Stainless Steel vs Non-Stick Cookware

With the ever growing health concerns over non-stick chemical coatings, it is quite natural to also be concerned with health issues regarding stainless steel cookware. You may be aware that stainless steel is extremely durable, hypoallergenic and easy to clean. We compare non-stick cookware to stainless steel to explain the stainless steel cookware health benefits. If there was a boxing match marquee that said ‘Stainless steel cookware versus non-stick cookware," how would you place your bet on the outcome?

Let us first examine the durability of non-stick pans. Non-stick pans have an outer layer or coating of Teflon, or similar chemical that provides a barrier between the iron or steel pan, and the food and air. This layer is susceptible to scratching from spatulas, forks spoons and knives. The use of metal, and even some plastic utensils, will potentially scratch the coating exposing the steel beneath, significantly lessening the length of life for the non-stick cookware. Stainless steel has is a durable metal which requires no coating and therefore is not susceptible to scratches which affect it performance. If cared for properly, stainless steel cookware will last a lifetime.

Non-stick pans have a coating that gives the cookware its beneficial properties. However, there are studies that this coating will give off fumes at high heat which may be harmful. In additional, the coating is fairly easily scratched or damaged by daily use as mentioned above. Non=stick products used at medium or lower are not considered a problem and are frequently the pan of choice by many professional chefs for omelets, and egg dishes. Stainless steel has no similar problems and is the product of choice more many cooking applications where higher heat is needed. In addition, it is extremely hypoallergenic, meaning it is not prone to harboring bacteria and germs.

Non-stick cookware is not suggested for the dishwasher. The non-stick coating may be affected by the high temperatures. It is suggested that you clean a non-stick pan by hand, immediately following use. All stainless steel cookware is easy to clean. It can be washed easily by hand or just put it in the dishwasher.

There are cooking situation where non-stick cookware is a suitable choice. However, for general use it is difficult to beat the performance and flexibility of stainless steel cookware.