Stainless steel vs Cast iron cookware, which is better?

We will find many cookware promise you lasting durability and impeccable performance, but can you trust all of cookware and buy them without mulling over? Among many cookware doubts, the one that plagues almost all is which cookware material is better? Which cast iron cookware should I buy? Let's talk about stainless steel and cast iron cookware here to clear out confusions, helping you buy the best cookware for your kitchen.

Materials

Cast iron cookware has a long history, mading of smelting iron ore with at least 2-4% carbon content. Basically, molten cast iron is poured into a mold where it cools and hardens into its desired tawa, skillet or frying pan shape. Once extracted, the cast iron is blasted, polished, rinsed, and oftentimes seasoned or coated with enamel. Cast iron is hard and non-malleable, and has traces of carbon, manganese, silicon, Sulphur as well as phosphorus.

Steel is also an iron alloy, however, it has less than 2% carbon. At least 10.5% chromium is added to a regular steel to produce stainless steel that has the ability to withstand corrosion and rust.

The Differences When Cooking

Cast iron cookware are the best for select cooking, it’s well-loved for the flavor it adds to food. The more times you use, a well seasoned cast iron develops a glossy patina that produces a fairly non-stick surface. Possibly one of the greatest cast iron cookware health benefits is that it adds iron to your food, can help increase your iron content by as much as 20 times! Once the cast iron cookware is properly heated, it retains its heat very well. For this reason, cast iron is ideal for slow, low cooking, such as roasting, baking, and dishes that need to move from stovetop to oven.

Cooking with stainless steel, is a relative breeze. Stainless steel pans heat quickly, distribute heat evenly, and can be used to cook any ingredient in your pantry. However, its thermal insulation is extremely poor, and the rapid heating and cooling characteristics cause the stainless steel pot to consume more energy, and it will stick to the pot, which will be annoying to clean up.

Performance

At an inexpensive price, the good cast iron cookware can last you decades with proper maintenance, and now many cookware brand suppliers come with a lifetime warranty, meaning you’ll receive new cookware if the old one cracks. About stainless steel pan, although it is also relatively durable, is much pricier.

The Differences When Cleaning

Although cast iron doesn’t technically need to be cleaned with soap and water, it does require a bit more maintenance. After each use, cast iron cookware should be cleaned and oiled. Cast iron can rust easily, so it needs to be dried in time after use until all moisture has evaporated. Once dry, pour in about half a teaspoon of oil and use a paper towel to spread the oil over the entire surface until fully absorbed.

Maintaining stainless steel is much easier, hand-washing stainless steel is relatively easy, simply use some warm soapy water and a soft sponge.