Waterless Cooking Tips - Why Stainless Steel? - Care of Stainless Steel Cookware

What You Need to Know About Stainless Steel and Waterless Cookware

Cookware is a major purchase.  If you've ever watched a demonstration for high-quality waterless cookware sets, you know they also come with a high price tag.  However, you don't have to spend several thousand dollars to get high-quality cookware.  When you buy any stainless steel cookware you should be aware of the following features:

 ►Is it Surgical stainless steel? 

Surgical stainless steel contains about 18% chromium and 8% nickel in addition to iron.  The best waterless cookware uses T304 surgical stainless steel because it is a higher quality of stainless steel.  Surgical stainless steel maintains its gleaming appearance for the lifetime of the product with just an occasional cleaning.  The advantages of Surgical Stainless steel are:

• Corrosion resistance
• Design flexibility
• Flavor protection
• Temperature Resistance
• Durability
• Sanitary
• Clean-ability

  ►Multi-Ply

Many believe the more ply the better!  The layers allow even heat flow and durability.  The aluminum conducts the heat well in the inner layers.  However, it is not desirable on the outside because it corrodes and comes off on the food.  The multi-layers spread the heat evenly, insuring that there are no "hot spots."  The thickness of the cookware also reduces chances of the piece warping.  Stainless steel protects the food and the cookware itself.   Recently there has been an increase in the number of layers or ply added to the cookware.  For cookware to be classified as waterless, it must be at least 5-ply or have five layers.  Our company features cookware that has 7-ply, 9-ply and even 12-ply construction.  While extra ply will slightly increase the weight of our pan, it does not mean that your food will cook any better or taste any different because of the extra layers.  When considering the purchase of waterless cookware, use other factors other than multi-ply to determine which set is the best choice for you.  Click characteristics of waterless cookware for a more detailed explanation.    

►Encapsulated Bottom

The special design of the bottom of each stainless steel pot provides strength and rigidity that prevents warping.  The encapsulated flat bottom is necessary for even and quick heat distribution.  The flatness insures that that as much surface as possible is in contact with the stove’s burner.  A thick (multi-ply), flattened bottom eliminates hot spots and prevents food from burning.  These characteristics, also, must be present if the cookware is to be classified as waterless cookware.

►Steam-Controlled Lid

With waterless cookware, a special lid is used to keep the steam from escaping.  Waterless cooking will not wor k if a proper seal cannot be formed.  When a seal is created, it locks in the natural moisture that escapes from the food during the cooking process.  Thus, foods are cooked in their own natural juices, retaining vital vitamins and minerals.  This is really the key to waterless cooking—a vapor seal must be created.  To get this vapor seal, simply start cooking your food over medium heat until the steam control valve whistles in the open position.  Then, turn down the heat to a low simmer and close the valve.  At this point, the lid will form an air-tight seal.  Note:  If steam is escaping around the lid, reduce heat to a lower setting. 

►Limited Lifetime Warranty

Metal parts are covered; handles usually are not.

►Stack Cooking

The picture on the right illustrates how you might cook a roast or chicken and several vegetables at the same time.  Instructions for Stack Cooking are:  

1. On top of the dome lid, place the 3.2 quart saucepan
2. Invert the 2.5 quart saucepan, and place on top of the 3.2 pan
3. Place the 1.7 quart saucepan on the "bottom" of the 2.5 pan and place a lid on the top saucepan.                                                              
4. Start cooking with the large roaster and place the dome lid on top.  

Remember, when you are stack cooking, always start cooking each individual saucepan on a burner until you hear the steam valve whistle, then simply stack the pot to complete the cooking process.  Heat, will be transferred from the bottom pan to the top.

Benefits of Waterless Cooking

Waterless cooking is a very healthy way to cook.  When you use surgical steel waterless cookware, you never have to worry about minute particles from the pans breaking away from your cookware and entering your food.  Waterless cookware uses a pressure steam control method so you can cook economically and with low heat.  The built-in steam control valve whistles as a signal to turn down the heat. 

Cooking foods in water will often result in the loss of nutrients and flavor, but it can also change the appearance and texture of the food.  Have you ever experienced a plate of limp, light-colored, overcooked broccoli?  This is the direct result of cooking the food in too much water.  The waterless method retains the nutrients in the food as it cooks.   There is only about a 2% average mineral loss with the steam control method as compared to a 42% mineral loss when boiling in water.  Retaining 98% of the minerals can slow down or prevent many age-related problems. 

With waterless cooking you can look forward to creating great-tasting, healthy meals in a fraction of the time that is required by traditional methods.   Cooking with waterless cookware has a number of advantages over the conventional cookware:

• Ease of cooking
• Cooking time is reduced
• Cookware is easy to clean and maintain
• Use less fat and oil in food preparation
• Exceptional taste
• Retention of vitamins and minerals in your food
• Overall improved appearance of cooked foods

Maintenance of Stainless Steel Cookware

Generally, stainless steel does not require a lot of maintenance. With daily usage, hand-washing your cookware in hot, soapy water and drying it thoroughly with a soft cloth before storing away is recommended. While it is dishwasher safe, many experts feel that the detergents may have a negative effect on stainless steel cookware over time.  If you decide to use the dishwasher, it is recommended that you remove your cookware after the wash cycle and dry by hand to avoid water spots.  For more detailed explanations of how to remove stains from your stainless steel cookware, click here.

For additional tips about waterless cooking and a vegetable cooking chart, click here.

Waterless Stainless Steel Cookware Sets