What To Look For In Stainless Steel Cookware

In today’s busy world there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything that’s been put on you done. So when it comes to buying new cookware, you simply don’t have the time to do any research at all. Well, that’s where this article comes in.

We’ve done all of the research for you and by the time you get to the end of this article you’ll be armed with enough information to make an informed choice on which stainless steel cookware to buy. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about stainless steel cookware.

What Should You Look For When Purchasing Stainless Steel Cookware?

Back in the good old days, it didn’t matter what you were in the market to buy, there were only a few brands to choose from. That was true for whatever you were trying to buy, from food to domestic appliances to cars.

Nowadays, there’s so much choice, which can be a good thing, but it can also bring confusion. You can often find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information and choice for any product. That is particularly true of stainless steel cookware.

Stainless Steel Cookware; A Buyers Guide

So let’s start by looking at what to look for when buying stainless steel cookware. As with most things in this modern world, it’s not about the price, it’s about the value for money. Not only will choosing the correct cookware make a great deal of difference to how you cook, it will even make a substantial difference to the way that you live as well.

So let’s look at what you should look for with stainless steel pots and pans.

They Need To Be Durable

The best type of stainless steel pans should be built to last. This might mean paying more for a particular type of stainless steel pan in the first place. But, that pan will last you for years because it can put up with the rigours of everyday cooking and cleaning.

Material Composition

There are more than one type of stainless steel design when it comes to cookware.

18/10 Stainless Steel

The numbers indicate the percentage of chromium and nickel. Chromium adds resistance to rust and corrosion, while nickel enhances the shine and protects against acidic foods. This is the gold standard for cookware.

Multi-Ply Construction

Stainless steel on its own isn’t a great heat conductor. You should look for multi-ply pans which have layers of conductive materials like aluminium or copper sandwiched between stainless steel.

There are two types of multi-ply stainless steel cookware commonly available which are;

• Tri-Ply Cookware
  Tri-ply cookware has three layers and balances performance with affordability.
• Five-Ply Cookware
  Five-ply cookware has five layers and offers even more precision but costs more.

However, what’s most important is not the number of plys, but the materials those plys are made from and the design of the pan.

Fully Clad Pans

The most durable stainless steel pans are what’s known as fully clad. These are made by layering materials all through the design of the pan. That’s the bottom and all the way up the sides. 

Fully clad pots and pans ensure even cooking, preventing hot spots. Fully clad stainless steel cookware is in our opinion, the best as it evenly distributes heat throughout the pan. Plus they are more durable because they are the same thickness throughout.

Fully clad cookware might cost more, but it performs better and lasts longer.

Disc Bottom Pans

Disc bottom pans only have a conducted layer bonded to the base of the pan. They are more affordable but can cause uneven heating on the sides, which may result in scorching during cooking.

Plus, the disc at the bottom can become separated over time making the pan unusable.

Pan Thickness

Thicker pans heat up more evenly, retain heat better and are less likely to warp. It’s also more difficult to control the heat in thinner pans as they can heat up too fast and cause your kitchen to smoke up if you’re not watching closely.

You should look for pans that are around 3 mm in thickness as these provide a good balance of thickness and weight.

Don’t forget about the lids and handles either, these should be made from stainless steel as well. They need to be oven safe and be able to cool down fast. Both of which are guaranteed with stainless steel.

Handles

In some cases, you can get silicon coated handles which make for more comfort when in use, but they’re not always oven friendly. Look for riveted handles rather than welded ones as they’re more sturdy. However, they can collect food particles which will need more thorough cleaning.

You might think that rounded handles are a better design for pans. However, when pouring or handling the pan with wet hands or wearing an oven glove, the pan can easily slip if it has a rounded handle.

Look for handles that are flat or have a groove on top to secure your hand and prevent spillages.

Lids

Stainless steel lids are great for locking in moisture and heat but if you prefer to monitor your food as it cooks, you might do better with tempered glass lids. They can withstand heat up to a certain temperature so check before you buy to ensure the lid will take the heat you’re going to require.

Finish

Polished stainless steel looks attractive with its shiny mirror finish, but fingerprints, scratches and smudges show out more. Stainless steel pans with a brushed steel finish have a duller matt finish that needs less maintenance to keep it looking at its best.

Weight

When looking for stainless steel pans you must consider the weight especially when the pan is full of food. Most decent 12 inch stainless steel pans will weigh around 3lb, but some can weigh as much as 5lb.

If you are looking to buy a heavy pan, make sure it has a second helper handle so that you can easily lift it from the stove with two hands.

Pan Rims

The rims on pans and saucepans often get overlooked when considering new cookware. But they play an important role and are not just there for aesthetics.

Pans with flared rims allow drip-free pouring and make sliding food from the pan to the plate easier. However, pans with straight rims are better at keeping foods inside the pan because the walls are higher.

We actually recommend flared rims as these are easier to pour without spillage but the choice is yours.

Warranty

If your stainless steel cookware is good quality, it should come with a lifetime warranty. If it doesn’t, you should really question whether it’s as good as the advertising blurb suggests.

The warranty is there to protect you, the consumer, but it also says that the company is confident in their products. Any good brand will only give a lifetime warranty if they are truly confident in the quality of their product.

Ease Of Cleaning

Many stainless steel pots and pans are labelled as dishwasher safe. However, the detergents used in dishwashers can damage the surface of the steel and make it lose its shine over time. 

Polished interiors are easier to clean and resist staining. Consider cookware with rounded corners inside the pot or pan to make cleaning less cumbersome.

Compatibility

If you have an induction stove, make sure the cookware has a magnetic stainless steel layer (test with a magnet). 

Fully flat bottoms are essential for induction efficiency. Most modern stainless steel cookware is induction-compatible.

