Why Quality Is So Important When Choosing Cookware Sets
Given the current economic climate, many South Africans now find it necessary to keep an eye open for ways in which to save a few rands. While some shoppers might be hoping for bargain basement prices when in the market for cookware sets, in this instance, it’s quite likely that paying the minimum for your pots and pans could prove to be a false economy. As the saying goes: “All that glitters is not gold”. In practice, this means that unless you also pay attention to its quality as well as to its price, that bright and shiny new casserole dish on the shelf of your favourite department store might well lose most of its lustre after just a few sessions in a hot oven and the dishwasher.
So, before you start reaching for your debit card, it might be a good idea to pick it up and have a closer look. Weight is not a prerequisite for quality cookware sets, so you don’t need to choose something very heavy. This doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be tough though – if chosen with care, it could last a lifetime. Cheap pans are not going to cut it. Only the best materials will give life-long service. It’s important that both the sides and the bottom should be reasonably thick. This is absolutely essential to ensure that the heat will be distributed evenly, in order to prevent the contents from being burned. A good test would be to give it a tap with your knuckle and check the response. It’s a dull thud that you will need to hear, not a musical ping.
In practice, ease of cleaning is as important as durability, and the two should actually go hand-in-hand if you buy good-quality cookware sets. Both cast iron and stainless steel work well, but the former will need to have an enamel coating to make it resistant to the effect of acidic foods, to prevent rust, and to allow it to be cleaned without scouring. While you’re at it, if you also want your pots and pans to look good on your kitchen shelves, a colourful outer coating of enamel over the cast iron body will serve to add that desired touch of flair.
The handles and knobs are just as important as the various items in your chosen cookware set to which they are attached. After all, you won’t want to be reaching for a star screwdriver to tighten them every couple of weeks. For safe handling and convenience, these should, preferably, be riveted in position.
Finally, you need to consider what kind of stove you use. Some products are made for use with gas, while others are intended for electric cookers, and an alternative product may be necessary for use with induction stoves. This may sound like many decisions to make, but you could make deciding a lot simpler by choosing to shop at one of South Africa’s Snappy Chef outlets.
Quality, of course, is guaranteed, and with three comprehensive ranges in stainless steel as well as a colourful lightweight cast iron range, there are cookware sets to suit all tastes and budgets, and they all work with gas, electric stoves, and induction stoves.