Cooking Light Cookware
We bring you information and reviews on all types of Cookware
Waterless Cooking along with waterless cookware has become increasingly popular as a preferred method of cooking. In fact, it has quite a number of advantages when compared to the conventional way of cooking. Easier cooking, reduced cooking time, easier cleaning and better tasting food are just a few of the benefits and advantages that waterless cooking offers. With waterless cookware, cooking has become easier and takes less time than before and because there would be neither sticking nor burning, it is also much easier to clean. No oil is needed and thus lesser fat content. Finally, because there is no need for oil or anything additional to cook the food in, the natural taste of the food stays intact. The cookware used in waterless cooking is made of high quality stainless steel which basically prevents the metallic taste from seeping into the food. Besides that, it doesn’t need any coating unlike the Teflon which can also seep into the food.
Another important thing to note about waterless cooking sets is that the bottoms of these sets are machined flat which enables them to be more in direct contact with the heat resulting in a more even distribution. Since the food is cooked using only its natural juices the mineral and vitamin content of the food is effectively retained. Vegetables already contain plenty of water thus there isn’t any need to add more. The steam released by the vegetables is contained in the cookware and that’s what actually cooks the vegetables. So what you end up with are vegetables with all the taste and nutritional value intact and not soggy, mushy veggies.
Stainless Steel Cookware is perhaps the most popular and the most loved by people. So, why don’t we get into what makes stainless steel the best choice for making cookware sets. Stainless steel is actually an alloy that begins with iron and then 8 other alloys are added to the mix. Needless to say, the quality of stainless steel sets relies on what is added to this mix. There are many available low quality and very inexpensive cookware sets that are made of stainless steel however; these kinds of affordable cookware aren’t for you if you expect a lot from the cookware you use. Point is, people want high quality stuff to produce high quality results and a stainless steel pan that is prone to rusting is going make that cut. A simple test you can do to make sure that you are buying something up to standard is to bring a magnet with you the next time you decide on shopping for pans. The idea behind the test is simple; if the magnet sticks then it is a lower grade pan.
A lot of the high quality stainless steel cookware comes with a lifetime warranty. They are also scratch as well as dent resistant and very easy to maintain. Although a high quality pan of this kind can be a little heavy on the pockets, it will produce great results. So it is actually very important that you know what to look for as there are some stainless steel pots and pans that do no conduct heat very well and there are some that are subject to discoloration and pitting. Another thing that you should check for is the surface of the cookware. Make sure that it is very smooth and that there are no elements that would react to the food that you are going to cook in it.
Knowing your Stainless Steel
After the explosion of the safety issues involving Teflon coat in cookware, it is understandable that people preferred non-coated cookware. Stainless steel became the best option because of its exquisite qualities. Stainless steel is extremely durable and non-porous. It also has a smooth surface that is easy to maintain and would not lose its shiny quality. It is dent resistant and scratch proof that is why a lot of people rely on them. Most chefs are also confident with stainless steel cookware. The problem is which kind to choose from the extensive selection we can find in the market.
Knowing a bit more about this cookware would not hurt especially if you want to know which one works best for you, your kitchen and your lifestyle. First, for it to be considered stainless steel, the basic iron with 8 alloys added must contain at least 11 percent of chromium. It does not require added nickel to be considered stainless steel. Nickel, however, provides additional hardness, rust resistance and ease of polishing characteristics. This explains the 18/0 and 18/8 that we see on the packaging. 18/0 doesn’t have that high polish characteristics and in time can be subject to rusting. 18/8 on the other hand is the one fortified with nickel and is definitely better than pots and pans with chromium alone.
A simple way of testing if it has nickel is by simply putting magnet on it. If it has magnetic properties, it is 18/0 which is a lesser type of stainless steel.
With this little bit of information, you can identify which would give you value for your money. Investing in cookware is one of the most important decisions a homemaker has to make. 18/8 is the way to go for premium stainless steel cookware.
A lot of people recommend uncoated cookware like stainless steel and cast iron pots and pans but a lot of people still prefer non-stick pans. This is because Teflon cookware is very versatile. This type of coating has non-stick properties that do not result to forming fond. It also slows down the heat conduction that it takes a longer time before the food being fried begins to brown. Unlike other pots and pans, Teflon cookware does not require a lot of fat for cooking because it already has non-stick qualities on its own.
This coating is sturdier than what people may think as long as people know how to take care of it. Aside from keeping the heat below 500 degrees in Fahrenheit, people should refrain from scratching the coat with materials with abrasive qualities. A lot of options are available that are suited for Teflon cookware cooking.
Teflon is particularly a consumer’s favorite because of the convenience it brings. Not everyone is a chef but items from Teflon cookware guarantee that there would be less cooking catastrophes. The cleaning process is another one of its advantages. Because of the non-stick qualities, fond would never form, which is almost always the worst in washing pots and pans. It is really the non-stick quality that sets it apart from other cookware. This feature is not only advantageous during the cooking part but for the cleaning part as well. Why struggle with scrubbing in your kitchen sink for a long time after the breakfast when you can simply wipe and wash it off? This is what most people love about it. It makes life simpler.
Lodge cookware is synonymous to tradition. Lodge has been in this industry for more than 100 years. Having said that, it is an understatement to say that it is “seasoned”. We will get to “seasoning” later. First, we will talk about cast iron cookware. Cast iron is best known for its heat retention. Both non-stick and stainless steel pans are known to have hot spots, explained as areas that are hotter than the rest. These areas sometimes lead to burning or uneven cooking. That would never be a problem for cast iron pans because it distributes the heat evenly.
Cast iron needs to be seasoned. Seasoning is applying a thin layer of oil and allowing it to be baked into the pores of the cookware. This is to avoid rusting and, in time would lead to non-stick properties. Unlike other cookware, this feature comes after you have used and cast iron cookware many times. Thus, the more you use it, the better it gets. Unlike synthetically-coated pans, the non-stick feature can be restored. If there is rust in your cookware, there are ways to save it by following simple steps depending on its type of rust. However, it does not have to be that cumbersome if you remember to replenish seasoning especially after every cleaning.
Though some people say that cast iron cookware is not easy to maneuver particularly because it is heavy, this quality also has its advantages. These items could be used in different heat sources provided that it would only be used until it reaches 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Live the tradition and live a healthy lifestyle with tried and tested pans of Lodge Cookware.
