Modern cookware should be able to distribute heat quickly and efficiently. For fast heating utensils, manufacturers use aluminum and stainless steel metals. Deciding between aluminum vs stainless steel cookware has become a difficult choice because of their unbeatable qualities.
Both metals are good for use in cookware since they heat evenly and do not create hotspots. There are differences between the metals, however, in terms of the construction of the products they produce and how they perform when heated up.
What Is Aluminum Cookware?
Cookware made from aluminum is very popular due to its low cost and excellent heat conductivity. It is typically dark in color, and often has a stainless steel handle or silicone handle and tempered glass lid.
Aluminum is widely used in cookware because it heats up quickly and spreads heat evenly. However, it is very reactive and reacts with acidic foods. Because of this, plain aluminum is not used to make utensils. Plain aluminum is also a weak metal, which restricts its use in utensils. When exposed to high temperatures, aluminum bends easily and warps.
Aluminum that has been treated to a special process that involves acids and electrical currents is hard-anodized aluminum. The aluminum forms an extremely hard layer on its surface due to this process. This hard layer is scratch-resistant, non-leaching, and non-stick.
Non-anodized aluminum: Aluminum that hasn’t been anodized is softer and more prone to leaching when it comes in contact with acidic foods. Cookware made from other materials, such as stainless steel, is likely to have a core made of non-anodized aluminum.
Aluminum can only be used safely in cookware by incorporating a process known as anodizing. It improves the oxidation properties of aluminum by leaving a non-reactive layer of aluminum oxide to make aluminum stronger and less reactive.
A hard anodized aluminum metal is also more resistant to extreme heat. Treatment of hard anodized aluminum increases its durability and prevents warping.
Cooking with aluminum is also made safe by coating it with a non-stick material like ceramic or Teflon. Non-stick cookware is easy to clean and allows food items to release easily from the surface.
Advantages of Aluminum Cookware
- Aluminum is a good conductor of heat and heats up quickly. Aluminum-cored utensils heat up quickly, so the cook doesn’t need to pre-heat them, thus saving money on electricity and gas.
- Aluminum utensils also cool quickly because of their high conductivity, which works in reverse. By the time you finish eating a meal, the aluminum utensils will be at room temperature and ready for washing.
- Aluminum is light-weight compared to most metals. Cookware made from aluminum is also lightweight because of this property. When you use lightweight utensils, you can toss, turn, and flip food better.
- Cleaning is easy with aluminum cookware that has a nonporous coating and aluminum utensils that are hard anodized. As food does not adhere to the surface, leftovers come off easily when you handwash the cookware with soap and water.
- When you follow the correct care and maintenance guidelines, aluminum utensils last for a long time.
Disadvantages of Aluminum Cookware
- Metal utensils should never be used on aluminum utensils because they can scratch the anodized surface or non-stick coating. When this happens, food becomes contaminated and can cause serious health problems.
- Cleaning with a dishwasher is not recommended
- Even with proper care and maintenance, non-stick coatings wear off over time
- Aluminum cannot be cooked on induction heaters because it is not magnetic
What Is Stainless Steel Cookware?
A stainless steel is a steel that contains chromium. Chromium in steel reacts with oxygen in the air to form a hard, oxidized layer on its surface. Because of its scratch-resistant, corrosion-resistant, and non-reactive properties, stainless steel is a popular choice.
You can either brush stainless steel cookware for a matte finish, or leave it shiny for a reflective finish. Cookware made of stainless steel has often a stainless steel lid or a glass lid with stainless steel rims and handles.
Here is some information about the best stainless steel cookware and you can choose the right one.
Advantages of Stainless Steel Cookware
- The thin, light design of stainless steel cookware ensures easy handling. If you lift the cookware, your wrists and hands do not get tired.
- Cookware made from stainless steel is durable, and it is uncoated, so it will never corrode. Furthermore, it does not suffer much damage when dropped.
- Metal utensils can be used on the cooking surface. Food does not react with stainless steel or its materials.
- In the kitchen, stainless steel utensils stand out because of their shiny appearance.
- Stacking stainless steel utensils in the kitchen allows for easy storage.
- Utensils made of stainless steel retain heat well. Fast heating is also possible due to the thin construction. Due to these reasons, stainless steel utensils are versatile and can be used for frying,, braising, boiling, and stewing.
- Magnetized cookware sets may support the use of stainless steel utensils on an induction heater.
Disadvantages of Stainless Steel Cookware
- Heat does not conduct well through stainless steel. In order to mitigate this limitation, manufacturers make cookware as thin as possible.
- A good stainless steel utensil will cost you quite a bit.
- The cooking surface of stainless steel utensils is not non-stick, making them difficult to clean
- Stainless steel utensils can easily develop stains when left in water for a long period of time.
Conclusion
Aluminum and stainless steel cookware both have advantages, so you don’t have to choose between the two. If you’re going to buy cookware from either of them, make sure it’s high-quality. Cookware of low quality may leach toxic metals into your food, causing health risks. Although high-quality cookware is expensive, it also lasts for a long time.
