When it comes to outfitting your kitchen, choosing the proper cookware is essential. Deciding on cookware that best suits the cooking needs of yourself and/or your family can be daunting. One common dilemma revolves around choosing between stainless-steel or nonstick cookware. Whether you should be buying Nonstick and Stainless Steel will all come down to what you will be using it for and how you look to cook. There are many different factors to consider, like how you like to cook, what cooks best to your preferred style and how easy your cookware will be to clean. To help you determine which type of cookware better fits your culinary lifestyle, let us discuss some of the benefits and drawbacks associated with each material as a starting point for deciding which one might be right for you.
Benefits of Nonstick Cookware
Nonstick cookware has its vast array of benefits compared to nonstick, for starters, Nonstick cookware is the perfect solution for those who seem to have trouble keeping food from sticking and burning when they're cooking, a great example of a nonstick cookware range includes the Raco SmartRelease + range. Nonstick coating creates a non-reactive, frictionless surface that enables you to easily make pancakes, eggs, and delicate fish without excess sticking. It also tends to be a healthier choice too! Due to its nonstick properties, the kind of cookware tends to require less oils or fats during cooking, making it ideal for low fat cooking. Nonstick cookware is a also a life-saver when it comes to washing up after after use. No more wrestling with a scourer in the sink for hours--just use a non-abrasive sponge and some hot, soapy water instead. To keep your cookware looking as good as new, use wooden or nylon kitchen utensils to avoid scratching the surface, and be sure to wash by hand instead of placing them in the dishwasher. For best results you can also use our very own Raco Nonstick Liquid Cleaner.
Drawbacks of Nonstick
Nonstick cookware has been popular with home cooks for its convenience and ease of cleaning but there are a few drawbacks to consider. Nonstick cookware can become easily damaged if used with metal utensils or scouring pads, consider cooking with wooden or plastic utensils instead, and when cleaning, use a non abrasive sponge. Nonstick cookware should not be exposed to high temperatures either, as this could lead to damaging nonstick coating and may even lose some of its nonstick properties. Always use low to medium heat whilst cooking. Another drawback of nonstick is doesn't distribute heat as well as other materials such as stainless steel, meaning techniques such as browning your meat might be a bit more of a challenge.
Benefits of Stainless Steel
As nonstick cookware has its benefits, so too does stainless steel cookware. Stainless steel cookware in general, along with ranges such as the Raco Contemporary range are highly durable and less prone to damage than nonstick, which makes it a versatile choice that is also generally compatible with all cooktops. Stainless Steel cookware also has the ability to retain heat longer and evenly distribute heat when cooking, which makes it ideal for caremilising, boiling and sautéing, creating restaurant-quality results, which is why even chefs prefer stainless steel cookware.
Drawbacks of Stainless Steel cookware
Although Stainless Steel has its perks, it does have a drawbacks to consider when cooking. Generally when used properly with a considerable amount of oils or fats, Stainless Steel can be quite stick-resistant, although not completely. Beginner cooks may find Stainless Steel can lead to food sticking to your cookware, particularly with foods such as fish, eggs and other delicate foods, which can also lead to a difficult cleanup when your cookware is not used properly. To minimise this, ensuring pre-heat your pan and use the right amount of oil or fat is recommended.
Conclusion
While both stainless steel and nonstick have their benefits and drawbacks, its important to evaluate what your needs will be and how you will be using your cookware. If you do choose to use stainless steel cookware, remember to maximize the benefits and minimize the disadvantages by using adequate amounts of oil when cooking. Investing in good quality Stainless Steel cookware sets such as Raco Contemporary is a smart choice for users that want a durable, great quality range to create amazing dishes. Nonstick cookware on the other hand is great for ease of use and easy cleanup by minimising food sticking and burnt food, however it is important to remember to never use metal utensils, cook on a low to medium heat to avoid damaging your nonstick.