Although brass cookware is rare, there are still some specialist items that can be found for your kitchen.
If you’ve come across pots, woks, pans, and other cookware made from brass, you’ve probably wondered how well it performs.
Many home cooks ask: is brass cookware good for cooking, and it’s a question worth exploring?
What is Brass?
Brass is an alloy made from copper and zinc.
It has varied uses from industrial products to decorative home products and home cookware.
Brass is revered for its color and strength.
It has a hue much like gold, although slightly duller in appearance.
Although brass is a heavy material when densely formed, it’s similar in weight to stainless steel when considering home cookware.
One unique property of brass is that it doesn’t cause sparks, so it has a tradition of being used in areas where heat is constant, much like your kitchen.
Are There Downsides to Brass?
Like most metals, brass does have its downsides.
It’s notoriously difficult to keep clean and can tarnish quickly.
Over time it can develop oxidation (also known as a patina) that makes it unsuitable for cooking.
The best way to avoid oxidation is to regularly clean and sterilize your cookware.
Brass cookware must be cleaned immediately after every use.
Wiping the cookware down is not enough.
You should use a mild detergent with a soft sponge to remove oil and food debris.
Avoid scrubbing brass cookware with metal brushes or harsh abrasive brushes.
Chemical cleaners should be avoided to protect your family from food contamination.
You can create a lightly abrasive paste to clean brass cookware.
A single teaspoon of kosher salt with one cup of white vinegar and a sprinkling of all-purpose flour will create a natural cleaning paste that can be rubbed on the brass cookware to restore its shine.
Brass should never be left to drip or air dry. It should always be hand washed and immediately dried and stored to protect it from damage.
Compared to stainless steel or even non-stick cookware, brass requires more maintenance.
If you’re happy to take on a few extra cleaning steps to get the cookware you love, then brass could be perfect for you.
Examples of Brass Cookware
It’s rare to find a full set of brass cookware today.
Consumer trends have shifted towards non-stick coated cookware and high-carbon stainless steel cookware.
- Traditional woks often use brass, and the material makes for an impressive showpiece for your kitchen. If you’ve never cooked with a wok, you will find the experience to be quite educational. A wok might even become your favorite way to cook certain ingredients. Woks have a hot zone in the middle of the pan with slightly cooler sides when cooking. They’re perfect for fried rice, stir-fried ingredients, sauteeing meat, and other ingredients, or simmering stews and other liquid-rich recipes. Note that brass woks are traditionally hand-made, so they won’t have the same factory-consistent shape as modern cookware. This Standard Wok Brass Pan ships internationally but is worth the wait if you want a durable brass wok.
- Full cookware sets usually use copper rather than brass. The finish is similar as is the care required. Copper is antibacterial and antiviral and can kill germs on contact. This Gotham Steel Premium Hammered Cookware is a great option if you want a metal set that can be cleaned in the dishwasher.
Should You Go Out of Your Way to Buy Brass Cookware?
The question, is brass cookware good for cooking, is easy to answer.
It’s a durable material that could last a lifetime, but it’s also becoming exceedingly rare in modern cookware.
It’s best not to go out of your way to buy brass cookware especially if the style of cookware you prefer isn’t available.
For the next best alternative, consider copper instead.
Brass cookware is good for cooking, but its rarity makes it a difficult recommendation in modern times.