Jan 22 2008
THE ABC OF COOKWARE Part 1
Good cookware makes the world of difference,and there is a vast range of materials to choosefrom. Pots and pans need to be well balanced and heavy enough to prevent warping or denting. The handles should be comfortable to hold, strong enough to manoeuvre the pot or pan, and should be securely attached with rivets or screws. Lids should fit securely and have handles that are safe and easy to grip.
The ideal material for cookware provides quick, efficient heating. Food should not stick to it and it should be safe and easy to handle. The material should also be corrosion resistant so that acids in the food do not have any impact on it; it needs to conduct heat quickly so that energy is conserved; and it needs to be of a suitable weight.
METALLIC COOKWARE
Metallic cookware (which should never be used in microwave ovens) is most often made from copper, cast iron, aluminium and stainless steel.
COPPER
Copper conducts and distributes heat extremely fast. (This is why it is sometimes used on the bottom of stainless steel pots.) Gourmet chefs like to use copper as they can literally control the heat by moving the pan closer or further away from a flame. Copper is heavy and beautiful when polished, but it is expensive.
CAST IRON
Inexpensive cast ironware is a good conductor of heat but being very heavy, it requires careful handling.
ALUMINIUM
Aluminium is the most commonly used metal for cookware. It is a good conductor of heat and so uses less energy. It is lightweight, rust resistant and inexpensive. But it is not corrosion resistant and reacts to acidic ingredients, which can result in discoloration and a metallic taste being imparted to the food.
Better quality aluminium products are anodised or coated with a nonstick finish. Anodising is a process that changes the metal surface’s molecular structure, giving the cookware a smooth, dark, non-reactive finish that is non-stick and scratch resistant.
Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
THE ABC OF COOKWARE Part 1
- THE ABC OF COOKWARE Part 2
- Kitchen Essentials AND Utensils Part 2
- Kitchen Storage and preparation continue...
- Conquering Clutter
- The Microwave Containers Cooking Hints
- THE ABC OF COOKWARE Part 3
- The Microwave Containers Food Cooking Hints
- Eat Vegetables, Cook with Delicious Recipes, the perfect Food Preparation
- Essential Kitchen Cutlery Part 4
- Kitchen Design & Textures
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