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Archive for April, 2008

Is Your Cookware Dishwasher Safe

Thursday, April 17th, 2008 by The Cooking Guy

For many people, having cookware that is dishwasher safe is getting important. While brand name, quality and size of cookware are still important, being dishwasher safe means that cookware has a lesser hassle of maintaining it.

While some can assume that in 21st century America, all cookware is dishwasher safe; that is simply not true. Just like many dinnerware sets are dishwasher safe, others that are hand painted, made of more delicate materials or have silver and gold rims are not dishwasher safe cookware. They always however do have a mark on the back of the plate or platter which recommends whether you should toss them in the dishwasher or wash them with mild soap by hand.
Even hand washing has its requirements because scrubbing roughly with a scourer to get off baked lasagna or using a very harsh chemical-based detergent can harm your plates and other pieces of tableware.

Dishwasher Racks
One thing to note is that even if certain pieces do qualify as dishwasher safe cookware, you have to make sure if they are only top-rack safe or they can be put anywhere in the dishwasher. This is crucial because the top rack is generally much safer and has a more delicate rinsing and scrubbing cycle so if your cookware is dishwasher safe, make sure which rack it should go in to. This has become even more important since new models of dishwashers have three racks now with pots and pans typically going in the bottom most rack, plates and cutlery in the middle rack and glasses and delicates in the top most one.

When you do place your cookware or other kitchen items in a dishwasher, make sure that the non-stick coating part f the pots and pans do not get scraped by the prongs of the dishwasher; those dividers which separate plates and serve as a base to hold the dinner ware securely. If it does touch the non-stick film, it may start peeling and getting chipped. Not only will this ruin the look and luster of your cookware, it will have repercussions in the short and long term.
In the short term, your food will start sticking to the bottom and get burnt; and it will be harder to clean. In the long run, the non-stick layer could start chipping of and getting mixed in your food which in a way means you are eating a form of plastic along with the spaghetti and meatballs!

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What To Look For When Buying Discount Cookware

Monday, April 7th, 2008 by The Cooking Guy

Buying cookware at a discount may seem like a good deal especially if you spend a lot on cookware to cook for your family or for entertaining your guests often. However, discount cookware like anything else should be examined properly before purchase.

Turbo Cooker Deluxe

Non Stick Film
This is because if the quality is bad, the discount cookware you buy will end up costing you more as you will need to spend more money, time and effort to go out and buy new cookware after this one warps, breaks, rusts or gets damaged in some other way.

Another way in which discount cookware can be a nightmare is if the non-stick of the pan starts to peel. While results are inconclusive, many studies have shown that f the non-stick film on the bottom of pans starts to chip and peel, it can cause the food to be contaminated sometimes even to the extent of becoming a cause of cancer and therefore should be disposed off immediately.

However, not all discount cookware is all bad. The best way to get a good deal on pots and pans is to buy expensive stuff when it goes on sale or is in the clearance aisle. This way when you know you have a great brand like Calphalon or Cuisinart in your hands at a fraction of the cost, then you know you have scored a good deal.

Another thing that you do not want to do with your cookware is to use metallic spoons to cook or serve with as that is the number one cause of the non stick fill mile Teflon to start scratching and peeling.

Coupons and Deals
If you want to get cookware for a discount, then use coupons which come in the Sunday paper for stores like Bed Bath and Beyond and Linens N Things or comparison shop online. You wouldn’t want to save a few dollars now and put your loved one’s health at risk nor risk the fact that your food gets burnt if the base is not heavy enough or your fingers get burned if the handles are made of metal etc.

Therefore always look for a reputed name and then buy it when it is on sale. That way you will know that while you saved some money, you did not do it at the risk of your family’s health in the long run.