You’ve probably seen the infomercial. It lasts for 30 minutes and seems to carry with it claims of culinary glory no other cookware company could compete with. Its touch of humor, whether unintentional, is glorious. “Makes your egg look like it’s on ice skates.” Yes, people, this is my Copper Chef pan review.
Full Copper Chef Pan Review
I felt I’d be doing you a disservice not to post the original infomercial (you’re welcome). Anyway, you’ve probably landed on this page because you wanted to know if these pans are actually any good. So let’s get to it.
Snap verdict: If you want to skip the details and get a snap verdict, I’m happy to report that they are a solid budget option for people who want a lightweight cookware set for casual use.
Copper Chef Pans as Seen on TV
These are indeed the exact pans you’ll see on the TV. The set I’m reviewing is a 3-piece frying pan set composed of 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch diameter pans. I’ve typically actively avoided copper cookware because I personally don’t like how it looks, although I appreciate that some people might differ in their opinion on that.
In terms of the actual important features, it’s probably best just to list the pros and cons of these copper pans.
Pros
✅ No hotspots: the stainless steal induction plate does a stellar job of providing even heat distribution throughout the pans and quick heating.
✅ Excellent heat resistance: these pans are oven safe up to 850° F, which is pretty incredible. Not that I’d never need to cook at that temperature but it’s still worth bragging about.
✅ Grippy handles: the ergonomic riveted handles provide excellent grip compared to some other more expensive brands.
✅ Versatility: these pans work on Gas, Electric, Ceramic & Induction stovetops, which is handy.
✅ Portability: these pans are incredibly lightweight, which might not be great for durability but it gives them great portability for camping trips, road trips, and what-not.
✅ Low Price: at around $60 for the full set of three pans, Copper Chef provides a genuine budget option covering three distinct sizes of frying pan. Not everyone can afford a $400 set of pots and pans.
Cons
❌ Non-stick Performance: the non-stick performance is sub-par on these pans. The coating degrades pretty quickly.
❌Not Dishwasher Safe: they are marketed as dishwasher safe but putting them in the dishwasher is almost guaranteed to ruin them.
Are Copper Chef Pans Bad for You?
No, the pans are not bad for you. The manufacturer lists them as being PTFE & PFOA-free. Some online sources have concerns about copper cookware safety, but I haven’t found anything damning about Copper Chef’s products.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re in the market for some budget pans, you honestly would be making a pretty decent choice with Copper Chef. Bear in mind that you’ll get a year or two at the most from these and you won’t get top-class non-stick performance. But looking at the price and the pros, it’s probably worth it! At worst, you’ve now seen the bizarre infomercial.
If you’d rather check out other cookware reviews I’ve written, you’ll find plenty on the essentials for Thai cooking.