The 8 Best Copper Cookware Sets For Your Kitchen

If you want to create professional quality work, you need to use professional quality tools. This mantra is no different in the kitchen. In terms of cookware, copper is the way to go.

Copper cookware is the preferred material of professional chefs for a reason – it conducts heat incredibly well, it lasts long, and it looks great. Unfortunately, it can also be expensive. For this reason, it’s important to make sure you know exactly what you’re paying for. Here’s a breakdown of the best copper cookware sets available on the market.

Joyoushousehold.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

1. Gotham Steel Hard Anodized Premium Cookware Set, 13 Piece

If you’ve spent a lot of time in kitchens, you’re probably familiar with Gotham Steel. That’s no mistake. With this 13 piece premium set, Gotham Steel demonstrates why their name rings so familiar. I

t includes a nice range of basic cookware. Inside you’ll find an 8” skillet, a 10” frying pan, a 12.5” frying pan, a 1.5-quart sauce pan, a 2.5-quart sauce pan, a 3-quart chef’s pan, a 3-quart sauté pan, and a 6-quart stock pot. All of these pots and pans feature a break resistant glass lid and a hard-anodized aluminium coating. 

Pros

• The anodized coating is very durable 
• The 2.8mm base is the ideal thickness
• The cookware is dishwasher and oven safe
• The non-stick coating is top quality

The Gotham Steel Hard Anodized Premium Cookware Set is sturdy, reliable, and easy to clean. The hard-anodized aluminium coating uses high-grade titanium and ceramic which can withstand extreme heat on the stove top and is oven safe. We also love the clear glass lid, which is sleek and very handy. For the average cook making the change to copper, this set is our number one pick!

2. BulbHead Red Copper w/ Copper-Infused Ceramic Cookware Set, 10 Piece

Bulbhead certainly knows about style. Their 10 piece copper set includes all of the basic essentials: an 8” frying pan, 10” frying pan, 1.5-quart sauce pot, 2.5-quart sauce pot, and a 6-quart sauce pot with a steamer insert. While it’s the cheapest set we reviewed, don’t let the price fool you. BulbHead’s cookware is great quality, featuring a strong copper-infused ceramic lining and a heat proof exterior copper finish.

Pros

• The non-stick coating is free of chemicals, such as PTFEs and PFOAs
• The pots and pans are oven safe, which is very handy
• Great value
• Copper infused ceramic coating

The Bulbhead Red Copper Cookware Set is a versatile and safe option for your home. These pieces are all easy to clean, easy to use, and scratch resistant. The copper pans can handle up to 500 degree heat, and can switch easily from the oven to the stovetop. Throw in an eye-catching red copper finish, and you really can’t go wrong with this sleek set. 

3. Copper Chef Round Pan Cookware Set, 9 Piece

Copper Chef’s Round Pan Cookware set includes a 5.8 quart Casserole Pan, a 2.8 quart Sauce Pan, a 1 quart Sauce Pan, a 10″ Round Fry Pan, a 8″ Round Fry Pan, a 9 x 3.5″ Round Fry Basket, and a 9″ Round Steamer Tray Cooking Pan. It also comes with two lids which fit on every piece. To top it all off, the pots and pans all feature a stainless steel induction plate, meaning that you can use this set on practically any stove.

Pros

• Compatible with induction stoves
• Handy mesh fry basket
• Very easy to clean
• Cerama-Tech coating is PTFE and PFOA free

The Copper Chef Round Pan Cookware Set definitely earns its place on our list. While not as concerned with pure aesthetic as some others on our list, Copper Chef comes through with pure practicality. This is an affordable, easy to clean, and incredibly versatile set. It is both dishwasher safe and, unlike many copper pieces, heat proof up to an amazing 850°F. If you’re looking for a mid-sized set for everyday family cooking, make sure to take a look at Copper Chef!

4. Lagostina Martellata Hammered Copper 18/10 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set, 10 Piece

For the French, copper is the only material that belongs in the kitchen. It’s no surprise, then, that Lagostina knows how to make copper. The Lagostina Martellata set has a beautiful hammered aesthetic and includes everything you need to build a strong toolkit. Unlike your toolkit, these pieces will stun your guests. The gorgeous exterior is paired with a Tri-Ply stainless steel and aluminum lining and easy-pour flared edges. On top, you’ll find a sleek stainless steel lid for each pot and pan. In terms of sheer style, this is our number one choice.

Pros: 

• 18/10 stainless steel coating is effective and durable
• Stainless steel lids and handles
• Flared edges to allow for easy pouring and safe steam release
• Beautiful hammered exterior

Lagostina is a company with a reputation. It was established in France over 100 years ago and has been making beautiful copper cookware ever since. With this hammered copper set, Lagostina demonstrates that experience counts. From the flared edges to the stainless steel handles, everything on this 10-piece set doubles down on both practicality and style. 

5. Home Hero Copper Pots and Pans Set, 23 Piece

This Home Hero set is the largest cookware set we reviewed. It includes a full range of cookware, so you will receive everything you need in the kitchen! On top of that, the producers throw in a very useful cleaning kit (3 pan protectors, 2 cleaning sponges, and 2 pan scrapers). With this addition, Home Hero lets us know that they care about making your kitchenware last.

