Selecting and Maintaining your Stainless Steel Pots and Pans

Stainless steel pots and pans have been a popular feature in many homes and commercial kitchens for many years due to their durability and relatively low cost. A high quality stainless cookware set will last for many years and still look like new as long as it is utilized properly and well maintained. What many people do not realize is that all stainless steel cookware is not of equal quality as they are manufactured differently utilizing different types of metals and can be purchased in a wide range of different grades, plies, or elements. In this guide to stainless steel pots and pans, you will learn about the differences in quality and how to maintain stainless cookware.

The Variations in Quality of Stainless Steel Cookware

Stainless steel cookware is not made entirely of steel but with other types of metals that may include aluminum, copper, nickel, chrome, iron, titanium, and manganese. These metals are layered in the manufacturing of pots and pans and are referred to as elements or plies in the specifications. For example, a set of stainless cookware may be labeled as a 3-ply, 5-ply, or 7-ply and the quality and cost typically rises with amount of layers as does their cooking performance. Therefore, the recommendation when purchasing stainless steel pots and pans is to select the highest quality affordable for optimal cooking performance.

The latest in high quality steel pots and pans gaining in popularity among consumers is manufactured utilizing "surgical steel". Surgical stainless steel is just what its name implies as it is a form of steel typically used in the manufacturing of surgical instruments.

Surgical steel cookware is also made up of layers that include other metals which are sometimes referred to as elements in their specifications such a nine or twelve element pots and pans. This type of cookware has also become popular as it is perfect for "waterless cooking" which is the cooking of foods without adding water or oil allowing the foods to retain more of their nutrients and reduce the amount of fat and calories.

The Benefits and Maintenance of Stainless Cookware

 There are numerous benefits to owning a high quality set of stainless steel pots and pans including the fact that as the name implies they are stain resistant. Stainless steel is also resistant to corrosion or rust and is extremely durable with the ability to withstand extreme hot or cold temperatures and will typically not incur damage when dropped.

Cooking with steel also resolves some health concerns as it will not peel or chip as often occurs overtime with other non-stick or coated pans allowing harmful toxins from the coating to contaminate the food. The appearance of stainless steel allows it to match almost any type of kitchen decor and will always look shiny and new when cleaned properly.

It is essential that you avoid the use of ammonia or bleach when cleaning your stainless cookware as well as abrasive materials such as steel wool or steel scrubbers. Hot water and liquid soap are typically all you need to clean stainless steel and you may use a nylon scrubber when necessary.

 In instances where food is stuck or burnt on the pan, soak it for several minutes in soapy water then boil it for approximately ten minutes and allow it to cool then scrub it with a nylon scrubber or soft cloth. A set of stainless steel pots and pans are ideal for any home or commercial kitchen and also make an excellent gift for anyone who enjoys cooking.