Quality Cookware- Which are the Best?
There are plenty of quality cookware collections available on the market including Calphalon, All-Clad, T-Fal and others. Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse has a line of cookware which is made by All-Clad and recently Kitchen Aid and the quality knife maker Henckles have produced cookware that is out on the market.
When looking for quality cookware you might want consider products that are made from a combination of stainless steel and aluminum. They are made with a sturdy long lasting construction and they are excellent at evenly distributing heat, including on the sides of the pots and pans. If you purchase cookware made with aluminum be sure you buy quality cookware since low quality thin gauge aluminum pans can easily warp and become dented and they usually will not distribute heat evenly. The low price cookware items typically utilize enamel coated aluminum which is susceptible to chipping.
If you are considering purchasing non-stick cookware search for pots and pans that have been manufactured with a thick coating or a coating that has been combined with ceramic titanium. These types of non-stick pans are available and will last longer than the lower priced versions.
Stainless Steel Cookware
Several professional reviews claim that All-Clad makes the best stainless steel cookware available on the market. The All-Clad quality cookware is designed with a heavy gauge aluminum core which extends up to the sides of the All-clad pans and is situated between a surface layer and an exterior layer of stainless steel. All-Clad cookware is made with a sturdy construction.
Cast Iron Cookware
Some people looking for quality cookware end up purchasing a few items made from cast iron. A cast iron skillet is excellent at retaining heat as well as searing meat. When looking for a top of the line Dutch oven experts suggest you choose non-reactive enamel coated Dutch oven made out of cast iron. These pots are expensive; however they will last a very long time with proper care. Experts suggest that lower priced, inferior coated Dutch ovens easily chip.
The typical Calphalon pan has been designed with a tri-ply construction consisting of a layer of aluminum situated between two layers of stainless steel. The Calphalon Tri-Ply stainless and Calphalon Contemporary Stainless collections are manufactured with the aluminum core that continues up the sides of the pans.
Kitchen Aid received a favorable professional review for their line of cookware. The cookware they reviewed did have an aluminum core surrounded by stainless steel, however the aluminum core did nor extend up the sides of the pans, thus its heat conduction is not at the same level as All-Clad cookware. Cuisinart's Chef's Classic Stainless line of cookware is constructed with an aluminum bottom and the aluminum does not extend to the sides of the pans. If you enjoy cooking you might want to consider buying some quality cookware and there is a variety to choose from.
