Thinning copper-bottomed staninless pot

In copper-bottomed cookware, can the stainless begin to thin and allow the copper to leech through? My potato pot has discoloration at the bottom that another post suggested might be just from overheating. If copper did leech through is that dangerous?

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Best Answer

If it is like the pans I've used, the copper bottom is attached to the bottom of the stainless "bowl" - almost impossible to wear through unless you clean frequently with a sandblaster.

Leaching from a copper vessel might be dangerous if it were routinely cleaned violently back to bright metal, or used to cook strongly acidic foods. If copper vessels are used routinely for cooking, they form a passive layer on the surface, and do not present a huge problem as long as malachite (green) does not form in the cooking area.

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Why would a chef sometimes use a copper bottomed stainless steel pot as opposed to just a stainless steel pot?

Copper is more conductive than stainless steel (and aluminum), meaning copper cookware heats up quicker and distributes heat more evenly. It's one of the reasons many professional chefs love copper cookware.

Is stainless steel with copper Safe?

This second type of copper cookware is safe to cook with because they are lined with non-reactive, food-safe metals like stainless steel or tin. These pans look just as pretty on the outside, but they're completely safe for cooking on the inside.

Why are copper bottom pans considered good for cooking?

Pots that are made of copper are ideal heat conductors; the material is durable, hygienic and corrosion-resistant. Above all, it is the excellent heat conductivity that makes copper a perfect base material for pots and pans.

Is copper better than stainless steel for cooking?

With copper, the cookware heats quickly and evenly and you avoid hotspots that generally cause food to stick. However, heat retention is the real issue. Copper loses heat just as quickly as it gains it, making it better suited to cooking more delicate proteins, as well as savory sauces.

Testing 4 methods for cleaning Copper Pots Without using harsh chemicals!

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

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