topic Re: Confused/Mixed Reaction to Copper Chef in Kitchen

Confused/Mixed Reaction to Copper Chef

KaySD — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 23:27:18 GMT

I bought the small CC skillet to try. I didn't really need another skillet, but lots of good reviews--and a price of twenty bucks--not much to lose. Anyway, I got the skillet and read the little brochure that came with it. Turns out it's quite confusing.

1. It can be put in the dishwasher--but the booklet says repeated use of the dishwasher will damage it, and by the way you can't use dish detergent with lemon in it. (So can you use lemon in cooking? Doesn't say.)

2. It can be used over high heat, but the booklet says it should be used mostly over low or medium, and that high heat will damage it.

3. It can be used in the oven, but not a toaster oven (not that it would fit anyway).

4. You can add fat, but only refined, not virgin, olive oil or clarified, not ordinary, butter.

5. You can use on any heat source, even the barbecue, but over a gas burner you should use a flame shield thing.

6. It's scratch resistant, but metal utensils will damage the finish.

Anybody with experience with this pan have advice? Is there anything about this pan that improves on any nonstick skillet? Have I fallen for a scam?

Hey, I'm willing to be happy with this purchase, I really am. But reviews are often written soon after receiving things, and I'd like to know what the deal really is after using the pan for a while. Thanks!

Re: Confused/Mixed Reaction to Copper Chef

chickenbutt — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 23:46:10 GMT

Wow, those are some serious use rules!

If it's nonstick, I can see why it shouldn't go in the dishwasher or be used with high heat (even though in presentations they probably misrepresent that). Same applies to using with metal utensils.

But the other rules are definitely a head-scratcher. About the only fat I ever use in a pan is either extra virgin olive oil and/or butter. (I use them together a lot - the butter for that flavor and the evoo to bring up the flash point)

Re: Confused/Mixed Reaction to Copper Chef

mima — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 01:32:40 GMT

I use olive oil in mine and I've put mine under the broiler twice so far. It is perfect.

I don't put it in the DW and I don't use metal utensils. I love this pan so I am kind of babying it.

It looks like brand new and I use it a lot. I've had it about 6 months.

I would not use Pam type sprays because those ruin non stick pans. They leave a gummy residue.They do have an olive oil spray that is safe for nonstick pans and that is what I use all the time.

I actually have 2 of these CC pans and they are great!

Re: Confused/Mixed Reaction to Copper Chef

KaySD — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 05:02:26 GMT

@chickenbutt

Right? I use EVOO and butter, too, and don't buy "refined" olive oil or keep ghee on hand as a rule. Maybe they have stated all those rules to preclude anybody suing them later? I'll probably use it like any other nonstick pan and if it doesn't survive the treatment...oh, well.

Re: Confused/Mixed Reaction to Copper Chef

KaySD — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 05:05:06 GMT

@mima, that's encouraging! I won't baby the pan, but I'm glad to hear that yours has survived for 8 months. I figure a nice nonstick skillet in daily use has about 18 months in it, even if you're careful. So I won't cry if I only get that much from the CC. Yeah, those aerosols are no good for any cookware IMO. But the EVO spray bottle I bought on Q works very well with olive oil in it.

Re: Confused/Mixed Reaction to Copper Chef

depglass — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 15:15:27 GMT

I think they have all the rules so they won't have to pay off on warranty claims.

Re: Confused/Mixed Reaction to Copper Chef

noodleann — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 16:42:01 GMT

@depglass wrote:
I think they have all the rules so they won't have to pay off on warranty claims.

That's the first thing I thought of when I read this. They know that most people don't read instructions, and will go by the presentations. So people are going to definitely do what you should be able to do with any pan that's actually fit for use on a stove--put olive oil or plain old butter in it.

Add to that the stuff with lemon in dishwashing detergent, the contradictory guidance on putting it in the dishwasher, and especially that business about the heat level, which is the tricky issue with a lot of nonstick pans, and you've got a product that basically isn't fit for the purpose it's being sold for. I'd return this and get a piece of real cookware.

Re: Confused/Mixed Reaction to Copper Chef

suzyQ3 — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 16:48:17 GMT

#4 is absurd.

Re: Confused/Mixed Reaction to Copper Chef

software — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 18:15:48 GMT

I just purchased the 10" with a glass lid from another retailer for $20.

I was surprised by all the do's & don'ts but it won't be a problem for me because I plan to use it to saute without oils and to boil potatoes or other veggies. I'm so tired of burning up pots & pans.

I rarely use my dishwasher now, for just me, but I've never used the lemon dishwashing products because I have other items with that forbid it. Like my stainless forks, etc.

@KaySD

Re: Confused/Mixed Reaction to Copper Chef

WORKING GAL — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 21:50:12 GMT

I bought the 9 1/2 inch square Copper Chef skillet on my SIL's recommendation. She has both the Copper Chef and Red Copper skillets. I've used it about 6 times to cook egg white omelets for my husband and me with a good quality margarine and have had no problems with sticking or clean up. I'v used it numerous times for hash browns, sausage, hamburgers, hot dogs, etc. with no issues thus far. Before I invested in the larger pans, I wanted to try this skillet since I got it at BB&B with my 20% off. I'm just sticking with this one for a while. Since it is so easy to clean, I just hand wash. I've been told that lemon dish detergent is not good for many reasons so I never use it.

Re: Confused/Mixed Reaction to Copper Chef

KaySD — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 04:31:00 GMT

@suzyQ3, ITA about #4! But the booklet really says that. Now, I don't keep "refined olive oil" around and I seldom have clarified butter around--I like it but it's pricey.

I've been giving the pan a workout (with EVOO and avo oil) and so far it's okay. I like the size and shape. Meat cooked without oil tends to stick, but comes off well when I add a bit of water while the pan is still hot. And I can only lose $20 anyway.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Re: Confused/Mixed Reaction to Copper Chef

Poodlepet2 — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 13:42:37 GMT

@KaySD, when it was a TSV I bought two of them-and the workmanship is questionable.

I knew better-but bought the pitch that it can be used on high heat....it warped. It's still usable, but on a glass top range the warp is noticeable and cooks unevenly.

The second continues to amaze me: it's one of DH's favorites! He deep fries, broils, roasts at high temperatures. That pan is a Titan!

We don't put any pans in the washer-ever.

My conclusion is that for this product, there are good days and there are bad days at the facility that makes them.....

Poodlepet2

Re: Confused/Mixed Reaction to Copper Chef

KaySD — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 01:16:26 GMT

Hi, @Poodlepet2. Thanks for the detailed info. How frustrating! Maybe they are made a several different manufacturing facilities?

One of the replies above suggested I get some "real" cookware. Funny! I do have real cookware, of course, but I was willing to try CC out just to see. And I do like the small, square, shallow form of this pan.

I'm finding that food does stick to the pan, but is very easy to remove--so far--if I place a wet paper towel in the bottom of the pan right after I take it off the heat. It would probably be the same thing if I put hot water in. No warping yet!

Re: Confused/Mixed Reaction to Copper Chef

Mothertrucker — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 21:56:36 GMT

Ihave not needed to put mine in the dishwasher..perhaps they are worried that the evolution and butter, with their lower smoking point, might be inferior for frying..They are, I only sauté with either....

I life mine...and I DO put the glass list in the DW....

I use it 3-4 times per week...alternating with my flip pans, which have etymologies similar use and care instructions...