Red Copper Pan vs. Gotham Steel Pan – Which is Best for You?

The quality of cookware you use in cooking your foods is crucial because it determines the quality of your food.  If you’re keen on getting good cookware, you might have come across both red copper and Gotham steel pans as they are popular brands. Although they are similar in appearance, they have some differences.

This article will cover

• What are the strengths and weaknesses of both red copper and Gotham steel pans?
• What are the similarities between a red copper pan and a Gotham steel pan?
• What are the differences between a red copper pan and a Gotham steel pan?
• Tips for maintaining both red copper and Gotham steel pans

What are the strengths and weaknesses of both red copper and Gotham steel pans?

Red Copper Pans

Red copper pans are made with copper-infused ceramic, aluminum and titanium. These materials make cooking easier and effective. For instance, copper is an excellent heat conductor, while ceramic is non-stick, non-reactive, and eco-friendly.

Strengths

Since red copper pans get hot fast, they save you both time and money. They are great for cooking delicate foods. They are oven-safe and can withstand high temperatures.

You can transfer them directly from your stovetop or gas cooktop to the oven.  Due to their non-reactive nature, they are non-toxic; unlike other cookware, which emits dangerous fumes. Also, they are attractive and easy to clean and maintain.

Weaknesses

However, red copper pans aren’t without faults. They aren’t suitable for cooking acidic food ingredients like tomatoes as they react to such foods. Besides, even though the copper pans heat up quickly, high heat damages their color. Their handles are made of stainless steel, which can get hot during extended cooking periods, so care must be taken. If you’re not careful, you might get burnt.

Gotham Steel Pans

On the other hand, Gotham steel pans are made with reinforced ceramic, anodized aluminum and titanium. The combination of these materials makes the pans shatterproof and high quality. Ceramic is scratch-resistant and non-stick, anodized aluminum is a good heat conductor while titanium is very durable.

Strengths

Since Gotham Steel pans are made with ceramic, they are non-stick, just like red copper pans. You don’t need too much fat or oil to cook anything. They easily heat up your food as well. They are scratch-proof and sturdy. Moreover, they can be used safely in the oven, which you can read more about in our article ‘Can You Use Gotham Steel Pans In The Oven’.

They are scratch-proof and sturdy. You can use the pans for a long time without them having warps or bumps. They have an attractive appearance and can be used to cook different dishes.

Weaknesses

However, Gotham steel pans have drawbacks too. For instance, they aren’t dishwasher friendly. You have to clean them by hand.Even though the exteriors are sturdy, the ceramic interior isn’t. As such, you have to keep the pans from falling.

Also, due to their construction and materials, some users might find these pans relatively heavier compared to other options. If you need lightweight cookware, Gotham steel pans aren’t good options.

What are the similarities between a red copper pan and a Gotham steel pan?

Both red copper and Gotham steel pans share some similarities since they are both made of ceramic.

Non-stick

Due to the ceramic in both pans, they have non-stick cooking surfaces. As such, food residues come off quickly. You don’t have to exert much energy when cleaning them. You also don’t need to apply oil or butter on the cooking surfaces before cooking.

Versatile

Besides, the two pans are versatile. You can use them on any cooking medium and even transfer directly from one medium to the other. For instance, you can move them from the oven to the stovetop or vice versa. They can withstand high temperatures and can be used to cook different dishes.

Aluminum bases

Both pans have aluminum bases. This improves their heat conductivity and makes them easy to manage. As such, you don’t need to wait long for your food to get done. They heat up quickly. They can consistently maintain their hot temperature for some time even after they are no longer on the stovetop, gas cooktop or in the oven.

Stainless steel handles

Another similarity is that their handles are the same. Both pans come with stainless steel handles. Stainless steel handles are strong enough to handle the heat of the pan. They are also durable compared to wooden or plastic handles and heat up slower than the pans themselves. Besides, their shiny nature makes the pans look more attractive.

Similar in appearance

More so, both pans are outwardly similar. They have the same handles, almost the same color, and sometimes, they come in the same designs and shapes.

What are the differences between a red copper pan and a Gotham steel pan?

Even though red copper and Gotham steel pans are similar in many ways, they also have distinct features. These features will help you when deciding which to choose between the two.

