Mauviel Copper Cookware

...using these pots and pans. Mauviel products are compatible with both gas and electric appliances. Use of a gas range increases performance, however, because changes in the flame level will transfer immediately to the cookware - whereas an electric stove heats and cools more gradually.

Mauviel's copper cookware is also completely oven-safe. This is a great advantage and I often use the small frying pan as a pie plate.

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...kitchen companions. Good thing that Mauviel provide a lifetime guarantee on all their products.

* Weight
Copper cookware is very heavy. If you're seriously considering investing in copper and the items you're looking at don't require much effort to lift, then continue your search. There are many inferior products that contain so little copper that the exterior is more aesthetic than functional...though not always priced that ... more

Marrying into an Italian-American family that loves to eat but hates to cook made me - an aspiring chef - an instant favourite with the in-laws. They'd always made clear their appreciation of the eight-course Thanksgiving dinners I'd prepared, the specially-planned birthday menus I'd crafted and my annual week-long Christmas cookie baking spree. Of course, I've known all along that I have the best in-laws in the world- I could easily list a dozen wonderful things about them- but they managed, anyway, to nearly floor me with their generosity when they offered me a set of copper cookware as a gift.

Out of the box, the cookware's dazzling orange glow is lovely to look at it (and the tarnished patina that develops on the surface after several uses only enhances their attractiveness). Simple yet elegant brass handles adorn each piece, including the lids, and are attached with sturdy stainless steel rivets. But the beauty of Mauviel's copper cookware extends beyond the surface. Each piece has a high-quality 18/10 gauge stainless steel interior, which heats well, rarely sticks, and is extremely easy to clean. Some copper cookware is available with a tin lining. The traditional approach to making copper cookware, tin wears down easily and must be replaced. For this reason, most manufacturers have moved to stainless steel.

Because copper is an excellent conductor of heat (out-performed only by silver), it gives cooks a tremendous amount of control over their cooking environment. The cookware heats rapidly and evenly, and cools quickly once removed from the heat source. It is, therefore, more efficient that other cooking materials. I rarely use the stove's highest temperature settings when using these pots and pans. Mauviel products are compatible with both gas and electric appliances. Use of a gas range increases performance, however, because changes in the flame level will transfer immediately to the cookware - whereas an electric stove heats and cools more gradually.

Mauviel's copper cookware is also completely oven-safe. This is a great advantage and I often use the small frying pan as a pie plate.My 8-piece set of Mauviel copper cookware includes:

• 10" frying pan
• 2-quart saucepan with lid
• 2-quart chef's pan with lid
• 3-quart sauté pan
• 6 1/2-quart Dutch oven (large pot) with lid

Although I have been very pleased with this product, copper cookware is not for everyone. There are a few distinct drawbacks that should be mentioned. * Expense
First of all, copper cookware is very expensive. The 8-piece set I received as a gift is available from the Williams-Sonoma gourmet chain in the United States for about USD 800. You can hunt around online for individual pieces but will, nonetheless, probably find the smallest items starting at around USD 50. I imagine prices are somewhat lower in France, where these lovely pots and pans are made (unfortunately, the company's website doesn't provide any pricing information for consumers so you have to search for individual distributors). Needless to say, this is a serious investment for serious cooks, and I, for one, expect these pots and pans to serve as my life-long kitchen companions. Good thing that Mauviel provide a lifetime guarantee on all their products.

* Weight
Copper cookware is very heavy. If you're seriously considering investing in copper and the items you're looking at don't require much effort to lift, then continue your search. There are many inferior products that contain so little copper that the exterior is more aesthetic than functional...though not always priced that way. The copper lining should be at least 2.0mm thick in order to benefit from copper's outstanding performance under fire, and the piece should feel strong and sturdy in your hand.

* Heat
Copper's excellent ability to react quickly to changes in temperature is one of the greatest advantages of these products. However, the handles, usually brass or cast iron, also conduct heat and tend to get hot. - so unless you train yourself well not to grab direct hold of the handles while cooking, it's possible to burn yourself. I debated for a while about how much of a problem this would be for me. I imagined routinely emerging from the kitchen with burned, blistered hands because I'd forgotten how hot the handles would become. But, ultimately, I gave in - seduced by the cookware's simple beauty and fine reputation among chefs. I'm happy to report, though, that I've had very few burn experiences in the 18 months since I started cooking with my copper pots and pans. I keep several pot holders nearby and have trained myself to reach for one of them first.

* Maintenance
Though the stainless steel linings of these pots and pans are easy to clean, the copper exterior does require extra attention. Harsh detergents should be avoided as should the use of any abrasive cleaners or steel wool/brillo pads. I actually like the warm, tarnished look that the copper develops over time. I occasionally use a soft cloth dipped in a solution of salt and vinegar to gently polish the copper. Cleaning products are also available at stores. Copper cookware should never be placed in the dishwasher. Finally, it's important to dry copper pots and pans immediately after washing so that the copper doesn't oxidize and turn green.

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