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American-Made Copper Pots and Pans: Vintage Charm and Modern Perfection All Rolled Into One
I find the classic, warm beauty of copper cookware absolutely stunning and admire those of you who cook with it. I bring the look of it into my kitchen with vintage copper molds and teapots, but admittedly, I’d never follow through with the upkeep of cooking with copper. If you’re attracted to copper’s stunning appearance, American-made copper cookware offers timeless beauty. And if you’re drawn to copper’s performance, copper cookware made in the USA provides a safe and reliable cooking experience. Let’s get into it!
Jump to the list of copper cookware made in the USA, or keep reading to learn about the types of American-made copper cookware and some things to keep in mind before you buy.
What’s to Love About Copper Cookware?
Copper cookware is a favorite among professional chefs and cooking enthusiasts, prized for its superior performance and unique beauty. It heats up quickly, distributes heat evenly, and cools down fast to prevent overcooking. Plus copper is naturally resistant to microbes, adding an additional layer of safety when preparing meals.
Because copper is reactive, it can leach into acidic foods. That’s why all copper cookware made in the USA is lined with tin or silver, or clad with stainless steel allowing you to enjoy the benefits of cooking with copper without the unwanted reactions.
The top benefits of copper cookware made in the USA include:
1. Exceptional Heat Conductivity
Copper heats up quickly and distributes heat evenly, eliminating hot spots that can cause uneven cooking. This makes it ideal for delicate recipes like sauces and caramel that require precise temperature control.
2. Quick Responsiveness to Temperature Changes
Unlike other metals, copper responds almost instantly when you adjust the heat. This is especially beneficial for dishes requiring frequent temperature shifts, like searing meat or simmering a reduction.
3. Aesthetic Appeal
Copper cookware is undeniably beautiful. Many home cooks display their copper pots and pans as part of their kitchen decor. Over time, copper develops a natural patina, giving it a vintage, well-loved look.
4. Longevity
High-quality copper cookware can last a lifetime if properly maintained. Many pieces are passed down through generations, becoming treasured family heirlooms.
What’s Not to Love?
Copper cookware is a bit high-maintenance, but it’s worth it if you love the look and want the benefits of its heat conductivity. To keep you copper cookware in great shape:
- Polish it regularly if you want to keep that shiny, new-copper glow. A mix of lemon juice and salt works wonders!
- Hand wash only, dishwashers and copper do NOT mix.
- Avoid metal utensils on tin-lined pans to prevent scratching.
- Skip acidic foods in unlined copper (tomatoes, vinegar, citrus).
Types of Copper Cookware
Not all copper cookware is the same. There are a few main types, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. We’ll go over the three main types below to help you decide which one suits your cooking needs best.
Bare Copper Cookware
Bare copper cookware is made entirely of copper without any interior lining, making it highly conductive and responsive to temperature changes. While it excels at precise heat control, it’s not ideal for everyday cooking because copper reacts with acidic foods like tomatoes and vinegar, which can lead to a metallic taste and potential toxicity.
However, it has specialized uses, such as copper mixing bowls that help stabilize egg whites for baking. Bare copper is also most prone to developing a patina over time, which some cooks appreciate for its charm. Due to its reactivity, most cooks opt for lined copper cookware or copper-core cookware.
- 100% copper-no lining.
- Best for specialty uses (like whipping egg whites).
- Reacts with acidic foods-not ideal for everyday cooking.
Lined Copper Cookware
Lined copper cookware features a copper exterior for excellent heat conductivity, while the interior is coated with either tin or stainless steel to create a safe, non-reactive cooking surface. Tin-lined copper is traditional and naturally non-stick but requires careful use, as tin can wear down over time and may need re-tinning. Stainless steel-lined copper, on the other hand, is more durable and low maintenance, though it slightly reduces the copper’s heat responsiveness.
Both options allow cooks to enjoy copper’s precise temperature control without the risk of food reacting with the metal, making lined copper cookware a popular choice for professional and home kitchens alike.
- Tin-lined: Traditional, non-stick, but needs re-tinning over time.
- Stainless steel-lined: More durable, easy to maintain, and still gives you copper’s heat benefits.
Copper Core Cookware
Similar to aluminum-core cookware, copper-core cookware made in the USA features a layer of copper sandwiched between stainless steel, combining copper’s superior heat conductivity with the durability and ease of maintenance that stainless steel provides. This design allows for even heat distribution without hot spots while eliminating the need for frequent polishing, as the copper is not exposed.
Brands like All-Clad offer high-quality copper core cookware made in the USA, which provides the precision heating of copper with the non-reactive, scratch-resistant properties of stainless steel. While it doesn’t have the striking appearance of fully copper cookware, it delivers excellent performance with less upkeep, making it a great choice for those who want the benefits of copper without the high maintenance.
- Features a copper layer sandwiched between stainless steel.
- It doesn’t require polishing, but it still heats evenly and quickly.
American-Made Cookware: Is Copper Right for You?
If you want precision cooking and don’t mind a little upkeep, copper cookware made in the USA is a fantastic choice. If you’d rather have something lower maintenance, consider American-made cast iron cookware or stainless steel cookware made in the USA.
The Complete List of Copper Cookware Made in the USA
All-Clad copper core cookware and lined copper pots & pans are bonded, engineered, & assembled in the USA. Additionally, All-Clad stainless steel cookware is made in the USA.
The 5-ply stainless steel bonded copper-core collection is compatible with gas, electric, and induction stovetops and oven safe to 600°F. It’s also dishwasher safe.
Note that All-Clad non-stick bakeware, nonstick cookware, and ceramic cookware are made in China.
- Brooklyn Copper Cookware: The crafters of Brooklyn Copper Cookware spend most of their time making each copper pot and pan by hand. Because BCC copper cookware is limited production, selling windows only open once or twice per year and it usually sells out within 48 hours.
- Duparquet: The Duparquet silver-lined copper cookware line is handmade in America and offers frypans, saucepans, saute pans, and lids as well as some copper serveware.
- Hammersmith Cookware: Copper saucepans, saute pans, frying, au gratin, and braiser pans with manganese bronze handles and 5/16” hand-set copper rivets in your choice of tin or silver lining.
Did I miss any copper cookware made in the USA? Let me know in the comments!
