We often hear that stainless steel pots and pans stick to food when cooking. Therefore, many people still prefer to use non-stick cookware.
However, in addition to deteriorating over time, some poor-quality non-stick coatings can disintegrate and contaminate food, which is harmful to our health.
We don’t have this problem with stainless steel. And contrary to what most people think, it is possible to prevent food from sticking to stainless steel. All you need to do is have the right cooking techniques.
1. TRY THE WATER DROP TEST
The water drop test is very effective: it allows you to test the temperature of a stainless-steel pan in order to cook all kinds of food without sticking. Stainless steel can be used to cook all kinds of food without exception, including meat, fish and even eggs!
To prevent food from sticking to stainless steel, simply pour a few drops of water into a stainless-steel pan over high heat. If the drops crackle and slide onto the pan, it means it is the right temperature. You can then reduce the heat slightly and pour your food in the pan. But if the drops dissolve, then it means the pan is not hot enough.
To cook meat, adding fat is not even required. In fact, once it starts to caramelize, it will come off without problem. Flavors will have developed, and you will obtain a tasty and delicious dish.
However, for more delicate foods such as eggs or vegetables, the addition of fat (butter or oil) is recommended.
2. TURN TO LOW HEAT
Cooking over low heat prevents food from sticking to stainless steel. Indeed, stainless steel is a material that conducts heat perfectly. It is therefore unnecessary to use the highest temperatures on your stove, since you could burn your food.
Low- heat cooking will prevent food from sticking to your stainless-steel cookware while ensuring an even and full of flavors cooking.
When cooking meat, for example, low heat will allow the heat to spread to its heart, ensuring a perfect cooking without sticking. To do this, you need to perform the water drop test mentioned before. When the pan is hot, you can then place your piece of meat in it and reduce the heat.
The meat will be perfectly seared, but before turning it over you will have to wait for the Maillard reaction to take place for it to caramelize. When it does, it will be possible to cook it on the other side by turning it over easily.
Cooking with stainless steel cookware is easy as pie!
3. USE A NON-STICK COOKWARE
Stainless steel is an ideal material for cooking a wide range of foods. However, it is true that some delicate dishes can be cooked more easily by using cookware with a non-stick coating.
CRISTEL® offers a wide range of stainless-steel cookware with a high-quality, Exceliss®+ non-stick coating on the inside.
You can cook omelets, pancakes, fish, potatoes and many more dishes without anything sticking.
Sauté pans, frying pans, crepe pans… Here, you will find cookware for every taste!