The kitchen can be a haven for microorganisms, which is why it’s important to maintain cleanliness and hygiene at all times. This also includes the tools you use to cook and prepare foods! Stainless steel is safe and durable in many conditions, including high-volume food service environments. It is not reactive to acidic foods and prevents cross-contamination – two very valuable qualities in the food processing industry.
Uncoated Cast Iron
Stainless steel cooking utensils is a heavy-duty material that can withstand high temperatures and retain heat longer than other metals. It’s ideal for frying and searing and it can also be used to create delicious stews and braised dishes. However, it’s important to understand how much this type of cookware can scratch and damage when handling and storing it.
Because of this, it’s best to store uncoated cast iron in a separate cupboard or drawer, and to use dishtowels between pans to prevent them from damaging each other. It’s also a good idea to wipe the cooking surface with a small amount of oil after each use. This will help protect the surface and will keep it looking shiny and new. Using an unsaturated vegetable oil will help the cast iron to stay healthy because it will polymerize and harden into that sought-after layer of seasoning more readily than animal fats like lard or shortening.
Another benefit of enamel cast iron is that it does not need to be seasoned, although bare cast iron does. This process involves coating the pan with a layer of fat and heating it until the oil sticks. This can be a bit messy, but it does help to avoid adding excess iron into the food being prepared. Bare cast iron is also known to impart a slight metallic flavor into the food, which may be problematic for people who are anemic or have other medical issues that require them to limit their iron intake.
Enhanced Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a great choice for cookware, as it is durable and easy to clean. It is also safe to use in the dishwasher and oven, although it may need presoaking before placing it into the dish machine (use Noble Chemical’s Silva Soak Presoak powder for best results). When handled correctly, stainless steel is long-lasting. It can also resist rust and pitting, as long as the proper care and cooking practices are followed.
For example, stainless steel does not react with acidic foods and will not impart a metallic taste to the food. This allows you to cook a variety of recipes with ease and enjoy the full flavors of your ingredients. It also won’t leach harmful chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) into your food, which have been linked to various health issues.
Additionally, stainless steel does not retain water and is less likely to harbor germs, making it a more hygienic alternative to non-stick cookware. Just be sure to rinse it after each use and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth or sponge to prevent streaks. If stains or stubborn dirt build-up persist, use a mild abrasive cleaner such as baking soda paste, *Barkeeper’s Friend, or *Bon Ami, always wiping with the grain. For a sparkling finish, apply a stainless steel polishing product like *Stainless Steel Magic Spray.
Glass
Like all glass cookware, it can crack or shatter if it is exposed to sudden changes in temperature. However, tempered glass cookware is less likely to break than untempered glass.
Another concern about glass is that it can leach chemicals into food. However, the levels of these chemicals are low and considered safe. The best way to prevent this is by ensuring that kitchen utensils are properly cleaned and sanitized after each use. It’s also essential to separate raw and cooked food when preparing meals. This practice is known as “the four Cs” of food hygiene, and it can significantly reduce the risk of bacterial contamination in the kitchen.
Stainless steel is an excellent material for all items that come into direct contact with food, including sinks, pots and pans, crockery, and cutlery. Its durable and easy-to-clean surface is resistant to scratches, dents, chips, and acid, as well as being antibacterial and nonporous. SILGRANIT is BLANCO’s revolutionary counter and sink surface that’s not only hard-wearing but also antibacterial, nonporous, and easy to clean. It’s available in a range of stunning finishes and can help to achieve high standards of kitchen hygiene and cleanliness.
Perfect hygiene in the kitchen also depends on thorough cleaning and sanitization of all appliances, refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, and other equipment. Greasy surfaces encourage bacteria to grow, so a regular wipe down with a multi-purpose cleaner and degreaser is important. It’s also vital to ensure that all staff members regularly wash and sanitize their hands after handling raw food, before and after cooking, and when moving between different areas of the kitchen. Mobile handwash and sanitizer stations should be placed throughout the kitchen to encourage regular use.
Ceramic
Ceramic cookware is non-stick, oven safe, and dishwasher safe. It also heats quickly and evenly, and is easy to clean. It can be scratched easily, though, so it’s important to use wooden utensils or a silicone sponge.
It’s also important to avoid cheaper ceramic that’s glazed with lead and cadmium. These heavy metals can contaminate your food and cause health problems. The buy thermosteel 3 container lunch box are made from alumina, which is naturally non-stick and safe for cooking.
Unlike Teflon, stainless steel pots and pans are non-stick without the toxic chemicals. This type of cookware is usually made from a mix of metals, including iron, carbon, chromium, manganese, silicon, nickel, titanium, and molybdenum. The alloy is stable and safe to use, but it can rust or corrosion over time.
The most common cause of damage to ceramic is scratches from metal utensils, abrasive scrubbers, and excessive heating. The scratches can allow tiny metal particles to leach into the food you’re preparing. These metals can also cause harm to your gastrointestinal tract and immune system. Ceramic is also a popular option because it’s made with non-toxic materials and can be recycled when you’re finished with it. To avoid damaging it, it’s important to avoid scratching the surface and to only cook with low or medium temperatures. You should also choose a ceramic with a glaze that’s free of cadmium and lead, as these are toxic.
