Many professional chefs prefer copper cookware for a variety of reasons. First of all, copper cookware is best because of its heat sensitivity. It is popular for its even and quick heat distribution across the entire cooking surface. Plus, copper cookware heats up fast and cools just as fast, which provides unparalleled temperature control as you cook.
Thanks to these features. Copper cookware is very versatile, which means you can use it to cook any kind of food you want. Another interesting thing about copper cookware is its durability, which means getting high-quality and expensive copper cookware won’t disappoint. Copper cookware has been used in traditional French cuisine for over a hundred years. In addition to this, France is known for making high-quality copper cookware. They have some of the leading brands around the world.
My favorite brand of French copper cookware is Mauviel, which has pans like these great little copper sugar pans.
This article highlights the top 4 most popular French copper cookware brands. If you’re looking to upgrade your kitchenware, these are investments you should consider. I’ll show you the top products in this table, then I’ll discuss the brands and do full product reviews below:
Best French Copper Cookware Brands
There are many French companies producing cookware. While they’re best known for their ceramic cookware, you can still find some places that make artisan-grade copper pots and pans.
However, my goal is to discuss the best ones – those that have been established and are known for the highest quality items. So check out the top 4 below and choose the best brand products for your kitchen needs.
Mauviel
This is one of the leading French copper cookware brands. Mauviel started around 200 years ago. An area has a rich history of metalwork, especially making copper pots and cooking utensils. Today, the brand is popular for its high-quality cookware, which is used in most professional kitchens around the world. This brand is popular for its wide range of cookware. However, its Heritage Cookware line is the most popular. The cookware collection consists of pans and pots of different sizes. They are made of a mix of stainless steel and copper. The 2.5mm thick copper body allows the cookware to cool down and heat up very quickly.
Its thin stainless steel lining inside makes cleaning easy and food safe. The cookware has been carefully designed and manufactured without any errors. So, it shouldn’t surprise you when you see that the handle has been designed with great attention to detail. These products are weighed to provide extra balance. Mauviel’s products are great, and every one of their products comes with a lifetime warranty that protects the product from any manufacturing defects.
However, there is a downside to these products. You can’t use copper cookware on an induction hob. However, Mauviel offers an interface plate that allows people to use their copper cookware on their induction hob.
Matfer Bourget
One of France’s iconic copper cookware manufacturers, Matfer Bourgeat is known for its commercial kitchen cookware.
Many restaurants and hotels are loyal customers of the brand. Bulga launches more than 1000 products every year and is constantly expanding its range of cookware and kitchen accessories. The reason you may not have heard of them is that they don’t cater to home consumers, but more to businesses. Although Bourgeat has a long history of at least 200 years. They have only conquered the American market in the past 30 years or so. The company’s main focus is on specialty markets, which include caterers, fine dining restaurants, luxury hotels such as the Four Seasons chain of Shangri-La Group, and other hotel operators.
However, every professional chef who is good at cooking knows about Matfer Bourgeat and the high-quality cookware it offers. Matfer Bourgeat is a renowned industry leader. They have a wide variety of equipment and appliances that can be outfitted for commercial kitchens. If you want to get your hands on some of their products, I recommend getting a multipurpose pan like a frying pan. It’s expensive, but it’s one of the only copper cutlery you can use on an induction cooktop. There is something that sets this brand apart. Many cookware manufacturers are still making 3-layer, 5-layer, and 7-layer tiered pots and pans. However, the Matfer Bourgeat uses 1-2 layers of metal to accomplish the same task with less hassle and, more importantly, significantly less weight for busy cooks.
When you fry vegetables for eight hours a day, it’s easy to see how much more you can do. Copper and stainless steel are the perfect combinations for chefs because of their optimal thermal conductivity and easy-to-clean surface. This sturdy and lightweight cookware comes with a sturdy cast iron handle, which makes the pot more durable in the long run.
De Buyers
This French copper cookware brand was founded in the 1830s. Their main focus is copper cookware, although they produce different kitchen products such as knives and other utensils. The company started producing tableware 200 years ago in a small blacksmith’s shop in the village of Val d’Azur. At the time, all products were made from local metals.
