If you are on the lookout for a new frying pan or skillet then you’ll have to decide which manufacturing technology suits you better.
Regardless of whether we’re talking about stainless steel cookware or non-stick cookware, each comes with its upsides and downsides.
However, one question remains: which one is better for its price?
Find out below!
Non-stick Cookware – Many risks, few advantages
The Teflon coating which covers most non-stick pans makes it more convenient to cook sticky food, such as eggs.
Speaking of advantages, it also allows for easy cleaning of the resulted mess.
Fortunately for most consumers, cheap nonstick pans can perform similarly to the pricey ones.
How is that possible? Well, the material used in the production of both is coated with Teflon, which is the only thing responsible for their non-abrasive capacities.
However, a major drawback of this cookware is represented by the implied health risks.
When it reaches very high temperatures, the Teflon coating dispenses toxic gases that affect both humans and pets.
For this reason, nonstick cookware should not be used for everyday heating and cooking.
Also, the Teflon has been proven to scratch and tear over time, and it may end up in your food.
This implies another health concern.
Non-stick cookware also has a much shorter lifespan compared to its stainless steel brothers.
The nonstick pans will usually wear out within a year of use, so you’ll end up with a standard frying pan even if you paid for a non-abrasive one.
Related:
- Why Should You Cook with Enameled Cast Iron Cookware?
- Tips To Keep Your Cookware Brand New
- How healthy To Cook With Non-Stick Cookware?
How Does Stainless Cookware Compare?
A high-quality stainless steel cookware set can last for years while withstanding abuse decently.
By comparison, non-stick sets are likely to scratch and wear out within a maximum of 1 year.
Stainless steel is also non-reactive, making it perfectly safe for everyday cooking. If you are concerned about tearing and damaging your pan over time, then a stainless steel set is the smarter choice.
Even if you place your pans regularly into an oven, a stainless-steel one will perform greatly over time. On the other hand, a nonstick pan will hardly last for one round in the oven.
Although you may have to use more oil to avoid your food sticking to the bottom, this will hardly be an issue for anyone.
Furthermore, sticking is desirable in some situations, such as when preparing sauces or gravies, since the brown bits that stick to the pan can be successfully used for this matter.
Buying a stainless cookware set represents a wiser long-term investment since these pans can heat your food unevenly without the extra cost of a non-abrasive coating.
It’s best to look for those pans that feature aluminum or a two-layer construction since these will last even better over time.
Related: How To Clean Stainless Steel Cookware
Conclusions
If you are not bothered to replace your cookware every couple of years and if health concerns are not on your agenda, then you may choose to buy a non-stick pan and disregard the implied risks.
On the other hand, if you care about your health and you’d rather go with a more durable cookware set, then stainless steel makes for the wiser choice.
Alternatively, you may consider buying a non-stick pan for occasional cooking of delicate food, while also keeping a stainless-steel one for everyday use.
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