Stainless steel pans

Different types of stainless steel pots are wildly popular among Russian housewives. Such products have many positive qualities and are among the most practical to use.

The range of kitchen utensils is constantly changing and is replenished with new products made from various materials. Quality pans made of stainless steel have remained consistently popular for many years. Such products have many positive qualities that are appreciated by many housewives.

Steel kitchen utensils have both positive and negative characteristics. First, consider what is good about a stainless steel pan.

• The main advantage of such products is their inertness. Stainless steel does not react with food in any way. There is no need to apply a special protective coating to such dishes.
• The alloy heats up in the shortest possible time, so the hostesses do not have to wait long for the filling of the dishes to boil. It takes a minimum of time.
• Stainless steel is renowned for being non-corrosive. In contact with water, this material does not rust and does not lose its properties, so you can cook in such a dish without fear that it will soon fail and be unusable.
• Stainless steel pans are resistant to various acids. The composition of food steel is "not afraid" of acidic and alkaline environments.Such utensils can be used for preparing various compotes, juices or pickles. Here you don't have to worry about oxidation.
• Steel pans are distinguished by good wear resistance qualities. It is difficult to leave mechanical damage on such products. Such dishes are not afraid of scratches or chips. Stainless steel does not heat up like cast iron.
• Thanks to its characteristic ductility, stainless steel can be used to make dishes of various shapes. It can be either a standard or an advanced, updated model.
• The range of such products today is striking in diversity. You can choose high-quality steel utensils for every taste, color, wallet and consumer requirements.
• Stainless steel pots can be used on different types of stoves. It can be gas, electric, induction and other types of household appliances. With steel cookware, it will be possible to significantly save on electricity or gas, since the stoves can be turned off a few minutes before the end of cooking. The container will maintain a high temperature for some time and the food in it will not cool down immediately.
• Stainless steel is easy and simple to maintain. This material can be cleaned with hard brushes and sponges. There will be no scratches on it.
• Usually food in such containers does not burn, because it provides a dense bottom. Many branded pans have a non-stick layer.
• In such containers, you can cook different dishes. There is no framework for the use of certain products.
• Stainless steel is a durable and wear-resistant material, which is why stainless steel pots are obtained from it.
• Often these pots come complete with lids made of special heat-resistant glass. Due to this detail, the hostesses have the opportunity to monitor the preparation of the dish without lifting the lid.

These pans have many advantages. That is why they are so popular today. But steel products also have disadvantages.

• Such products are characterized by a low level of heat capacity. Stainless alloys are usually not capable of heating to temperatures in excess of 100 degrees. This is a good quality, since the cooking process is carried out in a gentle temperature regime. But, on the other hand, such pots are not suitable for use in the oven or in the simmering mode (the exception is special branded models designed for such use).
• It is distinguished by such dishes and uneven heating. This problem, like the one described above, has long been decided - it is permissible to use a special heat-distributing bottom and walls.
• Steel pans are characterized by rapid cooling. Stainless steel assumes the ambient temperature in a short time. The contents in such utensils also inevitably begin to cool down. This happens faster than in pots made of aluminum or cast iron.
• It is rarely possible to cook food in a steel pan (especially frying) without a lot of fat. Food will stick to the bottom and sides if there is little liquid. Burning food is possible. If you are looking for the perfect pan for frying, then you will have to look for special steel products.
• Sudden temperature changes can damage the stainless steel pot. It is not recommended to immediately move the heated dishes to the refrigerator. A cold saucepan should not be immediately put on the fire either.
• Often, after excessive overheating on high heat, the walls or the bottom of stainless steel pots are covered with yellow or dark spots, which are difficult to get rid of.

Modern casseroles made of durable materials such as stainless steel are ideal for stewing a variety of dishes. If you plan to stew vegetables in such a container, then it is recommended to put the food in a still cold dish. It is better not to lift the lid during cooking so that the liquid does not evaporate.

You can cook soups, cabbage soup or borscht in high-quality stainless steel pots. Such products will not only prove to be practical in use. You can store the finished dish in them and rearrange it on the refrigerator shelf (after the pan has cooled down to the end, otherwise you can seriously harm both the dishes and the refrigerator).

