There are times when we were cooking an omelet and have been forced to turn it into scrambled eggs with a burnt base. No, you are not a feeble chef, you’re just using the wrong kind of pan. Enter the non-stick surface pans, helping many cooks save their food from burning or getting ruined. With non-stick cookware, you can literally use it to cook any type of food. By using the non-stick pans, you can fry, sauté, stew and bake in the fraction of the time you would spend cooking using other cookware. It boasts an array of advantages from saving you time, money and effort in the kitchen to its durability.
How does non-stick cookware work?
To this day, there are many culinary inventions that help the amateur and professional cook. One of the most important inventions in the culinary world is the invention of non-stick cookware. Interestingly enough, the non-stick surface was invented by accident in the 1930s, and from then on, scientists have developed cookware that saves you time, effort and your food. The way it’s engineered should allow your food to not stick to the pan or burn and brown. This also allows you a breezy cleaning process as it saves you a ton of time and effort cleaning your pans. Long gone are the days of scrubbing pancake batter or greasy meat residue from your pan.
It’s the healthier choice
There are many benefits to the non-stick cookware, especially when you’re considering health. When using a non-stick pan, you consume less oil and butter due to the technology of its non-stick surface. This saves you a ton of calories and your food tastes great without being too greasy. Besides, the food is a lot lighter, and you’ll definitely avoid that dreaded ‘I’ve eaten too much’ feel you get at the end of a meal. Works like magic!
Check reviews from the experts
If you’re a basic cook looking for the perfect cookware set to buy, or if you’re looking to change your old pans, then a reviewing process is definitely a must. Just like anything else, you don’t want to go into the buying process with little to no information in regards to what’s best. Many online reviews are available to help you in the choosing process and which cookware set will be suitable to your own needs. In the blog post, “Best non-stick cookware sets,” the folks at Alice’s Kitchen have picked out the best non-stick cookware sets out there with a list of pros and cons and prices to guide you in your buying process.
Versatility and variety makes it special
Non-stick cookware are extremely versatile and there are a ton of varieties to choose from. The abundance of variety makes it the go-to cookware set to use in your kitchen. Below are a list of types of non-stick cookware sets that you can choose from:
- Polytetrafluoroethylene coating (PTFE or Teflon): one of the first and most common types of coating, this one was found in every household. Now known as Teflon coating, it’s an integral choice for non-stick cookware sets. This substance is incredibly slippery, thus allowing food to not stick.
- Ceramic coating: considered to be the ‘noble’ choice of non-stick cookware sets, ceramic coated have been gaining attention over the years. It’s environment friendly due to its inorganic nature and lack of chemical activity. It’s made of hardened clay and completely free of PTFE.
- Superhydrophobic coating: this is the latest in the non-stick surface pan industry. It’s engineered in a way that any water-like substance is repelled and rebounds without leaving any traces. Perfect or pancakes and omelets!
- Cast iron: these type of pans are a part of every household due to their heavy-duty cooking capabilities. The cast iron requires a lot of maintenance because it’s prone to rust, however; the enameled cast iron is coated with a protective layer to avoid rust. Both pans function as non-stick if your food is seasoned properly.If rust has already developed, a rust cleaner may help restore the pan to a usable condition.
- Anodized aluminum: if you’re looking for a non-stick surface that is not coated with chemicals then this one’s for you. This type of coated pan is useful, durable, lightweight and scratch-resistant. It’s also stick-free of course!
- Silicone: the flexible silicone cookware is ideal for baking. The silicone rubber will not react with your food or change its flavor due to its low toxicity abilities and can handle home oven temperatures.
Is non-stick cookware safe to use?
Over the years, non-stick cookware has been receiving negative attention regarding its safety and health issues due to the emission of toxic chemicals. However, many researchers show that non-stick cookware will not be dangerous if you follow a few cooking guidelines. First off, paying attention to the cooking temperature is highly important. It’s advisable never to let your pan reach 500F or higher and don’t preheat your pan as well. Always ventilate your kitchen well while cooking to release any fumes. If you must broil or sear your meat, use other cookware because this cooking method requires high heat. Choose a heavier pan because they do not overheat like lighter pans. It was feared that if the pan is chipped, you ingest the particles and it causes a wide range of diseases. However, it’s been proven that your body just passes them along without worry. On the other hand, pans lose their non-stick function if they’re chipped. Avoid chipping or scratching a pan by using wooden or silicone spoons. Last but not least, never buy cheap non-stick cookware because they lack the technology of the original non-stick cookware. The original brands of non-stick cookware are actually budget friendly cookware.
You will cook like a pro!
And there you have it, the ultimate guide to what non-stick cookware is, as well as its types and safety measures. There are also some great online reviews are available. Non-stick cookware is actually a life-saver when it comes to cooking; preventing any food from sticking to your pan, ruining your meal and giving you terrible cleaning time. They come in a variety of coating methods as well as many pans and pots sizes to choose from. The lifespan of non-stick cookware can range from three to five years, so it’s perfect if you’re looking into buying a new set for your kitchen. They’re also the perfect startup cookware for the beginner cook.