You can put a copper pan in the oven if you’re making a dessert like a tarte Tatin, but remember that copper can’t take the high heat of cast iron or stainless, so most manufacturers don’t recommend temperatures above 450 °F.

In our tests, we put copper skillets through the same heating evenness and sauté performance tests as stainless steel pans, which are also uncoated. We also cook foods that require controlled heat, including risotto, a gooey banana tarte Tatin, and melted white chocolate. All the copper pans perform well, Fisher says.

Here are two recommended copper pans from CR’s tests.

Stainless Steel

 Cast iron cookware has been a staple in the kitchen for centuries, and its enduring popularity is a testament to its durability and versatility.  Whether you are an experienced cook or a novice cook, investing in cast iron cookware is a decision that can enhance your cooking experience.  When considering purchasing cast iron cookware, it's important to understand the different types available and their prices to make an informed decision.

While cast iron skillets take longer to heat up than other frying pan materials, they heat evenly and consistently with no hot spots. They are great at retaining heat and can be taken from the stovetop to the oven or grill and then to the table for service to keep the food warm. A well-seasoned cast-iron skillet is naturally non-stick and can withstand very high temperatures without warping or getting damaged. Cast iron requires frequent maintenance, but the benefit is that it can last a lifetime with routine seasoning and using proper cleaning techniques.

While stainless steel pans are incredibly versatile, you’ll need to take a little extra care to keep them from rusting or sticking.

Enhanced Cooking Results: Bacon presses and steak weights help to achieve optimal cooking results by ensuring that meats are evenly cooked, preventing curling, and promoting the development of desirable sear marks. This results in improved texture and flavor in the finished dishes.

Now this is a pretty tricky one. Frypans and skillets both rarely come with lids. When a frypan does come with a lid, it’s often made from glass which allows you to monitor food easily. Even so, it’s pretty rare for a lid to be available unless you specifically purchase the lid as an add-on.

They draped these cooking containers above trench walls so they could enjoy warm meals even without access to ovens or stoves.

One of the drawbacks of copper frying pans is that they require special care and maintenance to keep them looking their best. They must be regularly polished and treated with a special solution to prevent discolouration and tarnishing.

Best for: Delicate proteins like fish and seafood, melting sugar, making candy, and sauces.

The details: Copper frying pans are expensive, but they offer superb heat conductivity. That means they heat up quickly and cool down just as fast, giving you more control when you’re making something you have to monitor closely, like a caramel sauce. “They’re at the opposite end of the spectrum from cast iron,” Nitahara says. “Because it heats up and cools down quickly, you can bring a sauce right to the brink, then remove it from the heat before it breaks from the high heat.”