Stainless steel cookware can be an affordable choice for cookware. It is very durable. If it is cleaned correctly and never over-heated, the surface will perform well. A good set is expensive, but it will last a long time.
Stainless steel. Durable, but poor heat dispersion. Wikipedia
Besides durability, stainless steel is not a reactive metal. It will not blend with certain foods and give them a taste. Copper, aluminum, and even cast iron can be a bad mix for certain types of food. The taste may only be slight, but this is still not acceptable for a chef.
The drawback to stainless steel cookware is that stainless steel generally does not conduct heat well. If you get a scour spot from improper cleaning or if you let one spot overheat, that spot will collect more heat than the rest of the pan and burn every time you cook. To combat this problem, stainless steel is sandwiched in layers with aluminum or copper so that these materials can conduct the heat so that you can retain the durability of stainless steel.
The best stainless steel cookware will have this sandwiched layer all the way up to the rim of the cookware. Anything less can allow burning to occur around the edges. Often this burning edge can be a few inches wide making it unacceptable for the chef.
Some of the best brands of stainless steel cookware are –
- All-Clad
- Calphalon
- Ruffoni
- Cuisinart
All-Clad is the industry leader in stainless steel cookware. Their prices are higher, but the quality is superb. I would suggest buying one of their stainless steel pans for starters. Buy one and you’ll be hooked on their quality.