Stainless steel pots

Different types of stainless steel pots are wildly popular among Russian housewives. Such products have a lot of positive qualities and are among the most practical to use.

The range of kitchen utensils is constantly changing and replenished with new products made from various materials. Quality pots made of stainless steel remain invariably popular over the years. Such products have many positive qualities that many housewives appreciate.

Steel kitchen utensils have both positive and negative characteristics. First, consider what a stainless steel pan is good for.

• The main advantage of such products is their inertness. Stainless steel does not enter into any kind of reaction with food. On such dishes there is no need to apply a special protective coating.
• The alloy heats up as soon as possible, so the housewives do not have to wait long for the filling of the dishes to boil. It takes a minimum of time.
• Stainless steel is famous for not corroding. In contact with water, this material does not rust and does not lose its properties, so you can cook in such a dish without fear that it will soon fail and will not be suitable for use.
• Stainless steel pans are resistant to various acids. The composition of food steel is “not afraid” of an acidic and alkaline environment.It is possible to use such dishes for the preparation of various compotes, juices or brines. Here you can not worry about the occurrence of oxidation.
• Steel pans have good durability. It is difficult to leave mechanical damage on such products. Such dishes are not afraid of scratches or chips. The stainless steel does not heat up, like cast iron.
• Due to the characteristic ductility of stainless steel, it is possible to make dishes of various shapes. This can be either a standard or an advanced, updated model.
• The range of such products today is striking in variety. You can choose high-quality steel utensils for every taste, color, wallet and consumer requirements.
• Stainless steel pans can be used on different types of stoves. This can be gas, electric, induction and other types of household appliances. With steel dishes, you can save significantly on electricity or gas, since the stoves can be turned off a few minutes before cooking is completed. The container will maintain a high temperature for some time and the products in it will not cool immediately.
• Stainless steel is easy to maintain. This material can be cleaned with hard brushes and sponges. There will be no scratches on it.
• Typically, food in such containers does not burn, because it provides a dense bottom. Many branded pans have a non-stick layer.
• In such containers you can cook different dishes. There are no limits to the use of certain products.
• Stainless steel is a durable and wear-resistant material, therefore, pans from it are obtained accordingly.
• Often, such pans come with lids made of special heat-resistant glass. Due to this detail, the hostesses have the opportunity to follow the cooking of the dish without lifting the lid.

The advantages of such pots are many. That is why today they are so popular. But there are steel products and cons.

• Such products are characterized by a low level of heat capacity. Stainless alloys are usually not able to heat to temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. This is a good quality, since the cooking process is carried out in conditions of gentle temperature conditions. But, on the other hand, such pans are not suitable for use in the oven or in the simmering mode (with the exception of special branded models designed for such use).
• Distinguishes such dishes and uneven heating. This problem, as described above, has long been solved - it is permissible to use a special heat-distributing bottom and walls.
• Steel pans are distinguished by quick cooling. Stainless steel takes ambient temperature in a short time. The contents in such utensils also inevitably begin to cool. This happens faster than in pots made of aluminum or cast iron.
• In a steel pan, it is rarely possible to cook food (especially fry) without a lot of fat. Products will stick to the bottom and walls if there is little fluid. Burning of food is possible. If you are looking for the perfect pan for frying, you will have to look for special steel products.
• Sudden temperature changes can damage the stainless steel pan. It is not recommended to immediately rearrange heated dishes in the refrigerator. A cold pot should not be set immediately on fire either.
• Often after excessive overheating on high heat, the walls or the bottom of stainless steel pots become covered with yellow or dark spots, which are difficult to get rid of.

Modern pots made from a wear-resistant material such as stainless steel are ideal for stewing various dishes. If you plan to stew vegetables in such a container, it is recommended to lay the products in still cold dishes. During cooking, it is better not to lift the lid so that the liquid does not evaporate.

In high-quality stainless steel pots you can cook soups, cabbage soup or borscht. Such products will not only prove practical in use. You can store the finished dish in them and rearrange it on the shelf of the refrigerator (after the pan has cooled to the end, otherwise you can seriously damage both the dishes and the refrigerator).

