As both a mineral nerd who has a few copper coins featuring animals like alligators and rattlesnakes displayed around the house and a kitchen nerd who enjoys testing kitchenware to their literal breaking point, I was excited to get my hands on this lustrous nine-piece set of genuine copper cookware from Viking.
My initial impressions ranged from, “they’re even prettier in person than they are online,” to “wow, these are heavier than I expected,” but after spending plenty of time cooking bacon, chili, and more with these beauties, I’ve got plenty to say about this high-end set of shimmering copper pots and pans.
Viking Contemporary 4-Ply Copper Clad 9-Piece Cookware Set with Metal Lids
Genuinely beautiful copper cookware, home-chef approved
There’s no question that biggest reason I was so interested in testing out Viking’s pans was because the exterior is wrapped in real, genuine copper instead of a much cheaper faux painted finish, and I felt the heft and premium construction from the first time I held one.
In addition to the layer of pretty cooper, its thick aluminum center and shimmering stainless steel handle give the cookware more weight than you may be used to, but it’s so nice to fry and simmer meals with top-tier pots and pans this sturdy.
Outside of the extremely attractive copper sheen that made me hang and display pieces where I could, the second most attractive element is how Viking securely bolted the handles to each piece with a bold, yet classy signature “VIKING” at the base.
Specifications
- Materials: 304 Stainless Steel Interior, Aluminum Core, 304 Stainless Steel, and Solid Copper Exterior.
- Price: $1,029.
- Colors: Copper.
- Number of pieces: 9.
- What's included: 10 in. frying pan, 3.4-quart steamer insert, 4.8-quart sauté pan with lid, 12 in. frying pan, 3.4-quart sauce pan with lid, and 8-quart stock pot with lid.
- Stovetop & oven safe: Yes, up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Real copper exterior?: Yes!.
Pros
- Exceptionally sturdy and well-designed.
- Absolutely beautiful to display in the kitchen.
- Convenient measurements inside several pieces.
- Oven-safe, up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Comfortable riveted-in-place handles makes maneuvering these hefty pieces a snap.
- Unlike copper-bottomed cookware, you can cook on induction heat, and anywhere else.
Cons
- Expensive, but you certainly get your money’s worth.
- Requires more elbow grease to keep the copper looking brilliant, but dedicated cooks won’t mind the extra effort.
- Not dishwasher safe.
I adapted to the additional weight of each piece more quickly than I had expected as well, and not only are the handles comfortable, they’re reliably cool to the touch.
Its trio of glass and stainless-steel lids are another highlight. they look great and I appreciate how its design forces condensation to fall back into the pan or pot to keep your meals moist and tastier.
With that said, copper cookware isn’t for everyone. Just like how some of my copper coins have turned colors over the years, expect these beautiful pieces to “patina,” or morph its natural colors from purple, green, yellow, and beyond over time.
If you want these copper pans to stay as shiny as they were on the day you took them out of the box, expect to exclusively hand-wash them, exclusively cook with low-to-mid heat levels, and give them a regular rubdown with Bar Keepers Friend.
I don’t mind taking the extra effort to keep my set of Viking pans looking shiny, and at this price, dedicated home cooks will happily baby their premium pots too.
Far more than a pretty face, top-tier results
While I’ve always liked the luster of copper cookware, the properties of this element have made induction cooking with copper-bottomed pots and pans impossible. Thankfully, the core of each of these pieces is heavy-duty aluminum with a matching base that allows for induction, electric, gas, ceramic, and whatever heating element your kitchen has too.
I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly these pans heat up, even under low heat, and that’s really all I needed to fry up bacon, chicken, eggs or anything else on the menu while rarely pushing it up to low-medium heat.
Speaking of which, these pieces all heat perfectly evenly and speedily, and I always felt like I had perfect control over searing my meats. It’s fast, easy, and notable user-friendly once you get used to the additional bulk.
I was also glad to see the measurement markings on the inside of these pots and pans. It’s a genuinely helpful little touch that I’m certain home-cooks of all skill levels will take full advantage of.
But who is Viking’s copper cookware for?
With a wide array of cookware included in this set, both newbies and veteran chefs will have plenty of tools to work with.
I highly recommend these eye-catching copper pans and pots to mid-to-pro chefs, not only because they’re extremely durable and clearly made to endure your culinary adventures for many years to come, but because people with a knack for cooking should be patient enough to treat the copper set with the additional care they need to keep that metallic shine.
Viking Contemporary 4-Ply Copper Clad 9-Piece Cookware Set with Metal Lids
With that said, chefs of all experience levels will appreciate how quickly and evenly these pieces heat up for that level of precision you won’t get with cheaper cookware.
If you’re the patient type who can remember to hand-wash, use softer utensils like wood too cook with, and only use low to medium heat levels, I’m happy to say that this admittedly pricey set of copper cookware is a worthwhile investment for serious foodies.
