Cookware question

[Paula]

I just got back from WalMart and saw some fairly inexpensive (okay, cheap) stainless steel cookware. Is this a good way to go? I have started doing my baking in glassware and every once in a while I'll use my cast iron skillet for something. But I really want to get away from my non-stick stuff if it's not good to use. (I'm not looking forward to giving up the convenience, though! I love non-stick!)

Paula

[Samantha]

keep that cast iron out and use it!!! Use it for EVERYTHING except stuff that has tomatoes in it. the acidity of the tomatos/sauce is not good for the finish. Cast iron is the BEST nonstick skillet there is. I bake cornbread in one of my skillets! it makes food taste the BEST and it is a good source of iron too.

[laura]

My dh bought me the Kitchen Aid pots and pans for Christmas. They are VERY heavy......they say "18/10 Stainless Steel".

What does this mean?

My one "Wolfgang puck" frying pan says 100% stainless steel on it? Is this correct?

What about drinking out of pop cans? Is drinking out of plastic any better? ((I suppose drinking pop isn't all that good to start with ))

Thanks!
Laura

[Mom2boys]

Laura,
Your pans are great! Soda should be avoided but the occasional can of pop will not kill you. It's the daily application of aluminum filled deodorant that is a big problem and cooking in aluminum cans. I buy my kids spritzers instead of pop. They are fruit juices that have carbonated water in them. They made the switch pretty easily.

[Mom2boys]

Cooking with acidy food also leaches too much iron especially for men, so Sam is right . Mild foods only.

[Paula]

Thanks, ladies! I went to WalMart today and got my new pots and pans.

I make cornbread in my cast iron skillet, too. It's the only time I use it! I hate to ask this, but I know I'm not cleaning it up right. Could someone refresh my memory on the right way to clean one? Sam, you've only explained it a hundred times already on HB, but I just don't remember.

Thanks!

Paula

[laura]

Cast Iron:

Can you use it on a ceramic top electric oven? I would LOVE to take this oven, throw it out in the front yard and make a planter out of it and buy a gas range!!!

Thanks
Laura

[Samantha]

paula said:

Thanks, ladies! I went to WalMart today and got my new pots and pans.

I make cornbread in my cast iron skillet, too. It's the only time I use it! I hate to ask this, but I know I'm not cleaning it up right. Could someone refresh my memory on the right way to clean one? Sam, you've only explained it a hundred times already on HB, but I just don't remember.

Thanks!

Paula

Not a problem!

i never use soap! i rinse under really hot water and scrub any stuck on stuff really well. Then, i take my sponge with no soap left in it, and with the really hot water, i just really wash it out, inside and out and sometimes if cooked in a lot of grease, there will be some grease left in it, but that is fine, it will protect it. if there is a massive abundance, i mean massive, i might use a tad bit of soap to get some of the grease off, but rarely!!!! then, i just either stick it in the stove or on a burner and let it completely dry on low heat, about ten minutes or so. super easy,

[Paula]

Thanks, Sam! I got it now.

Also, after web surfing, I found that according to Dr. Mercola, only the stainless steel cookware that are attracted to magnets are the *good* kind of stainless. Has anyone else heard this? I can give the link if that will help.

What about lining my cookie sheets with foil when I don't want my pans to be hard to clean? Is that a no-no, too? I have a feeling I know the answer to that one.

What are the non-stainless bread pans on the Urban Homemaker site made of?

Thank you!!

Paula