Such products are poorly suited for frying.. Without oil or fat in such a container, it will be possible to prepare a dish, but it can burn, leaving behind traces. In steel pans, the food will fry longer.

When choosing a suitable stainless steel pot that is useful in the kitchen, you need to pay attention not only to its design, but also to its size.

It is recommended to purchase such models of steel pans that have certain parameters of wall thickness. These parts of stainless steel containers should vary from 0.5 to 1.2 cm.

Functional and useful in the kitchen will be steel pots, the volume of which is 2-2.5 or 3 liters. The volume and overall dimensions of the selected pan should also depend on the number of people in the family, the dimensions of the stove on which the food will be prepared.

You should determine in advance how high a pot of steel you need. On sale you can find products with a height of 13, 14, 15 cm. There are also larger options. For example, large pots, the volume of which is 10 or 15 liters, may vary in height of 26 or 30 cm. This parameter depends on the capacity of the product.

The range of quality stainless steel pots today is striking in variety. There are many well-known brands on the market, offering pans of various sizes and designs to customers' choice. Let's get to know some of the companies that produce such popular and sought-after kitchen utensils.

Products of the Katun trademark are popular in Russia. This company offers a choice of consumers a lot of different dishes made of high quality stainless steel. This is not only pots of different sizes and volumes, but also steel bowls, whole sets of dishes, ladles and much more.

Consumers leave mostly positive reviews about brand products. Many people are attracted to the Katun steel pots because they are not very expensive and are found in many retail outlets.

In Russia, foreign equipment produces high-quality steel dishes of the Gourmet brand. The utensils of this production have a capsular bottom and excellent polishing. Gourmet pans provided fast heating and a good non-stick effect. Due to such qualities in products, you can fry products without fear that they will burn and leave a burn on the walls and bottom.

Gourmet pan covers are equipped with heat-resistant glass covers. It is permissible to operate the containers in an oven. Handles are made of high quality plastic, resistant to high temperature conditions.

A well-known manufacturer offers customers a chic selection of steel pots. Models are offered for both amateurs and true professionals.In the assortment there are large-volume high-quality pans with a capsular bottom, consisting of several layers.

Tefal products have a successful addition - silicone handles. They are not only convenient to use during cooking. They do not heat up when exposed to high temperatures. Accidentally burn yourself on such pens does not work. Some pans have a non-stick coating.

The dishes of this large German manufacturer belong to the premium class. Fissler steel pans are expensive but their cost is understandable - the products are of impeccable quality, practicality and thoughtful attractive design, about which many manufacturers do not think at all.

Pay attention to the popular special series of German steel pots.

• Solea. The series is represented by pots with a measuring scale, a built-in sieve, which comes in handy when boiling pasta. The lid is attached to this dish as tightly and firmly as possible, due to which liquid does not leak onto the surface of the stove when cooking.
• Original pro collection. Pots included in this line are designed for professional chefs.
• Intensa. Products from the line have two levels of lid attachment (to keep steam in the interior of the dishes and let it out when necessary). These models have a built-in drain. To make these pans easier to store, they differ in a conical shape.
• Fiamma. In these models, not only the bottom, but also the walls have thermal storage properties. They have an attractive and elegant design, which was appreciated by many housewives who bought this dishes.

Under this name, Ukrainian-made dishes are produced. Its manufacture is carried out in Chinese factories. Brand pans are inexpensive, but this does not affect their quality. The main features of Maestro cookware are:

• the ability to choose your favorite color;
• the presence of a quality cover made of heat-resistant glass;
• very comfortable handles made in the form of neat half rings;
• the presence of a measuring scale in the inner part of the steel tank.

The products of the domestic brand are chosen by many housewives who like to do home conservation. The sets of this production include 5 high-quality steel pots with different volumes and heat-resistant glass lids. The bottom of the dishes is dense and consists of several layers.

The manufacturer produces not only high-quality, but also beautiful dishes with a bright and original design. Calve steel pots do not get lost in the kitchen, because they look stylish and modern. As a complement, the dishes of this brand are equipped with high-quality non-stick coating.

