COPPER CHEF COOKWARE SETS REVIEWED

the set of Copper Chef pots and pans staying on the cooktop

If you've been eyeing one of these decorative cookware sets from Copper Chef as either an addition to your own kitchen or as a present, we have reviewed the 3 most popular set of pots and pans from the brand.

If you are only interested in frying pans, read our Copper Chef pan review article here.

The company’s first introduction, the Signature Collection 9.5” Deep Dish Square Pan, was voted “Product of the Year” in the cookware category by consumers in 2018.

Copper Chef aims to provide home cooking experience with the durability, performance, and precision previously enjoyed only by restaurant chefs. Let's see how they perform on the stove.

About Copper Chef

The founders of Copper Chef sought to bring restaurant-quality cookware into the home kitchen. (1) Today, the Connecticut-based company is an industry leader.

The brand can be easily identified by the bright copper-colored finish of its products, the company's namesake. As of 2018, Copper Chef had earned the distinction of being the best-selling brand of copper cookware in the United States.

Copper Chef Cookware Sets in This Review

*We select and review all products independently, based on our opinion and customer feedback. Some links on this page are affiliate links and if you make a purchase we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. You can read more info on our disclaimer page.

#1

1. Copper Chef 9-Piece Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set

- Base: aluminum w. stainless steel plate
- Interior: Cerami-Tech nonstick
- Cooktops: gas, electric, glass top, induction

Our Rating

9.0

#2

2. Copper Chef 10-Piece Ceramic Frying Cookware Set

- Base: aluminum w. stainless steel plate
- Interior: Cerami-Tech nonstick
- Cooktops: gas, electric, glass top, induction

Our Rating

8.2

#3

3. Copper Chef XL Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set

- Base: aluminum w. stainless steel plate
- Interior: Cerami-Tech nonstick
- Cooktops: gas, electric, glass top, induction

Our Rating

8.0

#1

1. Copper Chef 9-Piece Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set

- Base: aluminum w. stainless steel plate
- Interior: Cerami-Tech nonstick
- Cooktops: gas, electric, glass top, induction

Our Rating

9.0

#2

2. Copper Chef 10-Piece Ceramic Frying Cookware Set

- Base: aluminum w. stainless steel plate
- Interior: Cerami-Tech nonstick
- Cooktops: gas, electric, glass top, induction

Our Rating

8.2

#3

3. Copper Chef XL Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set

- Base: aluminum w. stainless steel plate
- Interior: Cerami-Tech nonstick
- Cooktops: gas, electric, glass top, induction

Our Rating

8.0

Copper Chef 9-Piece Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set

Design:

As with the majority of Copper Chef's products, these pots and pans feature a coating that resembles new pennies, with steel handles for contrast. The saucepans have generously high sides that rest almost perpendicular to the base. While the metal feels lighter than you might be expecting, the glass lids are reassuringly heavy.

A metal fry basket and steamer tray round out the options. The fry basket has a tight weave to keep food from slipping through the cracks, and the steamer tray is sturdy enough to withstand the heartiest vegetables. Overall, this is an attractive and durable set.

Materials:

Despite the shiny copper coating, the true genius of Copper Chef cookware lies in the stainless steel induction plate that's built into the base. This material allows for even and efficient heating. The Cerami-Tech non-stick coating, meanwhile, is completely PTFE- and PFOA-free.

The fry basket and steamer tray feature an aluminum construction, making them the least durable aspects of this set. Fortunately, they also lack the versatility of the other pieces, so you're not likely to use them as often either.

While these Copper Chef pans can be used on any surface—including an open flame—they're designed for kitchen use only. That means we wouldn't recommend taking them along on camping trips. On electric, glass, or gas cooking ranges, however, they work remarkably well.

Usability:

As frying pans go, these are some of the best we've tested. The nonstick coating makes them suitable for a wide variety of ingredients. The riveted handles are long enough to allow for a secure grip, so the pans can be easily transferred from the stovetop to the oven. The two glass lids are equipped with generously-sized handles as well.

Because of the stainless steel induction plates, these pans will cook your favorite foods much more quickly than some of the competition. For this reason, it's best to keep a close eye on your progress the first few times you use them.

Be aware that the nonstick coating makes it unnecessary to add liberal amounts of butter and oil to the pan. For certain recipes, you may wish to include these ingredients for flavor, but feel free to reduce the amounts. For this reason, using Copper Chef pans can help contribute to a healthier diet.

Also, be forewarned that while the pans are oven safe, they'll get extremely hot all over. Make sure to keep a few quality oven mitts on hand if you plan on transferring them to the oven.

We would also recommend sticking to non-abrasive utensils when using these products. The nonstick coating might look hardy, but it can be easily damaged by metal spatulas or the tines of a fork. Opt for silicone, bamboo, and wood utensils instead. 

Cleaning:

Copper Chef claims that these pots and pans are dishwasher safe. However, we would recommend washing them by hand whenever possible. This will help to preserve the integrity of the coating. Note that these warnings don't apply to the lids, fry basket, or steamer tray—those can easily withstand the punishment of the dishwasher.

When washing by hand, use a mild dishwashing detergent and a non-metallic sponge or scrubbing brush. The nonstick coating will keep the ingredients from sticking during the cooking process, making your cleanup duties that much easier.