Different heat distribution ability

Even though both pans have high heat conductivity, their heat distribution ability may not be exactly the same due to differences in their composition. This is due to the differences in their composition. Red copper pans are made with copper and ceramic, while Gotham steel pans are made with titanium and ceramic.

Copper is better than titanium when it comes to heat conductivity. As such, red copper pans cook your food faster and distribute heat evenly across their cooking surfaces than Gotham steel pans.

Different heating plates

Also, the heating plates of both pans are different. Red copper pans have bigger heating plates that reach the edges of the pans. This improves their heat conductivity and distribution. However, Gotham steel pans have smaller heating plates that stop in the middle.

Therefore, Gotham steel pans can’t distribute heat evenly across their cooking surfaces and are unstable when you place them on stovetops. Also, while Gotham steel pans have anodized aluminum bases, red copper pans have aluminum rings at their bases.

Induction-cooking compatibility

While both pans are versatile, Gotham steel pans are limited in their use. For instance, red copper pans can be used on stovetops or gas cooktops, in an oven, on induction cooktops, etc.

However, Gotham steel pans aren’t compatible with induction cooktops. If you want to use your Gotham steel pans on induction cooktops, you have to use intermediary solutions like induction cookware converter disks.

Different weight

Due to their composition, red copper pans are lighter than Gotham steel pans. Gotham steel pans contain titanium which is heavier than the copper in red copper pans. As such, red copper pans are easier to handle and transfer from one medium to the other than Gotham steel pans in the kitchen.

However, the lightweight nature of red copper pans makes them more susceptible to warps, unlike Gotham steel pans which aren’t.

Different sizes

Besides, the sizes of both pans are different. Red copper pans are slightly bigger than Gotham steel pans. Gotham steel pans come in sizes such as 12.5”, 10.25”, 9.5”, while red copper pans come in sizes like 8”, 10”, and 12”.

Different prices

Another slight difference is the price. The red copper pans are cheaper than Gotham steel pans, even though the difference isn’t much.

Tips for maintaining both red copper and Gotham steel pans

Either you choose red copper pans or Gotham steel pans; you need to maintain them if you want them to last long. Since both pans have similar materials, their maintenance is almost the same.

However, you can only maintain good-quality pans. When buying both pans, you should consider the size and quality, the safety recommendations, the frequency of usage, how easy to clean and handle the pans are, etc.

Cook on medium heat

Even though both pans can retain heat, this doesn’t mean you should cook under high heat. With time, high heat damages the non-stick properties of both pans. Also, avoid changing the temperature of both pans suddenly.

Sudden temperature changes can damage the non-stick properties of both pans as well as cause them to warp. For instance, you shouldn’t wash the pans while they are still hot. Allow them to cool before doing so.

Don’t allow buildups

Buildups become very difficult to remove over time if you allow them to linger. They damage the cooking surfaces and the color of both pans. Ensure you remove anything that can cause buildups instantly. For instance, gently wipe off the oil from the pans after deep frying. Also, avoid using cooking sprays as they can cause buildups too.

Clean both pans gently

If you aggressively clean both pans, you will ruin their cooking surfaces. Even though the surfaces are scratch-proof, they aren’t impenetrable. You need to clean non-stick pans carefully. For instance, if you constantly use harsh soaps and abrasive scouring pads to clean them consistently, you’ll scrub off the coating on the cooking surfaces.

This will reduce the qualities of both pans. Before you place the pans in the dishwasher, ensure they are dishwasher-safe. If your brand of pans isn’t dishwasher-safe, don’t use the dishwasher to clean them.

Use utensils made for non-stick cookware

Metal utensils aren’t meant to be used with red copper and Gotham steel pans because they scratch their cooking surfaces. They can penetrate the coating on the surfaces and scratch it off. If you wish to keep your pans free from scratches, it is suggested to use utensils specifically made for non-stick cookware.

Summary

Your choice between both pans depends on your preferences. If you have a low budget or prefer a pan that is easier to handle, red copper pans are your best bet. If you want a pan that is more durable, you can go for Gotham steel pans. However, whichever pan you choose, only proper maintenance will make the pan effective and durable.