Buying new cookware for your kitchen can be exciting, but if you don’t know what kind you want, it can be a little bit daunting.
When you’re trying to choose between stainless steel cookware and nonstick cookware, there are a few things to consider that can help you make a decision.
STAINLESS STEEL VS NONSTICK COOKWARE
Comparing the pros and cons of each type is a great way to get started deciding which kind of cookware is right for you.
How You’ll Benefit from Stainless Steel or Nonstick Cookware
Stainless steel cookware is great if you are going to be buying new cookware to last you for the long haul. It’s incredibly heat resistant, durable, and hard to damage.
Because of its surface, you can quickly and easily brown your food and de-glaze the pan for rich sauces to go with your meals.
Another reason why people love stainless steel is because these pots and pans can be washed in the dishwasher, making cleanup a breeze after every meal.
always stick with high quality brands like All Clad vs Calphalon who make some of the best stainless steel cookware.
Nonstick cookware, on the other hand, has its own set of pros. In general, this cookware provides fast and easy cleanup, as you can simply wipe out the surface of the cookware to remove any leftover food.
If you like to cook delicate food and don’t want to worry about it sticking, then nonstick cookware is for you, as it can handle eggs and fish with ease.
Finally, because of the nonstick surface, you don’t have to use a lot of butter or oil when cooking, and this can result in much healthier meals.
The Problems You’ll Experience
Both of these types of cookware have their cons, and for stainless steel cookware, the biggest problem that you’ll run into is hot spots when you are cooking, due to the cookware not heating or conducting heat evenly.
Another issue is that food can stick to the pan and become ruined if you do not use enough oil or butter when cooking, and you have to be diligent to keep an eye on your food while cooking. In addition, stainless steel can rust when left in wet or humid conditions for a long period of time.
Nonstick pans can’t stand up to very high heat and aren’t useful if you want to de-glaze your pan or brown your food.
Additionally, any scratches on the surface of the cookware will compromise the nonstick coating and cause your pan to not last as long.
In recent years, there have also been some concerns over the safety of nonstick coating, especially when it is subjected to very high temperatures.
The important thing to remember about stainless steel cookware is that you can make it more nonstick by getting the pan incredibly hot before starting to cook and then adding plenty of butter or oil.
If you do not heat the pan fully, your food will stick and you will not be able to use the pan to its full capability.
Another thing to take into consideration is that stainless steel cookware will discolor or spot over time, so if you are concerned about pristine cookware, this is not the best option for you.
When using nonstick cookware, you need to make sure that you are using low enough heat. This will prevent any problems with the lining of the cookware from developing.
Never use plastic spatulas or spoons, as they will melt. This means you need to stick to silicone or wood for your utensils when cooking with nonstick cookware.
Also remember that any metal used with your nonstick cookware can scratch the surface, as can stacking your pans without putting protection between the layers.
Nonstick and stainless steel cookware are incredibly different from each other, and a well-stocked kitchen will generally have both, since their uses are so very different.
If you want to avoid cooking with a lot of heat then you can use nonstick cookware for your meals, but if you want to sear your food, create a brown crust, or make an amazing sauce, you need to use stainless steel.
Nonstick cookware can’t get hot enough for that type of cooking and the surface won’t ever allow you to brown your foods correctly.
The type of cookware that you choose should be largely based on what is important to you and how you are going to be using it.
