Advantages Of Stainless Steel Cookware

Stainless steel has been the choice of cookware for great professional cooks for many years. Good stainless cookware will have an inner core in the bottom of copper or aluminum which increases its heat conductivity. This cookware is very durable. The physical properties of stainless steel makes it resistant to scratches, dings, and dents. This means that your cookware will last for many years to come. You'll find it a great choice, whether for boiling vegetables, browning meats, or making pan sauces or gravies. Other than cast iron, stainless is the strongest, most durable cookware on the market. These pots will have a bright, shiny surface (pleasing to the eye) and, with the right care, can last a lifetime. This makes them an economical choice as well.

Please note here that the very cheapest stainless steel cookware has no inner core which is why it doesn't wear well and food burns easily in it. In the next price level, cookware just has a core disc of copper or aluminum in the base (I have used a set of this type cookware for over 48 years). The more expensive ranges have added cores in their sides, halfway or the full height of the cookware. So, as with most things, you pretty much get what you pay for. It usually pays, in the long run, to buy the best you can afford.

Forget about costly specialized cleaning solutions or dainty handling. Stainless steel can be washed with soap and water, or even run through a dishwasher, making it easy to clean and to maintain. If the pan's surface begins to look dull or discolored, it can easily be polished to a beautiful shine using a dry cotton cloth and stainless steel polish. Just place a small amount of polish (about dime size) on the dry cloth and spread the polish onto your cookware in the direction of the grain. (Heavier stains may take stronger rubbing.) Using a dry area of the cloth, polish to a shiny, beautiful finish. It's ready for many more years of service.

You will find a fairly wide range of prices for stainless cookware. The heavier, more durable cookware will naturally be a bit more expensive. But, for it's durability, ease of care and versatility, stainless has been my favorite cookware for many years.

It's lightweight which makes it easy to work with and it won't corrode, chip, rust or tarnish - keeping its good-looking shine for many years. And stainless steel is inert, which means that it doesn't change the taste or color of most acidic foods. It's even eco friendly - over half of all new stainless steel is made from scrap metal that has been melted down and recycled.

I hope that you have found this article informative and helpful as you choose your cookware pieces.

Connie Triplet