How to Cook in Copper Pots
Copper pots are excellent conductors of heat. Cooking food in them almost always uses less energy than cooking in pots made of other metals. The majority of copper pots on the market today are lined with either tin or stainless steel, and both have their advantages. Pots lined with tin have better heat conductivity, while stainless steel are easier to clean. Either way, you cannot go wrong learning to cook in copper pots. Cheaper unlined copper pots are also available. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Read all labels before purchasing copper pots or cookware sets. Many pots and sets have a coating on the tin and copper that must be removed with acetone before cooking in the pots the first time. If this step is needed, follow the manufacturer's recommendations to remove the coating.
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Use wooden or plastic utensils when cooking in a copper pot. Metal spoons and spatulas can damage the lining.
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Cook a simple dish as your first meal in a copper pot or pan. Fried or scrabbled eggs are a good choice. Start with the temperature on low and adjust as needed. High heat is rarely necessary for cooking in copper.
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Avoid acidic foods, such as tomato-based sauces, in unlined copper pots. The acidic foods can cause the copper to leach into the food. This is not a problem with pots lined with tin or stainless steel.
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Watch the food as it cooks. If the heat beneath the pot is too high, it is easy for food to scorch. Always use the lowest temperature possible to achieve the results needed.
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Allow your copper pots and pans to cool before washing. The transitions from high heat to dish washing temperatures can cause the pan to warp. Use a plastic pot scrubber on tin lined copper pots to remove any caked on food residue. Metal scrubbers can remove the tin lining, but can be safely used on stainless steel.
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Tips & Warnings
When boiling foods, such as spaghetti or potatoes, turn the heat down and cover the pan once the water has come to a boil. Cooper pots with stainless steel linings can replace other cookware for cooking any dish. Tin lined copper pots can be relined if necessary. Contact the manufacturer if this process is needed for your pots and pans.
