Buying the right cookware helps ensure that your food is thoroughly cooked at a speed that doesn't hold up meals. Cookware should be durable, versatile and offer convenient clean up. In addition, it is important to determine your budget before running off to a cooking store. High end professional cookware tends to be expensive yet lasts a long time. Learn more about what the best cookware is for home chefs. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Types of Cookware
Cookware is generally made in four different types of metals: Aluminum, copper, stainless steal and cast iron. Aluminum cookware has effective heat conduction that provides heat evenly to the bottom of the pan or pot. It is used in about 50 percent of all cookware products. The downside to aluminum is that it scratches easily and can leave a metallic taste in food. Many times this metal is used with other metals like stainless steal to avoid this unpleasant taste.
Copper is a fantastic conductor of heat. High-end cookware is typically made from this metal. The main disadvantages of buying copper is that it can leave a strange taste when cooking acidic foods like tomatoes, and it is quite pricey.
Stainless steel is what is found in most homes, because of its affordable price. It is durable, doesn't leave a strange taste in food and is scratch resistant. Its main problem is that it is a bad conductor of heat and can often cause foods to be burned in the area where the pan touches the burner.
Cast iron cookware is used in numerous southern dishes. It is a good conductor of heat, can be used in the oven and is inexpensive. However, it requires a lot of maintenance. Owners of cast iron cookware must season their pans, which means they keep the surface from sticking to food by melting a fat over the surface.
Non-Stick Pans
Non-stick pans offer a variety of benefits for those who like convenience. They are easily cleaned, need little oil or fat to cook food with and are inexpensive. Unfortunately, they can be easily scratched, take a long time to heat food and have a short lifespan. Dish washing detergent slowly eats away at the coating used on non-stick pans; therefore it isessential to not place these pans in the dishwasher. This non-stick coating or Teflon will not allow for some foods like chicken to brown because the heat resistance it provides will not give the meat enough heat. It is best to always have a couple of non-stick pans for whatever cookware you select. That way if you're in a hurry, you can prepare food without worrying about scrubbing up the mess.
Where to Buy Cookware
Several high-end cooking stores sell cookware that is meant for home chefs looking for more expensive kitchen supplies. Williams Sonoma, Bed Bath and Beyond and Sur la Table are three of the most popular chains. You can also find cookware at bargain department stores like Ross, TJ Maxx and Marshalls. Shop around and get the best price before making the big purchase. Go shopping with an idea of what kind of food you want to make, and bring a list of what you need. Having cookware that fits your needs will not only inspire you to cook more, but will also help you serve delicious meals.
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