Ceramic Vs Stainless Steel Cookware – Food Habits And Preferences

Ceramic vs stainless steel cookware. There’s a saying about food, it’s said to be the link to one’s heart. A person’s food habits and preferences say a lot about him, because we are what we are by the choices we make.

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Someone passionate enough about cooking will easily understand the importance of exploring their options as kitchen cookware. The cookware used in the preparation and presentation plays a major role in bringing out your skills as a cook.

Not all of us are aware of the options we have, as when it comes to choosing cookware we often go by the price and beauty.

Ceramic Vs. Stainless Steel Cookware: The Comparison

Material used to cook can influence the dish remarkably. As anciently man used to cook in earthen pots ever since he discovered fire. The technique is still used when the characteristic taste and aroma is desired.

Ceramic

These were the kind known to replace the teflon coated utensils as teflon produced harmful fumes and carcinogens at high temperatures after a long period of usage or if the coating gets ruptured.

The point being all the efforts made to cook a tasty and healthy meal is nugatory, if such health hazards are neglected.

The Environment Protection Agency and the Environmental Working Group recommends not to use teflon or any other cookware treated with chemicals like PTFE and PFOA.

Pros:

• The ceramic based cookware brings a lot of pretty colors and designs which are pleasing to the eye. The tough fired clay generates a classic glossy look ,which when unraveled at special occasions may add a few stars to your class.
• Being non-stick is a characteristic feature that helped it compete with teflon, while it brings no dangers along itself it can also make your dish healthy.The amount of butter or oil needed reduces considerably now that ceramics allow the food to slide by naturally.
• They evenly distribute heat gradually thereby allowing the food to get properly cooked and helps in keeping it warm too.
• It does not retain previous flavors and bacteria and is safe to use at temperatures as high as 700 Fahrenheit.
• It’s easy to clean without any food sticking to the skillet
• It is microwave compatible.

Cons:

• They need to be handled with care, given their fragile nature.Ceramic is certainly tough but not indestructible, moreover once it starts chipping off it no longer stays reliable.Food starts sticking in cracks developed due to scraping, and then cleaning is no longer fun.It’s recommended use some sort of padding while storage, the best is what comes in the box with it. This prevents scraping to a great extent.
• They aren’t magnetic hence induction doesn’t work.Special versions with induction interfaces are available with induction bases but it does cost.
• As far as cooking in bulk is required, ceramic won’t be able to handle large quantities,as it does not come in large sized variants.

Stainless Steel

Since ages metal utensils have been used for cooking due its many advantages. It’s popular among professionals as working with them requires some skills.

Pros:

• Rust-free and no chips whatsoever
• Durability, Steel is widely used because it stands-up to its expectations as promised when it comes to long life.It is considered a one time investment, that’s why all restaurant kitchens have stainless steel utensils in common. They outlive their competitors in an unmatched fashion.
• Light-weight. A major reason to look after while buying cookware is which one is comfortable for one to work with.Being light weight makes them easy to handle and cook in.
• Shiny opulent looks. It has a great reputation in the market.Not only does it’s shine makes up for the unavailability of variation and colorful designs but the shine even lasts long if looked after.
• Pure stainless steel brings no harmful chemicals along and is immune to micro-organisms once properly washed.
• It’s dishwasher safe
• As it conducts heat efficiently, with little skills required, one can make delicious meals in lesser time
• Even though it lasts long, if needed to replace, can easily be sold at a decent price as it’s recyclable
• It also comes in large sizes depending upon the quantity needed to cooked
• Its compatible with induction,and gas stoves
• Used to make quality meals.

Cons:

• Expensive. Though it is a one time invest, still it can be quite expensive for low budgets. Though it is recommended highly as it outlives all other competitors.
• Oil or butter is needed to add some slip to the surface in order to make it non-stick. This could be a problem for some people who prefer less fat based food. Using healthy oil is highly recommended; olive oil for instance might not be the right choice as it is believed to be carcinogenic at high temperatures
• Although a lot of care is taken, still food sticks on the hotspots developed while cooking; this is where skills are required.With proper use of oil and stirring and flipping it can be easily avoided
• Washing these are easy unless something sticks or there is some greasy oil residue near the hotspots, then it no longer remains a breeze
• Incompatible with microwaves
• Can turn out to burn the dish if the cook lacks skill or experience.

Conclusion

Keeping in mind the various needs, companies have shown a lot of advancement from non-conductive handles to fusion in materials and even sophisticated cookware having thermometers inbuilt.

There are a lot of options available in the market, and we should always go for what works best in our interest.

Not all types might be available in nearby stores, for example a lot of beautiful ceramic designs aren’t available everywhere. Same applies with steel, it can be affordable if a good collective deal is being offered.

To make the right decision make sure you explore your options. However, considering the fact that steel is good for experienced and skilled cooks, while ceramic is popular among people new to cooking it also depends on what your skill level is, using steel cookware at the beginning might be a little tough.Between ceramic and stainless steel one should go for:

Ceramic if:

• Beautiful designs
• Non-stick material
• Less fat based cooking
• Microwave compatibility

is desired.

Stainless steel if:

• Durability
• Light-weight
• Induction based cooking
• Metal finish
• Bulk cooking

comes in mind.

The choice being solely dependent on the needs and desires of the buyer, as both of them are harmless and environment friendly and each kind comes with its own advantages and disadvantages.

After all, a meal cooked with all the heart surpasses everything.