Today, the company partners with chefs to advance our industry knowledge and create tableware that is versatile, innovative, and suitable for fast-paced commercial kitchens. De Buyer uses a variety of materials (steel and stainless steel, copper, coated aluminum, stainless steel, and stainless steel, etc.). But they always strive to keep up with the latest technological developments.
These products are suitable for various cooking methods used in traditional French cuisine and other dishes. There’s no reason you can’t make delicious Japanese food with copper cookware. The great thing about this brand is that its products are still handcrafted in the old style by artisans and artisans. Their Prima Materia collection consists of 90% copper and 10% stainless steel interior. The stainless steel interior is safety-lined, so copper won’t seep into your food.
The company offers a wide range of copper cookware, divided into two distinct collections:
- Inoculation – This De buyer range consists of regular copper cookware with stainless steel liners. This cookware is similar to other manufacturers’ products. The cooker has a 2mm thick copper layer, and its inner stainless steel layer is very durable and food safe.
- Prime Materials – This cookware range from De Buyer stands out from other copper cookware brands. The PRIMA MATERA range offers groundbreaking solutions that make it possible to use copper cookware on an induction hob. The pans and pots in the PRIMA MATERA range feature a copper design with a unique ferromagnetic stainless steel bottom that enables these pans and pots to function properly on induction cooktops as well as other cooktops.
Baumalu
Of all these French Copper Cookware Brands, Baumalu is the youngest. It was founded in 1971 in a village called Baldenheim in the Alsace region of France (no, that’s not in Germany, but it’s near the border). The brand produces cookware as well as other kitchen utensils, focusing on traditional French cuisine. This means their pans and pots have an old-fashioned look.
Pans and pots are mostly made of 1.7mm copper walls with lead-free tin lining. They also have riveted handles for a secure grip. French copper cookware brands are notoriously expensive and high-end. However, Baumalu manages to be one of the mid-range price-makers that produce quality products that are more suitable for home consumers. When they first started, and for some time after, Baumalu made 2mm (sometimes 3mm) tinned copper that rivaled those of other French competitors. The company began mass-producing thinner parts at a lower cost in 2009, and possibly sooner.
Baumalu pans and pots are still made of straight gauge, tin-plated copper with cast iron handles. However, they cost a fraction of what Mauviel, Falk, de Buyer, and other similar brands cost. Baumalu’s pans and frying pans can be purchased brand new from Amazon for as little as $50 (though that’s rare).
If you’re wondering why some of their other cookware sells so cheaply, it’s because when you mass-produce something, it’s less expensive to manufacture. I don’t think they compromise on quality. But copper cookware is not quite the same as the Mauviel. However, if you are new to buying copper and not sure if you like it, I would recommend trying out Baumalu products before investing heavily in other brands.
French Copper Cookware Buying Guide
So if you’re ready to invest in this quality cookware for your kitchen, there are certain features to look for:
Thickness
The thicker the cookware, the better. You should not assume that all plates are of the same quality and thickness. It is important to verify the exact weight of the item and see how thick the copper is.
1.5mm – 3.5mm is an excellent thickness for home cooking as it is the best in terms of price and performance. This means your pots and pans are lightweight, heat up quickly, and cook at an even temperature. Anything too thin (less than 1.5mm) will not cook food well.
Hammered and smooth surface
Copper cooking vessels can be purchased with a smooth or “hammered” finish. The hammered look was once a sign of skilled craftsmanship. It looks like small dimples on the cookware.
Today, almost all pieces can be machine-made and have a smooth finish. The decision to hammer your favorite pot or brand is based on your aesthetic preference.
Most quality brands prefer a smooth finish, but most manufacturers offer pieces in both finishes. While a hammered finish isn’t indicative of quality, inexpensive displays can have this pattern as well. However, there are still high-quality craft stores that offer these items. Today, French Copper Cookware Brands like Mauviel mostly offer smooth surfaces, even if they are handcrafted.
Lining
The copper cooker is available in three configurations: bare, tin-plated, and stainless steel lined.
There are a lot of misunderstandings about these materials and some lies are circulating on the internet. For this article, I’m mainly focusing on stainless steel and tin linings.
