Stainless steel is one of the famous cookware mostly are familiar with it. It comes in many brands and many experts use this cookware in their kitchens. Let me tell you briefly what stainless steel is made of. It is an alloy of iron and chromium. But different combinations are available in the market, in which metals like nickel, carbon, manganese, and molybdenum are also included. The best stainless steel is made of 18% chromium and 10% nickel. Different percentages of particular metals change the specifications of stainless steel cookware.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of stainless steel cookware.
Pros of Stainless Steel Cookware
1. Durability
A stainless steel pan is a long-lasting product. One of its finest properties is that it has incredible permanence. It doesn’t have the annoying problem of non-stick coatings which debase quickly. Its hardness and reliable material make stainless steel pans the best choice. You don’t need to replace it again and again. Its durability makes it a favorite of many experts. That’s why it can stay for more than 40 years and easily pass to the next generation.
2. Corrosion Resistant
This cookware contains chromium that’s why stainless steel cookware behavior is corrosion resistant. It will not rust and make any trouble for its users as iron cast consumers faces. It will remain shiny for years and keep its customers happy.
3. Appearance
The stainless steel cookware is appealing whenever you come across online stores or in markets. Many beautiful designs are available in the market and many options are there. The nickel adds shine to these pans and their sparkling look remains as it is for years. It will not get dull easily and stay bright for a long time. This cookware is glossy so this set adds beauty to your kitchen.
4. Easy Maintenance
These are very easy to maintain because they can be readily cleaned with soapy water. The good quality of stainless steel is sticky and food can easily be removed from its surface. The steel wool also helps to eradicate burnt food from the pan. Also, they are dishwasher friendly so there is no worry about their cleanliness. It is also a boiler safe product. They are super easy to handle and easy to use. There is no hard work required to preserve the set.
5. Outstanding Heat Retention
The multi-ply construction of stainless steel cookware results in superlative retention of heat. Aluminum makes it a better conductor. Even if the stove is off and the pot is hot (with a covered lid), the meal inside will remain hot for enough time. This is also a reason that it is loved by many cooking experts.
6. Recyclable
The environment experts also recommend this cookware because it is eco-friendly. In this modern world, everything is considered that should be used in a sophisticated way. As they are recyclable, it also helps to make the world a better place to live.
7. Non-Reactive
Chefs love to cook in stainless steel because it does not catch the metallic taste. Also, it does not change the color of food. Its pan does not react with acidic foods like lemon or tomatoes. These are fascinating characteristics that make it best for sautéing and making different sauces.
8. Compatibility
Stainless steel cookware holds the wonderful property that it is compatible with all types of cooktops. They may include gas and electric stoves as well as induction cooktops.
9. Scratch Resistant
As it is a hard metal, it does not carry scratches easily. It is extremely difficult to damage the cookware. That’s why it’s not getting out of shape even after long years of use. Non-stick pans get scratches while cleaning and cooking but these stainless steel pans own this golden ability that they are scratch-resistant.
10. Tolerant
It holds the amazing property that it bears high temperatures and it does not affect its performance. Some foods need high heat so this is a really good option for cooking.
Cons of Stainless Steel Cookware
1. Food Sticks
As this pan is naturally non-stick, it is not good for some delicate foods. They are good at sautéing but not for eggs, fish, or meat. Food sticking is an issue with this set that’s why some people avoid cooking in these pans. It becomes worse when food sticks to the surface and then you have to clean it with different hacks.
2. Excessive use of oil
To cook in stainless steel you have to use oil in excessive quantities. You cannot eliminate butter or oil while cooking in these pans. If oil is not used in it, food will stick to its bottom and it will make food messy. But in nonstick pans, you can do cooking or frying with minimal oil. So this is one of the disadvantages because sometimes you have to cook in an unhealthy manner. As we all know, too much oily food is not good for health.
3. Poor conductor of heat
The bad side of stainless steel is that it is a poor conductor of heat. It does not heat up so quickly. To improve its conductivity, different manufacturers add different metals like aluminum and copper to it. Many manufacturers are dealing with this issue.
4. Expensive
As there are many varieties of this cookware available in the market. But you have to be careful while buying this cookware set because a cheaper set will not be effective for cooking but an expensive one will perform better. A low-quality stainless steel pan will slowly get heated and it may give you issues in the future. So you have to purchase a high-quality expensive set to avoid further cooking issues.
5. Uneven heat distribution
Stainless steel holds the disadvantage that heat is not distributed evenly in the pot. It may cause cooking difficulties for some food items like steaks which need to be cooked evenly.
Bottom Line
If you are serious about cooking so you will have a couple of stainless steel pans and pots are a must. Stainless steel cookware is the best for commercial kitchens and can be a good option for home cooking. Consider the pros and cons of stainless steel cookware while buying and avoid cheaper options. Good Luck with the shopping for stainless steel cookware.
