What is the Best Cookware?

The recent increase in reality television shows, featuring cooking has prompted alot of home chefs in need of tool, tip, and technique suggestions. What is the best cookware is a question that you must look at with a relative eye. What would be classified as "best" of course depends on what you plan to cook in the cookware and your price point. The most important consideration you must make when choosing the proper cookware FOR YOU is of course the constructed material of the cookware. For example if you are purchasing cookware because you intend to do a lot of braising where you will need even distribution of heat (sugar test), cooper cookware is the way to go. However, cooper cookware can be expensive, so if you are on a limited budget you may not want to invest in this type of cookware. Cooper is also a reactive metal (scrub test). Copper does not hold up well under cleaning or lots of cooking. It scratches and loses its color and also tends to meld into whatever you're cooking in it. Aluminum is another reactive metal (scrub test), however, a great choice if you want great even heat (sugar test), . It is a soft metal so it won't hold up. It is however inexpensive, therefore, if cost is a large issue for you, consider Aluminum. If you make this choice I suggest anodized, chemically treated, to reduce the reactivity. Cast Iron can be a consideration if you are going the lesser expensive route. It is a great for very high temperature cooking. It can go straight from the stovetop to the oven. Cast Iron is another reactive metal (scrub test) that will rust, pit, and stick to your food. Most of these things can be avoided if you "season" your cast iron before you use it to cook in. In my opinion, Surgical Stainless Steel multi-ply/clad is a great choice. It provides great conductivity of heat (sugar test), it's priced reasonably, and it's durable. For a quality Surgical Stainless Steel multi-ply/clad pans you will not have to worry about scratching, wear and tear, or your food tasting like metal. The bottom line really is, if you want to create culinary delights (taste test) you must make the investment in high quality cookware. The degree of your choice really depends on the type of cooking, and your willing to spend.

One thing to keep in mind when buying cookware is that you can get the same high quality product without having to spend your life savings. There are quality cookware companies out there that can give you the same great product, made with the same materials as the top brands. Just be sure that you read up on the materials used and how it is made. The big companies know they are popular and will charge you more for their name so be careful. With a little knowledge you will most likely find a quality cookware set for about 30 to 50 percent cheaper than the big guys without compromising on quality.