Nowadays, you can purchase a complete cookware set that costs as little as $30, while some costing up to $2,000, according to HowStuffWorks. Like any other product, quality determines the price of pots and pans. However, when you are shopping for the right cookware, reactivity and heat quality are factors worth taking into consideration. Depending on how pans conduct heat and react with food, they can significantly add nutrients and flavor to your meals or increase the loss of nutrients. If youve gone to the trouble of buying from a great beef butcher, you want to make sure it’s cooked properly.
Therefore, your main concern shouldn’t only be about how to clean burnt-on stains off cookware sets when making a purchase. It would be best to consider how your options will improve the food quality.
Pan Material Matters
With the variety of cookware materials available in the market, it is essential to understand the different functionality of pan materials and the nutritional value they add in your food. Ideally, choosing pans made from clay is advisable as it holds food nutrients while keeping food moist and flavorful. Since clay is a natural material, it does not produce toxins when heated. The only downside of these pans is that they are prone to breaking. You might also want to consider glass as they are inert and don’t emit toxins when in use.
Cast-iron pans are famous for all good reasons. They conduct heat well and add nutritional value to your meals by releasing iron ions. A well-seasoned cast iron skillet functions like a non-stick allowing you to prepare meals with less fat. If you are a dieter, non-stick pans should be your top selection. You can prepare low content meals because non-stick requires little to no cooking oil. Other healthy cookware materials you should invest in include lead-free ceramic, anodized aluminum, copper, titanium, and stainless steel.
Enhance Your Cooking Needs
If you are keen on healthy cooking, chances are you prefer sauteing, steaming, stir-frying, pan-frying, and searing your dishes. These cooking methods will have a significant impact on how you select cookware. Keep in mind when choosing the right skillets for different cooking techniques as this enhances food quality by ensuring nutrients and flavors remain intact. Not to mention, using the right pans allows the food to cook evenly and turns crispy without burning. You will need a pan that responds well to temperature changes when sauteing to prevent burning and overcooking. When pan or stir-frying, your cookware should heat evenly on the side to ensure your food cooks thoroughly.
Minimize The Risks of Chemical Components
It is easy to overlook the health dangers cookware coatings pose because we only look at the aspects that make cooking easy. For instance, non-stick Teflon pans are a favorite because they make cooking and cleaning easy. But in reality, the coating is a combination of chemical substances, and when heated, they penetrate in food, increasing health risks like cancer. To ensure you eat healthily, pans made of non-toxic materials and coating should be top on your list.
Make sure your pans are of high quality and free of toxic materials. Quality pans conduct heat well and hold food nutrients and flavor intact. After all, the type of cookware you choose plays a significant role in improving food quality and overall health.
