How to choose a good cookware
Here, by telling you all the secrets of pots and pans, we will be more sincere than a home shopping, because we do not want to sell you anything, but simply give you some tips on how to buy the best of essential items for home cooking and not. By probing the characteristics of pots and pans, we discover a larger and more complicated world than it seems at first. These are tools in which the food we eat is found, so the choice is also linked by a double thread to our health, because they also come into play in the dynamics linked to the toxicity of production materials.
What to look for in a set of best cookware
What should you consider when buying a set of kitchen utensils? Here are the main features to keep in mind.
Material
The material and construction of your cookware is important. This affects durability, price and quality (and where) you can cook.
The non-stick pans are coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), usually Teflon. When used at high temperatures, they can release toxic fumes into the air. So, to be safe, you will want to use them at low temperatures only (500 ° F or less). However, they are very resistant to adhesion and therefore easy to clean.
Stainless steel cookware is safe for cooktops and ovens, dishwasher safe and very durable. It also tends to be in the middle of the road when it comes to price. However, it can lose heat if it is not reinforced with aluminum or copper.
Ceramic coated cookware is another option for those who want something non-sticky. Unlike fully ceramic cookware, which can only go in the oven, ceramic coated cookware is usually made of metal (aluminum or stainless steel) which has a ceramic coating. It is not as durable as Teflon coated cookware, but some prefer it.
Copper pots and pans heat up the fastest, but they are very expensive, require regular maintenance and polishing, and do not work with induction cooktops.
Cast iron pans can be used anywhere (on the stove, oven, broiler and even on the grill). They are also extremely durable. However, they do not heat uniformly, they are heavy and bulky, and it takes more work to clean them.
Aluminum is light, affordable and scratch resistant. It works on stoves and ovens, but if not anodized, it can give a metallic taste to your food.
To choose the best material for your pots and pans, think about what is important to you. Where do you cook most often (on the stove or in the oven)? Is ease of cleaning more important to you than temperature control?
Price
Kitchen battery sets can cost anywhere from $ 80 to $ 1,500, with the average price of a set being a few hundred dollars.
To get the best price for your cookware, it is again important to consider your needs. If you don't cook often, a budget could work. However, if you want more control over your cooking, a more expensive option can make you much happier. In general, more expensive assemblies last longer, but it mostly depends on the material used (the inclusion of copper tends to increase the cost of stainless steel assemblies, but it also improves their thermal conductivity).
Be wary of buying large sets, as the number of pots and pans also drives up prices. Do not let a 14 or 17 piece set attract you if you will never use most of the items. Instead, opt for a more practical set of 10 or 12 pieces.
Versatility
Kitchen battery sets include a variety of sizes and types of kitchen batteries. Some are also made to go in the oven.
Think carefully about what you expect from your cookware. If you cook regularly on the stove and in the oven, you need a device that is compatible with both. Look for stainless steel, cast iron, copper, and aluminum sets. If your recipes tend to rely more on the stove only, a nonstick set might be all you need.
Also, think about the recipes you use. If you create a lot of sauces, a set with more pans may be more beneficial to you than one with additional hotplates and steamers.
Why do I need a set of better cookware?
In theory, a set of cooking pots seems like a great idea, but do you really need it? If any of the following describes you, chances are you will need a set of cookware.
You must replace several cookware at the same time. If you've found yourself in a situation where multiple pots and pans have been lost or worn out, it can often be more profitable to buy a new set of kitchen utensils than to buy individual parts.
You move into a house. If you are moving into your own home, you will need your own pots and pans for cooking. A set of kitchen utensils is a perfect housewarming gift for you, or anyone else in a similar position, such as honeymooners and graduates.
You have a tight budget. Typically, a set of kitchen pans is much cheaper than buying the ten items separately. This is because the manufacturers design these items to work as a whole, and they may be slightly smaller in size than the parts on their own. Although you may need to randomly purchase items for special recipes, such as a cast-iron skillet for fajitas or a slow cooker for meal preparation, the cookware will meet most cooking needs.