Brand products are made in the USA. Pots are equipped with a strong three-layer bottom and a copper core. The walls of the products are made of perfectly polished stainless steel.

Steel dishes of the famous Hoffmann brand are of good quality, good strength characteristics and a long service life. But the product also has a drawback - dirt accumulates around riveted pens of pans.

Sets of steel pans from this brand will please any hostess. This German company produces high-quality products that have one distinctive characteristic - the presence of a five-layer bottom. Pans are equipped with high-quality glass lids that are not “afraid” of high temperatures. The lids have a steam outlet.

The handles of branded German-made pans are made of steel and are heat resistant. All Blaumann tanks have a graduated scale. With it, the cooking process is simplified.

This is an Austrian brand whose products are made in China. Peterhof steel pots are a large assortment. They are characterized by good quality. Equipped with a three- or five-layer capsule bottom. Handles to pots are not welded, but securely attached with rivets. Handles are made of steel.

Quality steel pans from the famous French brand Cristel are popular and in great demand. The manufacturer specializes in producing practical and multi-functional pots, the volume of which can be up to 12 liters.

We should also talk about the new Casteline fixes series, which has features:

• pans are equipped with strong cast steel handles that are attached to the base walls with rivets;
• the bottom of the product is assembled from three layers and has thermal storage properties;
• the walls of the pots are three-layer.

If you plan to purchase a high-quality steel pan, then you should choose it correctly, focusing on a number of basic criteria.

• You need to look at the labeling of the raw materials from which the products are made. It is indicated either at the bottom of the pan or on the company box. The first number is the amount of chromium, the second is nickel. The more chrome in the product, the more high-quality it is. The strongest, wear-resistant and practical pans are marked 18/10. Otherwise, this alloy is called medical steel.
• The thicker the walls and bottom of the tank are, the more evenly it will warm up. It is worth choosing pots with a bottom thicker than 3 mm and walls - over 0.5 mm. The ideal solution would be models with a multi-layer bottom.
• A good pan is distinguished by securely screwed handles. They should not be welded. It is better to choose models with steel or silicone hollow holders. Parts made of wood and plastic will quickly overheat. If you buy a pan with plastic handles, then they must be heat resistant. It is advisable to completely abandon the presence of elements from such materials.
• The lid should fit well to the pan and fit its size - this is a guarantee that during cooking nothing will “get out” of the limits of the dishes on the stove. The best are heat-resistant glass lids with a steam outlet.
• Take a closer look at functional models that have a capsular three-layer bottom. The upper and lower layers of these specimens are made of steel, and the middle one is made of aluminum or copper. In such cases, heating is carried out in a short time and evenly, and the heat is kept for a long time.
• Inspect selected products from all sides. The surface should be smooth, without protruding areas. No spots, no scratches, no chips should be visible.

The first use of a new pan made of steel is recommended to be backed up with preparatory measures. First, wash the product with warm water and a special dishwashing detergent. After this, the pan must be rinsed and wiped so that it becomes dry. If spots are formed on the container during the first use, you should not be upset.They can be removed with 4.5% table vinegar or citric acid.

Such products are very "not like" salt. Because of it, the appearance of the pan risks noticeably deteriorating. If salt is added to an unheated liquid without stirring it, spots will form at the bottom of the product. To avoid such unpleasant consequences, salt must be added by stirring. And the water should not be cold, but boiling.

Try not to forget the utensils made of steel are not on fire, if you care about its service life. Due to the strong and prolonged overheating, the containers are able to blacken or acquire rainbow spots that will spoil the appearance and quality of the product.

Pots should be washed with a sponge using liquid detergent. If the food is burnt in the container, then pour hot water and the selected detergent into it. Leave the dishes to stand with such a “filling”. After that, it will be possible to quickly and easily remove the remnants of adhering food using a sponge. It is not recommended to use special metal washcloths and abrasive cleaning compounds containing chlorine.

See how to choose a pot from a stainless steel in the next video.