Which pans are the best and safest?
Every housewife wants to equip her home not only with the latest technology, but also in accordance with safety rules. This also applies to kitchen utensils. Modern materials are good for cooking, but they are not always safe. In order not only to prepare a delicious dish, but also to be sure that the cookware is environmentally friendly, we recommend purchasing products made from cast iron, stainless steel, copper or ceramics. Let's take a closer look at the features of the products.
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Top 5 materials for “healthy” dishes
It is worth noting that today even unique specimens made from rare materials can be found on sale. Products coated with marble or granite chips are actively sold. At the same time, enamel cookware is gradually becoming a thing of the past, but in vain.
Eco-friendly material for making pans ensures safe cooking and the absence of harmful emissions during heating.
Cast iron
This material has been used for many centuries as a basis for the manufacture of kitchen utensils. Today it has not lost any of its popularity, and in recent years it has become even more in demand than before.
It is a porous structure that requires preliminary preparation. High-quality hardening will lead to the formation of a protective film, and nothing can spoil it. Subsequently, with each cooking it becomes thicker and reliably protects the cast iron from corrosion.
Today, models with ferromagnetic inserts that can be used on induction cooktops are going on sale.
The material is durable and will be easily used by several generations of cooks. The pan can be used on all types of stoves, in the oven or over an open fire.
Enamel
Despite its fading popularity, we will still include it in our list of environmentally friendly materials for pots. As a rule, aluminum or cast iron is used as a base, which is covered with a thin layer of glass. This offers some advantages:
- You can store cooked food in a saucepan;
- food does not burn during cooking;
- easy to clean;
- the base is not subject to corrosion.
The disadvantage of the coating is the possibility of damaging it with sharp objects and abrasive substances. And the presence of chips immediately leads to oxidation and the release of harmful substances into food.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is a durable material that is easy to maintain. It is easy to wash and clean with stiff brushes. While maintaining the cooking technology, the food practically does not burn.
A significant advantage is considered to be the low cost and the visual appeal of the dishes.
The pan does not rust, does not emit harmful components when heated, is safe and looks professional. Fits perfectly into any kitchen interior. However, its environmental friendliness is due to the specific composition of the alloy. For example, nickel pans should not contain more than 10% of the element, otherwise it causes allergic reactions, cancer and other serious problems.
Ceramics
Clay is a natural material. However, to make a pan, it is coated with a special enamel that contains lead.The dyes used to decorate dishes also contain harmful substances that cause negative reactions in the body.
In general, these products are safe, but you cannot store cooked food in them. When interacting with moisture, heavy metals are formed that cause serious diseases.
Copper
Copper cookware is expensive and impractical. You cannot store cooked dishes in it, otherwise they will oxidize. In addition, food may burn during cooking. But in general, copper products are safe if they are used correctly and precautions are followed.
Finding a truly harmless pan today is very difficult. Unfortunately, manufacturers of kitchen utensils rarely take care of the safety of customers by minimizing the use of hazardous chemical compounds in production.