Buying a stainless pot is probably one of the best decisions you can make. It is a good decision to own stainless steel pots because they are relatively inexpensive, they are durable, and they are easy to clean. Stainless steel pots also look very good and can look as good as new for years with proper care. They can be heated to high temperatures without any damage and they do not react to acidic foods like corn and butter and alkaline foods like carrots and beans. There is a chance that some of the metallic elements might leach into food but there are in such miniscule amounts that it is not harmful in the least.

Stainless steel pots do not conduct heat very well so most quality pots have a base of aluminum or copper to spread the heat more evenly. One other positive aspect of stainless steel pots is that they are very light and useable; cast iron pots are good to own too but they are almost impossibly heavy for many people.

Stainless steel has been around since the early 1900s and has been used in pots since the 1920s. In 1913, while trying to reduce rust in rifle barrels, someone came across the metallic compound for stainless steel (which is an alloy of iron containing approximately 18%chromium and 10% nickel.) John Brown & Co. and Thomas Firth & Sons of Sheffield, England initiated the industrial era of stainless steel in 1915. The first product was table cutlery. It was only a matter of time before stainless steel pots and pans were manufactured.

When you first buy a stainless steel pot you should wash it well with warm, soapy water making sure to dry it well to avoid spots. To clean a stainless steel pot you can wash it with warm, soapy water again. If you have stubborn stains or food that has stuck to the bottom, you can combine vinegar and water and let it sit for a while which will make the stain easy to come off. For the outside of a stainless steel pot, a glass cleaner works well to remove finger prints. You can also invest in a specialty stainless steel cleaner such as Bar Keeper’s Friend and use it with a soft mesh scrub pad. The pots are dishwasher safe but over time the caustic dishwashing liquid can scratch or ruin a pot. Also, when you are finished using a stainless steel pot do not put it in cold water until it has cooled down, otherwise it can warp.

With proper care and treatment of your stainless steel pot it can be an important asset to your kitchen tools for years.  So what are you waiting for, invest in some stainless steel pots and pans, you will not regret it.