In this review, we shall focus on stainless steel pots and pans.  Stainless steel cookware is a very popular type of cooking ware. Its toughness and easy maintenance are synonymous with good quality.  Stainless steel pans are user-friendly as it does not require special cleaning methods. They are safer to use as this material heats slowly allowing you to avoid getting burnt.  Stainless steel cookware sets are also aesthetically pleasing to look at. So they are not only functional as cookware but also sparkly decorations in your kitchen.

Of course, other types of cookware may have comparable performance as with stainless steel pots.  Other metals for a cookware material are brass, aluminum, or carbon steel.  Each metal has different strengths and weaknesses. So today more often than before, we sue to our advantage each metal’s properties while producing cookware.

Stainless Steel Pots vs Non-Stick Cookware

Non-stick cookware has also become popular.  This type of cookware has a non-stick covering which prevents food from sticking to the pan when cooking.  This makes cleaning the cookware easier. But the downside is you need to be careful not to scratch off the non-stick coating when you cook and clean.  You should, therefore, not use metal utensils when cooking and abrasive materials when cleaning. 

Before deciding to finally buy a stainless steel cookware set, study first the factors you need to consider in cookware.  One of the important things to consider is thermal conduction.  Thermal conduction is the transfer of heat from the cookware to the food.  If your cookware has high thermal conductivity, you need less time to cook your food.  Stainless steel heats slowly and this may make you think that cooking with stainless steel is therefore no good.  However, most stainless steel pot and pan sets have aluminum or copper metal core which has good thermal conductivity, which solves the weakness of stainless steel.

Materials for pots and pans

Although a stainless steel pan is sturdy, pans made of other metals are also comparable, like cast iron.  These metals may withstand wear and tear better than cookware made of other types of metal.  Stainless steel metal is non-reactive so it is safe to cook acidic ingredients.  This is very much in contrast with aluminum metal which may seep aluminum into the food. That would make it unhealthy, especially when you consume aluminum-tainted food regularly.

Another consideration in selecting cookware is the price.   You will use the best stainless steel cookware for a long time and even if you pay more money, it will be worth it.  If you buy cheap cookware, without carefully inspecting the quality, you might have to replace it every once in a while, making it more expensive.  The best way to choose is to find a mid-range priced cookware of good quality, especially if it is limited to home use.  Some of the expensive stainless steel cookware, like the all-clad stainless steel, are made for professional use.

A final word on Stainless Steel Pots and Pans

Stainless steel cookware is, undoubtedly, one of the best choices of cookware.  It is safe to use, easy to clean, durable and elegant to look at.  There may be a downside of stainless steel not being a good thermal conductor but it can be easily augmented with other metal materials.  The best stainless steel pots and pans usually have an aluminum or copper core infused into the cookware.

Compared to cookware made of other metals, I could say that stainless steel is the more superior choice.  If you search the market meticulously, I’m sure you would find reasonably priced stainless steel pots and pans.  Consider buying stainless steel cooking ware as an investment instead of an expense as, with proper use, these will surely last you a lifetime.

For more information on stainless steel cookware, check out other stainless steel pots and pans reviews.