasher-safe, but the manufacturer warns that harsh detergents can cause the cookware to discolor, so hand-washing is recommended. Like with most stainless steel, you may have to use a bit of elbow grease to remove any stubborn food, but with some soaking and gentle scrubbing, you'll be able to return your pans to like new.

Price at time of publish: $300

Construction: Stainless steel, copper base | Oven Safe: Up to 500 degrees | Induction Safe: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes but handwashing is recommended | Pieces Included: 1.25- and 2.5-quart saucepans with lids, 6.5-quart stockpot with lid, 8- and 10.5-inch frying pans, and 3-quart sauté pan with lid

Best For Induction

Viking 4-Ply Contemporary 9-Piece Copper Cookware Set

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Most copper cookware is already quite spendy, but this comprehensive set from Viking feels like a "reasonable" splurge, priced well below copper sets with a similar piece count. The set includes 10-inch and 12-inch open fry pans, a 3.4-quart saucepan with lid, steamer insert, a 4.8-quart sauté pan with lid, and an 8-quart Dutch oven with lid that can be used as a stockpot. The pieces have a nice weight to them without feeling too heavy and the contemporary silhouette is a nice change from the more ornate shapes that are common with copper cookware.

These pieces feature an aluminum core surrounded by stainless steel and a solid copper exterior which helps conduct heat. One of the best things about this set is that it can be used on induction, which isn't always the case when it comes to copper. The pans and lids are also oven-safe up to 600 degrees, making them wonderfully versatile.

Like nearly all copper pieces, these should be hand-washed and can be left to patina, or polished to maintain their high shine. The set comes backed with a limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials or workmanship.

Price at time of publish: $934

Construction: Copper and stainless steel | Oven Safe: Up to 600 degrees | Induction Safe: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: No | Pieces Included: 10-inch and 12-inch open fry pans, 3.4-quart saucepan with lid, 4.8-quart sauté pan with lid, 8-quart Dutch oven with lid, steamer insert

Best Frying Pan

Hestan 8.5-Inch CopperBond Skillet

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Frying pans are a workhorse in many kitchens, coming in clutch for sautéing, searing, and even making sauces on the fly. This Italian-made skillet from Hestan is not just beautiful, it's modeled after those used in professional kitchens, made of five layers of 18/10 stainless steel and a 100-percent copper core for ultimate heat control. On the plus side, it makes the pan extremely durable, but for some, it might feel a bit heavy—something to consider when purchasing. But in action, this pan's weight keeps it steady on your cooktop, while heating up fast and responding quickly to changes in temperature, checking all the boxes for a high-performing piece of cookware.

This skillet also boasts a larger contact area than other pans of a similar diameter, making it a wonderful choice for induction ranges, while giving you a little bit more room to cook. It's oven safe to 600 degrees, so you can take it from the stovetop to the oven—great for finishing dishes under the broiler.

Though this piece is hand-wash only, the flat rivets are easy to clean (they also allow you to nest multiple pans). The one pain point of this skillet is the price—it's very expensive for a single piece and lids must be purchased separately—but for such fantastic quality, it's a worthy investment.

Price at time of publish: $230

Construction: Copper and stainless steel | Oven Safe: Up to 600 degrees | Induction Safe: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: No | Available Sizes: 8.5-inch, 11-inch, and 12-inch

Best Stock Pot

All-Clad Copper C4 8-Quart 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.

Price at time of publish: $550

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

Best Saucepan

Mauviel Copper M'150 B Saucepan

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If you're looking for a copper saucepan, Mauviel offers the M'150B model in four sizes, from a 1.25-quart version for small tasks like warming butter, to a 3.5-quart size that is handy for making Thanksgiving gravy and other sauces. This trusted brand specializes in French-made copper cookware and is used in professional kitchens worldwide, so you can be sure this saucepan will perform beautifully.

Each of these pans is made with a double stainless steel interior and a 1.5-millimeter copper exterior, enough to offer excellent heat conduction and light enough for easy maneuverability. These saucepans also come with domed lids that help to retain moisture and heat, and can be used in the oven.

This saucepan is ideal for gas and electric stovetops and is not compatible with induction (you can purchase an induction interface disc from Mauviel separately). Like other copper pieces, it should be hand washed and dried after use and can be polished to maintain a high-shine exterior.

Price at time of publish: $226

Construction: Copper and stainless steel | Oven Safe: Yes but max heat not specified | Induction Safe: No | Dishwasher Safe: No | Available Sizes: 1.25-quart, 2-quart, 2.75-quart, and 3.5-quart

Best Large Sauté

Made In Copper Saucier

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Small frying and sauté pans are fine when you’re cooking eggs or flipping a stir fry, but a large, shallow cooker is great for all sorts of one-pot meals and more. This pan by Made In is composed of 90 percent copper and 10 percent stainless steel, offering the superior heat conduction you'd expect from a restaurant-quality pan. Its versatile shape lends itself well to making risotto or braising meats, as well as creating sauces and soups.

It has a 9-inch cooking diameter with 4.9-inch walls, tall enough to prevent splattering when frying and sautéing. You can transfer this pan from the stove to the oven, as it can withstand temperatures up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit. The 5.2-quart capacity is large enough to cook food for the family or a party, and the copper exterior adds a touch of elegance to the kitchen.

Price at time of publish: $440

Construction: 90 percent copper and 10 percent stainless steel | Oven Safe: Up to 800 degrees | Induction Safe: No | Dishwasher Safe: No | Pieces Included: 5.2-quart sauté pan with lid

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.

Price at time of publish: $320

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