Tin lining advantage
Copper conducts heat better than almost any other material – cast iron, aluminum, ceramics, porcelain, glass, and certainly not stainless steel. However, it needs a liner if you want to cook on it safely. In the past, they didn’t know this and cooked on bare copper which made people sick.
An overdose of either can be dangerous. Although the antibacterial properties of this metal have been discovered thousands of years ago (though they know very little about bacteria. It just keeps water in “good” condition). There is growing knowledge that too much of this element can lead to toxicity many. For hundreds of years, the copper buildup has been prevented by coating. The interior of the cooking equipment is made of this material with a layer of tin.
Tin coatings do not affect the metal’s ability to conduct heat. It just stops the copper from leaching into your food. This tried and tested liner has many benefits. Tin’s natural crystal structure is smooth with few irregularities, making it naturally non-stick.
The only material that outperforms this material is Teflon. The advantage is that tin doesn’t need to be seasoned like bare cast iron. It also works well with highly acidic foods like tomatoes, which a cast iron skillet or steel can’t do. Tin is also a good conductor of heat. It heats up so fast, that you’ll be surprised how fast it heats up, so you may need to lower the flame the first few times you use it. But there’s a catch: the material isn’t suitable for extreme temperatures.
It doesn’t matter which stove you use. In addition to induction, all thermal energy is applied to the food, not reflected from the pan like stainless steel. Tin is chemically and molecularly inert. It doesn’t react to pH changes and doesn’t impart flavor or leave chemicals in your food.
It’s not as hydrophilic as Teflon, which means it doesn’t form a layer of water between the pan and the cooking ingredients. This is crucial because it allows you to brown meat and protein in a way that Teflon-coated pans can’t. Tin slowly oxidizes at high temperatures and darkens with age and use.
Disadvantages of Tin Liners
Even the best brands of copper cookware can seep into the tin layer. It all depends on how often they are used and maintained. Every year, some pots and pans used in commercial kitchens need to be retained.
The average home cook who prepares most family meals probably needs a new coat every 15 to 30 years. A professional can repair scratches on the tin surface because the tin can be reapplied.
It is difficult to find skilled artisans who can reapply tin coatings. However, there are places in the United States that specialize in this art form. Like Teflon said, you shouldn’t use metal utensils with tin. Because tin is a softer material than steel, it will scratch the lining.
For spoons and spatulas, plastic or wood are the only options. Also, this type of lining is not suitable for high-heat cooking. The tin starts to melt around 450 degrees, however, a large amount of food in the pan may act as a heat sink, making it slightly hotter. But you don’t want to constantly boil or dry a tin-lined pan or pot. Avoid using steel utensils. Do not scrub it with steel wool, green scratches, or abrasives. Never place it on a burner/heating element that is lit or energized.
You can treat it like Teflon and it will last for years. Tin is an excellent coating for a wok.
Advantages of stainless steel lining
For most households, stainless steel is a better choice than copper when cooking at home. It is also the most common lining found in modern copper cookware.
If you look at my recommendations, you’ll notice that I prefer stainless steel because it’s easier to clean and work with. Many pan manufacturers are phasing out tin-lined pans in favor of better-quality stainless steel. The material lasts longer and customers don’t want to keep retinning their cookware. Tin-only folks (most of whom have agendas) will tell you that a stainless lining negates many of the benefits.
This is blatantly wrong. The stainless steel liner is very thin and does not have any effect on the heat passing through the bottom. Two identically sized containers with the same ingredients and the same heat source will generate the same degree of faction. Fortunately, stainless steel is resistant to rust, discoloration, or other discoloration. Compared to tin, it is less likely to scratch or oxidize. These properties are derived from alloys of nickel, chromium, and other lustrous metals with steel. This creates a hard surface that is virtually indestructible under normal use.
No special cleaning techniques or products are required. Cookware can be washed in the dishwasher if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This lining material works with green scratch pads and steel wool (inside it). Be sure to check the instructions, but I recommend just washing your hands. This will be the best way to keep your cookware safe.
You can also use stainless steel-lined copper cookware at slightly higher temperatures. However, you don’t have to heat the cooktop like you would with a tin-lined pan.
