Sometimes You Should Not Believe What You Hear When Buying Cookware

There are so many brands on the market for cookware; be it Stainless Steel, Cast Iron or Non Stick Skillets and Pots and Pans. Some brands are after Chefs names, Celebrities names and then there are some that are made just as well or better that will not cost you a large amount of money, will last for years to come and do not have a brand name that everybody has heard of.

I have just seen an ad for pots and pans on the market that you do not have to use any oil or butter and they swear that this cookware will last and look good for many, many years to come. Sounds great to me but I do not understand why there is only a 12 year warranty on them when other internet stores are selling their cookware for a 25 year warranty or limited lifetime warranty.

When buying a good set of cookware you should buy in the medium price range. Read about how to take care of them before you buy. Many internet stores have "Use and Care" information. Do not believe you can wipe a pan with a paper towel and put it away. This not a good idea. You could become quite sick if any residue was left behind which would cause bacteria and mould. Especially when it comes to meat and chicken. The people who teach the Food Safe Courses would be flabbergasted. They recommend cleaning your pots and pans in 45 degrees Celsius dishwater. Always allow your cookware to cool before washing it.

Overheating empty non-stick cookware may produce fumes. These fumes are not harmful to humans and all pets.....except birds. Birds have sensitive respiratory systems. When using non stick pots or pans high heat is not recommended. The clad layer on the bottom will efficiently distribute and maintain the heat. Start with medium heat and reduce to a lower setting once liquid is boiling or meats are seared. Overheating can cause foods to burn and can cause discoloration to the pot or pan.

Do not jump blindly into buying cookware because you have seen it on TV. First read carefully the information that is on their site. Look at the warranty. Be a smart shopper.

Tips on Cooking with Stainless Steel Pots and Pans

Buying new stainless steel pots and pans is so important to a person who loves to cook. You want to concentrate on the meal not the washing up after. After serving a lovely meal you do not want to take up too much time cleaning up so therefore you have to purchase good quality cookware.

Good quality cookware with a durable coating that will not peel off or lift from the cookware surface does not have to be expensive or a brand name. There are many products for sale on the market that are just as good.

Many people do not know how to use a coated fry pan or saucepan. Some people are really hard on their cookware. Burning their food onto the pan or scratching them. Then they throw them away and go buy new ones. I read this many times in cookware discussions. The cause of this is too high heat or not good quality cookware.

So here are a few tips. You never start with the high heat. You always start with medium high heat and then go down to medium. This is better for the fry pan and easier cleanup. You should not have to scrub your pots and pans. When washing up and the pan has residue on it soak the pan for a couple of minutes in the dish water, then wash and it will look like new. Also if you stack your frying pans put something between them like a baggie.

Some coated pots and pans on the market can be used with a metal utensil. This is so much easier to deal with then the plastic ones.

Stainless steel pans without the coating are great to use. If you have a rainbow effect on your pots and pans this means they have been used on too high heat. A stainless steel cleaner should clean this up.

I braise my meat or chicken in my stainless steel fry pan and then put it in the oven to finish cooking. When the meat is ready I like to make a wine sauce on the stove top from the drippings and reduce it to a slightly thick sauce. The great part about it is you are only using one pan!

Always remember, never use high heat on your cookware. It isn’t necessary. Let it cool before putting it in dish water. Place a cloth or baggie between them and you will enjoy using your new pots and pans for many years.