How to choose steel cookware?

Steel cookware

From a long time I was planning to replace all my non-stick cookware and aluminum cookware with good quality steel pots and pans. As we all know healthy eating is important and so is healthy cooking. Most of the non-stick pans are coated with polytetrafluoroethylene, also known as Teflon. With the use of any metal spoon and over a time period this layer flake off and at times if you cook in that it mix with your food too.

With regular use the non stick pans loose it’s non stickiness, plus there are a lot of rumors out there that Teflon might be toxic and that these pans may not be safe to use. 

Then the question that came to my mind was how to choose the best steel cookware from the available options. Some are really costly and some cheaper. 

So while I was searching and reading more about it, I sum up with few points for u guys.

Heat Conductivity Materials

This is a really important point to consider as you want a good quality cookware. You need to check the base elements of your pan like only steel can’t conduct heat well so the base of the pan are made to copper or aluminum or both with steel on the top. Copper helps in better temperature control and aluminum helps in retaining the heat for a long time. So you can choose as per your requirement.

Nickel ratio –  there will be some numbers on cookware when you see the description like 18/0 , 18/10 18/8. It represents the ratio or nickel and chromium in the pan. Nickel content give your pan great shine and durability so it’s always better to choose high nickel ratio. Like here 18 is chromium and 0,10,8 is nickel.

Handles and Lid-

Choosing the cookware with good quality handles and lid is equally important. Handles should be sturdy and should not get heated up fast. The lid should be proper with good covering and holding handles, as we need to open lid many times during cooking.

Pan weight

Pan weight is also to be considered as too heavy base pans are not easy to hold and move. And when you are cooking it becomes more heavier, so choose wisely.

Heavy are good though but usually not used in houseold cooking, they are more of a large scale cooking or for more professional cooks.

Pan size

Selecting the cookware size is also important and will affect the price too. You can select as per your family size and quantity that you normally cook. I always prefer small to medium as at times you need to cook for some guests too, so small pans are not useful at that time and you can’t buy a big one together.

Prevailing offers

It’s always better to buy your costly cookware when some offers are running. Like you can buy in festival sale or you can buy them in sets of pots and pans. Buying solo is not a good idea as there might be no good discount on solo cookware. Well there is always some offer running on sets. 

Budget

Now here comes the most important one to consider before buying. Check your budget and requirement and then plan accordingly, you can get a medium range good brand cookware. Buying local is not a good idea as it comes with risk either it will work well or not.

I hope these points would be really helpful for selecting the best steel  cookware for you. Will be sharing my review for the steel cookware I bought after my search. 

Stay tuned for next blog, coming soon.

I am taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s #MyFriendAlexa. You can read my other articles for this #MyFriendAlexa campaign here #forbabynmommyblogs .

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96 thoughts on “How to choose steel cookware?”

  1. that’s helpful tips to keep in mind while buying steel utensils. That’s an intriguing read, Loved the post and your unique writing style.

  2. Yesterday only I was talking to my hubby about this, that aluminium & non-stick utensils are good to use for making food. A very nice and informative post it is. Waiting for ur next blog post

  3. Great tips. They can really help in choosing the kitchen wares easily. As Diwali;i is approaching and I have planned to buy some utensils during that period of time…this list of tips is surely going to be very handy.
    #readbypreetispanorama for #MyFriendAlexa

    1. Thank you Preeti for stopping by, it was really nice to know that it is helpful for You. I have read a lot before buying my steel cookwares

  4. Some brilliant insights shared in this post! I was planning to replace my cookware and your post will help tremendously in making my choices. Keep writing such informative posts. #MyFriendAlexa #DiaryOfAnInsaneWriter

  5. We are also looking to replace our cookware with steel cookware. We have already made one mistake of buying iron gas stove instead of steel. This post of yours will help us a lot. Thank you for sharing this.

  6. I have recently started removing non-stick cookware with iron and steel vessels. This was really helpful, I have saved it as well.

  7. We have been using only Steel cookwares in our kitchen and I only use non stick for dosa nothing else so I think we are already on right track because Steel utensils are for longer time and the cook properly

  8. Happy to see that you are participating in alexa… It’s a great way to boost the blog. Well with regards to the post I absolutely agree with you as even I am looking to replace all the remaining plastics and other cookware with good quality steel cookware.

  9. great post with lots of useful info about selecting right steel utensil. nickel ratio is something new to me and I had not heard about it before. will keep this in my mind when do next shopping for this. #Surbhireads #Myfriendalexa

  10. Thanks for this information and tips to check before buying a steel cookware. I will apply these whenever I am buying one next.

  11. This post will surely be helpful to inexperienced young families setting up their new home. You have written in great detail about choosing the right steel cookware.

  12. I too think this is the right start to health and healthy living. I have been thinking a lot lately to get rid of those non stick pans but now I am sure to get rid of them soon. #damuruReads #myfriendalexa Damuru Creations

  13. I loved the featured image with play cookware, I use to have similar in my childhood.
    informative post, we are generally aware of all this but tend to forget in daily use.

  14. These are some great pointers towards choosing steel cookware. I personally have been replacing non-stick and aluminium cookware for quite some time now.

  15. Interesting and informative post, never thought of these pointers while buying the steelwares. Thanks for sharing the details especially the nickel ratio which is totally a new term for me.

  16. A very helpful post considering I am currently in this phase of replacing my teflon cookware. And, the baby playing with steel utensils in the picture is super adorable!

  17. Such an elaborate study on steel.Good information u have here. I will remember ur suggestions when I buy steel next time. Thanks for sharing #wordsmithkaurreads #BlogChatter #MyFriendAlexa

  18. This comes as a very helpful post considering the fact that I have planning to replace my cookwares too. But instead I was thinking of buying cast iron pots. Thanks for sharing this. #MyFriendAlexa #CloudandSunshineReads

  19. That’s a very good initiative Neha. I too prefer steel over other types of pans and cookers. Though I still have a few non-stick and aluminium pans which I am planning to discard before this Diwali.

  20. Very thoughtful to post for #MyFriendAlexa. This came into the picture for me post marriage I now feel the urge to buy some great steel cookware as the ones my aunty gave me during the marriage are aluminum ones 🙂
    #vigorousreads

  21. Its a coincidence that i was talking to my mom-in-law about investing in some steel ware & the next blog i read was your article about choosing steel cookware. Thanks for sharing. It was just what i needed.

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