Shopping and Caring for Stainless Steel Cookware
Stainless steel cookware is moderately priced compared to other types of cookware. Its main virtue is that it is very durable, so it stays shiny and resists dents better than most other types of cookware do. While it’s strong, it does not conduct heat very well, and because of this, it is best to opt for stainless steel pots and pans with a thick layer of copper or aluminum covering the bottom. And be sure it is thick enough; very thin layers will not help much.
Caring for your stainless steel
As with most cookware, it is best not to subject them to abrasive dishwasher soap. Instead, wash them in warm soapy water, and nylon scrubbers are recommended for stainless steel.
The best stainless steel cookware
Reviewers regard “All-Clad Stainless” as the best stainless steel cookware for its heavy aluminum core; this core that extends up the sides of the cookware makes for great heat conductivity.
When shopping for stainless steel cookware, you’ll often run into different grades of surgical stainless steel. The most popular are 304 and 316. The difference between the two is often minimal, 316 has molybdenum and 304 does not, and it may have more chromium and/or nickel – but not necessarily. 316 is supposed to be better for marine cooking, where the cookware is regularly exposed to sea salt.