Such products are poorly suited for frying.... It will be possible to cook a dish without oil or fat in such a container, but it can burn, leaving traces behind. Steel pans will take longer to cook food.

When choosing a suitable stainless steel pan that will be useful in the kitchen, you need to pay attention not only to its design, but also to its dimensions.

It is recommended to purchase such models of steel pans, which have certain parameters of wall thickness. These parts of stainless steel containers should vary from 0.5 to 1.2 cm.

Steel pots with a volume of 2-2.5 or 3 liters will be functional and useful in the kitchen. The volume and overall dimensions of the selected pan should also depend on the number of people in the family, the dimensions of the stove on which the food will be prepared.

You should decide in advance on how high a steel pan you need. On sale you can find products with a height of 13, 14, 15 cm. There are also larger options. For example, large pots with a volume of 10 or 15 liters may differ in height by 26 or 30 cm. This parameter depends on the capacity of the product.

The range of quality stainless steel pots today is striking in variety. There are many well-known brands on the market, offering a choice of pots of different sizes and designs. Let's take a closer look at some of the companies that produce such popular and demanded kitchen utensils.

Products of the Katun trademark are popular in Russia. This company offers consumers a choice of many different dishes made of high quality stainless steel. These are not only pots of different sizes and volumes, but also steel bowls, whole sets of dishes, ladles and much more.

Consumers leave mostly positive reviews about the brand's products. Many people are attracted to the steel pots "Katun" by the fact that they are not very expensive and are found in many retail outlets.

In Russia, high-quality steel dishes of the Gurman brand are produced on foreign equipment. The utensils of this production have a capsule bottom and excellent polish. In pans "Gourmet" provides fast heating and good non-stick effect. Due to such qualities in products, you can fry food without fear that they will burn and leave fumes on the walls and bottom.

Covers of saucepans "Gourmet" are equipped with heat-resistant glass lids. It is permissible to operate containers in an oven. Handles are made of high quality plastic, resistant to high temperature conditions.

The well-known manufacturer offers customers a chic selection of steel pans. Models are offered for both amateurs and true professionals.The assortment includes high-quality, large-volume pots with a capsule bottom consisting of several layers.

Tefal products have a nice addition - silicone handles. They are not only convenient to use while cooking. They do not heat up when exposed to high temperatures. Accidentally getting burned on such handles will not work. Some pans have a non-stick coating.

The dishes of this large German manufacturer are of the premium class. Fissler steel pans are expensive but their cost is understandable - the products are of impeccable quality, practicality and well-thought-out attractive design, which many manufacturers do not think about at all.

Pay attention to the popular special series of German steel pans.

• Solea. The series is represented by pots with a measuring scale, a built-in sieve, which comes in handy when boiling pasta. The lid is attached to this dish as tightly and firmly as possible, due to which the liquid does not flow onto the surface of the stove when cooking food.
• Original pro collection... The casseroles in this range are intended for professional chefs.
• Intensa... Products from the line have two levels of lid fastening (to keep steam in the inside of the cookware and release it when needed). These models have a built-in drain. To make these pots easier to store, they are tapered.
• Fiamma. In these models, not only the bottom, but also the walls have thermal accumulation properties. They have an attractive and elegant design, which was appreciated by many housewives who bought this dish.

This is the name under which Ukrainian-made utensils are produced. Its manufacture is carried out in Chinese factories. The brand's pans are inexpensive, but this does not affect their quality in any way. The main features of Maestro cookware are:

• the ability to choose your favorite color;
• the presence of a high-quality heat-resistant glass cover;
• very comfortable handles made in the form of neat half rings;
• the presence of a measuring scale in the inside of the steel container.

The products of the domestic brand are chosen by many housewives who like to do home preservation. The sets of this production include 5 high-quality steel pots with different volumes and heat-resistant glass lids. The bottom of the dishes is dense and consists of several layers.

The manufacturer produces not only high-quality, but also beautiful dishes with a bright and original design. Calve steel pans will not get lost in the kitchen, as they look stylish and modern. As an addition, the cookware of this brand is equipped with high-quality non-stick coating.

