Best Stainless Steel Cookware (360 Cookware Review)
Stainless steel is an excellent material for cooking and baking. In this article, we’ll explore how to use this type of cookware in your kitchen and what is the best brand of stainless steel cookware for health and value. I also share my thoughts on the 360 Cookware and why it’s an excellent choice.
Modern stainless steel pots and pans can be an excellent choice for both cooking and baking. Most stainless steel cookware is made with an aluminum core to help conduct the heat.
The level of thickness of the polished stainless steel surrounding the core helps determine how well the cookware conducts heat and is also a major determinant of what makes the best stainless steel cookware sets.
Is Stainless Steel Cookware Healthy?
One of the major benefits of using stainless steel cookware and bakeware is that it is very safe for almost all types of cooking. Both home cooks and professional chefs prefer stainless steel.
Quality stainless steel will not corrode or become weakened by the acidity of foods. Stainless steel is also less likely than aluminum to leach metals from the cookware surface into your food, even after being exposed to high temperatures and high heat over a long time.
If you want to read more on this topic, don’t miss my article on how to pick the safest cookware.
Which Brand to Choose?
When it comes to picking a brand of classic stainless steel cookware or bakeware, you should consider 360 Cookware. This quality brand is made in the United States and comes with a lifetime warranty.
I consider this brand to be one of the best stainless steel cookware sets on the market.
360 Cookware is recognized for its value considering the high quality you get with the cookware and bakeware.
The thickness or gauge of stainless steel is among the highest of any brands on the market. This metric is one of the most important aspects when it comes to choosing a brand of stainless steel cookware or bakeware for your healthy kitchen.
Not only that, but 360 Cookware is recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency as a Green Power Partner due to its using wind energy and releasing no harmful chemicals into the environment.
Stainless Steel Cooking Tips
Stainless steel is an excellent choice for cooking everything from eggs to vegetables to stews and other everyday items.
Here are some tips for getting started with using stainless steel in your kitchen.
1. Use the right size burner
The size of the burner should be about the size as the bottom of your stainless steel pan or skillet. This will help increase efficiency in heat distribution and reduce the chances of burning or hot spots.
2. Preheat your pan before adding food
Heat your stainless steel pot or pan over medium-low heat.
Test the pan by adding a few drops of water to the surface. If the water balls up and rolls around, then that means that pan is ready for cooking.
3. Use a lid with your stainless steel cookware to help trap moisture from the food
The natural moisture in foods will facilitate the cooking process without having to add a lot of oils or fat.
4. If you do want to sear or add a crust to your foods, use a little bit of oil
Preheat the pan and then add your oil. Swirl the oil around on the bottom of the pan and then add your food.
5. Deglaze your pan after your food is done cooking
The browned bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pan can add a ton of flavor to your dish. Use red wine, vinegar, or broth for deglazing to make a sauce.
Baking Tips
Baking with stainless steel is a great choice! 360 Bakeware is made with several layers of stainless steel to help ensure that the heat gets evenly distributed across the pan.
Even heat distribution is key to making sure your cookies, breads, or pies get cooked evenly.
360 Cookware has a 5-piece bakeware set that includes everything you need for your kitchen. Each piece is safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and comes with a lifetime warranty.
If you’re wondering whether or not your baked items will stick to stainless steel bakeware, it really depends on the item. I cooked a batch of Gingersnap Cookies and did not grease the baking sheet. I am pleased to report that the cookies did not stick at all!
For baked items like cakes and breads, you may need to grease the pan to help prevent sticking. Unlike the nonstick pan you may be used to using, stainless steel does not have a nonstick coating. So, it can take a little adjustment to cooking with this type of material.
FAQs About 360 Cookware
Most stainless steel cookware and bakeware can be cleaned with just regular dish soap and warm water. For instances when food may have gotten stuck on the pots and pans, you use a paste made with baking soda and water that can help remove the food.
Yes; 360 Cookware is safe to put in the dishwasher. Not all stainless steel pans are dishwasher safe, though, so be sure to read the instructions on the brand that you buy.
If you are new to using stainless steel, there can be a slight learning curve. You’ll likely need to experiment to perfect the art of using this type of cookware.
But, there is a reason why most chefs prefer stainless steel, and you will certainly enjoy it once you get used to it. Start by using a lower amount of heat than you would normally use. Know that you may need to use some oil to prevent sticking, especially if you normally cook with a nonstick pan.
Also, unless you are using high quality stainless steel, then you may need to be careful about metals leaching into your food. The amount of metals that leach from stainless steel cookware can depend on the grade of stainless steel used, the types of foods that are cooked, and how long the foods are cooked.
Once you adjust to using your stainless steel set, I think you will be very happy.
Comparing the thickness or gauge of the stainless steel is what you want to look for. As an example, 360 Cookware has a gauge of .11″, where the next leading brand has a gauge of only .09″.
Other ways of comparing include examining the types of lids. Are there glass lids or stainless steel lids? Do you need a frying pan or a saucepan? And, what types of handles does the set you are looking at include? Stainless steel handles are standard, but you might want to buy a cover to protect your hands from getting burned.
I am thrilled to offer a discount code on 360 Cookware stainless steel sets for readers of Clean Eating Kitchen. Save 25% off all 360 Cookware products using code CLEAN25 at checkout.
With the discount on a 360 Stainless Steel Set, I think you’ll find that it is an affordable price for what you get.
Conclusions
When it comes to selecting stainless steel cookware or bakeware that is versatile, non-toxic, budget-conscious, and easy to clean, then you should consider stainless steel. Compared with other brands, 360 Cookware is recommended because of the thickness of its layers compared with other top brands on the market.
About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with nearly 10 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.
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Carrie – I am so close to placing a large order with 360 Cookware / Americraft. I too did more research in comparing a few brands. Anyways, more to come on my experience with stainless steel cookware. Thank you for your posting, and time devoted to “cookware ” –
You are going to love it, thanks Sharon! It takes some adjusting to get used to it, but it’s pretty amazing and a top pick. Enjoy!
how do you compare your product with SaladMaster stainless Steel cook ware?
I am not familiar with that one. I looked on their website but it doesn’t look like they made the gauge of the stainless steel available.
I am loving my 360 pans. I bought two a few weeks ago after reading a lot, as well as this post.
I am amazed by the taste of the vegetables I’ve cooked using the vapor seal technique. I’m a health coach so sealing in nutrition is really important to me. Thanks for doing this post.
That is so awesome, Madeline!!! I agree, the pans are fantastic and an investment you’ll enjoy for years and years. Thanks for letting me know. 🙂