Why Do Restaurants Use Stainless Steel?
When it comes to different cookware and utensils, stainless steel has become a breakthrough material because of how it lasts for a long time. If you happen to have been to a restaurant kitchen or work in one or if you have noticed the dining ware in a restaurant, you probably know that restaurants use stainless steel. But why do restaurants use stainless steel in the first place?
Restaurants use stainless steel because it doesn’t add any unwanted flavor, cooks evenly, and lasts for a very long time. All of those contribute to a better experience on the part of the restaurant, the chefs, and the customers.
It isn’t really a no-brainer why restaurants favor stainless steel over any other type of cookware you can find in the market. While stainless steel isn’t necessarily the best cookware, it has certain perks and advantages that work best when it comes to a business such as a restaurant.
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Do all restaurants use stainless steel?
So, before we get started, you might be wondering by now if all restaurants in the world actually use stainless steel. Are there some restaurants that actually favor other cookware aside from stainless steel?
The truth is that it is nearly impossible for us to tell whether or not all restaurants use stainless steel cookware because we can’t actually get into the kitchens of all restaurants and there is no relevant data as to what cookware restaurants use.
However, what we can be sure of is that the cookware that restaurants use actually vary because of how stainless-steel cookware isn’t always the best for all uses. There will be cases where some restaurants will opt to use cast-iron skillets, especially when cooking steak. Of course, the usual non-stick pan will always be an option when it comes to eggs and to fish to prevent them from sticking to the pan, which is something that usually happens to stainless steel unless you use a lot of oil.
That said, it really varies as to which cookware restaurants use but it might be possible that all restaurants use stainless steel in one way or another while also using other cookware to cook certain types of food as well.
Why do restaurants use stainless steel?
Going back to the main topic, you might be wondering why restaurants often use stainless steel pans and other cookware for cooking food or even for their dining ware. After all, if you have been to a restaurant kitchen or if you have noticed their dining ware, it is easy to see that stainless steel is often in use.
For starters, the main reason why restaurants use stainless steel is probably the same reason why you use them in your home as well. And that is because stainless steel lasts for a very long time and is more durable than most other cookware you can have in your kitchen.
In terms of its durability, it is up there with cast-iron cookware but the problem with cast-iron, even though it tends to be quite durable, is that it tends to rust and the care needed by cast-iron cookware tend to be at a level higher than stainless steel, which you can just simply wash and wipe without worrying about rust and damage. For a restaurant that aims to last for a very long time while using different cookware for hours and hours every single day, it is more economical to invest in cookware that will last for nearly an entire lifetime.
Meanwhile, another reason why stainless steel is great for restaurants is that it doesn’t tend to add any unwanted flavor to the dish. That’s because stainless steel isn’t as porous as cast-iron and doesn’t leave behind residue from food cooked in the past. Meanwhile, stainless steel doesn’t have the same coating you see in non-stick pans, which can add unwanted flavor to the food.
The moment you wash stainless steel cookware (as long as you actually wash them properly), all of the unwanted food residue left from the previous dish won’t tend to linger. Of course, stainless steel doesn’t have any taste as well, and that is why it is the best choice for dining ware in restaurants as they don’t add flavor to the food that customers eat.
Of course, stainless steel cooks quite evenly because of how well it conducts heat. Stainless steel tends to distribute heat throughout the entire cookware quite evenly so that all of the food you are cooking will tend to have the same cooking time. You no longer have to take out pieces of chicken that cooked faster than the others. And, when it comes to steak, the doneness and the sear will always seem to be equal when you are using stainless steel similar to when you are using cast iron.
Is it better to use stainless steel or non-stick?
Another amazing type of cookware to use is non-stick because of how it reduces the oil you need to use to a minimum and will make any dish healthier in an instant. On top of that, as the name suggests, the coating on a non-stick pan prevents the food from sticking to it. This makes it easier for you to cook certain dishes.
So, which between stainless steel or non-stick is better? It really depends.
Stainless steel would be more expensive on paper but it tends to last long and will not add any unwanted flavor to the food. On the other hand, non-stick pans might be more affordable but they won’t last quite as long because the coating on their surfaces will end up wearing out with use and may even stick on your food to give it an unwanted flavor.
However, even though non-stick pans do have their downsides, they are better options for eggs and fish because of their non-stick capabilities. Just make sure that you don’t overuse your non-stick cookware. Instead, for all your other cooking needs, it would be better to stick with stainless steel instead.
Best stainless-steel cookware for restaurants
If you are looking for a great stainless-steel cookware set, the Cuisinart 77-11G Chef’s Classic Stainless 11-Piece Cookware Set should be a great option for you because of how it is already complete with all of the different pots and pans and other cookware you need at a really good price. You can get it here if you are interested in this stainless-steel cookware set.