CATERING

What Are the “Real” Facts about Stainless Steel Cookware?

Over the years, many people have shied away from using stainless steel cookware for a variety of reasons, especially since non-stick has become popular.  Some believe non-stick is easier to clean; others believe that non-stick is healthier because you don’t need to add as much oil to cook foods.  Still others believe they can’t afford quality stainless steel cookware.  This article is intended to dispel some of the myths about stainless steel cookware.

Myth 1:  Stainless can be Difficult to Clean and Maintain

 With the proper care and maintenance, your stainless steel cookware will truly last a lifetime.  Not only will your stainless cookware cook terrific meals for your family, but it can look as good 20 or 30 years from now as it did when you purchased it. 

 Although advertised as dishwasher safe, many experts believe that you can better keep your cookware looking like new by hand washing your cookware in hot, soapy water and drying it thoroughly with a soft cloth before storing.  If you prefer to use the dishwasher, it is recommended that you remove the cookware after the wash cycle to avoid any spotting. 

 When using your stainless steel cookware, remember the following basic principles.  If you do, your cookware will last a long time and still look like new.

• Never use high heat when cooking with your waterless stainless steel cookware.  You can start the cooking process on medium-high to heat the pan, but then turn it down to medium or low.
• Proper Maintenance—clean properly after each use. 
• Hot Pans – Always allow the cookware to cool slowly before immersing it in cold water.

Myth 2:  Cooking with Non-Stick Cookware is Healthier

Stainless Steel cookware is tough; it is not prone to chipping, rusting or even staining if cared for properly.   It contains primarily iron, chromium, and nickel—none of which have an adverse affect on your health.  Iron, in fact, is beneficial and a required mineral in our diets.  Chromium is also beneficial in small quantities, and cooking in stainless steel stays within these limits.  Nickel can be harmful if ingested in large quantities, but only trace amounts enter into the food.  Only those who are allergic to nickel should avoid using stainless steel altogether.  Unlike with Teflon cookware, you do not have to worry about the particles of the pan coming loose over time and entering your food.  In fact, stainless steel is one of the most hygienic surfaces for the preparation of your food, meaning that it is not likely to harbor bacteria and germs

Stainless steel cookware and waterless stainless cookware in particular, is noted for its flavor preservation.  Quality stainless steel cookware will have at least 5 layers.  These layers allow for even heat flow and durability.  Aluminum conducts heat well in the inner layers, but would not be desirable on the outside because of its corrosive properties.  Stainless is used on the top and bottom layers to protect not only the food, but the cookware itself.

Waterless cookware uses a steam-control process that promotes healthy cooking because it uses very little water and minimal, if any, fats.  The encapsulated bottoms of this cookware lie flat on the burner and allow for even heat distribution.  With waterless cooking, low or medium heat is all that is required—never use high heat.  Because you can use minimal water with this cookware, 98% of the vitamins and minerals are retained in your foods rather than the 58% retention rate of normal cooking methods.  A vitamin-rich diet is a key factor in preventing age-related diseases.

Myth 3:  Stainless Steel Cookware is Expensive

Stainless steel cookware sets can be quite expensive, possibly costing over $2000 per set.  Many of these sets are sold at state fairs or home shows, requiring a sales staff to promote the product which, in turn, drives up the price.  However, there are many quality stainless steel cookware sets that you can purchase for between $200 and $300.  These sets have all the great features of the expensive sets:  durability, a waterless option, multi-ply for even heat distribution, lifetime warranties, etc.

 Purchasing cookware can be a major investment!  Therefore, before making that decision, spend some time researching your options.  Weight the pros and cons of each and then make an informed decision.  If you decide that you would like to try out stainless cookware, check out The Gourmet’s Cookware site.  In addition to our stainless steel cookware sets, we also offer stainless steel stockpots, skillets, flatware, cutlery, and other gourmet accessories—all at affordable prices.  To help our customers make the transition from conventional to waterless cookware, we also provide additional information about waterless cooking, as well as tasty, nutritional recipes that can easily be adapted to waterless cookware.

