Different people have different preferences when it comes to choosing cookware for their kitchen. Finding the right cookware for your needs can be quite an intimidating task.
In fact, deciding between stainless steel vs nonstick cookware can have a big impact on the quality of food you cook and how enjoyable cooking is.
Selecting the wrong type of cookware for making a particular recipe may ruin the recipe or even the cookware itself. This happens because we have too many options on the market.
Each type of cookware has its own set of advantages, disadvantages, and functions. Even though stainless steel and non-stick cookware shouldn’t be seen as conflicting choices, cooking for the best results is important, which is why understanding the differences between stainless and non-stick is worthwhile.
Let’s dive into the merits of stainless steel vs nonstick cookware for your kitchen!
Contents
Stainless Steel Cookware
- Set includes: 8 inches fry pan, 10.5 inches fry pan, 12 inches fry pan with lid, 1 quart saucepan with lid, 2 quart; Saucepan with lid, 3 quart; Saucepan with lid, 5 quart; Dutch oven with lid and stainless steel steamer
- Multi layer strength: Heavy gauge base with multiple layers of copper, stainless steel and aluminum for fast, even heat; Durable 18/10 stainless steel; Visible copper bottom helps channel heat from the center outward
- Stainless steel interior: A well loved cooking surface, the stainless steel interior won’t react to acidic foods; Works best using moderate heat; To prevent food from sticking, simply preheat the pan, then add a thin coat of cooking oil
- Sturdy handles & vented lids: Riveted stainless steel handles are secure and ergonomically designed for comfort; Tempered glass lids trap in heat and moisture; Vented hole in lid lets a little steam escape to maintain visibility and help prevent boiling over
Stainless steel cookware is not made entirely of stainless steel. Most stainless steel cookware is made from a layer of stainless steel that consists of an aluminum base. Some stainless steel cookware also has copper bases. Most professionals agree that stainless steel cookware is the right option for them, which is why this type of cookware is used by most celebrity and professional chefs. In fact, most cooking shows and celebrity kitchens are filled to the brim with different types of stainless steel cookware.
Why is it so popular? For one thing, stainless steel is an extremely durable type of steel. It can withstand high temperatures and even go into the oven, unlike the non-stick material. A professional or experienced cook can even use it to brown, crisp, or sear with the right amount of butter, lard, or oil.
Little morsels left behind through the browning of food in stainless steel cookware can be used to create sauces through the process of deglazing using broth, wine, or water. On the other hand, it’s important to be a good cook to get the most out of your stainless steel cookware. Using the wrong amount of butter or oil may ruin your food.
Knowing the right time and temperature for preheating the cookware is very important to save yourself from burning the oil. Stainless steel also requires you to continuously maintain the right temperature after all your ingredients are added. If you fail to keep the proper temperature, it will cause the food to stick to the bottom of your stainless steel cookware.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Stainless Steel Cookware
Cooks and homeowners should be able to understand the important advantages and disadvantages of using stainless steel cookware. Every type of cookware has its pros and cons – stainless steel cookware is no exception.
Here are the most important pros and cons you should know before buying a piece of stainless steel cookware:
Pros
- This type of cookware has a high heat tolerance, which means that it can be used at higher temperatures than other types of cookware like non-stick or cast iron.
- Stainless steel is long-lasting and durable, which means that it can be used for many years without any issues. This is mainly because stainless steel does not rust or stain easily.
- The flavor of your food is also preserved while cooking in stainless steel, as this type of cookware has a metallic coating that does not go into the food and change the flavor at all.
- Stainless steel allows for leftover tidbits to be used instead of wasted and be turned into sauces through the deglazing method.
- Stainless steel has fewer chances of leaks, cracks, or dents, as it does not get porous. This means that you could use the same metal utensils to cook with over and over again.
- If you worry about nature and are concerned about the atmosphere, then stainless steel is the right choice for you. It’s material that can be recycled and reused if it gets damaged.
Cons
- It is generally an expensive investment. Prices for cookware made out of this stainless steel are often high.
- Users have to deal with the risk of food sticking to the bottom of the cookware if it is not properly oiled or preheated.
- Stainless steel cookware usually requires high maintenance. A dishwasher can’t typically be used to wash this type of cookware easily. A heavy and thorough scrubbing is usually required, especially when food sticks to the bottom.
- Stainless steel is not usually the best heat conductor. It needs to have an aluminum or copper base to give the best heat conductivity. This means that heat is very poorly transferred to the food and that buying a cheap piece of stainless steel cookware might not be a good option.
