Are you thinking of adding new pieces to your kitchen arsenal? Specifically, are you pondering whether you should get copper cookware or stainless-steel cookware? They are both great options. We understand that it might be a difficult decision.
You don’t have to look any further for help, though! Copper VS stainless steel cookware? Today, we’ll be putting the two to the test!
Introducing the Contenders: Copper Cookware and Stainless-Steel Cookware
Before we go any further, let’s get to know the two cookware.
Copper Cookware: The Aesthetic Cookware
First, let’s shine the light on copper cookware. Their aesthetic appeal might be one of the reasons they are popular, but that’s not all this cookware has to offer.
Copper cookware is a great partner if responsiveness is what you want in your kitchen tools. It heats up fast, and it cools down quickly. That makes it great for dishes that need quick temperature changes.
However, one of the reasons why you won’t find it in every household is its hefty price tag.
Stainless Steel Cookware: The Trusty Cookware
Stainless steel cookware is most probably known for being convenient cookware. You can probably find any kitchen piece you’re looking for in stainless steel. Additionally, this cookware is almost everywhere.
As you might expect, we’ve called it trusty cookware as every chef and cook has likely held stainless steel cookware at some point. When the other cookware can’t be there for you, the stainless-steel cookware could probably lend you a hand.
Copper vs. Stainless Steel Cookware
Okay, now that we’ve hopefully properly introduced the two cookware, let’s get to know the two cookware’s pros and cons.
Design
The aesthetic appeal of cookware is one of the first things many see. Still, this factor most probably ranks low when considering new cookware.
That may not be the case if you’re considering between copper and stainless-steel cookware.
Stainless steel has its appeal. It’s a classic that won’t be hard to incorporate into any kitchen aesthetic. However, copper is a whole other level of beauty.
People have different tastes. If we’re talking about looks, though, then the majority would probably agree that copper is the clear winner.
How Can They Help Around the Kitchen?
First, let’s talk about how they fare with the heat.
As we’ve said above, copper heats up fast and cools down quickly. Additionally, it heats up evenly. It’s great for dishes that need fast temperature changes.
On the other hand, stainless steel doesn’t respond to heat that fast. To add, if we’re talking about a pure stainless-steel piece, it is likely it would not heat up as evenly.
Don’t count the stainless steel out just yet, though!
Now, if we’re talking about the dishes they could help you with, this one is the stainless steel scene. If we’re talking about a pure copper piece, acidic ingredients are not advisable. There is no such restriction with stainless steel cookware.
However, if we’re talking about non-stickiness, you might need to consider cookware with a non-stick coating or well-seasoned cast iron, as neither pure copper nor stainless steel are inherently non-stick.
This one is a little tricky. Let’s call it a tie.
How Much Do They Cost?
Now, let’s talk about the cost. Not to be a spoiler, but these two are not that budget-friendly!
You would probably find some cheap stainless-steel options, but you would need to be a little wary. Not always, but as the price point goes down, you could expect the quality of your stainless steel to go down as well.
That doesn’t mean you should always look for the most expensive choice, but you’d want to go for something in the midrange and up.
Now, when it comes to copper, one of the reasons you probably don’t often see it in many homes is its price point. It’s not cheap.
Here are some stainless-steel cookware compared to some copper cookware:
|
Brand (Price) |
Copper Cookware | Stainless-Steel Cookware |
| Hestan ($1,214.81) | All-Clad ($699.90) | |
| Mauviel M’heritage ($1,999.95) | Fissler ($439.95) |
With that, we think this round is an easy win for stainless steel.
How Do You Maintain Them?
Some might tell you that stainless steel is easier to clean as you can chuck it in the dishwasher. Unlike copper cookware that you’d want to hand wash. We agree that stainless steel is a little easier to clean in this sense. Not for the same reason, though.
Over here, we almost always advise that you hand wash your cookware. In that sense, the cleaning process is the same for the two.
However, we do agree that stainless steel is easier to clean in this area because it is not that delicate. With copper cookware, you want to be extra gentle if you’d like to preserve its aesthetical appeal. Additionally, you might also have to get into the habit of polishing it from time to time too to keep it looking mighty fine.
As you can see, though, it’s not that hard to maintain copper cookware, but it could require more time and effort than stainless steel.
That’s not all there is to talk about in this area, though. When talking about cleaning and maintenance, many forget that pure stainless steel is not non-stick, giving food a high chance of sticking to it. If you’ve ever dealt with food stuck on cookware, you would know it is not easy to clean. In this sense, stainless steel would be a little more challenging to maintain.
Again, this is a little tricky. So, let’s call it a tie.
How Durable Are They?
Finally, let’s talk about durability.
With proper care, the two could last you a long time. So, again, in this round, we believe it is a tie between the two cookware.
Cookware Construction
Before we go and talk about the ruling, let’s quickly talk about construction.
Not every cookware is the same. Yes, even if they’re supposedly made of the same material. Here, we tried to focus on pure copper and pure stainless-steel cookware. There are copper and stainless-steel cookware out there mixed in with some other materials to try and solve some problems these two can’t deal with on their own.
For example, the interior of some copper pieces is lined with stainless steel to make it suitable even for acidic dishes. On the other hand, some stainless-steel pieces might have a copper core to help with heat distribution. You might want to keep this in mind when choosing a new set of cookware for your kitchen.
The Ruling
We’ve shined the light on copper cookware and stainless-steel cookware. We’ve also talked about their advantages and disadvantages. With that, let’s discuss the final verdict! Choosing between copper cookware and stainless-steel cookware truly depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. While stainless steel may be more budget-friendly and easier to maintain, copper cookware offers superior heat conductivity and aesthetic appeal.
Well, as you might have seen above, the winner would be stainless steel. However, we don’t think it’s as simple as that. As we say around here, the one you should always choose should be the one that could help you best. You probably already know this, but what works for one doesn’t always work for another. What one needs and wants is not the same for another. That means the answer is not always the same.
If you’re into its aesthetic and you have the budget, you might want to go for copper cookware. Now, if you’re looking for something easy to use and maintain, stainless steel cookware might suit you better.
However, if you ask us, if you could, we think having the two would be best!
Variety is Good
If you’re only starting to build your kitchen arsenal, we don’t suggest focusing on a single type of cookware. No one type is perfect, and each cookware has its pros and cons. If you focus on one, you will most probably limit the potential of some of the dishes you’ll be making.
Don’t limit yourself and your dishes! Fill your kitchen cabinets with cast iron, glass, ceramic, and all other types of cookware!
Summary
Copper VS stainless steel cookware? Not an easy question! However, we hope this little guide will help you in making an important cooking concern.
Are you thinking of other options? Maybe you have other kitchen questions? Maybe, you’re looking for tips and tricks in the kitchen. Well, if it’s a cooking concern, then you might want to check out our other talks! We might have the things you need!
Michael Johnson is the founder of The Pan Handler, Inspired by his blacksmith grandfather’s legacy has a deep appreciation for hand-crafted pots and pans, he provides invaluable guides, reviews, and recipes to enhance your culinary journey.