Best Cookware ReviewsFind your perfect kitchen cookware match.Are you shopping for some new kitchen cookware? You should take time when choosing your new cookware as it's a big purchase that you would like to last through many years of cooking. Here are some of my thoughts about and types to consider in this best cookware reviews section. There are so many different types of cookware on the market today, it's mind boggling. From hard anodized, to stainless steel, to aluminum, and regaining in popularity, cast iron. I haven't personally reviewed any microwave oven cookware, but my friend Liani at microwavewizard.com has taken care of that for you. Here's all you need to know about microwave oven cookware. Different types of cookware have different strengths, and some will suit your needs AND your budget better than others. You want to choose your pots and pans based on how frequently you plan to use them, do you need it to be oven safe, are you interested more in function or looks, and you'll have to take into consideration how much money each different type costs. Here's a breakdown of some of the most popular: Cast Iron - the new generation-Cookware ReviewsCast Iron is returning in popularity with beautiful enameled colors and the same heavy duty quality that generations before us loved. A very popular, albeit expensive brand is Le Crueset. Women on a forum that I belong to, rave about their Le Crueset dutch ovens. One brand I found, Staub, even boasts to be dishwasher safe, no need for seasoning, and no rust!However, most other brands on the market still require seasoning, and a little tlc, which users of cast iron say is worth the effort. Seasoning cast iron cookware requires putting 1/4 to 1/2 inch cooking oil over the surface of the pan and heating it either in the oven for 1 hour, or on the stove top. This seasoning fills in the porous surface of cast iron helping to make it stick resistant. It also helps prevent rust. No harsh abrasives or scrubbers should ever be used on cast iron, and a very little amount of mild soap. Why cast iron?
Cast iron pieces can be very expensive. In some catalogs I've seen $100 or more per individual piece. Shop around for your best deal! Many of the cookware reviews that I've read on cast iron are mixed. The people that love it, LOVE it! The people that don't want to put the effort into maintaining it, hate it. It's definitely worth taking into consideration. I finally have my own set of cast iron, and I can say that I love it! My set is the new enamel coated, so it's nonstick, and beautiful. It makes a terrific roast in the oven, and perfect for cooking chili or stew. It's very heavy though, and I can't recommend it for people with hand or wrist problems.
Hard Anodized Cookware ReviewsHard Anodized cookware is getting rave cookware reviews, and personally speaking, I understand why. A relative newcomer, it's gaining huge popularity for chefs and wanna be chefs and people wanting a professional grade cookware.What is hard anodized? It's aluminum, which is an excellent conductor of heat, that has been given a chemical acidic bath to make it 30% harder and more durable than stainless steel.
So, because hard-anodized aluminum cooking surfaces are virtually nonporous, you have fewer problems with stuck-on foods. The surfaces are stick-resistant. I know of at least one brand that is dishwasher safe (Todd English series) although most recommend hand washing to prevent a white discoloration on the outside of the pan. My thoughts:I personally own a few pieces of hard anodized (The Todd English brand from hsn.com) and I LOVE it! I do put mine in the dishwasher, it's sooooo easy to clean even if I hand wash. The handles are riveted on meaning they won't become loose or fall off. Update, after almost two years of using this cookware, it still looks and performs like new! I couldn't be happier with the way it performs. I've seen some excellent priced cookware sets at Sam's Club, including a Member's Mark hard anodized cookware set priced under $200. It has a nice feel, and is priced right for a large set. It has a teflon coating, which I'm unsure how that will hold up. The only downside is traditionally hard anodized comes in 1 color, gray/black. It appears that some companies are recognizing our love of color, and I did notice that qvc has now made a hard anodized line in an assortment of colors and available in sets to make it more affordable. I'm excited about that since I love a colorful kitchen.
