A common debate worldwide, the use of certain kitchen cookware over others is a widely spread topic with passionate points and opinions on both sides. One debate is the use of stainless steel cookware instead of other perceived dangerous cookware options. Our questions are, how safe is stainless steel and what makes it a safe option? Below, we answer those two questions in hopes of helping to make you feel more confident in your cookware choice.
What Is Stainless Steel Cookware
A commonly used item in the home kitchen, stainless steel cookware is cookware made up of a metal with a stainless steel surface. Cookware options include pots and pans and come in a variety of sizes and thicknesses.
Why Is Stainless Steel Cookware Safe
There are a few key reasons why stainless steel is considered by many to be a very safe option in your home.
- Won’t leak favors into your food
- High quality stainless steel pots and pans are unlikely to create hotspots in your food
- No fear of broken teflon pieces cooking into your food
- Easily to clean and sanitize
- It’s corrosion resistant to acids found in many foods
The Differences In Stainless Steel
When buying stainless steel, you’ll notice a wide arrangement of prices, from cheap to high end. These price ranges show the differences in stainless steel. Like with most things, the more expensive the cookware, the better it is. Thicker stainless steel options not only cost more money but are better made and more likely to cook your food evenly, which is a relatively big deal. When looking for new stainless steel cookware, you’ll want to take into account the grade system. Each grade refers to the quality, temperature, resistance and durability of each item.
There is also a big difference in the metals used to make your stainless steel pots and pans. To make things easier to understand, most put stainless steel cookware into two different categories, magnetic and nonmagnetic. Nonmagnetic stainless steel is comprised with a very high nickel content, which can be very problematic to those with allergies. This means if you feel unsure, you should go with a magnetic cookware set. A good way to test pots and pans out is to take a little magnet with you when you shop for one. A refrigerator magnet will work just fine and will make it easier for you to figure out which one to go with as some labels may not give the proper information.