This is a review of the Copper Chef Titan Pan.
I like my stainless steel pans because they are durable and can handle high heat, but they aren’t as good for sticky foods like scrambled eggs. I like nonstick pans, as well. But non-stick can be less durable and easily scratched.
But what if you had a pan that combined the best of stainless steel, aluminum, and a non-stick coating?
That’s what the Copper Chef Titan pan claims to do. I found the Copper Chef Titan pan to be a solid choice, provided you know what to expect and how to use it properly. This Copper Chef Titan Pan review will give you all the information you need to keep your pan in the best shape.
Is the Copper Chef Titan Pan right for you? Keep reading to find out.
Contents
About Copper Chef
Copper Chef is owned by Tristar Products, the company responsible for a variety of “As Seen on TV” products. Copper Chef has three cookware series: Signature, Black Diamond, and Titan. Copper Chef is backed by celebrity chefs like Chef Eric Theiss and Chef Jet Tila.
All Copper Chef pans feature their proprietary Cerami-Tech non-stick coating. In general, these products won’t last a lifetime, but they can be good tools in the kitchen.
Due to the manufacturer’s poor customer service reviews it’s better to purchase Copper Chef products from a distributor instead of the manufacturer.
What to look for in nonstick cookware
Non-stick coating
The whole point of non-stick cookware is to, well, be non-stick. If food sticks to the pan, that defeats the purpose.
While Teflon is the most common non-stick coating, ceramic coatings have emerged as a popular alternative. Many ceramic coatings do not contain PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), cadmium, or lead, making them attractive to those who want healthier cooking options.
Some non-stick surfaces are titanium or diamond-infused to increase hardness and make them scratch-resistant.
Some manufacturers claim their non-stick surface is safe for metal utensils. But I would be wary about testing out that claim. Metal utensils are notorious for scratching non-stick cookware. Plus, wooden and heat-resistant silicone tools are inexpensive and widely available.
Non-stick coatings like lower to medium heat, as well. If you want to crank up the heat to high levels, nonstick cookware might not be your best option.
Heat conductivity
Non-stick cookware comes in a range of materials, but aluminum is the most common. One reason why: Aluminum is a great heat conductor, which means the pan will heat and cool quickly. Other cookware materials like cast iron and stainless steel are great at holding in heat, but it takes longer to heat them in the first place.
Also, a pan with fast heat conduction won’t need as high a heat setting on the stove. That’s good, too, because a typical nonstick pan will last longer if you stick to low or medium heat.
If you want non-stick cookware that’s quick to heat, look for a pan with a highly conductive material like aluminum or copper.
Heat distribution
There’s nothing like a hot spot to ruin a perfectly good steak. Uneven heating can cause dishes to burn in one place while being undercooked in another. It’s every cook’s worst nightmare.
You’ll want a nonstick pan with even heating. Full-clad stainless steel, hard-anodized aluminum, and copper are all cookware materials that excel at distributing even heat.
Ease of Cleaning
If a non-stick pan has a superior coating, cleaning should be relatively painless. But even the best non-stick cookware requires cleaning.
A simple wipe with a non-abrasive sponge is usually enough for the best non-stick coating. If you need soap, make sure to use a mild soap. Wipe dry with a soft towel.
Some manufacturers advertise their non-stick pans as dishwasher-safe. In general, though, non-stick pans will last longer and perform better if you hand wash them.
Copper Chef Titan Pan Review
The Copper Chef Titan Line is promoted by celebrity chef Jet Tila. This Titan Pan is really a 5-piece set that includes an 9.5-inch pan (24 cm) and tempered glass lid, an 8-inch pan (20 cm), a steamer basket, and a digital thermometer. This set also comes with a recipe book.
Copper Chef claims this pan set can replace 11 pans, making it a valuable and versatile pan.
Copper Chef Titan Pan Features
Tri-Ply Construction
Copper Chef Titan Pans feature a tri-ply design: An aluminum layer is sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel.
The cooking surface has a recessed non-stick scratch-resistant raised pattern.
The aluminum core helps this pan heat up quickly. It also gives the pan even heat distribution. The stainless steel ensures a durable and non-reactive surface so that you can cook acidic foods without worry.
This pan retains heat well, so it’s suitable for simmering, frying, or boiling.
Cerami-Tech Non-stick Coating
The Cerami-Tech coating uses a diamond-infused formula to reinforce the cooking surface. Copper Chef claims the Titan pans provide healthier cooking options because they require no oil or butter.
Nonetheless, several customers had issues with food sticking. Some had to clean burnt food after cooking. But many users report no issues with sticking.
