If your pots and pans have seen better days, it may be time to hit the store. While shopping for new cookware is something that doesn’t evoke a great deal of excitement in most people, you’d be surprised at the difference a high-grade pan can make to your cooking. Read on to find out what you should be looking for when deciding to replace your cookware and why it helps to invest in high-quality pieces:
Quality
When it comes to cookware, what you pay for is what you get. While it’s quick and easy to pick up a cheap $10 frying pan from the supermarket, chances are it won’t last more than a few months, and you’ll soon have to purchase a replacement. However, when you invest in high-quality cookware, you can expect to use it for the long haul. Additionally, a good set of pots and pans will do wonders to improve the quality of your cooking – you’ll be less likely to scorch your food and can achieve beautiful, tender textures on proteins and vegetables due to even heat distribution.
Non-Stick No-Nos
If you’ve been cooking on the same non-stick pan for years, chances are you’ll need to consider purchasing a replacement soon. Over time, the coating on non-stick cookware starts to wear down and chip away. If this is the case, you may find yourself wondering if the black flecks on your food are pepper or pan coating – yuck! If the surface of your non-stick pan is scratched, pitted, or peeling, it’s time to ditch it in favor of a new one. In the future, keep your pots in good condition for as long as possible by only using wooden utensils while cooking and avoiding steel wool to clean their surface, as this may result in scratching.
Taste
If you find yourself getting frustrated in the kitchen because you can’t seem to get your steak perfectly seared no matter what you try, don’t give up hope: it may be your cookware, not your culinary abilities. Cooking on premium pots and pans makes an immediate difference to your food quality, primarily because they’re constructed out of high-quality materials that allow for superior heat distribution. Inexpensive cookware is renowned for cooking unevenly, leading to partially under or overdone dishes.
Safety
Another issue with old cookware is that it can often become warped or twisted out of shape without you even realizing it. Since pans with uneven surfaces can’t make full contact with a heat source, it’s more likely you’ll experience hot spots while cooking and risk burning your food. To determine if your pan has warped, place it on a flat surface. If it rocks, it’s time to look for a replacement. Additionally, keep an eye on the handles of your cookware. Over time, they may loosen, which is extremely dangerous if you’re handling hot foods and liquids.
Aesthetic
If your pots and pans are so rusty and beaten up that you’re ashamed of letting your guests see them, that’s as good as any reason to consider replacing them! Today, hundreds of high-quality cookware sets come in a wide range of colors, finishes, and styles. If you’re looking for a practical and worthwhile way to treat yourself, purchasing a new cookware set may be just what you’re looking for.
Upgrading your cookware will improve your cooking quality and give you peace of mind, knowing that you can rely on your new items for years to come. Now, go forth and shop!
