What copper cookware does Joanna Gaines use?

Hi there! As an expert in home design and renovation, I often get asked about the gorgeous copper cookware used by Joanna Gaines, star of HGTV‘s Fixer Upper. Copper pots and pans add such beauty and functionality to a kitchen. In this article, I‘ll provide you with extensive details on Joanna‘s copper collection, the benefits of cooking with copper, how to care for it, and copper cookware options from other top brands. Read on for the full scoop!

Joanna‘s Stunning Mauviel Copper Cookware

Joanna Gaines has exquisite taste – her ability to beautifully blend modern and rustic design is unmatched. This knack for style extends to her kitchens, where she loves incorporating warm metals like brass, gold, and especially copper.

In particular, Joanna is a devoted fan of the legendary French brand Mauviel. Their magnificent copper cookware has adorned the top restaurants in Paris for generations. Now, Mauviel is a staple in Joanna‘s home kitchen.

Mauviel History & Copper Cookware Construction

Mauviel was founded way back in 1830 in the Normandy region of France. For nearly 200 years, the family company has hand-crafted extraordinary copper pots and pans in their workshops. Each piece is made completely by hand using traditional methods that maximize copper‘s conductive abilities.

Here‘s an inside look at how Mauviel constructs their copper cookware:

• 2.5mm thick copper exterior – This wrap-around layer covers the outside of each pan. Mauviel uses the highest quality copper available.

• Stainless steel interior – A layer of stainless steel is permanently joined to the interior copper walls. This provides a smooth non-stick cooking surface.

• Joining through "brazing" – The two metals are bonded at staggeringly high temps reaching 1200°F. This process is called brazing and seamlessly joins the layers.

• Riveted bronze handles – Each pan has riveted handles made from bronze for strength and a classic look.

This 2-ply construction results in cookware that heats rapidly and evenly across the entire surface. Food cooks precisely with no frustrating hot or cold spots. The copper also cools down swiftly when removed from the burner. This allows delicate cooking where temperature can be finely controlled – a must for serious chefs!

Joanna‘s Copper Cookware Collection

In Joanna‘s breathtaking kitchens, her Mauviel copper collection includes:

• 10” and 12” M’Heritage M250C copper skillets – for frying, sauteing, searing
• 5.5-qt M’Heritage M250C copper sauté pan – for sauteing proteins and veggies
• 3-qt and 5-qt M’Heritage M250C copper saucier pans – for simmering sauces or boiling pasta
• 5-qt M’Cook M250C stock pot – for stocks, broths, canning, and boiling
• 5.5-qt M’Passion M250C sauté pan – Joanna‘s go-to for pan sautéing

She uses these copper pans daily for everything from frying eggs in the morning to preparing family dinners. The handsome Mauviel pots and pans also add a spectacular pop of color that delights Joanna‘s artistic eye.

Why Cooking with Copper is Superior

Copper has been prized by top chefs for centuries, and for good reason. Here are some of the key advantages copper provides for cooking:

• Excellent heat conductivity – Copper is the most thermally conductive metal after silver. This enables extremely even heating with no frustrating hot or cold zones.

• Rapid heat response – Copper heats up swiftly when placed on a stove burner. This allows precise control for temp sensitive foods.

• Cool down speedily – In turn, copper also cools down rapidly when removed from heat. This allows immediately stopping the cooking process.

• Reactive surface – Copper reacts with food acids and alters pH. This enhances flavors, colors, and chemical reactions during cooking.

• Anti-microbial – Copper is naturally anti-microbial. This kills bacteria, keeping you safe when cooking meat or eggs.

• Easy to clean – Food doesn‘t stick easily to copper‘s smooth surface. And copper cleans up well with special cleaners.

• Beautiful appearance – Copper has a striking orange-red glow that makes a stunning statement in any kitchen.

• Highly durable – Mauviel copper is crafted from 2.5mm copper that will not warp or dent under frequent high-heat cooking.

With these advantages, it‘s easy to see why copper has been the choice of top chefs for generations. The cooking control it allows is unmatched.

