Look After Your Cast Iron Pans

Whether you are a seasoned cook or just starting out, the kinds of pots and pans to use for cooking depends on what you want to use them for. There are hundreds of different types that many chefs use and the every day cook can use as well. Using stainless steel wrapped aluminum is best for us every day cooks, as they hold the heat for frying, sauteing and are over all a good deal.

Copper is a great choice in pots and pans as they distribute the heat evenly and once removed from the heat it starts to cool down. Even though copper is very expensive it is a wonderful way to cook. If you can afford at least one, buy it. Cast iron pots and pans to me are the best and the older the better. I use only cast iron to cook with and I have many of my grandmothers pots and pans. I was raised on them and raised my family with them.

Cast iron is great for cooking almost anything from eggs to meat. There are even stew pots, corn bread pans. It cooks and browns the food very well and will not cool off so fast when taken off the burner, thus letting the food cook a bit longer. One has to almost relearn to cook using cast iron but it is well worth it. It also gives off a bit of iron in the food and we all need iron. But many will dispute that, but I strongly believe it.

Non stick pots and pans can be alright for the beginner cooks, but the horror stories about them will make some back off in buying them. Once the coating starts to wear off it gives off certain toxins and can be harmful if used. Plus you have to use certain utensils with them such as plastic or wood. They are good for reducing the amount of oil and fat you will use but the drawbacks are many.

You can not heat them up as hot as cast iron or copper because it will burn the coating. Browning with non stick can be tricky to say the least. What ever type of pots and pans you choose make them work for you they are the slave as you are the master when it comes to cooking. Do not settle for cheap pots and pans, you will pay more in the long run.

Richard likes to also write about cast iron pan on one of his new websites. You may also find the information on cast iron griddles interesting on my new site.