be careful. The top copper companies include: Mauviel, FAulk Culinair, Bourgeat, Dehlierin, Lara, Ruffoni, and Pupueini. These pans are heavy copper, all can come tin lined, and several also have a stainless lining.
If the copper feels light, even if the handle is heavy, if the copper is laquered, think twice. No pan copmpany expecting their wares to really be used laquers their pans. I have seen some "French copper" from Alsace region and it does not look or feel like what I cook with daily. The tin lining also doesn't seem very substantial.
Tin lined copper is great, but requires some care, as does non stick lining for example. But a thin lining will wear faster and require retining sooner. Home cooks should expect to retin a pan in 8 to 10 years of average use.
THe other tell tale sign is cost: A copper pan of quality is going to cost what an All Clad pan costs or more (their top line btw). SO at a discount house, you can expect to pay 50% of that. A 3qt pan should run about $80 in a Marshalls or TJMax. If it's less than that, I really suspect the workmanship or qualilty of the metal.
However if you want it for display, go ahead.
I just hate to see really fine cookware get a bad reputation from a few brands being sold that don't deliver the goods so to speak.
RIght now CHefs Resource (on line) has Mauviel on sale. Also check out hand made Tasmanian copper at
www.Laracopper.com These folks guarentee their work.
