Naturally, people have grown fond of modern day conveniences. Whether it is a remote control, or kitchen blender, we all enjoy the products which make our lives simpler. Cooking in the kitchen has also been simplified with cookware, which is often easy to clean because of a non-stick cooking surface. However, many people fail to realize that cooking on a non-stick surface can actually be harmful to your health.
Teflon, which is a non-stick cookware surface produced by DuPont, is the most commonly recognized cookware surface. A primary component of Teflon is polytetrafluoroethylene, which is also known as PTFE. Polytetrafluoroethylene also contains perfluorooctanoic acid, which is known as PFOA and classified as a persistent organic pollutant and has been restricted globally by the Stockholm Convention. Perfluorooctanoic acid is a chemical compound which can accumulate in the food supply chain and cause significant health risks to humans. In fact, ninety eight percent of the population is estimated to have trace amounts of PFOA in their blood. Excessive levels of PFOA may lead to chronic kidney disease in humans.
The problem with Teflon coated cookware is that PTFE begins breaking down at approximately five hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Meat, which is often fried at temperatures near four hundred and fifty degrees Fahrenheit, poses the highest risk of PTFE contamination during the cooking process. The only way to avoid the potential for PTFE contamination is to avoid Teflon coated cookware entirely by switching to stainless steel cookware.
By definition, stainless steel must contain a minimum of eleven percent chromium. Unlike ordinary steel, stainless steel will not corrode or stain when exposed to ordinary water. And unlike other pots and pans, stainless steel cookware will not release harmful chemicals into the food which you are cooking. This is one of the many reasons why top chefs around the world choose to use quality stainless steel cookware to prepare meals for those dining in their restaurants.
Although many of the leading chefs around the world use famous stainless steel cookware brands such as All-Clad and BonJour, these sets are not commonly used in homes. The best stainless steel cookware sets for home use are generally produced by Cuisinart, Farberware and other companies which manufacture affordable stainless steel cookware for use in residential kitchens.
Obviously, the higher quality stainless steel cookware sets do have their advantages, such as the use of thicker gauge steel and better fastening mechanisms for the pot and pan handles. However, every stainless steel cookware set does offer advantageous health benefits compared to non-stick cookware. As noted previously, stainless steel cookware will not rust and is extremely healthy to cook on.
Because so many products we now use are produced in another country, it is especially important that all consumers limit their exposure to harmful chemicals. While EPA standards and consumer protection laws in the United States may be superior to other nations, many products manufactured overseas simply are not subjected to the same scrutiny as those products produced domestically. The same applies for stainless steel cookware and other products we use in our kitchens each and every day.
The best stainless steel cookware set for you is dependent not only on your budget, but the number of pots and pans which you require to cook for those in your household. Ideally speaking, a ten piece stainless steel cookware set will offer enough options to prepare most stovetop meals. If you have a large family, or simply want improved meal preparation flexibility, then you may want to consider getting a twelve piece set. Regardless of which stainless steel cookware set you ultimately decide to purchase, you can be confident in knowing that you are making a wise decision to cook on a surface which is healthy and safe for everyone in your home.
Author Resource:-
This author frequently prepares meals with stainless steel cookware. Being a mother and wife, it is important for her to cook healthy meals for her entire family.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.articledirectory.name/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