It is important to note that Copper Chef recommends seasoning the pan before use. Most pans with a non-stick coating do not require seasoning, so this could be easily overlooked. That’s a possible explanation for why the reviews were so mixed with the non-stick coating.
Let’s be clear; this is a completely Teflon-free and PTFE-free non-stick coating. So you don’t need to worry about toxic fumes being released when you heat the pan. Check out my roundup for more non-stick pans without Teflon.
Glass lid
While the 8-inch (20 cm) pan does not include a lid, the 9.5-inch (24 cm) pan does. The tempered glass lid is shatter-resistant and safe for oven temperatures up to 350°F (177°C). It has a metal rim and lid handle.
There were several complaints about food particles and liquid getting stuck inside the rim. Other customers said the lid did not have a tight fit. This can be particularly problematic for steaming vegetables or braising meat.
Steam/Crisper Tray
The stainless steel steam and crisper tray helps remove excess grease from food after cooking. It’s also ideal as a fry basket. Due to the Copper Chef Titan Pan’s depth, you can easily use it as a shallow fryer.
Recipe Book & Digital Thermometer
Although Copper Chef calls this a book, it’s really more of a booklet. It features several recipes by Chef Jet Tila, including ones for fried chicken and fish tacos.
Some recipe books include a lot of obscure recipes with uncommon ingredients. I like that this recipe book has popular dishes with easy-to-find ingredients.
A digital thermometer is helpful when frying and cooking meats, especially if searing steak to the perfect doneness. However, some people complained that the digital thermometer didn’t come with their Copper Chef pan.
Check everything has arrived when you receive it and reclaim if it hasn’t.
Versatility
The Copper Chef Titan pan is oven-safe for temperatures up to 450°F (232°C). It also can be used on all cooktops, even including induction.
In the case of a gas burner, it’s crucial to ensure that the flame only touches the clad metal base of the pan. If the flame gets around the sides, it could damage the pan.
Copper Chef claims you can use this pan in place of a fry pan, wok, shallow fryer, roasting pan, steamer, Dutch oven, casserole dish, pizza pan, baking dish, and crisper.
While I certainly wouldn’t throw out my Dutch oven, this pan is undoubtedly versatile!
Ease of Cleaning
Copper Chef recommends cleaning this pan with a non-abrasive sponge and mild soap or in the dishwasher.
But how easy is it to clean the Copper Chef Titan Pan? The reviews were mixed. Many customers were able to easily wipe out the pan, whereas others had trouble cleaning the pan.
Several users recommended strictly hand washing these pans. The high heat from the dishwasher could cause discoloration. However, some reviewers had success with re-seasoning the pan after cleaning it in the dishwasher.
Personally? I wouldn’t want the hassle of re-seasoning the pan every single time. Stick to hand washing to help preserve the Copper Chef Titan Pan and to save time.
Some customers complained about stains and burn marks on the bottom or sides of the cookware. In that case, you can make a thick paste with baking soda and apply it to the cookware. Let it sit for a minute, and then rinse.
Price
The Copper Chef Titan Pan is more expensive than other Copper Chef frying pans. The tri-ply design gives it more value than the other Copper Chef pan series.
When it comes to affordability, this Titan pan falls in the mid-range of nonstick cookware.
Recommendations for using the Copper Chef Titan Pan
The best way to get your money’s worth with this pan is to use it properly. Generally, people think they can beat up on non-stick pans and just replace them whenever.
This pan is more expensive than a cheap buy from a box store, so you want to treat it with care. However, if you do, it should give you good value and last longer than the average lightweight aluminum pan.
Before First Use
Copper Chef recommends washing your Titan pan in hot water with a gentle soap or dish detergent before using it for the first time. Rinse thoroughly and wipe dry immediately with a soft dish towel.
Copper Chef also recommends seasoning the pan with natural oils, like canola, olive, or peanut oil. Typically people think of cast iron when talking about seasoning, but the Copper Chef Titan Pan will perform better if you season it first.
While Cooking
When cooking, never leave an empty Copper Chef Titan pan on a hot burner. This can warp or otherwise damage the pan. Non-stick is not meant to withstand high heat without food or oil in it.
If you’re frying or cooking with oil, make sure to never fill the pan over two-thirds full of oil. Always preheat the oil before adding food. Also, avoid cooking sprays. They can leave a film and damage the non-stick coating.
Copper Chef claims this pan is metal utensil safe, but I would eschew metal utensils for silicone or wooden cooking tools. Why risk damaging the pan with a metal utensil?
