Last updated: October 14, 2026
Why copper thickness is the most important decision you'll make
Professional chefs have always bought copper by the millimetre. Most home cooks don't know this, and understanding it changes how you shop for copper cookware.
Copper's thermal conductivity is roughly 400 W/m·K, making it about 25 times more conductive than stainless steel and nearly twice as conductive as aluminum. Heat spreads evenly across the base and up the sides of the pan, eliminating hot spots and giving you near-instant control the moment you adjust the burner.
In the Mauviel M'Heritage line, the number in the product name tells you the copper thickness: M'150 means 1.5 mm and M'200 means 2.0 mm. Thicker copper delivers more even heat, greater thermal mass and fewer temperature swings, but it also adds weight. In Canada, M'Heritage is available in these two thicknesses.
What makes M'Heritage different: bilaminate construction
Every M'Heritage pan is bilaminated: a 90% copper exterior bonded to a 10% interior of 18/10 stainless steel. The copper does the thermal heavy lifting, while the stainless steel cooking surface is non-reactive and practically maintenance-free.
That matters more than it sounds. Traditional tin-lined copper pans (like our M'Tradition line) need periodic re-tinning, typically every 10 to 20 years depending on use. M'Heritage's stainless steel lining never needs re-lining.
There is a performance difference, too. Stainless-lined copper can go from stovetop to oven, while tin-lined copper should be kept below 227°C (440°F) and never used under a broiler.
The letter after the thickness number tells you the handle: B means brass handles, S means cast stainless steel handles, and CI means cast iron handles. In Canada you'll find M'150 B, M'150 S, M'150 CI, M'200 B and M'200 CI.
The two thickness tiers: M'150 and M'200 explained
Both M'Heritage tiers share the same 90/10 copper-stainless construction. The difference between them is copper depth, and that depth shapes how each pan performs.
Thicker copper means greater thermal mass: the pan holds heat more steadily, distributes it more evenly and handles cold ingredients with less temperature drop. Thinner copper heats and cools faster, giving you a lighter, more agile tool. Either way, copper responds to burner changes far faster than stainless steel or cast iron.
M'150 (1.5 mm): light, fast and precise
Don't mistake the M'150 for entry-level. Its lighter weight and faster heat response make it ideal for delicate sauces like hollandaise and beurre blanc, for gentle reheating and finishing, and for cooks who value agility. If grip strength or wrist comfort is a consideration, the M'150 offers genuine Mauviel copper performance without the heft.
M'200 (2.0 mm): the everyday workhorse
The M'200 strikes the best balance between thermal mass and manageable weight. It handles sautéing, braising, searing, pan sauces and caramel with confidence. For most serious home cooks building a copper collection, it's the smartest starting point: versatile enough for nearly any task on a weeknight or at a weekend dinner party.
Matching tasks to tiers
- M'150: hollandaise, beurre blanc, tableside finishing, light reheating, general stovetop cooking
- M'200: everyday sautéing, searing, braises, pan sauces, caramel, general stovetop cooking
- Sugar work and jam: consider unlined copper from M'Passion, purpose-built for confectionery
A note on weight: buying the thickest copper isn't always the right answer if the pan sits unused because it's too heavy to lift comfortably. Hold both if you can.
M'Heritage performs beautifully on gas, electric and halogen stovetops, and in the oven. Copper isn't natively induction-compatible, but the M'PLUS magnetic interface disc (sold separately) lets you use it on induction. Our induction cookware guide explains how.
The craftsmanship and warranty behind every pan
Mauviel was founded in 1830 in Villedieu-les-Poêles, Normandy, and still makes its cookware there, preserving copper-working traditions that go back centuries in the town.
Every M'Heritage piece is backed by a limited lifetime warranty covering manufacturing defects under normal household use. See our FAQ for details.
That "buy once, buy right" philosophy resonates with cooks who are tired of replacing worn nonstick pans every few years and want heirloom-quality pieces built to last generations. And copper is beautiful: M'Heritage pieces are as at home on an open rack as on the stove, which makes them a favourite for wedding registries and milestone gifts.
Your next step: choosing the M'Heritage tier that fits your kitchen
The decision comes down to how you cook. Choose M'150 for lightness and delicacy. Choose M'200 for versatile, everyday excellence. Both share the same bilaminate construction, stainless steel cooking surface, lifetime warranty and Normandy origins.
Unlike nonstick cookware that degrades with use, M'Heritage is designed to last a lifetime. This is cookware you pass down. Browse the full M'Heritage collection, or read Is Mauviel worth it?
