Cooking in Your Apartment: A Guide to Stainless Steel Cookware

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Cooking in Your Apartment: A Guide to Stainless Steel Cookware

Staff Writer · Jul 13, 2010

Stainless steel cookware has been popular in many households, because it is viewed as one of the safest materials for cooking, second only to cast iron. New types of cookware are competing with stainless steel, and you may be wondering if it’s still a good idea to invest money in stainless steel cookware. Perhaps you already own it, and want to learn more about using it, cleaning it and proper storage. Here’s what you need to know:

Pros of Stainless Steel Cookware

When you use stainless steel for cooking you can enjoy many benefits, such as:

-Little or no scratches
-No dents
-The metal doesn’t corrode
-Affordable to buy and maintain
-Will not rust
-Doesn’t affect the taste of certain foods
-Easy to clean

    Stainless steel cookware is also lightweight. Some types of cookware are so heavy that it discourages people from cooking with them more often. If your apartment is short on storage space, it will be easy to lift and store stainless steel cookware in places other than your kitchen.

    Cons of Stainless Steel Cookware

    The advantages outweigh the disadvantages of using stainless steel cookware for many cooks, but it’s important to know what the cons are before your final decision on a purchase. Some are:

    -Traces of nickel will seep into your foods
    -Small quantities of chromium will get into the foods you cook
    -Hot spots will occur in cookware with no heat diffusing base
    -Food burns easily in cheaper cookware
    -Foods stick to it when cooked

      The health effects are deal breakers if you suffer from allergies, or are committed to eating foods that are free of chemicals. If that doesn’t apply to you, then good quality stainless steel cookware is a good option.

      Cleaning and Storage

      With minimal cleaning, you can preserve the look of your stainless steel cookware. Use mild soaps for washing them. If you’re using a dishwasher, choose detergents that are homemade or gentle. Pre-soaking pots will help to lift foods that get stuck while cooking. You may have to boil soapy water in the pot for a few minutes to get stubborn foods loose, and add salt to remove white spots. When it cools, but is still lukewarm, use a non-abrasive sponge to get burnt food and other stains out. Always clean the outside of the cookware, especially the bottom, to prevent permanent stains.

      Store your cookware in kitchen cabinets or leave them in the dishwasher. Another option is to buy large rubbermaid plastic tubs to store your cookware in. You can lift them up easily because they don’t weigh much, and store them out of sight if your kitchen doesn’t have much room.

      Types of Foods

      You can cook just about anything in your stainless steel cookware.  Some everyday foods to cook with stainless steel include:

      -Pasta
      -Rice
      -Stews
      -Soups
      -Vegetables

        It’s superior to cast iron in that it won’t react with acidic foods. The only problem is that some foods will stick to the pan.

        Overall, stainless steel cookware is a good option if you’re not concerned about the limited health risks associated with using it for cooking. Buy one that’s of high quality, to ensure proper heat distribution.

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