Disadvantages of stainless steel lining
Even the best stainless-steel-lined copper pans don’t have the same non-stick properties as properly seasoned cast-iron or tin-lined examples. However, this may not be the real deal-breaker, as it’s best not to use copper for grilling.
Since the surface of stainless steel is uneven at the molecular level, food sticks more to it than tin and is more orderly and smoother. One problem with stainless steel liners is that pitting corrosion can occur, especially when they are exposed to high-salt foods. Salt corrodes the iron in stainless steel and can create pint-sized pits on the surface.
These pinholes do not penetrate the coating very deeply, so they are generally of little concern. To avoid this, it’s best to wash the pan quickly after you finish cooking. Pitting corrosion can occur with any type of stainless steel cookware. It’s not just copper, but it’s not a real problem to worry about.
If the dimples get deeper (most don’t), this can cause the stainless liner to separate from the copper base. The liquid will start to flow between the steel and copper and cause damage. Repeated high temperatures may also cause separation. Once the separation starts, there is no way to fix it. The pot is gone. This is rare and shouldn’t deter you from buying. If you take good care of your pots, you shouldn’t have any problems.
Induction
With more and more people opting for induction cooktops, copper cookware doesn’t seem like a modern option. Their biggest problem is the inability to operate within the sensing range. The good news is that some french copper cookware brands like de Buyer now make induction-safe pots and pans.
Induction requires the use of magnetic materials to work its magic. Copper doesn’t react with magnets, so it can’t be used directly on an induction stove (unless it’s induction friendly). Iron or steel adapter plates can be used for non-magnetic surfaces, but they can be cumbersome.
Handle
Most handles are made of stainless steel because it stays cool without causing burns. Bronze handles are also popular, and these are mostly used for aesthetic purposes.
All handle options for copper cookware are great. So it doesn’t matter which you choose.
Best French Copper Cookware Reviews
Best French Copper Cookware Set: Mauviel M’Heritage (Set of 10)
Features
- Piece: 10
- Surface treatment: smooth
- Cooktop Compatibility: Gas, Electric, Halogen
- Oven Safe: Yes
- Copper thickness: 1.5mm
- Handle: Stainless steel rivets
Product Review
If you’re looking for that French kitchen style for your home, you can’t go wrong with a complete set of copper cookware.
Not only does it come with all the parts you need to make your favorite food, but each pot has a lid made of 1.5mm thick copper, perfect for quick heat and quick cooking. The main reason you should choose this Mauviel suit over similar suits from other brands is that Mauviel is better in terms of thermal performance.
Mauviel cookware is known for its excellent heat resistance. It is also known for its heat distribution and heat transfer capabilities. Mauviel pans and pans heat faster than other cookware due to their copper construction. Of course, other brands use copper as well, but this 1.5mm is the perfect thickness and your overall cooking time is reduced.
This is the main advantage of this set. The heat coming out of the stove through the copper cooking of the Mauviel cooker is so powerful that many customers recommend that you cook on a low to medium heat setting when using this appliance. If you don’t, you could end up overheating and damaging the cooker. Given the high price, the damage is the last thing you need.
This Mauviel cookware set is made up of a variety of copper pots and pans, including:
- A small saucepan
- A large pan
- Two frying pans
- Saucepan
- A frying pan
- Copperbrill Cleaner
Each pot or pan is made from a blend of two traditional and powerful materials (stainless steel and copper). Stainless steel makes pots and pans easy to clean, while also preventing copper from seeping into the dishes.
Compared to some Ruffoni tin-lined copper cookware, Mauviel stainless steel lining is better because it does not rust or oxidize like tin, so it requires less maintenance. Plus, you can safely cook at higher temperatures without damaging your pots and pans.
Its handle is made of polished bronze with stainless steel rivets so it looks extra stylish and luxurious. However, the benefit of using stainless steel rivets is that they stay cool, so you won’t burn your fingers when manipulating the pan. I also like that the straight sides don’t let the liquid run out, so it’s perfect for sauces, soups, and stews.
