is it worth the extra money to buy all stainless steel pots, pans...or tethlon?

Question

isnt tethlon easier to clean? why is stainless steel more expensive if its harder to clean?

Answer 1

Stay with nonstick if it's what you are used to. Stainless is a tough transition for those who didn't know what they were getting into.

Stainless is much more expensive to produce, and thus, is more expensive to buy. Stainless also provides searing and browning in a way nonstick can't touch, but on the other hand eggs, potatoes, rice, etc will stick like cement and you will need a couple nonstick pans anyway.

It boils down to this.... If you tend to cook in a more gourmet fashion or reularly make dishes that require deglazing, buy stainless. If you are more of a scrambled egg, grilled cheese, or casual cook, you will be infinately happier with a good nonstick.

P.S. Stainless pans (copper core excluded) contain the same amount of aluminum as nonstick. If they didn't, they wouldn't heat properly as stainless is a very poor conductor of heat.

Answer 2

I also agree with the cast iron suggestion, but make sure you buy some of the older pieces by Wagner or Griswald. The new cast iron can't hold a candle to the old.

Cast isn't the answer for everything. A good kitchen setup should include stainless sauce pan(s), and a stock pot appropriately sized for your family. When buying stainless, spend the money and get good quality heavy duty pots. The copper clad bottoms are great as they conduct heat well. Also remember when using stainless that high heat will make food stick to the bottom. Learn how to use the temperature knob on your range and you will be happy.

Answer 3

I'd go with the stainless steel, and its worth the money. I don't care for teflon because is peels and smell if you don't know how to treat it correctly. Stainless steel looks good forever and its wonderful for the foods you cook, because it doesn't transfer the flavors from the last meal you cook like some of the other cooking utensils. You may want to consider a cast iron skillet that is well seasoned, it will work as well as a teflon pan once you get it set up the right way.

Answer 4

Stainless steel is the best. It may get dirty or stained, but you can take steel wool and clean it to a like new shine. We have stainless steel pots that we have had for 30 years and they look just as good as when we bought them, except the handles are a little worn. Stainless is better for your health than aluminum or teflon - check it out.

Answer 5

Stainless steel lasts longer than most thin aluminum cooking utensils that they've coated with Teflon. If you want something that is easy to clean, lasts forever but requires a certain maintenance get cast iron. It really is about the best too cook with if you treat it properly.

Answer 6

Stainless steel cooks hotter and food burns quicker in it, you have to stay and stir your food, Teflon is easier to cook in but, you have to use Teflon utensils so it doesn't scratch the bottoms of the pans.