Want to learn more about the Copper Chef and Red Copper Pan? You’ve come to the right spot…
Here’s what you should expect to learn…
- Whats with the hype?
- What’s actually good about this cookware?
- What are the major differences and similarities?
- What are the most common complaints (and how can you avoid them)?
- What you NEED to know about the warranties.
What’s the Hype About?
Infomercials have a way of making everything seem awesome. The Copper Chef and Red Copper pans are no exception. It shows people doing things that you probably shouldn’t do to any piece of cookware you own (unless it is cast iron of course). Things such as using a hand mixer in a nonstick pan probably isn’t a great idea if you want the surface to stay intact, yet it is still part of one of the demonstrations that we’ve seen.
If you think that using the pan is going to be as magic as it looks on TV, then you’re in for a big let down. However, if you’re interesting in getting some solid nonstick pans that you plan on taking good care of, then it might be worth considering. We’ve recommended these new types of nonstick pans in the past, but want to stress that it is critical that you follow the actual instructions that come with the cookware, not just what you see on TV.
What’s Great About this Cookware
From our research, both of these products tend to provide the user the ability to cook most things without any additional oil – which is a great thing. There are many similar pans like these on the market (despite the marketing messages saying they are “one of a kind”). If you follow the instructions fully and don’t abuse the cookware, you should have something that’s going to last a long time and perform great. Copper cookware will most likely be an upgrade to any traditional nonstick Teflon pans you may have used in the past.
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What’s the Difference Copper Chef and Red Copper Pans?
It’s hard to fully evaluate which one is going to be better for you, as both brands have a wide range of different products and bundles available. For the sake of evaluation, let’s compare one large casserole pan from Copper Chef and Red Copper.
What’s Similar?
- Both pans when used properly are going to provide you the ability to cook without any oil or fat – when used correctly.
- Both pans are oven safe which is good for keeping things warm or putting a final roast on veggies after they’ve been sauteed.
- Both have similar type coatings that are at least partially ceramic. Our experience with ceramic cookware has been great (so long as you don’t abuse it).
- Both are likely to damage or scratch if you don’t use nonmetal utensils or aren’t careful about how you stack your cookware.
What’s Different?
- The Copper Chef claims to be heat resistant up to 850F, while the Red Copper claims to be oven safe up to 500F.
- The Red Copper Pan needs to be seasoned according to the instruction manual.
- They have different sets of bonus packages of accessories available, but there’s almost too many to keep track of. Copper Chef products are often bundled with their induction cook tops.
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Check Prices on the Red Copper Pan / Check Prices on Copper Chef XL with Induction Cooktop
Most Common Complaints and How to Avoid Them
During our research, the found two most common complaints for the Copper Chef and Red Copper are the same: The coating doesn’t hold up or peels off or that things actually stick to the pan. The problem with most negative reviews is that they rarely take into account how they used the pan. For example, according to the instruction manual of the Red Copper and the FAQ of the Copper Chef both recommend non-metal utensils. Many people fail to follow this (along with other good nonstick maintenance practices) and end up with a damaged pan.
That being said, some other practices are likely to damage these pan as well. This includes throwing them in the sink with other sharp utensils, stacking them improperly with other pots, etc. If you’re careless about the use of these pans and don’t follow the manufacturer recommendations that come with the products to a T, you’re likely going to have some trouble.
In addition, the Red Copper Pan and instructions say that you should season the pan before you use it. This means rubbing it down with vegetable oil and sticking it into the oven. Users who fail to do this step are likely to find themselves with food stuck to their pan right away!
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Another thing that people might overlook from the Copper Chef instruction manual is that you cannot use EVOO or cooking sprays – same with the Red Copper.
Cleaning these pans (or any nonstick pans) with abrasive materials is also risky – so be sure to read the manual and see what the brand recommends for whichever unit you end up getting. It’s icious cycle of stuck food and scrubbing once the nonstick surface gets worn down. However, if you keep their nonstick coating intact, they should be very easy to clean.
This is by no means a comprehensive overview of the instructions for each pan or cookware piece, but we just wanted to give people an idea of what they can expect and the care that they should take while using them. Not doing so will likely lead to ruined pans and a lot more disappointment.
You may also want to check out Tfal’s nonstick cookware or Gotham Steel for an alternative.
Check Prices on the Red Copper Pan / Check Prices on Copper Chef XL with Induction Cooktop
What About the Warranties?
The problem with warranties on products like these is in the fine print. Looking at the instruction manuals for both products both warranties require that you ship the product back at your expense as well as a “processing fee” of some sort.
That being said, don’t expect to get a new pan without a hassle if something goes wrong. For this reason, we always recommend buying products like this from Authorized Retailers with solid return policies. It will be much easier to return a piece of cookware to a retailer than to the manufacturer directly.
Our Conclusion
Based on the amount of people happy with their pans and the relatively low cost (compared to some other kitchen appliances), we would recommend that you check either of these out. We love cooking with ceramic coated pans, but don’t like over-promises and hype. Neither one of these brands are superior to the other, so pick the offer you like the best and go for it!
Further Reading: Enameled Cast Iron vs. Cast Iron [Important Pros & Cons]
Hey, I’m Joey. I’ve been cooking since I was a little kid and love everything about it. You can find my writing about food, kitchen appliances (such as blenders) and much more. Thanks for stopping by!