Size and Variety

The cookware set you buy should match your cooking habits. For instance;

• Small Households
  Small households will need a saucepan, small skillet and a stockpot.
• Families
  Families will need larger skillets, saute pans and a number of saucepans.

It’s a good idea to buy sets with fewer, high quality pieces rather than lower priced large sets of lower quality.

Price Vs Value

Lots of people make the mistake of buying pans that are not really suitable for the job they are intended for, due to the price. Now, we’re not suggesting buying cookware that you can barely afford, but you should buy the best quality cookware that you can afford.

That old saying “buy cheap, buy twice” definitely applies to stainless steel cookware. Good quality stainless steel cookware can last a lifetime even when used everyday.

Premium brands like All-Clad justify their cost with superior materials, craftsmanship, and longevity. Mid-tier brands like Tramontina or Cuisinart MultiClad Pro offer excellent performance for less. 

Avoid very cheap sets, as they often have thin construction that warps and heats unevenly. Having said that, there’s no need to overpay either.

There’s no need spending hundreds of pounds on a top of the range stainless steel pan when there are plenty of alternative brands that offer similar quality pans at a fraction of the price. Do your research and look online for the best deals.

Best Stainless Steel Cookware Recommendations

Let’s look at some of the available stainless steel cookware currently on offer in the UK.

All-Clad D3 Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Pans

No products found.

 

What’s Good; Fully-clad, made in the USA, and backed by a lifetime warranty. Offers superb heat distribution and durability.

What’s Not So Good; High price; best suited for serious home cooks or those looking for long-term value.

Tramontina Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Set

No products found.

 

What’s Good; Comparable performance to All-Clad at a fraction of the price. Durable and available in individual pieces or sets.

What’s Not So Good; Handles aren’t as ergonomic, and the finish may show wear over time.

Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Stainless Steel Set

No products found.

 

What’s Good;Affordable tri-ply cookware with even heating and a polished interior. Dishwasher-safe and oven-safe up to 500°F.

What’s Not So Good;Lids are stainless steel, which makes monitoring food harder.

T-fal Performa Stainless Steel Cookware

No products found.

 

What’s Good; Affordable, lightweight, and beginner-friendly. Ideal for occasional cooks or those new to stainless steel cookware.

What’s Not So Good; Not fully-clad, so less heat distribution compared to premium brands.

Made In Stainless Clad Cookware Pan

No products found.

 

What’s Good; A newer brand offering professional-grade performance. Fully-clad construction with stylish designs.

What’s Not So Good; Limited availability and higher price than traditional mid-tier options.

Care & Maintenance Tips

Once you purchase your stainless steel cookware, you’re going to want to get the best out of it for years to come. In this section we’ll be looking at the best ways to keep your cookware at its best. There are a number of ways to help keep your cookware at its optimum best. These include;

• Avoid Overheating
  Use medium or low heat for most cooking. High heat can cause discolouration and warping.
• Prevent Sticking
  Preheat the pan on medium heat and add oil before food to minimise sticking. Stainless steel requires a bit of a learning curve compared to nonstick pans.
• Cleaning
  Use a paste of baking soda and water for stubborn stains or discolouration. For burnt-on food, simmer water and a bit of dish soap in the pan to loosen debris.
• Dry Immediately
  After washing, dry the cookware promptly to prevent water spots and maintain a polished appearance.
• Avoid Using Metal Utensils
  While stainless steel is durable, metal utensils can leave scratches over time. Opt for wooden, silicone, or nylon utensils to keep your pans looking at their best

How To Season A Stainless Steel Pan

Seasoning a stainless steel pan can help create a semi-nonstick surface, making it easier to cook delicate foods like eggs or fish. To season your new stainless steel pan just follow these steps;

1. Clean The pan
   Wash the pan with warm, soapy water to remove any factory oils or residue. Dry it thoroughly with a towel.
2. Choose The Right Oil
   Use an oil with a high smoke point, such as rapeseed, grapeseed, or avocado oil. Avoid oils with a low smoke point (e.g., butter or olive oil) as they can burn.
3. Heat The Pan
   Place the pan on the stove over medium heat. Allow it to heat up for 2-3 minutes. To check if it’s ready, flick a few drops of water into the pan. The water should bead and dance on the surface before evaporating.
4. Add Oil
   Pour enough oil into the pan to coat the bottom (about 1-2 teaspoons). Swirl the oil around so it covers the entire surface evenly.
5. Heat The Oil
   Let the oil heat until it begins to lightly smoke. This allows the oil to bond with the metal and create the seasoning layer.
6. Cool & Wipe
   Turn off the heat and let the pan cool slightly. Once it’s safe to handle, use a paper towel or clean cloth to wipe out excess oil, leaving a thin, shiny layer.

Once the pan has been successfully seasoned, you should avoid harsh cleaning. Wash with warm water and a soft sponge and never use abrasive cleaners or steel wool that can strip away the seasoning.

If food begins to stick over time, repeat the seasoning process again.

Seasoning works best on high-quality stainless steel pans with smooth finishes. It doesn’t make them as non-stick as cast iron, but it significantly improves performance.

Money Saving Tips For Purchasing Stainless Steel Cookware

Good quality stainless steel cookware is expensive. Here are a few ways to help you save money while still getting the best quality stainless steel cookware available.

Try Small Sets First

Before you spend a fortune on a whole set of a particular range of cookware, consider buying one individual pan and test it first. If that single pot lives up to your expectations, then you can commit to buying the full set.

Wait For The Sales

Many large companies have holiday sales or clearance events either in store or online. Wait until events like “black friday” or similar events come around and then look for your top quality cookware.

This will allow you to save on premium brands while not skimping on quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Also, follow us on Pinterest ...