Whether you just purchased a new house or had renovations done, getting new homeware and cookware sets is probably the next thing you want to do. Or maybe you simply want to upgrade your old utensils, pans, and pots into new styles for your upcoming party or to suit the new recipes you just discovered. Whatever the case is, it’s good timing to look out for new homeware sets.
Buying kitchen and dining utensils and tools set is not easy. Now and then, there are new brands being launched in the market that come with different styles, designs, sizes, and materials. These could be cast iron, stainless steel, copper, or aluminum. With all these in mind, while keeping within your budget, you just don’t know which ones to purchase.
So, how do you make an informed decision?
What Do You Need to Look for When Purchasing Homewares?
Durability
Some types of homewares last longer while maintaining their excellent appearance. Stainless steel has this attribute, plus it doesn’t respond with alkaline or acidic foods. The best thing about it is it doesn’t pit or scratch easily. On top of these, it’s shiny and easier to wash, so it doesn’t need any special care techniques.
Aluminum is another popular material for the kitchen when it comes to durability. It is lightweight, attractive, affordable, and versatile. Many homeowners who are into cooking love it because of its ability to give even distribution in any heat temperature. The only disadvantage is it requires extra care to keep it clean and shiny.
Cost
Some inexpensive kitchen wares don’t have the same quality as the expensive ones. However, it doesn’t mean that you must buy the most expensive ones for you to cook or bake. The rule of thumb when buying stuff for your home is to buy what you can afford.
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Materials
When buying homewares, know their materials. Every piece in your kitchen and home is designed for a specific task in cooking, preparing food, eating, etc. That’s why these utensils and tools are made up of various materials, having pros and cons.
For instance, glass is ideal for baking but not practical on top or surface cooking. Additionally, it is high-maintenance to ensure that it will last. Cast iron is another material, which is undeniably sturdy but must be kept seasoned to prevent rust. You can rub salad oil with no salt or shortening inside and out, then allow it to dry. Prior to use, keep in mind to wash it with soap, not detergent.
Maintenance
If you think you don’t have extra time to shine your kitchenwares every night just to keep them looking great, you might want to reconsider buying aluminum and cast iron materials. Though stainless steel is more expensive than these two, many choose it because it’s low-maintenance. You do not have to pamper the sensitive coat to stop peeling or period to prevent rust.
Safety
Unfortunately, there are kitchenware materials that are unsafe for some food ingredients. For instance, non-anodized and uncoated aluminum cookware can leach metals into food during the cooking process. Many don’t realize that acidic foods increase leaching. Although studies found that the total amount of leaching is minimum at a tolerable degree, it still contributes to your general metal intake.
Heat Conductivity
Some materials are better heat conductors than others. For example, copper is a good heat conductor but not stainless steel. When it comes to cooking, the better the heat conductivity, the more your food will evenly be cooked. In addition, when you turn the heat up and down, copper cookware reacts faster to temperature change than stainless steel.