While the Copper Chef Titan Pan is oven-safe up to 450°F (232°C), the glass lid is only safe for temperatures up to 350°F (177°C). The Copper Chef Titan Pan is also not safe for the toaster oven or microwave. When using the frying pan in the oven, make sure to use oven mitts or potholders. The handles will get hot.
As far as stovetop temperatures, low to medium heat is best. Again, the fast heat conduction and heat retention mean you don’t need the highest heat to cook food.
Cleaning and Care
Watch Chef Jet Tila explain how to clean the Copper Chef Titan Pan:
First, always allow your frying pan to cool completely before washing. Running cold water over a hot pan could cause thermal shock and warp the pan.
Hand washing is best, even though Copper Chef advertises the Titan Pan as dishwasher-safe. Simply wash with mild detergent and a soft sponge, then dry with a soft towel. Of course, you should avoid steel wool or metal scrubbing pads. This pan is scratch-resistant, but not scratch-proof.
Copper Chef also recommends re-seasoning the Titan pan from time to time. Simply add a little vegetable oil to a paper towel and rub over the nonstick coating. Heat the pan on the stove at low heat for a minute. Then wipe the excess grease off with a paper towel.
In case of stains on the outside, you can use a cleaner like Bar Keeper’s Friend on the stainless steel. However, you’ll want to avoid getting any of the cleaner on the nonstick coating. At the very least, it will strip the seasoning
What are the alternatives?
GreenPan Lima Ceramic Non-stick, 12 piece set
This GreenPan Lima set comes in an attractive gray exterior and includes 12 pieces: 8-inch (20.32 cm) and 9-inch (22.86 cm) fry pans, 2-quart (liter) covered saucepan, 2.75-quart (liter) covered skillet, 5-quart (liter) covered casserole, stainless steamer, and 3 bamboo utensils.
As far as performance, this set is similar to the Copper Chef Titan Pan. It has a diamond-infused ceramic non-stick, and it’s supposed to be metal utensil-safe, dishwasher-safe, and oven-safe, just like the other nonstick pans.
This set is more expensive, but it includes more pieces. However, I would opt for this one over the Copper Chef Titan Pan if you frequently plan to use the lid. The GreenPan lid seems to be better designed.
This pan likely won’t have the same durability as the Copper Chef Titan pan, though. Several users had issues with the exterior color coming off after only a few uses.
3-Piece Stackable Gotham Steel
This Gotham Steel set is comparable in price and quality to the Copper Chef Titan Pan set. It comes with two frying pans and one glass lid.
The product description does not list sizes, but the pans are both 10 inches (25.4 cm) in diameter. The difference is their depth, with one pan being 3.25 inches (8.26 cm) deep and the other 2.25 inches (5.71 cm) deep.
These Gotham Steel pans feature a titanium-reinforced ceramic nonstick coating. The manufacturer claims they are safe for metal utensils, dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 550°F (288°C).
They don’t have the tri-ply design of the Copper Chef Titan, so they’re thinner and less durable. There were also a lot of complaints about the uncomfortable handles.
But they are stackable, so they are nice for those that want to save precious cabinet space. The lid is also interchangeable, which is nice.
Gotham steel makes plenty of other cookware. If you are interested see my Gotham Steel brand guide.
Copper Chef Titan Pan (10-piece set) (No Longer Available)
Sadly the 10 piece set is no longer available but the brief review is included below.
For those that want a larger cookware set, this Copper Chef Titan Pan set includes 10 pieces: 11-inch (27.94 cm) fry pan with lid, 9.5-inch (24.13 cm) fry pan with tempered glass lid, 8-inch (20.32 cm) fry pan, recipe book, and 3-piece utensil set.
This set features the same diamond-infused ceramic non-stick coating and tri-ply design. The aluminum core is wrapped in two layers of stainless steel.
As far as performance? This set is the same as the 5-piece Copper Chef Titan Pan set. The only difference is it includes utensils, a knife, and an extra pan. This set is more expensive, as well, or was when it was available.
Copper Chef Titan Pan: The Verdict
The Copper Chef Titan Pan is a versatile pan with good value. It combines the best of stainless steel and nonstick pans in a single frying pan.
Due to the lid’s design flaws, I would not recommend this pan for braising or steaming with anything other than water. It’s not the best for searing at high heat, either. But I would absolutely recommend this pan for shallow frying, boiling, sauteing, baking, or roasting.If you know how to use and care for this pan, the Copper Chef Titan Pan should last a while and be a valuable addition to your kitchen.