The brand's products are manufactured in the USA. The pans are equipped with a sturdy three-layer base and a copper core. The walls of the products are made of flawlessly polished stainless steel.

Steel cookware of the well-known Hoffmann brand is distinguished by good quality, good strength characteristics and a long service life. But the product also has a drawback - dirt accumulates around the riveted handles of the pots.

Sets of steel pots from this brand will delight any hostess. This German company produces high-quality products that have one distinguishing characteristic - the presence of a five-layer bottom. The pans are equipped with high-quality glass lids that are not "afraid" of exposure to high temperatures. The lids have a steam outlet.

The handles of German-made branded pots are made of steel and are heat-resistant. All Blaumann containers have a graduated scale. It simplifies the cooking process.

It is an Austrian brand whose products are made in China. Steel pans from Peterhof are represented by a large assortment. They are of good quality. Equipped with a three- or five-layer capsule bottom. The handles are not welded to the pots, but are firmly attached with rivets. Handles are made of steel.

Quality steel pans from the famous French brand Cristel are popular and in great demand. The manufacturer specializes in the production of practical and multifunctional pots, the volume of which can be up to 12 liters.

Separately, it is worth talking about the new Casteline fixes series, which has the following features:

• pots are equipped with strong cast steel handles that are riveted to the walls of the base;
• the bottom of the products is assembled from three layers and has thermal storage properties;
• the walls of the pots are three-layered.

If you plan to purchase a high quality steel pan, then you should choose the right one, focusing on a number of basic criteria.

• It is necessary to look at the labeling of the raw materials from which the products are made. It is indicated either on the bottom of the pan or on the branded box. The first number is the amount of chromium, the second is the amount of nickel. The more chrome there is in a product, the better quality it is. The strongest, wear-resistant and most practical pans are 18/10. Otherwise, this alloy is called medical steel.
• The thicker the walls and bottom of the container are, the more evenly it will warm up. It is worth choosing pans with a bottom that is thicker than 3 mm and walls over 0.5 mm. The ideal solution would be models with a multilayer bottom.
• A good pot is distinguished by securely screwed handles. They do not have to be welded. It is better to choose models with steel or silicone hollow handles. Wood and plastic parts will overheat quickly. If you buy a pot with plastic handles, they must be heat resistant. It is advisable to completely abandon the presence of elements from such materials.
• The lid should fit well to the pot and should be appropriate for the size of the pot. - this is a guarantee that during cooking, nothing will "get out" outside the cookware onto the stove. The best are heat-resistant glass lids with a steam outlet.
• Take a closer look at functional models with a capsule three-layer bottom. The upper and lower layers of these specimens are made of steel, and the middle one is made of aluminum or copper. In such options, heating is carried out in a short time and evenly, and the heat lasts for a long time.
• Inspect the selected products from all angles. The surface should be smooth, without protruding areas. No stains, no scratches, no chips should be visible.

The first use of a new pan made of steel is recommended to be reinforced with preparatory measures. First, wash the product with warm water and a special dish detergent. After that, the pan must be rinsed and wiped so that it becomes dry.If, during the first use, stains have formed on the container, you should not be upset. They can be removed with 4.5% vinegar or citric acid.

Such products "do not like" salt very much. Because of it, the appearance of the pan runs the risk of noticeably deteriorating. If you add salt to unheated liquid without stirring, stains will form on the bottom of the product. To avoid such unpleasant consequences, salt must be added stirring. And the water should not be cold, but boiling.

Try not to forget the steel utensils are not in the fire if you are concerned about their lifespan. Due to strong and prolonged overheating, containers can turn black or acquire rainbow spots, which will ruin the appearance and quality of the product.

The pots should be washed with a sponge and liquid detergent. If the food is burnt in the container, pour hot water and the selected detergent inside it. Leave the dishes to stand with this "filling". After that, it will be possible to quickly and easily remove the remnants of stuck food using a sponge. It is not recommended to use special metal scourers and abrasive cleaning compounds containing chlorine.

For information on how to choose a stainless steel pot, see the next video.