If you are looking for durable cookware that can conduct heat well and handle higher heating temperatures for flash cooking, are safe to use with metal utensils and will last you for many years to come, a stainless steel cookware set may be the best option for your kitchen.
Why should I consider buying a stainless steel cookware set?
Stainless steel cookware is designed to be used at high cooking temperatures while conducting heat efficiently and evenly, especially those which are made with aluminium cores in their bases which improves conductivity and ensures even heat dispersion. Compared to non-stick cookware, stainless steel pans can handle higher cooking temperatures making them better for searing and stir-frying.
For those that are looking for a low-tox cookware option, stainless steel is free of chemicals and won't leach into foods no matter how high the cooking temperatures. Unlike raw cast iron, it also won't react with acidic foods
Many of our customers choose stainless steel pans especially our stainless steel frying pans as they can be used with metal spatulas and utensils without having to worry about scratching or damaging the cooking surface like you would with non-stick cookware or enamelled pans.
Great for everyday use, stainless steel cookware is also dishwasher safe and can be used with metal scourers for faster cleaning, especially when having to scrape evaporated cooking juices and sauces.
Stainless Steel vs Non-stick Cookware Sets
Non-stick cookware sets are a great option for every day as they offer the convenience in easy cleaning and allow you to cook with less oil, particularly with sticky ingredients like fish, eggs, poultry or meat whereas stainless steel pans will require a lot more cooking oil to prevent them from sticking when cooking, especially on higher cooking temperatures.
The key difference is that stainless steel pans offer greater durability as their cooking surfaces aren't as delicate and they have the ability to be used on much higher cooking temperatures than most non-stick pans. Non-stick pans surfaces tend to wear over time, especially when used on higher heat and require the use of nylon or silicone-tipped cooking utensils as metal utensils can wear the non-stick surfaces faster.
We recommend investing in quality non-stick frypans for all your frying tasks and having a set of stainless steel pots for cooking in liquids like pasta or soups. We stock several stainless steel cookware set options that feature fry pans that have non-stick cooking surface coatings with just stainless steel surfaces on the other cookware types within the set.
Stainless Steel vs Cast Iron Cookware
When it comes to comparing stainless steel cookware to cast iron, it's important to note that cast iron cookware is available both as raw cast iron and enamelled cast iron which has a number of differences. While cast iron tends to have better heat conductivity than stainless steel cookware as well as incredible heat retention where the pans will stay hot long after being exposed to a heat source, it's important to note that raw cast iron cookware requires a process of seasoning where cooking oil needs to be regularly applied and coated on the cast iron pans to prevent rusting and develop its natural non-stick patina. Raw cast iron is also reactive to acidic foods where stainless steel cookware isn't.
Unlike stainless steel cookware that can easily be washed in the dishwasher, cast iron cookware should be washed by hand and only with soapy water before drying thoroughly afterward to prevent rusting or diminishing the seasoned coating.
Enamelled cast iron cookware removes the process of seasoning as the enamelled coatings on the cast iron prevents rust, however, these surfaces are more fragile than stainless steel cookware and similarly to stainless steel cookware, require the use of cooking oil when frying foods. Enamelled cast iron also requires similar care to non-stick pans where they shouldn't be used with metal cooking utensils and should only be exposed to low to medium heat when cooking.
What are the best stainless steel cookware brands?
When it comes to selecting the best stainless steel cookware sets we recommend considering the following reputable cookware brands that are renowned globally:
Scanpan
Headquartered in Denmark, Scanpan has been producing class-leading cookware for more than 60 years. Scanpan Stainless Steel Cookware Sets are available in a variety of combinations and styles that include their Axis, Coppernox and Impact ranges.
Essteele
An Australian favourite, Essteele cookware has long been a popular choice in Australia. The company has a reputation for producing quality cookware sets that are developed and made in Italy. Their Per Vita range is a popular choice as it is made from 18/10 stainless steel that maintains its beautiful polished shiny finish and features copper bases that provide incredible heat conductivity and dispersion for even cooking results.
Tefal
Tefal is a French brand that is internationally renowned, endorsed by famous celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and is sold in over 50 countries globally. The Tefal Virtuoso range combines the best in stainless steel cookware with non-stick cooking surfaces on their frying pans at an affordable price point.
How do you clean stainless steel cookware?
For everyday cleaning, we recommend a good nonabrasive brush or cloth with hot soapy water to scrub and clean your stainless steel cookware. If you notice that the lustre and shine of your stainless steel cookware has faded which tends to happen when using your dishwasher to clean your stainless steel pans, we recommend using the Essteele Stainless Steel Cleaner that can be used on all brands of stainless steel cookware as well as copper-based cookware.
Another tip that we've learned and recommend especially for stainless steel cookware that has harsh burns or evaporated sauces that are hard to remove without harsh scraping, is to use baking soda. Not only is this an inexpensive option to clean your pans but will bring back their shine without the need to laboriously scrub away at your pans. Simply put a couple of heaped teaspoons into the pan with some warm water and then bring slowly to boil on the stove. Once the majority of water has evaporated, use hot soapy water and an non-abrasive brush and you will find it will clean with ease and leave a lasting shine.
If you are noticing a rainbow-like discolouration on the surfaces of your stainless steel pans, this is a sign of using too high heat on your pans when cooking. Using white vinegar will help remove this discolouration along with white, cloud-like residue that comes as a result of cleaning with hard water that has a high mineral content, common in most Australian homes. similar to the baking soda trick, simply apply 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water and bring the pans to boil and leave to cool. Once the pans have cooled, simply use soapy water to clean the pans and dry them thoroughly.
How do I choose the right stainless steel cookware set?
A stainless steel cookware set is an affordable option where you can purchase a variety of pans at a cheaper price than purchasing individually. While most sets we stock should be able to meet the majority of customers' needs, it's important to ensure you select a set that can provide you with the pots and pans required to cook not only the volumes of food that you make but also the types of recipes that you cook frequently. Be sure to select a set that has the right sizes and capacities to ensure you can cook the portions that you regularly cook. For those cooking for a family at home, we recommend always looking towards larger-sized pans and pots so that you can ensure you have enough to cover the whole family as well as have left-overs for later!
Should you need any assistance when selecting a stainless steel cookware set, our customer service team is based in Australia and regularly tests the products that we stock and are also continually educated and trained on the latest cookware brands and ranges that are released to the market.
