How Different Pots & Pans Can Affect Your Cooking
We know that all you at-home chefs, brilliant bakers, and creative cooks can be particular about what ingredients you use in your recipes.
As you should! Quality brands and authentic ingredients can make all the difference, right?
But what about the quality and material of your cookware?
Many don’t realize that the right pots can make all the difference and even affect their cooking. In fact, high-quality pots can make your delicious meals even better.
The Science: How Different Cookware Can Affect Your Recipes
Cooking is a science. That’s right – you’re a scientist! When you combine unique ingredients and bake, saute, or fry them together, you often create chemical reactions.
One of these reactions occurs between your food and your cookware. Some metals are reactive. This means that when they interact with certain foods (typically acidic or alkaline foods) at high temperatures, your food can soak up some of the chemicals and components in your cookware, which can discolor and even modify the taste of your cooking.
By understanding what types of pots are reactive and what foods trigger these reactions, you can make your crave-worthy dishes even better!
Let’s review some of the different kinds of high-quality pots and what they bring to the dinner table!
Types of Pots & How They Can Affect Your Cooking
Reactive Cookware
- Aluminum
Pros:
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- Food is evenly cooked
- Great for sauteing and frying
Cons:
- Reactive (doesn’t do well with acidic and alkaline foods)
- Scratches easily
Solution: Buy high-quality aluminum pots with a stainless steel or anodized coating to prevent compromising the flavor of your food!
- Copper
Pros:
- Food is evenly cooked
- Heats up and cools down quickly, and prevents the burning of food
- Perfect for frying and sautéing
Cons:
- Reactive with alkaline and acidic foods
- Can leave visible traces on light-colored foods
- Pricey
Solution: Opt for stainless steel or tin lining. Have your copper pot retinned every few years.
- Cast Iron
Pros:
- Long lifetime
- Budget options
- Great non-stick options
- Food is evenly cooked
- Perfect for simmering on low for long periods
- Oven-safe
Cons:
- Reactive with alkaline and acidic foods
- Heavy
- High-maintenance and sensitive to rusting
Solution: Avoid cleaning with moisture to prevent rusting.
Non-reactive Cookware
- Stainless Steel
Pros:
- Non-reactive: No need to worry about what kind of food you can cook in it!
- Easy to clean
- Strong
- Long lifetime
- Range of budget options
Cons:
- Poor heat distribution
Solution: Invest in high-quality pots and consider options with an aluminum or copper core to ensure your food cooks more evenly.
- Non-stick Pots
Pros:
- Non-reactive: Doesn’t alter the taste or color of food!
- Easy clean-up
- Budget options
- Requires less fat and oil
Cons:
- Poor heat distribution
- Not a great option for sautéing
- Scratches easily
Solution: Season your non-stick pans and use low-to-medium temperatures.
Which is Best for You?
At the end of the day, it’s all about choosing a high-quality pot or pan that is right for you, your budget, and your priorities. By knowing how each can affect your beloved dishes’ flavors, colors, and outcome, you can find comfort in making your favorite meals at home with the right cookware.
Browse our High-Quality Pots & Cookware Now!