Best French Copper Pan: Mauviel M’Heritage M250C
Features
- Surface treatment: smooth
- Size: 1.2 qt
- Cooktop Compatibility: Gas, Electric, Halogen
- Oven Safe: Yes
- Copper thickness: 2.5mm
- Handle: Stainless Steel
Product Review
If you love homemade pasta sauces or simmering broths and sauces, then you know that a skillet can make a big difference between a charred sauce and one with the perfect consistency.
Without a doubt, the 1.2-quart Mauviel pan is one of the best you can find. Although it’s a bit heavy, you can tell the difference between this mass of 2.5mm thick copper and 1.5mm thick copper. Sure, both are great, but if you’re an all-around copper cookware lover, this is the one because it resembles an old-fashioned 19th-century French copper pan.
This particular Mauviel stands out for its beautiful and functional handle. It is made of stainless steel, so it stays cool of course. But it’s coated with galvanized iron to make them even cooler and give them some weight, so your hand feels balanced when holding the pan. The pot body is made of 100% copper with a very thin bonded stainless steel lining. So you get all the benefits of copper when cooking.
You can be sure that it is the best in terms of thermal conductivity, and you can use it at higher temperatures compared to tin. The lining is non-reactive, so you can cook all the ingredients if you want. It won’t get damaged and is very tough, so it won’t get scratched easily. So this pan is suitable for any type of cooking and recipe, especially for simmering sauces like traditional sukiyaki sauce (Washita).
Best French Copper Saucepan: Baumalu
Features
- Surface treatment: smooth
- Size: 4.72 inches
- Cooktop Compatibility: Gas, Electric, Halogen
- Oven Safe: Yes
- Copper thickness: 1.7mm
- Handle: cast iron
Product Review
Are you looking for a more affordable, versatile casserole made of real copper? Then Baumalu is your best choice. This is a medium-sized saucepan similar in appearance to a Mauviel stockpot. The pan is lined with tin, not stainless steel. It’s a little less expensive than other options. However, you get all the benefits of a copper pan. The tin lining is so durable that you don’t need to worry about retinning for now.
Although the tin coating is a very thin layer, it usually doesn’t blister much. This is great if you’re having problems with bubbling copper pans. Plus, the matching copper lid has a tin lining, so the pan has excellent heat retention and quick heat. You can cook in less time and have more free time.
The handle is made of cast iron, making it heavy and hot. You’ll always want to wear protective kitchen gloves to prevent burns. Cast iron looks good but is not as practical as stainless steel because it heats up.
Some say Baumalu is the cheaper sister brand of Mauviel and de Buyer. The truth is it’s not that well made. A small problem is its lack of rigidity. Since it’s a thinner pan, the pan tends to warp after multiple uses. It still works and cooks well, but the shape can become oblong and curved, so it won’t fit on a flat cooktop. Overall, if you’re just starting with copper cookware, or you’re looking for authentic French copper pieces that aren’t cast like more well-known brands, I highly recommend this small saucepan.
Mauviel soup pot vs Baumalu stew pot
It’s a battle between Francis’ top copper cookware makers and cheaper alternatives. Both pans are great for cooking, especially soups, sauces, stews, and any liquid. However, there are clear quality and price differences. Mauviel costs twice as much as Baumalu because of the material they use to make their pots. First, Baumalu has a very thin tin lining, while Mauviel has a more durable stainless steel finish that is non-stick and scratch-resistant.
In contrast, Baumalu’s tin coating is more susceptible to heat damage but doesn’t blister like the cheap fake copper cookware you’ll find online. Another major difference is the handle. The Mauviel has real stainless steel handles that don’t heat up, while the Baumalu pot’s handle is made of cast iron and heats up quickly with the pot, so it’s not too safe to use.
It all depends on how much you cook. If you want the kind of copper pot that will last a lifetime, Mauviel is the closest thing to old-school craftsman cookware from the last century, but with a modern cool-touch handle.
However, if you want an affordable replacement pan that still heats up quickly and provides great heat retention, Baumalu products are a great choice.
