What’s the Best Cookware for Your Kitchen?

Whether you cook on a regular basis, experiment from time-to-time, or consider yourself an expert in the kitchen, knowing how to choose the right cookware can make all the difference in the taste of your food. Pleasing guests’ appetite, as well as yours, is easier when you have the right tools in your kitchen – indoors and outdoors. For advice on how to choose the right cookware for broiling, baking, frying, and grilling, continue reading.

Broiling

There are many different types of ways to broil food, but the most common way to broil something is by placing it on the top rack of an oven. The broiler burners that hang on the top of the ceiling of the oven are used to cook foods at extremely high temperatures at a very fast pace. This is a convenient way to cook things like steak and chicken. Broiling is also a good method for melting ingredients like cheese or crusting bread and other baked pastries.

Due to the high temperature nature and direct heat of the broiling process, it is necessary to use a specific type of dish or pan to place the food in. This will prevent cracking of the cookware or even burning. A broiler pan is usually made from high performance materials such as steel or porcelain. You may even be able to find a stainless steel model, if you prefer this type of style in your kitchen. It does not matter how fancy the pan is, though, just be sure that you know how to choose the right cookware when you want to broil food.

Special types of broiling pans are available that allow for draining of liquids and juices from the food that is being cooked. They often come with a second pan that attaches to the bottom of the broiling surface. Holes in the pan allow for drainage, ensuring the meat is cooked cleanly and efficiently, without extra grease or fat that you do not want spoiling the food or hurting your health. This is different when compared to a roasting pan, which allows the dripping to accumulate and cook in with the meat.

Baking

If you know what you want to bake and at what temperature, you will know how to choose the right cookware for the job. Baking is a special type of cooking process, so that means it requires a special type of cookware depending on which type of oven you’re using. Baking dishes and platters come in a variety of materials and sizes. The material of your baking dish is important to consider, because some materials do better in heat than others. Porcelain and glass are the most common materials for bakeware dishes, and they are also very affordable. You can be sure that you will find the right one according to your needs if you look in discount or department stores.

The size of your baking cookware is something you should think about due to the way it affects your recipe as it is being cooked. If you use a larger dish to bake something when it calls for a smaller one, it could change the texture and appearance of your dish. This can be a problem if you are concerned with duplicating something you have had in the past. It will not come out the same. Consider buying the right cookware for the specific recipes you want to try, because it matters in the end.

Frying

For the best stir-fries, fried potatoes, and breaded meats, you want to know how to choose the right cookware to get these dishes down-pat. Technically you can fry on a variety of surfaces, but you should think about what you will be frying and what types of oils you want to use. Some cookware is not designed to be used for recipes like this.

A ceramic frying pan or skillet with high sides is ideal for frying, so you do not splatter oil out onto the stove top surface. It is also convenient to use a pan like this if you want to flip food over in the pan, such as omelets or pancakes. Metals that conduct heat efficiently are good to choose when searching for a frying skillet, which include copper, cast iron, and stainless steel-wrapped aluminum. Nonstick cookware is another good feature to look for, since you will be using oils that you do not want burning off, causing the food to stick.

Grilling

Some of the best grilling cookware makes this an easier, more efficient project when you are cooking outdoors for your friends and family. Grills pans are used to cook smaller food items that cannot be placed on the open grates as usual. When compared to burgers, steaks, and chicken thighs, smaller food like vegetables and seafood are difficult to arrange and move around on the grates without them falling into the flames.

Grills pans are designed to make this easier by providing a safe space for smaller ingredients to be cooked. Small holes are cut into the pans, allowing for that flame-roasted taste that everyone loves on their grilled food. It also allows for juices to drip, adding an extra health benefit, although you must check to make sure these don’t get all gummed up and the liquid no longer flows. This grilling cookware can come in a variety of materials, such as porcelain, non-stick steel, aluminum, and even wire mesh. Designs of grill pans are made for different preferences in decor. Whether you want simple, fancy, or modern cookware, there is a skillet or wok made for you and your grill.

The right cookware for grilling also involves cooking utensils. You also want sturdy utensils that can endure high-heat temperatures, since most of the time you will be using these over a flame. Special materials are used to construct grilling cookware due to these unusual elements like ceramic knives. You will also find tools that are made out of convenience for you, such as tongs to flip slippery foods and pronged forks move heavy meats.

Now You Know How to Choose the Right Cookware

There are clearly many different types of utensils, dishware, pans, and skillets used to prepare your favorite foods. Every method of cooking has a different set of tools that are made especially for that style of preparation. And now your all set to buy all clad on black Friday or whatever type of cookware you’re considering. Consider the most important elements of cookware, and you will be well on your way to choosing the right cookware for your needs.