Did you know copper is a sustainable and eco-friendly choice for cookware?

• Copper is a natural and abundant resource that can be easily recycled and repurposed.
• Copper cookware is long-lasting and durable, reducing the need for frequent replacements and reducing waste.
• Copper is a natural and non-toxic material that does not release harmful chemicals into the environment.
• Copper cookware can be easily cleaned and maintained, reducing the need for harsh chemicals.

There is no doubt that copper cookware is the pinnacle of luxury kitchenware, but what are the benefits of copper cookware? Well, there are several surprising reasons why you should use copper cookware and why they are worth the investment.

Copper has been used over 10,000 years ago and its popularity grew as civilizations improved their metallurgical technique.  The use of copper has been well-documented in ancient Egypt, where it was used for containers and cookware, but also in medical practices.  You may not be aware that copper has antimicrobial properties and this material was used to sterilize wounds and also containers that were used for drinking water.  Germs and bacteria can’t survive on copper, thanks to its antibacterial properties and it’s also for this reason that copper is used for so many things other than cookware.

Properties of Copper

Copper is also a fantastic heat conductor—it distributes heat evenly and efficiently, minimizing hot spots. This metal also performs best with low temperatures, which saves you energy. This makes copper pots ideal for making sauces since there’s less chance of burning occurring.

Copper is highly durable, many old copper pots from decades ago can still be found today in antique shops and in useable condition as long as it is lined with another non-reactive metal.

Copper is very attractive and beautiful to look at. A set of shiny copper pans hanging up in your kitchen is an eye catching and decorative feature.

Care and Maintenance

You’ll mostly find copper pans and pots inner clad with stainless steel. These are more robust than tin-plated copper and won’t lead to any discoloration.  Copper pans require frequent and careful maintenance to ensure their longevity. It is recommended that you only wash and dry copper by hand, otherwise, you run the risk of discoloration and spotting. 

You should take extra care not to scratch or damage the lining. If your kitchenware has a tin lining, ensure that you get it re-tinned as needed. 

Pure copper cookware doesn’t have a lining; instead, food is cooked directly on the metal and is often used by pastry chefs for making sweet foods, such as jams, syrups and caramels. Jam pans for instance, are made of bare copper since there's enough sugar in jam to prevent the fruit acids from reacting with the metal. However, pure copper cookware contains ions that react negatively with acid, which results in off-flavours.  Avoid ingredients such as tomatoes, lemon juice, and wine, among others. 

How Do You Keep Copper Pots Shiny?

To keep copper cookware shiny, try the following:

Lemon and salt: Use half a lemon with some sprinkled salt as a mild abrasive to remove soot and other dark spots. Rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth.

Baking soda and lemon paste: Create a paste using equal parts of baking soda and lemon. Apply to a soft cloth and proceed to rub the copper. Rinse and dry. 

White vinegar: Take a soft cloth and saturate with white vinegar. Then, rub the surface. Ensure you keep the cloth moving  to a clean spot for a super shiny finish.

Buying Copper Cookware

Copper cookware is pricier than traditional pots and pans due to these factors;

• Copper in its raw state is more expensive to buy than aluminum, steel or cast iron.
• It’s also pricier due to demand, less demand pushes up the price.

 So, why use copper cookware? I can imagine many wondering why use copper cookware when you can have the convenience of less expensive functional pans.  However, if you have the budget, a good copper pan is hard to beat.