BakeSpace Groups & Tasty Conversations

[TessR]

We're switching our pans from non stick coated and are considering the porcelain coated cast iron Le Crueset. Only before we make the investment we want to make sure there's not a "porcelain is going to give you cancer" scare" that we don't know about.

Is stainless better?

Does anyone have negative experiences with either?

Can everything give me cancer these days?

Also if anyone knows the best place to buy glass storage dishes since plastic is going to kill me that would be great.

Thanks,

Tess

[coldhitz]

Hello , TessR. I've used allot of different pots in my home kitchen. All stainless , stainless with copper center , alluminum/ stainless , all of those layered in various combos , and Corning ware. Non-stick , I find just won't stand up to the rigorous demands of a restaurant kitchen. There are benefits to each type , such as heat patch control , more durability and of course price. It depends on your use of these pots , and what you are looking for. All-stainless is , in my opinion , the best choice for all around heat distribution and durablity , as well as ease of cleaning. La Crueset is a brand I have seen at Williams Sanoma , but have no personal experience with. Good luck.
www.bakespace.com/?coldhitz
www.coldhitz.blogspot.com

[Qui]

Most of my pots and pans are stainless, with various cores....
I have 1 La Crueset ...I use it for soups and stews only....

You cannot use a mixer in them...so whipped potatoes will require a different pan, or transfer to a bowl....the stick blender works well, tho...remember that you would be trading a teflon coating for ceramic or glass...which can chip. If you put them in the fridge overnight, food can pick up a slight iron taste. (according to a friend)

Boiling water for tea, or heating frozen veggies can be done in a light stainless pot...other things require heavier gauges of stainless.

You might look into a set of stainless, along with other, different ones...ceramic coating, lighter weight....etc....to do all the jobs you need to do while cooking.

Also keep in mind that you will need some that double in the oven...check the handles and lids.

I also don't like the glass lids with metal rims that come on so many sets...if food boils up and gets under that rim, you can't clean it.

You might want to visit a restaurant supply store and ask lots of questions. That's what I did.

Hope this helps...Pat
_________________
... Pat ...
http://www.bakespace.com/?qui

Whatever you are...Be a good one.

[Herr Hexenmeister]

I'm wanting to go stainless steel, myself. Except for an omelet pan, I want a good non-stick pan for my eggs.
_________________

[ddpie]

I think you'll get a different answer from every person that answers your post, everyone has their own preferences and reasons. I also think that Pat did a good job answering, it's best to have a variety of pans because some types just work better for certain things.

For my basic set, I have a heavy guage stainless steel with thick flat bottoms, the heat distributes more evenly. But I also have a few stainless steel heavy bottomed saute pans and an omelete pan that are non-stick. Most of my skillets have stainless steel handles, or heavy plastic than can go into the oven up to 375F, which I highly recommend.

As for the whole cancer thing, I'm sure someone will disagree, but....geeze, everything causes cancer these days (trust me, I'm a cancer patient, I've heard them all) I wouldn't make that a priority in your decision. What's more important are the healthy foods you'll be whipping up in them
_________________
~ddpie~

http://bakespace.com/?ddpie

[coldhitz]

Hello , everyone. DDpie has brought up an excellent point. The food you put into your body can heal any cellular damage the incidental contact with your enviorment may cause. To be overwhelmed by the thought of a terminal illness is completely natural. To be consumed by the thought of everything making us sick is a sign that it may be time to turn off the news casts for a while. I wanted to adress this because so many of the stories on the nightly news are pessimistic in tone and have turned towards a preditory sensationalism to replace factual presentation. While this country has become consumed with convenience , we have persued instant gratification at the price of our health. If you are going to start living a healthier lifestyle , eventually , you will have to allow that positive attitude into your total pshyche. I know this to be true because at one point in my life , I ate fast food and all the junk that goes with it. My own health scare made me completly give up all processed food , especially corn syrup and fried foods , and has made me realize the importance of living life to the fullest. To be a top performer , I must have top physical , mental , and spiritual health. This is probably the one subject I am most passionate about , other than pizza pie , and try not to preach this to much. My family and friends think I'm the food and fitness police , but I don't want to see anyone I love in the grips of diabetes , or worse , because they were careless with their body. We only get one. Thanks for your time Bakers and Cakers.

Larry
www.bakespace.com/?coldhitz
www.coldhitz.blogspot.com