At first glance, Emerilware stainless steel cooksets look like the Copper Core. Both are made by All Clad. However, just based on price alone, one would think they are worlds apart. Anyone have an opinion between the two? My other choice is the All Clad stainless series, but Copper Core is still my first choice, although price drops it down a few spots.
The All Clad tests better in every test by consumer repors and Cook's Illustrated. Here's the diff... The All Clad has a copper core that winds up throught the entire pan, though it only looks like it's at the bottom. There is also more copper present in the pan, leading to faster and more even heat conduction. The Emeril, though a very decent set, has a thick band of copper around the bottom plate, but only a paper thin sheet that runs through the bottom of the pan. The heat conduction comes mostly from aluminum. The copper band is more decoration than for use. Also, Emeril pans have heat conduction at the bottom only of each pan, not up the sides like the AllClad. The Allclad IS a better set, hands down...but if you want to look for a set in between, look at Calphalon Tri Ply or Henckel's Stainless. Both are Exceedingly good sets for half the price of AllClad, and have the heat conduction through the entire pan.
I'd guess that clad copper would be best as although copper conducts heat better than other metals (ensuring even cooking), it can be reactive to acids, producing a green oxide which may taint / tint your food, whereas copper cored cookware would retain the heat conductivity of copper, whilst preventing the oxidisation problem.