About the Author

Marcia Klun is a former teacher and an experienced cook as well as the owner and webmaster of http://www.thegourmetscookware.com, a site that offers quality stainless steel products, such as waterless cookware sets, stockpots, cutlery, skillets, flatware, and other gourmet cooking essentials. In addition, the site offers relevant information about waterless cooking and provides a variety of healthy recipes that can be adapted to waterless cookware.

Cookware — From Stainless Steel Pans to Cast Iron and Anodiz

Bonjour Stainless Clad 5 Quart Covered Sautepan – 30509 $99.00

NEW Imusa Stainless Steel Stock Pot, 16 Quart 2DaysShip $18.95

KitchenAid Stainless Steel Cookware Set TADD $38.46

Cuisinart 77-10 Chef’s Classic Stainless-Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set $79.00

Chef’s Secret® 12pc 9-Ply Heavy-Gauge Stainless Steel Cookware Set MSRP $244.95 $41.00

Cuisinart 77-17 Chef’s Classic Stainless 17-Piece Cookware Set $245.00

NEW Farberware 71238 17pc Stainless Cookware Set Cookware Set $149.99

NEW Hamilton Beach 94109 7 pc. Stainless Steel Cookware Set $89.99

New Yorkville™ 7pc Stainless Steel Cookware Set MSRP $84.95 $23.78

Stainless Steel Stock Pot Pots Set of 3 + 8qt. Pasta Cooker Pot NEW $139.59

Texsport Stainless Steel Backpackers Cook Set for Camp Camping Outdoor $25.98

Chef’s Secret KT163 16pc Stainless Steel Cookware And Utensil Set Long Handles $106.10

Chef’s Secret Maxam KTGRID2G 12-Element Surgical Stainless Steel Round Griddles $53.76

Maxam KTELRST 18qt Stainless Steel Turkey Roaster With High Dome Cover $89.99

Chef’s Secret® 16pc Stainless Steel Cookware and Utensil Set Lifetime Warranty $98.85

Stainless Steel Rectangular Roaster Pan with Rack $51.79

Earth Pan Stainless Steel 1.5 Qt Covered SaucePan New $19.95

Gordon Ramsay by Royal Doulton Stainless-Steel 8-Inch Nonstick Fry Pan $119.70

Brilliant Stainless Steel 3 Quart Covered Saucepan – Quality Cookware for Your H $40.80

Kinetic Classicor Stainless-Steel 2-Quart, 3-Piece Double Boiler $43.51

Calphalon Contemporary Stainless 8 and 10 Inch Fry Pan Set $100.74

BergHOFF Copper Clad 8-Inch Stainless Steel Fry Pan Non-Stick $76.79

Charcoal Companion Stainless Steel Grill Pro Griddle $72.01

Cuisinart 4193-20 Contour Stainless 3-Quart Saucepan with Cover $65.43

Sitram Profiserie 1.4-Liter Commercial Stainless Steel $54.22

PRINCESS HOUSE STAINLESS STEEL 10″ CLASSIC SKILLET – USED $60.00

PAULA DEEN 12-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set, new $174.99

Cooking with Calphalon Stainless Steel 10″ Omelet Pan 1390 – Gently used $25.19

stainless steel condinment container $2.00

NEW WOLFGANG PUCK 33 PIECE BISTRO ELITE COOKWARE STAINLESS STEEL SET W/FREE SHIP $189.98

GreenPan Elegant Curves Stainless Cook Set and Cookbook Todd English 6pc. $103.49

Saladmaster Griddle 316 System 7 stainless cook pancakes, hamburgers, eggs used $87.50

