Some people are afraid to use stainless steel cookware, afraid that the lack of Teflon coating will make food cooked in them stick. I bought my first stainless steel pan set from HSN shopping network, and decided to try them out for myself. These pans are a dream, and clean up beautifully. My experience with these beautiful pans has been nothing but positive, and I've put them through their paces. The 20-piece aluminum pan set I bought is by Wolfgang Puck, a well-known chef, who definitely knows good pans when he sees them. Here are some of the highlights of this lovely set.
My set included a 1-quart saucepan, a 2-quart saucepan, an omelet pan, an 8-quart stock pot, a sautepan, and a large wok. All are heavy, and very well-constructed. Also included were glass lids for all pots and pans, as well as some lovely stainless cooking utensils such as spoons, turners, a fork, tongs, a skimmer and even an adjustable measuring spoon. The elegant mirror finish on all pieces makes all of them worth displaying. My kitchen looks much classier with these pans in use.
Most importantly, these pans cook evenly and quickly. I have gas burners, and use the pans on medium heat for best results. I followed the included instructions, which tell the user to first preheat the pan, then add the oil or butter to the hot pan. Then, add whatever you are cooking. It worked like a charm, and nothing has stuck. To clean the pans, while they are still hot, I pour water in them and then take a cloth, to wipe out any leftover mess, or run the hot pan under the faucet, to remove the food. It works wonderfully, and quickly.
Before buying this set, I was a slave to the cheap Teflon-coated pans. But, the coating didn't cook as evenly as I'd liked, and scratched. Plus, there are studies out nowadays about these kinds of coated pans allegedly being bad for health due to chemicals given off while cooking. I have one iron pan that is nice but a whole set of them is way too expensive for my middle-class budget. This set of cookware was reasonably priced and, watching them being used on HSN, I could tell that they were of high quality. In person, they are even more impressive, along with the cooking utensils, which are also heavy and well-made. I'm giving away my cheap, plastic spatulas, spoons and fork to someone else now that this set happily meets all my cooking needs. They show no wear at all with multiple uses, and the food cooked in them didn't burn or singe at all. I couldn't say that with the old coated pans.
If you want a quality set of cookware, Wolfgang Puck's line of stainless steel pots, pans and utensils won't steer you wrong. They are worth every penny paid, and more. A professional cook wouldn't put his name and reputation at stake by endorsing lousy pans. Try them and see how easy they are to use and clean. You won't be disappointed.
