What are the most suitable materials for cooking food? Which pots or pans to choose? Better a stainless steel or cast iron pot? The new Guide to the choice of materials for cooking food comes to our aid, a project by Andid, the National Dietitians Association, with the patronage of the Department for Public Health of the University of Florence. Here are the main indications regarding the type of materials to be used in contact with food, with all the pros and cons for each situation.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
What are the delivery times? materials best suited for the cooking food? Which pots o Pans choose? Better a stainless steel or cast iron pot? The new one comes to our aid Guide to the choice of materials for cooking food, a project by Andid, the National Dietitians Association, with the patronage of the Department of Public Health of the University of Florence.
Here are the main indications regarding the type of materials to be used in contact with food, with all the pros and cons for each situation.
Index
Aluminum
BESS
Aluminum pots and pans are lightweight and have high thermal conductivity. The heat is distributed evenly on all surfaces of the pot, both on the bottom and on the walls. In this way, the risks of local overheating and burns are reduced. The pots or pans in non-stick aluminum PTFE coated do not contain nickel, heavy metals or PFOA.
Cons
Aluminum pans are among the most used in catering, but at home they can be difficult to clean. Washing in the dishwasher or with too aggressive detergents can ruin them. They are not suitable for cooking acidic foods, such as tomatoes, for example for the preparation of sauce, as traces of aluminum could be transmitted to food. Aluminum is not suitable for cooking on induction hobs, unless it has been specifically treated. Ceramic-coated aluminum pans are not very suitable for cooking without seasonings.
READ also: Is aluminum in contact with food safe?
Steel
BESS
The pots and pans made of this material are usually made of stainless steel, a very resistant material that makes them durable over time, easy to wash and resistant. The poor heat conductivity of stainless steel makes the pots suitable for cooking that requires the use of water, such as boiling. In the case of coated steel, all PTFE-based non-stick coatings do not contain nickel, heavy metals and PFOA.
Cons
Stainless steel is made from one alloy of nickel and chromium, to which other metals can be added, such as titanium, which is necessary to increase its anti-corrosion resistance. Stainless steel contains 18% chromium and8-10% nickel. We usually talk about 18/10 stainless steel. It can be deduced that the use of steel pans could be unsuitable for people who suffer from allergies or intolerances to metals such as nickel and chromium.
Copper
BESS
Copper has a very high thermal conductivity, which makes it suitable for making pans, pots and pans. The tinning still takes place with the artisanal method. They last forever since they can be stagnated inside and polished outside. At home, copper can be easily polished with del lemon juice.
Cons
Larger copper vessels may turn out heavy and unwieldy. They are not suitable for washing in the dishwasher because they can be damaged. Copper itself is not suitable for contact with food, therefore perfect tin plating is required, or the combination of copper with steel.
Iron
BESS
Iron has poor thermal conductivity. For this reason in the kitchen it is used only for some preparations, such as that of meat or fried foods. Therefore its use is recommended for all those preparations which require the achievement of high temperatures.
Cons
You will not be able to wash your iron kitchen utensils in the dishwasher, as this material tends to oxidize easily in contact with water it can rust. After hand washing, it is recommended to dry iron tools immediately.
Terracotta
BESS
Terracotta is a particular type of ceramic and a non-metallic material. The terracotta utensils heat up and release the heat they have absorbed very slowly. They are therefore perfect for the cooking over low heat and without sudden changes in temperature, as in the case of legumes, soups, risottos and stews. The terracotta pots they wash easily with hot water.
Cons
There are very fragile and can be damaged by thermal shocks. It is recommended to soak a clay pot in cold water for 12 hours. To avoid breakage, it is suggested to immerse the terracotta pots in cold water for a few minutes after use, to allow the terracotta dried by the heat to rehydrate.
Porcelain
BESS
Porcelain cooking utensils have low porosity and high hardness. They are ideal for the preparation of soups and sauces. They can be used both in the traditional oven and in the microwave.
Cons
Beware of do not confuse real porcelain utensils with other steel tools that have only an external porcelain coating. They have nothing to do with porcelain, but only reflect its appearance due to the color of the coating.
Cast iron
BESS
Cast iron, obtained from an iron-carbon alloy, is suitable for grilling, but also for the preparation of soups and stews, because it allows long cooking and low heat with constant heat. It is one of the materials that retain heat best. The enameled cast iron also retains the cold well and can be used to store food in the refrigerator.
Cons
The weak point of cast iron is the cleaning. Before washing cast iron pans, it is necessary to wait for them to cool, to avoid breakage. If they have a corrosion protective coating, they should be periodically heated and rubbed with oil.
Soapstone
BESS
It is a material composed of talc and magnesite, resistant to thermal excursion and with great capacity to accumulate heat. It is used to make cooking plates and real pots. The soapstone plates are suitable to be placed on the embers for the barbecue. Soapstone cookware lends itself to long cooking, such as for stews or braises. Cooking can be done without adding fat. You do not need detergents for washing.
Cons
The cost is quite high. Much needs to be done attention to cleanliness: the first time you need to wash with salt water and dry carefully. Cleaning must be thorough and can be done with the help of an iron scraper. Uneven heat distribution from the stove can cause breakage, so a flame spreader is required.
Glass
BESS
Il pyrex it is considered a material particularly suitable for use in contact with food substances. It's a lot heat resistant, a gift that, together with chemical inertness and transparency, make it suitable for producing kitchen utensils.
Cons
Pyrex glass it is fragile and not very resistant to temperature variations. It is not a good thermal conductor and this limits its possibilities of use, which sell it as a protagonist only for cooking in a traditional oven or in the microwave.
Silicone
BESS
Silicone is equipped with non-stick properties that allow the baking of sweets and other dishes without adding fats such as butter or oil, and without buttering or flour the trays. The molds fold back on themselves and take up little space. They can be used both in the oven and in the fridge or freezer.
Cons
There are fears that silicone molds could revive potentially harmful substances especially during the first use. For this reason it is advisable to always wash the silicone utensils very well and to use them the first time for vacuum cooking, for example for a simple mixture of water and flour, to be thrown away once ready. It is recommended to choose quality silicone.
READ also: Are silicone molds really safe?
Marta Albè
Read also:
- Steam cooking: rediscover the true taste of food
- Carcinogenic Teflon? 10 alternatives to common non-stick pans and pots
- Teflon pans and silicone molds: are they safe? The brands that have been promoted and rejected
