Copper pans are gorgeous and versatile, which is one of the many reasons that many cooks love them.
One of the reasons they are so versatile is that most copper pans can often be used in the oven and even under the broiler.
Read on to learn more about how to use copper pans in your oven safely.
How Do I Know if My Copper Pan is Oven Safe?
Copper is oven-safe and even broiler-safe, with qualifications.
Some major brands even make copper cookware designed explicitly for broiling and roasting, so you know that it’s been thoroughly tested.
Some popular brands of copper cookware list their maximum safe temperatures:
| Brand | Max. Safe Temp (Fahrenheit) |
|---|---|
| Calphalon Tri-Ply Copper Cookware Set | 450 F |
| Ruffoni Symphonia Cupra Copper Frying Pan | 450 F |
| Anolon Nouvelle Copper Cookware Set | 500 F |
| Cuisinart Copper Tri-Ply Cookware Set | 500 F |
| Lagostina Martellata Copper Frying Pan | 500 F |
| Mauviel M’Heritage Copper Frying Pan | 500 F |
| T-fal Ultimate Copper Bottom Cookware Set | 500 F |
| Viking Copper Cookware Set | 500 F |
| Williams Sonoma Professional Copper Cookware Set | 500 F |
| Matfer Bourgeat Copper Cookware Set | 550 F |
| All-Clad Copper Core Frying Pan | 600 F |
| Made In Copper Pan | 800 F |
You may have noticed some other cookware brands not included in that list such as Copper Chef, Gotham Steel, and Red Copper. There’s a reason for that…
Despite the name and the appearance, neither Copper Chef or Gotham Steel pans have any copper in them at all.
Can Copper Chef Pans Go in the Oven
Copper Chef pans are oven-safe to 850 degrees Fahrenheit (500 degrees Fahrenheit for the lids). They are made of aluminum with a steel-plated base, a copper-colored ceramic cooking surface, and glass lids.
Are Gotham Copper Pans Oven Safe
Also made from aluminum with a ceramic surface along with glass lids, Gotham Steel copper pans and lids are oven-safe to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can Red Copper Pans Go in the Oven
Yes, Red Copper pans can go in the oven and are safe up to 500 degrees F.
Red Copper cookware is made from aluminum with a steel-plated base and ceramic coating. In this case, the ceramic coating is infused with copper.
As you can tell, most copper cookware and cookware marketed as copper can withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and some much more than that.
Most home ovens do not go much above 500 to 550 degrees F, so you can feel confident that your copper pans can be safely used in your home oven.
Are There Any Concerns Using Copper Cookware in an Oven
All the brands mentioned above are designed to be oven-safe, and most other copper cookware is made that way.
But not all brands are, so there are some things to be aware of.
For instance, check for plastic or silicone trim on the handles or lids, or look for a non-stick coating inside the pans.
While copper can handle high temperatures beautifully, these other materials cannot.
Copper is a metal with high thermal conductivity – 60% more conductive than aluminum and 3,000% more conductive than stainless steel.
Besides sounding impressive, this means that copper pans get hot very quickly.
This can be a good thing because it allows you better control over the temperature of the pan.
However, it also means that you need to be careful if you are new to cooking with copper because you can burn your food quickly.
In addition, copper’s high thermal conductivity and malleability mean that it can warp when faced with drastic temperature changes.
If it heats up or cools down too quickly, the metal may expand and then contract unevenly.
This is known as thermal shock, and it can warp your cookware.
Even if your copper pans are safe for use in the refrigerator and the oven, you should never put a pan of food straight from the fridge into a preheated oven.
At the very least, let the pan of food get to room temperature first and then put it in a cold oven to let it warm up gradually as the oven preheats.
How to Care for Copper Cookware
No matter where and how you use it, you will eventually need to clean your copper pans.
Do not put your copper cookware in the dishwasher! Although, some of the brands with copper in the name but not in the construction are dishwasher-safe.
Copper is a soft and sensitive metal, which means that it can scratch easily, and many dishwasher detergents are pretty abrasive.
Hand-wash your copper pans with a soft sponge and a gentle soap.
Do not scrub or scrape; if there is burnt-on food, soak the pan in warm water with a mild soap solution.
Never use an abrasive brush or pad to clean your copper cookware.
Copper develops a patina over time – look at the Statue of Liberty – and needs to be polished to restore its shine.
Be sure to read the manufacturer’s directions for both the pans and the polish, and if there is any conflicting information, defer to the most gentle method.
Wrapping It Up…
By now we have determined it is safe to put your copper pans in the oven.
So enjoy cooking your favorite meals for years to come in this great looking cookware that will likely last longer than you will.