For all chefs, upcoming and experienced, choosing your cookware is part and parcel of the cooking process.
As any cook knows, your choice of kitchenware can determine the enjoyment of food preparation, which is why many experienced culinary artists choose granite over other conventional options.
Granite cookware is versatile, dynamic, and safe and provides quality food to match your cooking skill set. Read this article to learn more about granite cookware, how to take care of it, and its many benefits.
Contents
What Is Granite?
Most people may look at the term ‘granite’ and immediately think of the rock-hard stone we use on our countertops. But in kitchen utensils, granite has a different meaning because there is no actual granite in the cookware.
Granite cookware can be any cooking utensil made from aluminum, stainless steel, or carbon steel with a mineral coating (not stone!). This coating is often porcelain enamel.
Ceramic Cookware vs Granite Cookware: What Are the Differences?
How to Use Granite Cookware
It is compatible with various stove tops: electric, gas, electrical, and induction. Even for a quick oven roast, granite cookware is some of the easiest cookware to use, and it is perfect for those just beginning in the kitchen and cooking experts alike.
How to Care for Your Granite Cooking Utensils
Though your cooking items may be strong and durable, a few extra steps can help them last longer and make your cooking process easy and enjoyable. So, how do you maintain granite cookware?
1. Cooking
Try to go for wooden or silicone spoons and cooking sticks when making your meals. Metal can scratch through the coating and ruin the nonstick surface. It also helps to add a bit of butter or oil to keep the pot well-lubricated against the food you are preparing.
Furthermore, a granite frying pan works better on low to medium heat, preserving the ceramic coating.
2. Cleaning for Pots and Pans
Cleaning granite cooking utensils is easy, whether or not you have a dishwasher. It’s even easy to clean a burned granite pan quickly.
For dishwasher options, simply rinse the pan and place it in the dishwasher rack with the rest of your dishes.
However, if you like to wash over the sink, everyday household supplies like dish soap and baking soda will have your dishes gleaming! If you are curious why baking soda works, mixing baking powder or soda with soap is a soft abrasive to stubborn stains, giving your dishes a shiny finish and making them look brand new!
All you need are a soft cloth/ or sponge, warm soapy water, and extra dishwasher soap/ baking powder/soda.
Follow these simple steps for cleaning:
- Remove any food particles from the pot or pan with some water.
- Soak your hot soapy water for a few minutes
- Add a pinch of baking soda to the inside of the pot
- Gently scrub the pot or pan with your washing cloth or sponge. Do the same to the outside of the pot, including the handles and the lid.
- Rinse with clean, warm water
- Put on a drying rack to dry
3. Storing Your Kitchenware Properly
Next, store your clean granite cookware properly in a cool, dry cupboard away from direct sunlight. Ensure the cupboard is clean and dust-free to prevent dirt from transferring to your utensils.
While it is advised not to stack dishes, add a soft cloth or paper towel between them to keep your granite cookware safe from scratching and clanging.
The Many Benefits of Granite Cookware
Granite Rock Pan: Re-Tested After 1 Year and 100+ Uses!
1. Lightweight
Many brands produce light granite cooking pots and pans, perfect for frying or sautéing dishes.
2. Easy to Clean
Cleaning the cookware only requires a few typical household products to get it spotless. And thanks to their resistant surface, grime and burns are a breeze to remove.
3. Dishwasher Safe Options
Many brands offer a quick and easy solution to cleaning your granite cooking utensils with dishwasher-safe options if you prefer it to over-the-sink washing.
4. Non-Stick Surface
One of the most frustrating parts about cooking utensils is the cleaning process that follows. While many materials, like steel, are prone to sticking, granite dishes have a non-stick coating, allowing you to cook in them and clean them without the added frustration of sticky foods.
5. Compatible With Different Stove Tops
Whether you have an induction, gas, or glass-top stove, granite cooking pans, and pots are compatible.
6. Rust Resistant
Another great advantage is that these kinds of pots do not rust. Steel items tend to rust over time and weaken the utensil, but the mineral coating over granite pans adds a protective layer, increasing their durability.
7. Oven-Compatible Options
Some dishes can handle high temperatures, making them perfect for oven dishes. However, do note that this may vary from brand to brand.
8. Non-Toxic When Heated
Some cooking ware, with exposure to heat, may have a chemical reaction, thus affecting the taste and safety of your food. However, granite cooking pots are carefully manufactured to provide food that is safe for consumption.
Drawbacks
• Can Get Heavy
Some granite dishes can be bulky, particularly those for oven use. Due to their layered nature, some posts can be heavier than preferred.
• Pricey
Granite pots tend to be on the expensive end, whether they are manufactured by a top brand or not. Across the board, the price of granite cooking dishes differs; however, it is one of the more expensive options. However, the price is forgivable because of its performance in the kitchen, its durability, and its versatility.
• Not Ideal For Every Dish
Unfortunately, granite cookware may not be the best option for every dish. Though it is dynamic and versatile, it does have its drawbacks, even when it comes to cooking. For instance, the pans are not ideal for frequent deep-frying.
• Not All Brands Are Oven-Friendly
For grills and roast dishes, not all brands of granite cookware are oven-safe. So for your oven dishes, you may need to look into an alternative. Additionally, this type of crockery is not microwave-compatible.
How to Pick Your Granite Cookware
1. Look for Quality
Quality determines not only the durability of the product but also the quality of your cooking. It is best to go for reputable brands carefully manufactured in a safe and monitored environment to provide top-grade cooking utensils. These brands often come with a certification of testing, and many of them are vitreous enameled—a coating known to prevent toxic fumes when the product is exposed to heat.
2. Check the Price Tag
As much as we may love to go for the top brands, they are not always in our budget.
3. Purchase From a Reputable Seller
To get the best out of your purchase, buying your product from a licensed seller is best. Not only are they able to address your inquiries about the cooking set, but they are also liable for the low-quality
4. Check for Tampering or Damage on the Packaging or the Product
Tampering is another issue to look out for. Unfortunately, during manufacturing or shipping, some cookware experiences jostling, which results in chipping or more serious damage. Additionally, checking the packaging ensures that the product has not been tampered with between shipping and shelving.
5. Assess the Size
Size also matters when buying your cookware, depending on how you prepare your meals. Make sure you check the dimensions of your pots and that they fit your needs.
FAQ
1. How do you maintain granite cookware?
Granite cookware is dishwasher-safe, but you can also hand wash it. Use warm water, soap, and a soft cloth or sponge to remove oil and food residue. For stubborn smudges, you can add baking soda or baking powder to the surface. When storing it, place it on a flat surface away from direct sunlight, and if you need to stack another dish on top, add a paper towel or dish towel.
2. Can granite cookware go in the dishwasher?
Cleaning granite cookware is straightforward, and it can be dishwasher-safe. However, this ultimately comes down to the brand and quality, as compatibility varies from brand to brand. Double-check the packaging or tags before you make your purchase.
3. What is the difference between stainless steel and granite pots?
Though both are made to prevent foods from clinging to the surface, there are a few key differences between the two. For starters, granite pots have an extra enamel coating for the core metal components. Additionally, stainless steel tends to be noisier than its granite counterpart. Stainless steel is also less durable than granite pots.
Conclusion
In summary, granite cookware is some of the most versatile kitchenware available. It is durable, safe, and versatile, allowing you to experiment with various styles of food preparation. It is also easy to maintain, with a simple cleaning process and straightforward storage. While it has a few drawbacks, such as its price tag, it makes up for these minor drawbacks. So get a good set of granite pots and pans and put on your chef’s hat.