Buying just the right piece of high quality stainless steel cookware can be a hassle, but is also worth it if you are a cooking enthusiast.
All You Need to Know About Non-stick Cookware
- DURABLE DESIGN: Nonstick pots and pans from Rachael Ray are crafted with durable aluminum and sturdy hard enamel porcelain exteriors to stand up to busy kitchens
- ENHANCED NONSTICK: Cookware set features espresso-colored nonstick for effortless food release and easy cleanup
- CONVENIENCE AND CONTROL: The 12-piece nonstick cookware set boasts dual-riveted rubberized stainless steel handles and shatter-resistant glass lids; includes slotted turner and spoon
- OVEN SAFE: Oven safe to 400 degrees F, these versatile pots and pans are suitable for all stovetops except induction
- SET INCLUDES: 1-quart and 3-quart saucepans with lids, 6-quart stockpot with lid, 8.5-inch and 10-inch frying pans, 3-quart sauté pan with lid, slotted turner and spoon
Non-stick cookware has made a place for itself in the average homeowner’s kitchen. One of the main reasons that people end up buying non-stick cookware is that it generally does not require much fat to make food.
That’s right, you can reduce your use of oil, butter, or lard, unlike with stainless steel cookware. This is something that fitness enthusiasts take advantage of to limit their fat consumption. Most people also have non-stick cookware in their kitchen to cook fragile ingredients such as eggs, fish, pancakes, or anything that tends to end up sticking to the bottom of a stainless steel pan.
Most culinary authorities are opposed to non-stick cookware. This is because they believe it takes away the taste of the food. Despite the opposition of high authority culinary figures, most people still see the value of non-stick cookware. Someone who knows their kitchen’s needs and has an idea about what type of cooking they want to do can find a lot to like about non-stick cookware. Most people feel that non-stick cookware is their go-to, as it is more convenient to use than stainless steel cookware.
Be that as it may, there are also some drawbacks to using non-stick cookware. For one thing, non-stick cookware could pose a health risk, because it is made from a material called Teflon. The FDA and EPA have claimed that Teflon is harmful to human health and well-being, which strengthens the assumption that there may be a health risk involved. Scratches or chips of Teflon from a non-stick pan could be consumed by people while cooking, and may be harmful to their health. The smell of hot Teflon is also rather unpleasing and unappetizing.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Non-stick Cookware
Cooks and homeowners should be able to understand the important advantages and disadvantages of using non-stick cookware. Every type of cookware has its pros and cons, and that includes non-stick cookware. Here are some things you should know before you purchase any non-stick cookware:
Pros
- One main advantage, especially for fitness enthusiasts, is that non-stick cookware allows people to cook with fewer amounts of fat such as oil, butter, or lard.
- Non-stick cookware is relatively easy to wash and clean up. You could just wash it with soapy water or throw it into the dishwasher. Using a harsh scrub is not recommended, though, as it can easily damage the surface.
- Cooking food in a non-stick pan can also be cost-efficient or at least cheaper than stainless steel as the cookware itself is cheaper than stainless steel cookware.
- The most obvious advantage is that it prevents food, such as eggs or fish, from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Cons
- Has potential safety issues as Teflon, the material which non-stick cookware is made of, was declared by the EPA and FDA as a hazard for human health. High heats also let out toxic fumes that are dangerous for the environment.
- Non-stick cookware is not generally very durable and it cannot high heats and temperatures like its counterpart. It also may not last as long, since the coating can be scratched off or compromised while washing or cooking. Acidic foods can also damage the coating of the cookware. Non-metal utensils need to be used to prevent the coating from being scratched
- Another problem is that it does not allow for the searing and deglazing of food and leftover tidbits go to waste.
Understanding all the problems and hazards that come with non-stick cookware is important but having the perfect piece of non-stick cookware can also be a blessing for your kitchen.
Final Words
Choosing a side in the battle between stainless steel vs nonstick cookware really depends on the users’ needs. Each chef has their own preferences for their kitchen.
Stainless steel vs non-stick only becomes important once a user has a need that only one or the other can fulfill. Users can also keep a mixed number of stainless steel and non-stick cookware in their household to complete different tasks. They can use non-stick pans to make fragile foods such as eggs and fish, while stainless steel cookware can be used to make food that needs high temperatures to be cooked or sauces that need to be deglazed.
Both types of cookware have different advantages and disadvantages, so the final choice should be decided by what you need. What is your preference between stainless steel vs non-stick cookware?