The set contains:

  • 5.8-quart Casserole Pan with 10" glass lid
  • 2.8-quart Saucepan with Glass Lid
  • 1-quart Saucepan
  • 10-inch Round Frying Pan
  • 8-inch Round Frying Pan
  • 9 x 3.5-inch Round Fry Basket
  • 9-inch Round Steamer Tray

Pros

  • Affordable price point
  • Easy to clean
  • Pans heat rapidly and evenly
  • Oven safe

Cons

  • Pans are surprisingly lightweight
  • Surface scratches easily without proper care

Copper Chef 10-Piece Ceramic Frying Cookware Set

Design:

The two pans in this multipurpose set are broad and deep, with square edges. The brand's signature copper-colored coating helps them to stand out from the rest of the supplies in the cabinet.

The utensils are lightweight and easy to manage, and both the tempered glass lid and fry basket are impressively sturdy. The steamer tray, meanwhile, is on the flimsy side.

Materials:

All of the materials used in the construction of Copper Chef pans is PTFE- and PFOA-free. Because the coating is actually an innovative nonstick material and not real copper, it doesn't require any special care.

The square frying pans include stainless steel induction plates for fast, even heating. Both are equipped with riveted steel handles, long enough to protect your hands from the heat.

The included utensils are made of nonstick silicone, so you won't have to worry about them damaging the pans (or any of your other cookware). The fry basket and steamer tray are constructed of aluminum.

Usability:

Both of the square pans can be used on any cooking surface, from an open campfire to a glass-top electric range. They can also be transported easily from the cooking range to the oven, although you'll need to take care not to touch the hot pan when removing it.

We think the square edges make these pans a great choice for hearty casseroles or other baked dishes.They also give you 25 percent more surface area to work with. If you've found that your traditional round pans aren't quite large enough for your favorite dishes, this could be the set for you.

Most of the included utensils come in handy, particularly the sauce skimmer. The stirring spoon is our least favorite of the bunch—an old-fashioned wooden spoon or spatula works better most of the time. It's also convenient to have such a large fry basket on hand for fish and chips.

The only other aspect that we take issue with is the steamer tray, which is noticeably chintzier than the rest of the set. Also, the hole in the middle is large enough to allow certain ingredients to slip through if you're not careful.

Cleaning:

All of the components of this set (except for the bonus cookbook, of course) are dishwasher safe. That said, we would recommend washing the cookware by hand with mild dish detergent whenever possible. Use a nonabrasive sponge (like the notorious "green scrubbie") and rinse well with plenty of hot water.

The set contains:

  • 9.5-inch Deep square pan
  • 9.5-inch Square frying pan w. tempered glass lid
  • Fry basket
  • Steamer rack
  • Nonstick slotted spatula
  • Pasta fork
  • Sauce skimmer
  • Stirring spoon
  • Cookbook written by culinary expert Eric Theiss

Pros

  • Several useful tools included
  • Bonus cookbook
  • Pans are generously sized
  • Set is ideal for preparing casseroles or pot pie
  • No seasoning required

Cons

  • Steamer tray is poorly designed
  • Nonstick coating scratches easily

Copper Chef XL Ceramic Nonstick Cookware Set

Design:

These durable yet lightweight cooking pans feature a copper-colored coating and high edges. Both are outfitted with attractive glass lids and riveted steel handles.

The fry basket is amply sized and durable, while the steamer tray is lightweight yet strong enough to stand up to hearty vegetables like cauliflower.

Materials:

Beneath the company's nonstick copper coating lies a stainless steel induction plate capable of creating a red-hot cooking surface in no time. The steel handles will keep your hands cool while the pans are on the stovetop, but they're also oven safe, capable of handling temps of up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit.

All of the materials used in Copper Chef's cookware are PTFE- and PTOA-free. The Cerami-Tech nonstick technology also makes them exceptionally easy to clean.

Usability:

With its generous capacity and included fry basket, the square pan is ideal for home-style classics like fried chicken and onion rings. If you'd like to whip up a side of milk gravy, the smaller round saucepan is up to the challenge. Because both pans can be easily transferred from the stovetop to the oven, they can be used for seared and roasted meats as well.

We like the fact that lids are included with both pans, making them suitable for recipes that call for a steam-sautéing technique. The steamer basket fits perfectly inside the larger square pan, which makes it easier to steam large quantities of vegetables at once.

The XL set can be used on any type of cooking surface. We wouldn't recommend using the square pan over the campfire, mostly because its design makes it top-heavy and prone to spillage. Otherwise, this is an excellent multi-use set.

Cleaning:

As with the majority of Copper Chef's cookware, we prefer to wash the pans by hand whenever time allows. While they're suitable for the dishwasher, it's easier to preserve the nonstick finish if you do the job yourself. Fortunately, the coating also makes the task that much simpler.

The set contains:

  • 11-inch Deep square pan w. tempered glass lid
  • 12-inch Round pan with glass lid
  • Fry Basket
  • Steamer Rack
  • Recipe Book

Pros

  • Durable construction
  • Pans are generously sized
  • Fry basket adds versatility
  • Easy to clean and maintain

Cons

  • Feet on steamer tray may scratch the finish
  • Needs to be cleaned as soon as possible when used for deep frying
  • Some shipping issues reported
Sean Bennett
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