RACHAEL RAY 11 PIECE STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE SET WITH BAMBOO TOOLS–FREE SHIP! $175.00

Stainless Steel 44 Qt Stock Pot-Soup Pot-Brew Pot-W/Lid $74.95

16cm Stainless steel saucepan with copper trim Non-induction #206 $25.00

EatSmart Precision Pro – Multifunction Digital Kitchen Scale w/ Extra Large LCD and 11 Lb. Capacity The EatSmart Precision Pro Digital Kitchen Scale is a versatile multifunction home appliance. Designed to be highly accurate and aesthetically pleasing, the Precision Pro is manufactured to the highest quality specifications. Weigh items up to 11 lbs quickly and accurately, with results displayed in four different units: grams / ounces / pounds / kilograms. For cooks – Weigh food items directly on…

Cuisinart CSB-76 SmartStick 200-Watt Immersion Hand Blender The versatile stick design of the Cuisinart Smart stick Hand Blender lets users blend ingredients right in pots, pitchers, bowls, or clear plastic beaker that’s included. A powerful 200-watt motor operates with an easy one-touch control. Blends drinks, purees soup, mixes pancake and crepe batters in seconds! Both stainless steel blending shaft and beaker are dishwasher-safe….

Lodge Logic Pre-Seasoned Skillet $22.99 Made by the cast iron experts at Lodge, this revolutionary pan is preseasoned, so it’s ready to cook right out of the box. It’s perfect for making virtually anything from bacon and eggs to grilled sandwiches, pan-fried fish, and fabulous cornbread. Each has dual pour spouts and a helper handle. Lodge Logic’s new preseasoning process penetrates the metal’s pores thoroughly and uniformly, so it look…

simplehuman Wall Mount Grocery Bag Holder, Brushed Stainless Steel $8.30 A wall mounted grocery bag holder comes complete with mounting hardware. This stainless steel unit features easy tuck opening and wide dispensing area….

Evriholder Magic Holder 5-Position Wall Organizer $7.99 Designed to hold various household objects with handles of varying thickness. Simply insert a handle into a slot and a rounded, gravity controlled, rolling cylinder automatically adjusts to the handle’s thickness and grips it securely. Use in the laundry, garage, garden, utility room, office, and more. Holds handles 3/4” to 1 3/8” diameter. 5 position organizer….

PUR 3-Stage Vertical Faucet Mount Chrome FM-3700B $26.49 The improved next generation of PUR faucet mounts is at your service. With a one-year warranty, high-quality construction, 1-click installation, and easy push-button removal, there’s never been an easier or more reliable way to get PUR water. Each PUR MineralClear™ filter gives you 100 gallons of clean, healthy, great-tasting water. Product Features MineralClear™ filt…

OXO Good Grips Bottle Brush $4.99 With two types of bristles and a flexible neck, the bottle brush by Oxo is the ultimate weapon in cleaning skinny bottles and narrow jars. Because of the brush’s flexible neck and rounded head, nooks and crannies are easy to get to and get clean. The nonslip handle stays firmly in place–even under running water–and absorbs pressure and tension away from hands. –Laurie Notaro …

Bar Keepers Friend® Cleanser & Polish: 12 OZ …

simplehuman Custom Fit Trash Can Liner J, 38- 40 Liters / 10- 10.5 Gallons, 50-Count $15.99 CW0170 Features: -Trash can liner.-Custom fit.-Bag stays completely hidden when lid closed.-Extra durable plastic and thick double seams prevent rips and tears.-Convenient drawstring handles for easy lifting.-Handy dispenser packs perforated opening for easy dispensing.-Capacity: 38-4 liters (1-1.5 gallon).-ISTA 3A certified….

simplehuman Brushed Stainless Steel Pet Food Storage Can $99.99 simplehuman Brushed Stainless Steel Pet Food Storage Can. simplehuman Brushed Stainless Steel Pet Food Storage Can. The lock-tight handle keeps the lid shut to help prevent pets from getting in and forms an airtight seal to keep food fresh. Features: Fingerprint-proof finish resists smudges Food-safe removable BPA-free inner bucket Lid-mounted scoop make for convenient and easy use Scoop attaches …