Best French Copper Skillet: Bourgeat French Copper Skillet 11-Inch
Features
- Surface treatment: smooth
- Size: 11 inches
- Cooktop Compatibility: Gas, Electric, Halogen
- Oven Safe: Yes
- Lid: no
- Copper thickness: 2.5mm
- Handle: cast iron
Product Review
A frying pan is probably the most versatile cookware because you can use it to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner in minutes. You probably use a frying pan more often than a stockpot or pan. So if you’re looking for the kind of copper pan you can add to your collection, the Bourgeat 11-inch frying pan is the way to go. It’s made in France by local artisans with a long history in cookware making, so it’s the real deal.
This tapered-rim frying pan is perfect for high heat, so you can grill steaks, make breakfast eggs, and sauté delicious veggies. In terms of quality, it’s consistently one of the top-rated products on Amazon, and for good reason, it has an excellent 2.5mm copper build and 10mm 18/10 stainless steel lining.
This provides amazing thermal conductivity, even cooking temperature and durability. It has a textured cast-iron handle to keep it cool during cooking and is heavy enough to make the pan feel balanced and sturdy on your stovetop.
Plus, the cast-iron handle adds a vintage touch, making this elegant frying pan look like the work of those sought-after vintage artisans. The pan is heavy (about 6.5 pounds), so it’s similar in weight to a cast iron pan, but has excellent thermal conductivity and looks prettier. Remember, the heavier the copper pan, the better, as this means your cooking surface is excellent.
The main advantage of using this skillet is when you want to simmer something. It simmers everything evenly in all areas of the pan, so you no longer need to swirl the pan over the fire and you still get perfectly cooked food. There’s one downside: the lid isn’t included. You’ll have to find one elsewhere or order it separately from their website. Overall though it’s a great value for the price and quality.
Bourgeat remains one of the top copper cookware manufacturers in the world. Even if their pans develop a patina over time, they are easy to clean and maintain. You can use polish and it will look like new, although the wear does give it character and edge.
Best for induction cooktops and best copper pan: de Buyer Prima Matera 8″
Features
- Surface treatment: smooth
- Size: 8 inches, 6 qt
- Cooktop Compatibility: Gas, Electric, Halogen, Induction
- Oven Safe: Yes
- Lid: yes
- Copper thickness: 2mm
- Handle: Stainless Steel
Product Review
If you have an induction cooktop you know your options are limited when it comes to copper cookware. However, de Buyer considered this and made these amazing copper pots with stainless steel liners that are induction safe by adding special bases to the cookware. This is an ideal soup or stew pot because it has high sides and you can cook food without overflowing. This pan has all the classic benefits, such as excellent thermal conductivity, but the de buyer has upgraded it with modern features.
For example, unlike the other copper pans in this article, this one is dishwasher-safe, which makes it attractive to modern consumers looking for convenience. However, I still recommend hand-washing copper cookware as it will stay in top condition longer and minimize the risk of damage.
Another modern feature is that the pot is manufactured free of toxins like PTFE and PFOA, so it is completely safe, and the stainless steel lining ensures that copper does not seep into the food. In terms of construction, the pot is made of 90% copper and 10% stainless steel, which does not affect the conductivity of copper, so you get the most out of it.
Plus, they keep their cookware oven safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, so everything is versatile and when you put money into de Buyer cookware, you don’t need to buy additional pots and pans. This product is 100% made in France, so you can expect excellent quality and lifetime availability. Compared to the Bourgeat frying pan, the stainless steel handle of this pan looks very modern and also keeps it cool, making it easy to use.
So if you want copper pots and pans that work with your induction cooktop, look no further than the de Buyer – it’s in the same price range as the Mauviel, but with the bonus.
Best French Copper Jam Pan: Mauviel Made In France Copper 15-Quart
Features
- Finish: Hammer
- Lin: Unlined
- Size: 15 qt
- Cooktop Compatibility: Gas, Electric, Halogen
- Oven Safe: No
- Copper thickness: 1.2mm
- Handle: Bronze
Product Review
Making sugary desserts, caramels, jams, and preserves is often a daunting task because when you mix fruit with sugar, it tends to stick to the pan. However, with this pure copper linerless pan, the problem is solved.
