Can You Use Red Copper Pans On An Induction Cooktop?

When I first started becoming a culinary writer (my first professional writing passion), I was shocked to find out that certain pan materials don’t actually work with certain types of cooktops. Wild, right? Red Copper is one of the more popular cookware brands for people who want to get a bargain buy. It might not always be a good choice. That’s why induction cooktops owners should ask about compatibility.

The vast majority of copper pans cannot be used on induction cooktops, simply because induction cooktops require cookware that’s magnetized to work. Copper does not conduct magnetism, so traditional copper pans won’t work. Red Copper brand pans are outfitted to be induction-safe, so you can use them on induction cooktops.

If you recently became the proud owner of a copper pan set, it’s good to know whether or not you can use it on induction. Our guide will explain it all.

Red Copper is not a material, per se. It’s actually a branded line of pans and pots that is designed around the use of nonstick copper. Red Copper is a budget brand that’s gained a lot of popularity thanks to its smash-hit informercials. You might’ve also seen their products in grocery stores.

The most common Red Copper product is simply known as the Red Copper pan. It’s a small copper nonstick pan that’s amazing for food prep and is available both in-stores and online.

Induction cooktops are meant to be the safest in the industry. This means that you won’t actually get heat on your cooktop unless there is a magnetic connection there. So, while you might put the pan on the cooktop and turn up the heat, your pan won’t actually get hot. You’ll be stuck with a cold pan and cold food.

Using the wrong pan on an induction cooktop isn’t necessarily unsafe, simply because it won’t allow heat to transfer to the pan or elsewhere. However, that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to leave the wrong pan on the cooktop. It could potentially damage the pan that you have or the cooktop itself, or at least contribute to wear and tear.

Let’s say that you aren’t 100 percent sure that you have a pan from Red Copper, or if it’s a random pan that doesn’t actually have a magnet bottom. It happens, especially if you are a fan of going to yard sales.

The best way to find out if a copper pan is induction-friendly is to see how it’s labeled. New pan sets that are made for induction cooktops will mention that they are induction-ready. You also might be able to see the bottom of the pan’s magnetic coating. Otherwise, you can see if the pan heats up on the induction stove in a trial run. If it does, then it can work on an induction stove.

If you have a Red Copper pan, then you probably got it as a single pan at a grocery store or from a local cookware store. Most Red Copper products are sold solo. However, this is not always the case. Red Copper also makes several large-scale copper cookware sets. So, if you love the nonstick style of Red Copper, you absolutely can get a complete set of pans.

At the time of this writing, the largest copper cookware set that we’ve seen from Red Copper is 10 pieces, and it includes both their classic pan as well as a couple of pots. Most of their pots do not appear to be for sale individually at the time of this writing. So, it’s mostly their flagship piece.

Related Questions

Can you put a Red Copper pan in the oven?

The flagship pan from Red Copper is entirely made of metal, which means that it is totally oven-safe. They are rated for safe use for temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can make quick and easy transitions from the stovetop to the oven if need be.

Can you use enameled cast iron cookware on induction cooktops?

Induction cooktops rely on magnetism in order to transfer the heat from the cooktop to the food. The good thing about cast iron is that it’s highly magnetic. This means that having an enamel coating over the cast iron will not negatively impact its ability to be used on an induction cooktop. Many top-rated chefs prefer to use enameled cast iron on induction cooktops whenever possible.

Are Red Copper pans okay on glass cooktops?

Glass cooktops vary so much, this is actually a hard question to answer. If you have a reinforced glass cooktop that has a track record of durability, you should be fine with using Red Copper. On the other hand, if you have a glass cooktop that has warnings on it against heavy items or even scratchy surfaces, then it’s best to play it safe. When in doubt, don’t use it.