Stainless Steel Cookware; Pros and Cons

Updated on December 21, 2009
L.D. asks from Arnold, MO
13 answers

My husband and I are considering buying stainless steel cookware and really have no idea what the pros and cons are. Do you recommend them or not. I don't cook big fancy meals or anything, but I am learning. :)

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L.K.

answers from Kansas City on

Love my stainless too. I bought a few pieces of Wolfgang Puck at a Tuesday Morning if you have one near you. Mine are easy to clean even with some sticky stuff cooked in them. I also hand wash and use "Barkeepers Friend" or plain ole baking soda when washing to keep them shiny.
I also agree with the other posters about teflon and there is some question now if cooking in aluminum may be linked to Alzheimer's just for one thing.

In good health,

Lori k

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J.A.

answers from Wichita on

We bought Saladmaster 15 years ago, and I love my pans, the secret to non sticking is lower temperture, thats part of the whole idea of less water and low temperture for better tasting food and perserves the nutrients. I never got very good at frying in them, I do ok with hamburgers, but eggs I use a small teflon pan for that. The people that sold us the pans had cooking schools and they would teach you how to use the pans, that helped alot. But I do use Cameo or Barkeepers Friend to clean inside after I cook in them or food will stick the next time you cook in them or warm something up. I put the cleaner in the bottom and use a paper towel to scrub with and and rinse it out good. The only time I have had anything stick really bad is when I try to cook with to high of heat. I had to learn that because I had been use to turning up the heat on my old pans. I think it would get done quicker, but it gets done just as fast in these stainless steel. My set came with a double boiler with hole in it, I now brown (steam) my hamburger in it and all the fat goes to the bottom in the water, I first thought this would make my hamburger tastless but by the time you add your seasons or onions, or add spaghetti sauce, etc. It taste the same only less fat. I love it. Good luck with what ever you decision, but before my stainless steel we were buying pans about every 4 years. To my it was worth the money.

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S.T.

answers from St. Louis on

I love my stainless steel cookware. I threw out all my teflon because it can accumulate in your body, and be harmful to your health. I don't ever have problems with food sticking to my pots and pans. You just have to use olive oil or a non-stick spray.

1 mom found this helpful

M.B.

answers from St. Louis on

I love mine! They are beautiful. I get compliments on them all the time. I have had them for a couple years and still love them. They will never go through the dishwasher though. I always handwash them and I think thats why they are still doing good. Even eventually when I have to replace these, I will never go back to nothing but stainless steel.

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S.B.

answers from Kansas City on

the thing I liked about ours was we could stick it in the dishwasher, which we cant do with the teflon coated stuff.

1 mom found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Wichita on

PRO- they are attractive and heavy.
CON- the food can stick to them

1 mom found this helpful

A.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Love stainless steel! We have the Emeril stainless steel pans, with copper bottoms. It's a much healthier alternative to teflon coated pans, and they last so much longer. Just make sure you grease your pan before cooking. If you scorch the pan and have food that is hard to scrape off, simply sprinkle a little baking soda in the pan with dishsoap and scrub. Makes your pans look like new and helps with the elbow grease.

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V.S.

answers from Kansas City on

After a lot of research, we just bought Saladmaster... so worth it! Found two nicest reps in KC and they came over to cook dinner, demo, etc. Their pans are guaranteed for LIFE! Brad and Chastane: ###-###-####... they will call you right back and answer all of your questions. Please tell them how pleasedand grateful I am! Happy cooking L.!

1 mom found this helpful

S.L.

answers from Kansas City on

Stainless is what I use and I don't like aluminum, which I grew up with my mother using them, and feel they are not too healthy and don't trust the teflon stuff. I have Farberware for most of my pans. They cost more but are very good and last. I have one large pan I got when my first boys were very litte and they are now 40 and 41 yrs. old and the pan is still perfect so it is worth the money. They now make the teflon but I wouldn't recommend it over this stainless. Even the handles have held up over the years. They look very nice still. If you can't afford the whole set get a piece at a time and it is well worth it.

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S.M.

answers from Albany on

I'd recommend them.

Safer than non-stick or teflon, particles of which can accumulate in the body and contribute to health problems. But, things stick more, so you're apt to use more oil etc when cooking your food.

No need to worry about using metal forks, flippers etc. or using hefty scrubbies to clean them.

Our most favourite frying pan is a large copper-bottom stainless steel pan. Once it's up to temperature it keeps a good steady heat.

I don't know about aluminum etc. I'm not so sure that it's healthy to cook with aluminum.

For sauce pots, I couldn't imagine using anything but stainless steel.

Another alternative might be cast iron, my parents use these, but they require special care.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.C.

answers from Stationed Overseas on

I always go with teflon. they are the best...just don't use metal utensils...they will scaratch and i prefer to hand wash them. Stainless steel looks great...when you buy them...I personaly hate them! They make EVERYTHING stick...oil or not. I would recomend a good set of teflon from costco. I went to jcpenny and got a set for almost $200 and they were HORRIBLE very cheap! My set i got from costco was only $150 but worth $300...you always get better quality there. You can order them online as well. Hope this helps.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.V.

answers from Kansas City on

Yes!! Stainless steel is the BEST!!! Teflon is scary. I don't really want that in my body. As far as sticking...I don't seem to have that problem. If you use olive oil (or any other kind of oil/butter) you should have no issues. Clean up is easy as well. I hope you love them like I do!!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.Z.

answers from St. Louis on

I personally do not like the stainless steel, I prefer the good idozied non stick cookware, as the steel sometimes is difficult to get food off of it.

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