Learning About Cookware: Stainless Steel Cookware
Stainless Steel Cookware
Stainless Steel is one of common type of cookware found in most home. Stainless steel is actually an alloy of metals including steel, carbon, nickel and chromium. Its gets its name because it does not stain and is because of its ability to resist dents and scratches. It does not react with acidic or alkaline food type. It is relatively cheaper but poor heat conductor. In order to overcome this quality choose stainless steel cookware that has copper or an aluminum core, so that food can be cooked evenly.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Our recommendation:
Because Stainless steel is not good heat conductor, if you buy stainless steel cookware, buy with copper core or aluminum core. Food will cook better and evenly with it. Buy 18/10 quality Stainless steel cookware, as those are much more durable and will last longer.
Hard Anodized Cookware
What is hard-anodized cookware? It is similar to nonstick cookware but without chemical teflon coating. Hard anodized is basically, metal pots and pans made from electro chemically process to make aluminum harder. Anodized material is significantly longer lasting than most non-stick cookware. It works and feels like non stick with out the coating that can peel, and it is stronger than stainless steel and durable. It is also highly resistant to scratches and rusts. It is used for not only stove top cooking but also electronic cookware such as griddle, woks and waffle maker. Also, one can use metal spatula without worrying about losing its non-stick surface and it is non reactive to acidic food.
Advantages:
Good heat conductor
Non stick surface without chemical coating
Strong and long lasting
Can use metal spoons, spatula without worrying about peeling
Will not rust or scratches
Non reactive to acidic food
Disadvantages:
Electronic cookware not dishwasher safe
Need to maintain and season
Can be expensive
Our recommendations:
Most hard anodized cookware or electronic cookware must be hand washed, however many benefits outweighs this small discomfort of not being dishwasher safe.
Click here to learn more about the best stainless steel cookware material and check out top rated cookware reviews.
Stainless Steel is one of common type of cookware found in most home. Stainless steel is actually an alloy of metals including steel, carbon, nickel and chromium. Its gets its name because it does not stain and is because of its ability to resist dents and scratches. It does not react with acidic or alkaline food type. It is relatively cheaper but poor heat conductor. In order to overcome this quality choose stainless steel cookware that has copper or an aluminum core, so that food can be cooked evenly.
Advantages:
- Durability
- Ease of cleaning, most dishwasher safe
- Cheap to reasonable pricing
- Looks good
- Scratch and dent resistance
- Does not react with acidic food
- Will not rust
Disadvantages:
- Not a good heat conductor
- Some food will stick at bottom of pan
Our recommendation:
Because Stainless steel is not good heat conductor, if you buy stainless steel cookware, buy with copper core or aluminum core. Food will cook better and evenly with it. Buy 18/10 quality Stainless steel cookware, as those are much more durable and will last longer.
Hard Anodized Cookware
What is hard-anodized cookware? It is similar to nonstick cookware but without chemical teflon coating. Hard anodized is basically, metal pots and pans made from electro chemically process to make aluminum harder. Anodized material is significantly longer lasting than most non-stick cookware. It works and feels like non stick with out the coating that can peel, and it is stronger than stainless steel and durable. It is also highly resistant to scratches and rusts. It is used for not only stove top cooking but also electronic cookware such as griddle, woks and waffle maker. Also, one can use metal spatula without worrying about losing its non-stick surface and it is non reactive to acidic food.
Advantages:
Good heat conductor
Non stick surface without chemical coating
Strong and long lasting
Can use metal spoons, spatula without worrying about peeling
Will not rust or scratches
Non reactive to acidic food
Disadvantages:
Electronic cookware not dishwasher safe
Need to maintain and season
Can be expensive
Our recommendations:
Most hard anodized cookware or electronic cookware must be hand washed, however many benefits outweighs this small discomfort of not being dishwasher safe.
Click here to learn more about the best stainless steel cookware material and check out top rated cookware reviews.