This is by far the best jam plate you can buy, and it’s the go-to for anyone serious about making jams and preserves. Unlike the stainless-steel or tin-lined pans I’ve reviewed before, this unlined pan is only made of copper and has a bronze handle. That means it’s the real deal when it comes to keeping warm and cooking quickly. Thin copper is ideal if you like a quick boil, as this creates natural fruit pectin. Here’s a quick but cute clip showing peach jam being made in Mauviel:
Unlined 1.2mm gauge copper promotes extremely even heat distribution and fast boiling, helping to develop natural pectin. Did you know that unlined copper pans are safe to cook jam fruits? If you put the fruit and sugar in separate bowls before putting them in the copper pot, you’re right. Due to the high sugar content, toxins are not produced as usual. The hammered finish makes it a truly collectible jam plate as it’s so pretty and worth the money. Also, this type of finish is hand-hammered by artisans, so you don’t get a basic mass-produced product.
This is a large-size professional jam pan. Its design reflects this, with special useful features to help you make the best jam the whole family will love. Design-wise, the pans have tapered sides for easy stirring. Also, it has a very wide opening, which aids in the evaporation process. Finally, the size and tapered sides make it easy to scoop the jam into the jar. Customers say this pan is perfect for home use and restaurant use because it’s well-made and durable. With these pans, you can make jam without pectin! This is something you can’t do in a basic pot.
Why are French cookware brands so expensive?
When it comes to French cookware brands, you probably think of ceramic cookware and quality pots and pans. French copper cookware is expensive, but you are paying for a quality product designed to last a lifetime.
Professional chefs in France always choose these handmade pots and pans because they are durable enough to handle the daily wear and tear of commercial kitchens. If you’ve ever seen old French vintage copper cookware, you’ll notice that it has so much character and sheen that you won’t find in modern copper mass-produced cookware.
Sure modern designs are cheaper. If you prefer quality over quantity, you’ll love these vintage French copper pans, skillets, pans, and accessories. Most cookware is handcrafted or in small workshops for ease of manufacture. They are not made in a big factory and are of much better quality. Also, the main materials they use are top-notch.
So when you see the “Made in France” label, you can be sure that the cookware will be very good.
Why do French chefs like to use copper pans?
This is mainly because of convenience. The truth is that copper cookware heats up very fast, but cools just as fast, thus reducing cooking time. Plus, it gives chefs more control over food temperature while cooking. So it’s easier to stop the sauce from burning, scorching, or sticking to the sides of the pan. Also, liquids, especially sauces, will have a perfect consistency.
Then there’s the added fact that French chefs are proud of their country’s culinary heritage, and copper cookware is part of a long culinary history.
A Brief History of French Copper Cookware
The French have a long history of making cookware out of copper. Maybe it’s because they have a lot of this quality resource in the country and it’s cheaper than importing other materials. Importing wasn’t even an option for a long time. Local artisans and artisans have access to limited resources. French cuisine has been an integral part of French culture since the early 1700s.
French cookware made of high-quality copper was developed by French artisans to cook the best food most efficiently.
Extra-thick copper pots made of copper are often considered antiques, especially those dating back to the 1800s. In the 1920s, they created some of the most beautiful copper pots and pans to date, and collectors are always on the lookout for these vintage pieces. Older copper cookware has very durable cast iron or ornate brass handles. These beautiful pans are made of pure copper and are usually thicker than any pans made today. When restored with a good layer of tin, they can be used to cook food just like they were 150 years ago.
Fortunately, many top brands like Mauviel still produce these high-quality products. After World War II, the second great era of French copper cookware was born.
In the 1950s, French chef Julia Child popularized French cuisine. In the United States, Williams Sonoma and Sur La Table began importing French copper cookware for home cooks. Copper from this era was made with modern manufacturing techniques, so it doesn’t have the feel of antique copper. However, it can still be thick and of high quality and is still sought after.
Bottom Line
No matter which copper cookware product you are looking for, you should consider buying French copper cookware as it will give you the best value.
However, you need to use such cookware with caution, just in case you have an induction hob, as they are not compatible. However, this shouldn’t worry you because there is a solution. You can choose to buy copper cookware designed to be compatible with induction cooktops or just buy an interface plate that allows you to use copper cookware with your induction cooktop. While copper cookware is a bit pricey, buying one will give you good value for your money.
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