Cookware has effects on your daily cooking. It can cook food fast and change food’s taste. Even it can make you healthy or unhealthy. Here the question comes in which cookware is best for cooking?
All cookware is good but some may cause serious damage to your health. For example, non-stick pans can cause cancer if you use them at high temperatures. Teflon covers non-stick cookware and it breaks down at high temperatures. Therefore, Teflon mixes with food. As a result, it causes serious health issues like shortness of breath.
In this article on cast iron vs. stainless steel cookware, I will discuss their health effects, cleaning difficulties, and heating capability. After reading this article, you will have a complete idea of cast iron and stainless steel cookware. So, let’s find out which one is better: cast iron or stainless steel?
Cast Iron vs. Stainless Steel Cookware
Currently, several materials made cookware is available on the market. Each of them comes with its own set of merits and demerits. Similarly, cast iron and stainless steel have their pros and cons. Based on several factors, let’s find out which one will be better for you.
Effects on Health
Non-stick pots and pans can cause cancer! Yes, you are reading right. That’s why you should know the health risks of the cookware you are using.
Unlike non-stick pans, cast iron is free from dangerous chemicals. However, it leaches iron into food. Iron is not as harmful as chemicals found in non-stick cookware. But excessive iron can cause cancer.
Thankfully, cast iron doesn’t leach excessive iron into food. Cast iron cookware’s iron leach amount is minimum, and it is helpful for people who have iron deficiency.
Cast iron griddle or skillets are safe. If you have iron deficiency, cast iron cookware is an ideal option for you. On the other hand, if you have problems with iron, avoid using this cookware.
Regarding stainless steel cookware, it is also free from dangerous chemicals. It doesn’t have any health risks. But this cookware has nickel and chromium. If you have issues with nickel, find an alternative. Nickel and chromium added from stainless steel in tomato sauce change its taste.
Cast iron and stainless steel cookware both are safe. But if you have issues with iron and nickel, use alternative options.
The Differences When Cleaning
When it comes to cleaning, cast iron skillet or griddle, and stainless steel cookware will give you pain in some conditions.
Cast iron cookware is not something that you can throw in the dishwasher after cooking. You have to clean it with your hand. It is not like other pots and pans. So, cleaning this cookware is a bit painful.
On the other hand, you can clean stainless steel cookware through a dishwasher. Moreover, you can clean it with your hands. However, it will give you pain if it gets burned.
So, stainless steel cookware is easy to clean compared to cast iron.
Which Change Food’s Taste
Can cookware change food taste? Yes, for some foods.
Cast iron cookware can change food’s taste! But how?
If you cook acidic food for a while, it will break down the seasoning of cast iron cookware. It means if you cook tomato or wine sauce in cast iron cookware, you will experience changes in taste. The same will happen if you cook in improperly seasoned cast iron.
On the other hand, stainless steel doesn’t change food’s taste. You will get the real taste of food.
Heating Capability and Retention
Cookware that heats up quickly and holds temperature for a long time is the ideal one. So which one is the best regarding heating capacity and retention: cast iron or stainless steel?
Cast iron heats up slowly. In contrast, stainless steel heats up quickly. But when it comes to heat retention, cast iron retains heat longer than stainless steel. Many experts carried out experiments on heat retention and conductivity between cast iron and stainless steel cookware found that cast iron retains heat longer than stainless steel.
But this cookware doesn’t heat evenly. On the other hand, stainless steel cookware heats evenly.
So, both material has advantages for particular environments. If the cooking temperature is crucial for you, use stainless steel cookware. Sometimes you need to stop the burner and keep food warm; in this case, use cast iron cookware.
Final Words
Cast iron and stainless steel cookware are best for particular needs. Cast iron heats slowly, and stainless steel heats quickly. Cast iron holds heat longer than stainless steel. Stainless steel is easy to clean. Moreover, both of the materials are healthy.
In conclusion, cast iron and stainless steel cookware are best for particular situations. It is better to have both cookware in your kitchen.