Hello World! Welcome Friends! Even if you’re not exactly a newbie when it comes to cooking, there always comes a point when a dish doesn’t turn out the way you planned it, and that’s okay.
It can be an over seasoned soup, a soggy salad, overcooked meat, etc. The point is making mistakes in the kitchen can happen to anyone.
Now, if it seems like these mistakes are happening more often, it may be time to check if the problem is your cookware and not your cooking techniques. Here, we’ll break down the pros and cons of stainless steel vs. nonstick cookware so you can choose the best pots and pans for your cooking needs.
Stainless Steel vs. Nonstick Cookware at a Glance
One of the reasons why some people want to find out the deal with nonstick vs. stainless steel is to see if they can just buy one type of cookware. Of course, if you do this, you’ll save money, but you also won’t get to enjoy cooking a wide variety of dishes.
You see, there’s a place in everyone’s kitchen for both types of cookware. Stainless steel pots and pans are workhorses. You can use them for braising, frying, searing, and so on.
Meanwhile, nonstick cookware can make your life in the kitchen a breeze. They’re great for low-heat to medium-heat dishes. Plus, cleaning nonstick pots and pans is super easy.
However, they’re not as durable as stainless steel cookware. You’ll have to replace them every few years or so, while stainless pots and pans can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance.
Stainless Steel Cookware: The Clear Winner?
At this point, it would seem like “Should I use stainless steel or nonstick?” is a non-question. After all, stainless steel pots and pans can do almost everything, and they’re also superior when it comes to durability.
Here’s the thing though stainless steel cookware sets are more expensive compared to their nonstick counterparts. Now, some don’t think of this as a con because they believe they’re paying for the cookware’s performance, but if you’re on a budget, this could be an issue.
Remember, with stainless steel pots and pans, you don’t want to be cutting corners. The rule with stainless cookware is the heavier, the better, ensuring that there’ll be no hot spots and your food will be cooked more evenly. Unfortunately, this also means a higher price tag.
There’s also the issue of cleaning since stainless steel pots and pans tend to develop spots and discoloration over time. Also, since food sticks to the surface of stainless steel cookware, you may find that cleaning can be a challenge.
What About Nonstick Cookware?
The benefits of nonstick pots and pans include their ease of use and fast cleanup. If you’re watching your weight, you’d also like that you can cook food with a lot less oil. With stainless steel cookware, you have to use oil or butter or everything will stick to it.
There are some concerns, however, with nonstick cookware. In particular, some consumers are worried about how safe they are to use. Take note that Teflon and other similar nonstick coatings on the market used to be made with a harmful chemical known as PFOA.
The key phrase here is “used to be.” Today, all nonstick cookware made after 2013 have coatings that are PFOA-free. That doesn’t mean though that you can use nonstick pots and pans any way you like.
Even if they’re PFOA-free, you still need to throw out any nonstick cookware that’s starting to chip or flake. You also can’t use your nonstick pots or pans on very high heat or they might release some toxic fumes.
Some Tips for Buying and Cooking with Stainless Steel Cookware
Now that you know some of the pros and cons of stainless steel pots and pans, it helps to know some tips for choosing the best ones and cooking with them.
First, you should opt for stainless steel cookware whose handles are made of heatproof material. This way, you can pop them right into the oven, but if you’re not sure if the cookware you’re buying is oven-safe, go for a known brand. Their cookware is usually broiler and oven-safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
As for dishes you can make with stainless steel pots and pans, the sky’s the limit. Use them for browning, crisping or searing meat, boiling soups, stews, bisques, pasta, vegetables, roasting, broiling, braising, and so on.
Top Tips for Buying and Cooking with Nonstick Cookware
With nonstick pots and pans, the general advice is to replace them as soon as you see chips or flakes in the coating. Now some take this to mean that they can just buy cheap nonstick cookware sets, but this isn’t as practical as they think.
That’s because there are some excellent products such as the kitchen essentials from Calphalon that are almost as good as stainless steel cookware sets when it comes to heat induction. In fact, it’s one of the few brands that have nonstick cookware that’s oven-safe. They’re also quite durable and eco-friendly.
If you’re going for a regular nonstick cookware set though, you need to mind how you use it to make sure it lasts longer. Don’t use your nonstick pots and pans with induction ovens, unless they’re induction-compatible. You should also avoid using metal or plastic forks, spoons, and spatulas to avoid damaging the coating.
For cooking with your nonstick cookware, stick to quick meals such as omelets, pan-fried delicate fish, and so on. You’d want to avoid making acidic meals or those made with tomatoes, wine, vinegar, and citrus fruits, as these could speed up the wearing down of your nonstick pans’ coating.
Want More Cooking Tips and Advice?
So stainless steel vs. nonstick isn’t such a big deal. You know that there’s a place in your kitchen for both of them. Just remember to choose quality pots and pans and remember to use them right.
For more kitchen tips and advice, don’t hesitate to check out our other articles.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
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The Best Colors for Selling a House
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Toodles,
While non-stick are great for cooking and sauteing, I always have fears on their safety. I would go with stainless steel any time!
Kindly do a review on ceramic cookware too.
Thanks for providing the information and saving time. Helpful article!