Pros:

• Largest cookware set reviewed
• Compatible with induction stoves
• Easy to clean and non-stick 
• Cleaning kit included

The Home Hero cookware set contains a full range of cookware. We were initially a little wary of the size of the set, but were surprisingly impressed by the quality of these pieces. With heavy duty exteriors, ergonomic handles, and sleek ceramic lining, these pieces are top of the line. If you are looking for an entire kitchen set, this is the way to go!

6. Gotham Steel Cookware with Nonstick Durable Ceramic Copper Coating, 20 Piece

Once again, Gotham Steel makes an appearance. This particular bundle includes a 20-piece, total kitchen set with a Tri-Cerama coating. While not quite top tier, everything included is of really great quality – ultra-durable, scratch proof, and safe to use with metal utensils. For the range of cookware in this set, you really can’t find a better price.

Pros:

• Dishwasher & oven safe 
• Scratch proof ceramic coating
• Total kitchen set
• Lightweight design

The Gotham Steel 20 Piece Cookware set is durable, lightweight, and easy to use. Lined with an award-winning Ti-Cerama coating, this set comes with everything you need: fry pans, stock pots, sauce pans, baking sheets, cake tins, steamers, and more. It is dishwasher safe, meaning you don’t have to worry about a lengthy clean up after you sit down to eat!

7. Michelangelo Essential Copper Cookware Set, 12 Piece

Michelangelo is, perhaps, the greatest artist of them all. With this homage, Michelangelo cookware reminds us that cooking should be artful and inspiring. The Michelangelo Essential Copper Cookware set includes a 5qt Large Stock Pot & 8″ steamer insert, a 1.5qt Saucepan, a 3qt Saucepan, a 3.5qt Saute pan, a small skillet, and a medium skillet. The ergonomic handles on these pots make them comfortable and easy to use. 

Pros:

• Non-stick ceramic and titanium coating
• Ergonomic handles
• Clear glass lid
• Tri-ply construction base 

Michelangelo has been making kitchenware for almost a century, and their experience definitely shows here. It’s hard not to love these easy-clean, sleek copper pans. With 12 pieces of copper cookware included, this set can be the foundation of your entire kitchen. Michelangelo lives up to its name, and these black and copper pieces will look great on your shelves for years to come.

8. Kutime Non-Stick Copper Cookware Set, 10 Piece

If you love to cook on an induction or gas stove, Kutime’s non-stick copper set is the way to go. This 10 piece set includes 8″ & 9.5″ frying pans, 8″ & 9.5″ stockpots, and 6″ & 7″ milk pans. With light, insulated handles and a three-layer stainless steel bottom, these pieces are easy and incredibly effective. While not quite as stylish as some of the other sets we reviewed, Kutime more than makes up for that in real-kitchen practicality.

Pros:

• Anti-warp, insulated handles
• Extreme heat resistance
• Compatible with induction stoves
• Year long warrantee 

Kutime’s Non-Stick Copper Cookware Set is a consumer favorite for a reason. This copper cookware really pairs quality with value, providing a strong entry-level kitchen set. On top of that, its resistant ceramic coating keeps that signature copper colour. If you’re looking for a sturdy, efficient set to break into the copper cooking world, you can’t do much better.

Things To Consider Before Buying Copper Cookware:

So, you’re sold. You’ve decided to make the plunge and go copper! Well, there are a few important things to consider before buying an expensive cookware set.

First of all, it’s necessary to think about exactly what you’ll be using it for. Copper cookware is very heat responsive – it gains and loses heat conductivity quickly. This is one of the reasons that it is so well loved – heat responsivity is great for precision and temperature control! This means, for instance, that copper is great for sauteing or cooking sauces.

However, its reaction to heat also means that certain copper pans may not be the best option when dealing with extreme heat. Under extreme heat, a copper pan can get damaged. Don’t worry, though! This doesn’t mean that you should avoid copper just because you love to sear fish or steak – it just means that if you do a lot of searing, you should make sure that your cookware is lined with something that can handle it, like stainless steel or ceramic! 

One of the perks of copper is its beautiful exterior. For some, this is its biggest selling point – there is nothing like a neat row of gleaming copper pots. Whether copper is hammered, stamped, or rolled, it tends to look amazing on your shelves.

Take a moment to look at the various designs and decide which looks right to you. Nowadays, most copper is not handmade but, if you’re really lucky, you might be able to find someone skilled in the incredibly difficult task of spinning copper. If you do, it might be worth the splurge!

Another thing to think about is clean up. If you need dishwasher safe pots and pans, it’s important to remember that many copper cookware sets are not dishwasher safe. Generally speaking, it is better to handwash copper. That being said, certain companies place coatings over bare copper which make the pots and pans dishwasher safe. So, if you cook for a crowd or need a quick clean up, make sure to check the coating on your set before you buy it. 

What Features are Important When Buying the Best Copper Cookware?

