Before you buy cookware sets understanding the manufacturing aspects with respect to materials used, would definitely help you to buy better cookware items. It also helps you during maintenance. This works because maintenance is heavily dependent on manufacturing materials. No doubt, good cookware sets will always come with guidelines about maintenance and care procedure of equipments but understanding these aspects would definitely help while buying and handling kitchenware.

In addition, handbooks mention the main material used for manufacturing cookware sets, but mostly fail to mention the minor materials and exact composition of coating materials. Non-sticky finish which depends on alteration and hardening of certain metals is quite popular with homemakers and also with chefs.

Below are some common metals/materials used while manufacturing cookware sets and related kitchen ware:

Stainless Steel: The tough surface of stainless steel resists wear and tear. Stainless steel is always used in the combination of either copper or aluminum for proper heat conduction. Buying stainless steel cookware would guarantee durability and a striking mirror like finish.

Aluminum: Like stainless steel, aluminum is also very popular during the manufacture of cookware. Aluminum affects salty and acidic food, so make sure you do not store such foodstuff in cookware made of aluminum.

Copper: Copper when used with stainless steel doesn't have the problem of corrosion like bare copper. There have been instances where copper has contaminated food and caused stomach problems.

Cast Iron: Roasters made of cast iron are very popular and are known for their strength and heat conductivity.

Combination of Metals: Almost half of all cookware produced now days have at least 2 metals used in combination while manufacturing. Every metal has different pros and cons, so to settle such factors, other metals are added. Common combinations include

Copper with Stainless Steel

Aluminum with Stainless Steel

Some materials are used in less quantity and are often not mentioned or are ignored.

Coating

Many cookware items have a coating of other materials. Teflon is one such material which is used as a coating for the non-sticky effect it produces. In addition, handles of skillets are coated with materials which are bad conductors of heat for better handling.