Today @nyonyatoko would like to talk about stainless steel cookware, one of the most popular types of cookware. But do you know that stainless steel is NOT a good heat conductor? So why is it so popular for cookware?
To give some context:
- Compared to cast iron and carbon steel, stainless-steel conducts heat 3.5x worse.
- Compared to aluminum, stainless-steel conducts heat 16.5x worse.
- Compared to copper, stainless-steel conducts heat 28.5x worse (https://homecookworld.com/is-stainless-steel-a-good-conductor-of-heat)
So why is some of the finest cookware made out of stainless steel? Here is why:
- Durability: stainless-steel can withstand high temperatures and resist scratches and dents. This means that your stainless-steel cookware will last for many years, if not decades, with proper care.
- Non-reactive: stainless-steel is a non-reactive material, which means that it does not react with acidic or alkaline foods. Cast iron and carbon steel will leach dietary iron into the food, while aluminum and copper is not only reactive, but toxic if ingested in large quantities. Which is why aluminum is hard anodized (or coated) and copper is lined with tin (or… you guess it… stainless-steel). This makes it a great choice for cooking a variety of dishes, including those that contain tomatoes, citrus, or vinegar.
- Versatility: stainless-steel cookware is versatile and can be used for a range of cooking methods, including stovetop, oven, and grill. It’s also dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean and maintain.
- Appearance: stainless-steel cookware has a sleek and modern appearance that looks great in any kitchen. It’s also easy to clean and maintain its appearance over time.
So now that you know why stainless steel is so popular, you might want to know more about the types of stainless-steel cookware. @nyonyatoko will discuss more in the next post.
