It seems you're referring to a 180 mm (18 cm) pot with a copper bottom. Here's a detailed breakdown of the specifications, uses, advantages, and strength of such a pot:
Specifications:
- Diameter: 180 mm (18 cm). This size typically refers to the top diameter of the pot, making it a medium-sized pot, ideal for cooking for 1-4 people depending on the portion size.
- Material: Copper Bottom – The body of the pot is usually made of stainless steel or aluminum, with a copper base. Copper is an excellent conductor of heat, ensuring faster and more even cooking.
- Height: Varies based on the design, but generally, the height might range from 8 to 12 cm, depending on the pot's depth and purpose.
- Base: The copper bottom helps provide uniform heat distribution and faster cooking. Copper enhances the overall cooking performance by quickly reacting to heat adjustments, which prevents burning or overcooking.
- Lid: It may come with a matching lid, often made of stainless steel or glass, to retain heat and moisture.
- Handles: Typically, heat-resistant handles are provided, and they might be either stainless steel or coated for safety and comfort when handling hot pots.
Uses:
- Soups and Stews: The copper bottom helps cook food evenly, making it perfect for simmering soups and stews for a small group.
- Sauce Making: Ideal for making sauces, as the copper bottom prevents scorching and ensures smooth heat distribution.
- Boiling: This size is great for boiling smaller portions of pasta, potatoes, or vegetables.
- Simmering: Great for cooking food at low temperatures, such as simmering rice, grains, or beans.
- Searing Meat: Copper is great for high-heat cooking like searing meats since it reacts quickly to temperature changes.
- Small Batch Cooking: Perfect for personal or small family cooking needs.
Advantages:
- Even Heat Distribution: Copper is one of the best conductors of heat, which means the pot will heat up quickly and distribute heat evenly across the surface. This leads to better cooking results and reduced chances of burning food.
- Faster Cooking: Copper’s quick heat response reduces cooking times, especially when making sauces or soups that require precise temperature control.
- Durability: Copper-bottomed pots often feature a sturdy body made of stainless steel or aluminum, which provides strength and durability while benefiting from the superior heat conduction of copper.
- Non-Reactive: Copper, when used as a bottom layer, typically does not react with most foods. It allows for efficient cooking without altering the flavor of the food.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Copper pots have a beautiful, shiny appearance that adds elegance to your kitchen. Copper is often associated with high-quality, professional cookware.
- Compatibility with Multiple Heat Sources: Copper-bottomed pots are usually compatible with most stovetops, including gas, electric, and ceramic. However, ensure that the pot is not designed for induction cooking, unless specifically stated (induction requires magnetic cookware).
- Retains Heat Well: Once heated, copper can hold and distribute heat for a longer time, which is helpful for slow cooking or keeping food warm after cooking.
Is It Strong Enough?
Yes, a 180 mm copper-bottomed pot can be quite strong, depending on the materials used in the rest of the pot’s construction.
- Copper Bottom: Copper is a relatively soft metal, which is why most copper-bottomed cookware will have a stainless steel or aluminum body to provide structural strength. The combination ensures durability while maintaining the superior thermal conductivity of copper.
- Heat Resistance: Copper can withstand high temperatures without warping, but the rest of the pot must be made of heat-resistant materials (like stainless steel) to ensure long-lasting performance.
- Handles: Properly designed handles should be able to support the pot's weight when filled with hot liquids or food.
Maintenance:
Copper requires special care to maintain its shine and prevent tarnishing. Some copper-bottomed pots may come with a protective coating or require regular polishing to keep their appearance intact. However, the cooking performance is excellent, so the extra effort in care can be well worth it.
Overall:
A 180 mm copper-bottomed pot is a high-performance cooking tool that combines the durability of stainless steel or aluminum with the superior heat conductivity of copper. It is perfect for those who need an efficient, evenly-heating pot for smaller cooking tasks such as sauces, soups, or small batch cooking. Its size and copper base make it ideal for precise temperature control and quick cooking.