Stainless Cookware ReviewsA cookware reviews page could not be complete without doing a stainless cookware review. It is perhaps one of the most common types of cookware. It's composed of Iron and chromium and when called 18/10 specifically has 18% chromium and 10% nickel, making it durable and shiny.It may or may not have a nonstick coating inside. Chefs prefer plain for it's browning and de-glazing abilities, as well as it's oven safe to 500. Nonstick coatings vary in quality, so do your research to find one with a lifetime warranty. Stainless steel is not the best conductor of heat, so most brands put an aluminum base or core on the bottom of the pan for more even heat distribution. I own an 18/10 Stainless Steel cookware set, and have used it for 8 years now. My stainless cookware review is good, however the handles were not riveted on, and consequently one piece in the set lost its handle and another piece has a loose handle (and there's no way to tighten it). So make sure you look for riveted handles. Most brands can be put in the oven up to 350. Prices vary from inexpensive to expensive so shop around for the "extras" you want and need.
Porcelain Enameled Cookware ReviewsPorcelain Enamel Cookware or enamelware is a great everyday kitchen cookware option. The glass-like enamel is usually coated over some kind of metal such as aluminum or steel.It is durable, pretty, and naturally nonstick due to its non-porous surface. You can find it in a variety of colors from turquoise to tangerine and everything in between. The brands I've looked at are oven safe to 350. You need to pick an enamelware of good quality, though. Some of the cookware reviews I've read, say that the pan can warp at high heat unless it's reinforced. I haven't tried any enamelware yet, but hope to do so and will keep you posted as to my opinions on it. Keep checking here for more cookware reviews as my list becomes more complete, and as I have the opportunity to try them.
GreenPan™ Cookware ReviewsWhat in the world is a green pan right? It may very well be the future of nonstick cookware that all other brands will try to copy and imitate.GreenPan Cookware Reviews from my Mom and sister: My mom owns this cookware set and absolutely loves it! My sister just bought a set since she tried it over at Mom's house during the holidays. She loves it, and says it's very easy to clean, and although it's dishwasher safe, she says it's so easy to clean that most of the time she just rinses and wipes it off! She thought it felt light compared to her stainless steel of the past, and worried about quality until she began using it. Now she wants more pieces, so I think it's a two thumbs up! I have not yet personally tried it, but can vouch for the Todd English brand as previously mentioned under Hard Anodized. I own it and love it! The GreenPan by Todd English sold at hsn.com says it s the first cookware to have Thermolon nonstick technology. The ceramic based, nano nonstick GreenPan™ with Thermolon™ Technology does not contain any PTFE nor is it manufactured with PFOA. According to hsn, it was developed to be the last cookware you'll have to buy and it won't break down or wear over time. The superior 850-degree nonstick release is a first! Because nothing will stick, this cookware allows you to cook healthier with no need for added butters, fats or oils. GreenPan with Thermolon has also earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. Why you may be interested in the GreenPan™ with Thermolon™ Technology
NOTE: PFOA is a chemical that is used in the manufacturing of traditional PTFE-based nonstick cookware coatings and other products. It is not present in finished cookware products, and there are no health risks from PFOA in cookware. However, because PFOA has been found in the environment, companies have committed to the Environmental Protection Agency to work toward eliminating facility emissions and product content of PFOA by the year 2015. Thermolon™ is made without PFOA. It is made to be eco-friendly for our environment. PTFE is a chemical found in traditional nonstick coatings. It can begin to degrade at temperatures over 500 degrees, which is why the instructions on traditional nonstick pans generally advise to use them only on low and medium heat. You can use Thermolon™ on low and medium heat like traditional nonstick, but unlike traditional nonstick coated pans, GreenPan with Thermolon™ is also made to be used at high heat (above 500 degrees) for something you would normally use stainless steel or cast iron cookware (This according to hsn) The verdict: I'm all about eliminating as many unnecessary chemicals from my life that I can reasonably do! Everyday I read something new that makes me want to run to hills screaming and hiding to raise all of my own vegetables and meat. The reality is I can't do that, so I'm slowly eliminating many chemicals and additives from our life. Isn't it amazing how a baby can change your life so drastically? Top of cookware reviews page Go to Quick and Easy dinner Homepage
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