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Cooking Utensils - MaterialCooking utensils are a sort of cookware not only used to cook, but also to store prepared foods. When selecting cooking utensils you need to look for the right kind of material, as it not only tends to affect the quality of the recipe i.e. flavour, texture, aroma, but even the nutrient value of the cooked food. While choosing cooking pots and pans look out for these key features Flat bottomed pans made from heavy gauge material Their thickness creates a gap between the cooking surface and the fire, thus, allowing an even diffusion of heat. Good conductors of heat Copper, cast iron and aluminium are popularly used for cooking, as they are responsive to heat (react quickly to temperature change). Chemically non reactive Metals like copper, cast iron and aluminium have proved to be chemically reactive to acidic and alkaline foods. Hence, they can alter the flavour of the food. If you store food for a longer span in any of them, it can lead to food poisoning. Keeping in mind the above features and associated problems with cast iron, copper, non stick and aluminum, they are either combined with other metals (stainless steel) or treated before use. Below is a list of certain combination of cookware from which you can choose Anodized Aluminium Cookware It is treated through anodization process to create a hard non-reactive surface, which prevents any form of aluminium leakage while cooking. Secondly, anodized aluminium is even safe with acidic foods, as opposed to aluminium, which is highly reactive. Since it has all the properties of aluminium, that makes it apt for cooking. Try anodized cookware sets Rachael Ray 10-Piece Hard-Anodized Cookware Set, Orange  .
Clad Aluminum or Copper Cookware Cladding means to cover one metal with another. This is normally done using a non reactive metal like stainless steel in combination with copper or aluminium to avoid any cooking hazards, as stated above. All-Clad Stainless 9-Piece Cookware Set  .
Cast iron Cookware Despite the wide choice in cookwares, cast iron cooking utensils still remain the age old favourite, because of the numerous benefits that they offer. In fact, many families preserve their cast iron cookware and hand it down from generation to generation for this reason. Cast iron is highly durable, unlike other modern cookware it does not crack up. Secondly, if well seasoned, its natural non-stick surface requires no additional oil, which makes it apt for cooking fat free food. Cast iron cookwares are really cheap as compared to other cooking utensils. Cast iron cookwares offer versatility and flexibility in use right from the burner to the oven. These days you even get enamel coated cast iron cookware. Enamel gives you the benefit of easy cleaning and there is no need for re-seasoning which is needed for uncoated cast iron. Try some of these cast iron products Cast iron skillets - Lodge Logic 12-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet  .Cast iorn dutch oven - Lodge Logic Dutch Oven with Loop Handles  .
Certain precautions for maintaining your cast iron cookware Use detergent sparingly for washing up cast iron cookware and make sure they are pitch dry prior to storing. One of the simplest techniques for cleaning and maintaining cast iron utensils is, using red brick. You need to lightly rub it on the pan surface and wash up and this will keep the cookware sparkling. Seasoning is another great way to preserve cast iron cookware. Coat cast iron with a thin layer of fat and place it under intense e.g. an oven pre-heated to 250°C for about an hour. This process needs to be repeated several times to obtain a secure seasoning bond. Non Stick Cookware Non stick when treated with stainless steel and anodized aluminium makes it a good choice for cooking, especially for deglazing and sauteing of foods, as compared to a regular non stick cookware. KitchenAid Gourmet Essentials 12-Piece Nonstick Hard-Anodized Cookware Set  .
I have personally experienced certain problems while using non stick pans or Teflon's. While cooking they tend to absorb fat and deposit it, along the utensil's periphery. If you try to scrub that too hard while cleaning, the non stick scratches of easily releasing bits of inert plastic. Most often, non stick tends to retain the smell of previously cooked food and emits it in fresh preparation. Stainless Steel Cookware This cookware is considered one of the best because it is non corrosive, long lasting and does not easily dent or scratch off. Secondly, unlike other metals steel does not react with any acidic or alkaline foods. However, since steel is a poor conductor of heat, you can opt for steel cookware in combination with other metals like copper or aluminium. Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless-Steel 10-Piece Cookware Set  .
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