Caring for Your Copper Cookware

One downside of copper is that it requires a bit more care than stainless steel or non-stick pans. With the proper maintenance, your copper can last a lifetime and continue looking gorgeous. Here are my top tips for caring for copper pots and pans:

• Never place in dishwasher – The detergent will damage the tin lining over time. Always hand wash.

• Dry immediately – Don‘t air dry copper after washing. Quickly hand dry to prevent water spots.

• Use a copper cleaner – Twice a month, use a copper polish paste with a soft cloth to restore the rich color.

• Avoid abrasives – Don‘t use harsh scrubbers that can scratch the exterior. Use soft sponges or cloths only.

• Limit acidic foods – Don‘t cook highly acidic sauce for prolonged periods, as the acids may damage the lining.

• Use low to medium heat – Most copper pans don‘t need intense heat. Keeping heat lower preserves the tin lining.

With this proper care, your Mauviel copper cookware will maintain its stunning beauty and last for decades. The extra effort is well worth it!

Heat Distribution in Cookware Metals

One of the main advantages of copper is its unrivaled heat conduction among cookware materials. But how exactly does it compare against other common cookware metals?

Here is a data table showing the relative thermal conductivity of different cookware metals, according to tests conducted by the US Bureau of Standards:

As you can see, copper‘s thermal conductivity rating of 378 is incredibly high, second only to silver which is rarely used in cookware. This allows copper to diffuse heat across the surface over 60 times faster than stainless steel. No other mainstream cookware material can match its combination of rapid heating and evenness.

This superior heat distribution allows the precise control that has made copper the darling of professional chefs. Now home cooks like Joanna Gaines can enjoy those same benefits.

Other Leading High-End Copper Cookware Brands

While Mauviel is the gold standard, there are several other premium copper cookware brands that Joanna likely appreciates. These include:

All-Clad – This American company is renowned for its bonded cookware that combines a copper core with stainless steel exterior. Excellent heating but very expensive.

Matfer Bourgeat – A French brand using cast iron handles on 2mm copper pans. High quality at a lower cost than Mauviel.

De Buyer – Known for very affordable 2mm copper cookware handmade in France. Fewer layers means faster heating response.

Lagostina Martellata – An Italian hammered copper line with lower prices but still excellent heat control.

Any of these brands will provide the coveted cooking control of copper along with its visual appeal. While pricier than everyday cookware, copper is a worthy investment that will give you a joyful cooking experience.

Joanna‘s Other Favorite Cookware Materials

In addition to her gorgeous coppers pots and pans, Joanna Gaines incorporates a diverse array of materials and brands throughout her kitchens depending on the recipe. Some other kitchen essentials for Joanna include:

Cast Iron – Joanna keeps a collection of no-frills cast iron skillets and Dutch ovens for long-simmering stews and frying steaks. Top brands she uses are Lodge and Le Creuset.

Enameled Cast Iron – For braises and roasts needing slow, even heat, Joanna relies on enameled cast iron pots from Le Creuset and Staub. The enameled surface resists staining and rust.

Stainless Steel – When she needs lightweight versatility, Joanna turns to All-Clad stainless steel pots and pans. Their aluminum core ensures excellent responsiveness.

Carbon Steel – Joanna searcrispy fried eggs effortlessly in carbon steel skillets from De Buyer. She loves that they can be seasoned like cast iron.

Non-Stick – For cooking delicate proteins like fish, Joanna keeps GreenPan ceramic non-stick skillets handy. Their eco-friendly coating provides easy release.

Stoneware – Joanna has a collection of stoneware baking dishes and cocottes from Emile Henry. She uses them for baking breads and roast chicken.

As you can see, Joanna Gaines chooses each material deliberately based on the cooking characteristics needed. And she returns to her gorgeous Mauviel coppers for that unbeatable heat control.

I hope you‘ve enjoyed this deep dive into Joanna Gaines‘ copper cookware collection and why she adores cooking with this reactive metal! Let me know if you have any other questions. I‘m happy to help fellow cooking enthusiasts learn more about equipping their kitchens.