When you’re making the change to a new material, it’s important to know what to look out for. Certain things, such as the method of production, are mostly personal preference. There is a lot of talk about the various methods of producing copper – hammered, stamped, or rolled – but, at the end of the day, the method itself is not particularly representative of quality. Instead, method of production matters more for appearance’s sake. 

Here are a few things that are more important to consider when trying to find the best cookware set for your needs.  

Thickness:

Insuring that your copper cookware has a desirable thickness level is vital when considering your options. Though a millimeter might seem insignificant, it can make all the difference when it comes to the actual performance of your copper pan.

The standard advice is that your copper pan should be between 2.5mm and 3mm thick. While a heavier pan might seem more durable and hardy, any pan thicker than 3mm will lose responsiveness and become difficult to use.

On the other hand, you should also avoid purchasing a copper cookware set that is too thin. If your pan is under 2mm thick, it is likely too thin to work effectively. As copper is an expensive metal, some companies skimp on the copper and end up producing cookware sets that are little more than decoration! 

Lining:

It is important that your cookware set is properly lined. Most copper cookware is lined with tin or stainless steel. Occasionally, copper cookware is lined with ceramic, nickel, or even silver.

Tin is the traditional lining for copper cookware. It features non-stick coating and is non-reactive, meaning that it is both easy to use and safe. The downside of tin is that it has a melting point of about 450°F, or 230°C, which is not an abnormal heat for a pan to reach. This means that a tin-coated pan should not be pre-heated and cannot be used at extreme heats. Tin is also pretty soft, which means that it may wear out and need to be re-tinned.

Stainless steel is much more durable than tin. It’s also just as safe. However, stainless steel is more difficult to use as it is not a naturally non-stick material. In fact, food seems to love stainless steel! It is also important to note that stainless steel is not easily repaired. If a stainless steel lining becomes damaged, you may need to buy a new pan.

Ceramic linings are not as common as tin or stainless steel. They can be a great choice as they are generally non-stick and durable. Unlike tin or stainless steel, a ceramic coating is not a second layer of metal but a glaze of hardened clay. For this reason, ceramic cookware should not go from extreme cold to extreme heat, or the other way around, because this transition could cause the glaze to crack.  

Nickel linings are not particularly common anymore, however, they were prevalent for a time so it is possible that you will come across an older set somewhere. Like stainless steel and tin, nickel is compatible with gas stoves. It can withstand slightly higher temperatures than tin and is better at heat conductivity than stainless steel. However, nickel is not very durable when applied to copper cookware and is more likely to degrade than stainless steel or tin. 

Handles:

Copper pots tend to come with either cast iron, stainless steel, or brass handles. Many now come with insulated or heat resistant handles. For some, this is just a matter of style and comfort – a stainless steel handle is sleek but offers little grip, cast iron is heavy but easy to hold. However, the primary difference between handles is their heat resistance and cooking capabilities.

For example, a stainless steel handle is oven safe up to 500°F, cast iron handles are generally entirely oven safe, and brass handles cannot be used in the oven. This means that you should take a moment to consider, once again, how you will be using your cookware. 

How to Properly Use Your Copper Cookware

Copper cookware has amazing heat conductivity. This is why it is used in electrical work and for hot water in residential and commercial buildings! It also has excellent heat distribution, meaning that the heat spreads evenly across the pan allowing for perfectly cooked meals. Due to the sensitivity of copper, a copper cookware set will take a little more care than standard, lower-end pots and pans.

First, it should be remembered that copper naturally cooks at a lower temperature than most other metals. This means that you will need to cook at a slightly lower heat and can expect things to cook a little bit faster than usual. It is also means that it is really important to avoid overheating your copper pans. Remember that pre-heating a copper pot or pan is not necessary! 

Another thing to keep in mind when making the change to copper is proper maintenance. It is inevitable that copper cookware will naturally become discolored as it ages. This is not an indication of poor quality and does not negatively impact cooking performance or ability in any way. However, as one of the major selling points for many people is the beauty and appearance of copper, it is important to take proper care of your set in order to keep it shining!

To start, this means avoiding the dishwasher unless otherwise instructed. It also means taking a little time for maintenance and restoration! Most people recommend polishing your copper at least once every six months. Though this sounds daunting, it is actually pretty simple. Proper maintenance can be done with just a few simple steps: first, rinse the pot completely (feel free to use soap); second, apply copper cleaning solution or a vinegar and baking soda mixture to a sponge or cloth; third, polish the copper gently; fourth, rinse and dry. 

Risks and Warnings

While Copper Cookware can be a game-changer in the kitchen and an excellent investment, there are a couple of things that should be taken into account when making the switch from your current metal of choice! 

The primary area of concern when it comes to copper is toxicity. Copper is a reactive metal. As a result, really acidy foods like vinegar can cause copper to leak into your food if your cookware set does not have the proper lining. This is important to know because ingesting copper can be toxic over long periods of time.

Generally speaking, this is only a concern when buying older, vintage sets as more recent copper cookware tends to come lined. As long as you make sure that the copper set you choose has a good, safe lining, there is nothing to worry about. The most important thing is to make sure that your copper cookware is actually intended for use in the kitchen and is not merely decorative!