When don't you need cookware? If you already have a good selection of pots and pans, it probably makes more sense to buy new ones, rather than buying a whole new set that can clutter up your kitchen.
Types of cookware
Stainless steel
One of the most common types of stainless steel cookware you will find, and for good reason. It does not rust, stain or reacts to the cooking of acidic foods. It can also withstand high temperatures and can be used on induction hobs. While stainless steel tends to be on the price side, pots can be made cheaper by making the sides of the pots thinner, while high-end pots tend to have thicker sides and are generally more heavy.
Some high-end stainless steels are actually a plated material, with layers of other metals sandwiched inside the stainless steel to provide the cooking benefits of these metals with the ease of stainless steel. Some stainless steel cookware has a disc attached to the bottom of the pan which offers some of the same benefits as plated cookware at a lower price. Although stainless steel is generally dishwasher safe, you should consult the manufacturer's cleaning instructions to be sure.
Coated aluminum
Although uncoated aluminum is not a desirable material for cookware, coated aluminum is ideal because non-stick materials readily adhere to metal, thereby protecting the aluminum and making the coating more durable. In addition to having a non-stick interior coating, some aluminum cookware has an anodized exterior that hardens the metal, creates a colored surface, and protects the exterior from stains and corrosion. Anodized cookware usually has a non-stick coating on the inside or a thin layer of stainless steel on the inside, so that no part of the aluminum is exposed. Aluminum cannot be used on induction cooktops unless the cookware has a stainless steel disc on the bottom to allow the induction cooktop to recognize it. Although some non-stick aluminum cookware is dishwasher safe, you should check with the manufacturer to make sure.
Melting
Cast iron retains heat well, making it ideal for searing, frying, baking and braising, and will keep food warm after cooking is complete. It is also very heavy, so it is not as easy to move around the stove or enter and exit the warehouse. Cast iron cookware can be coated or not, but both are compatible with the induction cooktop.
Uncoated cast iron cookware requires special care and cleaning, but often comes pre-seasoned, so it can be used right away. Further cooking and seasoning will make it even more non-stick over time. Uncoated cast iron should generally not be used with acidic foods like tomatoes, but well-seasoned casseroles can tolerate certain acidic foods for short periods of time. Uncoated cast iron cookware is nearly indestructible and can usually be used on the stove, in the oven, on the grill, and possibly even over a campfire, but it should be hand washed and may require occasional retry.
Coated cast iron cookware, usually covered with layers of enameled material, never needs seasoning and can be used safely with acidic foods. Some cast iron cookware has a bright, enameled exterior and a rough, mat interior that looks like uncoated cast iron but is impermeable to acidic foods. Some coated cast iron cookware is dishwasher safe, but you should check with the manufacturer to make sure dishwasher detergent can damage the coating.
Copper
Copper is a metal that is very sensitive to heat, so it heats and cools quickly. Unfortunately, it also reacts to acidic foods and discolors over time and use, which requires maintenance to maintain its shiny appearance. Some copper cookware only has a thin layer of copper on the outside of the pan, which is purely aesthetic, but high-quality copper cookware is made entirely of copper, often with a thin layer of tin or stainless steel inside to be used with any type of food. Real copper cookware is not compatible with induction cooktops, but stainless steel cookware with decorative copper coating should be compatible with induction.
Steel
Although steel pans are not as common as other materials for household cookware, carbon steel and blue steel is sometimes used for woks and other specialty pans. Cookware should be seasoned before use and oiled after cooking to prevent rusting during storage. Enamelled steel cookware is no longer as common today as it once was, but it is still found occasionally, especially in large pots used for canning in a double boiler. The enamel coating protects the steel from rust, but if the coating flakes or cracks, it can rust. Steel cookware should be compatible with induction, but if the material is extremely thin.
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