Stainless steel cookware is a staple for professional chefs and home cooks alike, and with good reason. Durable, versatile, and easy to clean, Le Creuset’s stainless steel is a great place to start any cookware collection.
Le Creuset’s Stainless Steel Cookware combines expert European craftsmanship with culinary performance and elegant design. Crafted with a proprietary blend of professional-grade metals, our stainless steel cookware features a heat-responsive aluminum core built to withstand higher temperatures.
Despite its popularity, a number of misconceptions exist surrounding stainless steel cookware. From what can (and can’t) be cooked in it to care and use, stainless steel cookware often comes with a set of myths that make some users hesitant.
What is Stainless Steel Cookware?
Durable and able to withstand high temperatures, Le Creuset’s stainless steel cookware has all the makings to be a staple in your kitchen for years to come. Unlike other types of cookware, stainless steel doesn’t stain, tarnish, or rust, maintaining its luster from one generation to the next.
Ideal for a number of cooking techniques, from sautéing and browning to deep-frying and boiling, versatility is a key feature of any piece of stainless steel cookware. Le Creuset’s stainless steel cookware opens up the culinary possibilities, helping home cooks experiment with new recipes of all sizes.
Our Stainless Steel cookware sets include a number of essentials, including saucepans, frying pans, stockpots, braisers, and more. Ultimately, deciding which stainless steel cookware you need depends on your daily cooking habits and preferences.
Myths About Stainless Steel Cookware
There are a number of myths surrounding stainless steel cookware, from concerns about food sticking and heat distribution to questions about proper cleaning methods. These misconceptions often lead to misuse, preventing home cooks from fully embracing the versatility and performance stainless steel cookware can offer in the kitchen.
Contrary to popular belief, stainless steel cookware isn’t difficult to clean. In fact, high-quality stainless steel cookware resists pitting, pocking, and scorching over time due to its proprietary blend of metals. This ensures Le Creuset’s stainless steel cookware avoids discoloration and staining.
Cleaning your stainless steel cookware is as simple as soaking the pan in warm, soapy water for a few minutes to loosen any stuck-on food residue, before gently scrubbing with a non-abrasive sponge. Keep in mind, however, to never plunge a hot span into cold water as it could potentially cause thermal shock.
A proprietary stainless steel cookware cleaner can be used to remove tough stains or hard water lime scale and other marks. Our tri-ply stainless steel cookware is dishwasher safe, but it is nonetheless recommended to hand-wash for greater durability.
While stainless steel cookware isn’t nonstick in the traditional sense, it can offer many of the same qualities with the right technique and a bit of patience. The key to creating a nonstick surface on your stainless steel cookware is preheating the pan properly. Put simply, stainless steel cookware forms a temporary, natural non-stick layer by preheating the pan with minimal oil.
The end result is healthier cooking with less oil, allowing ingredients to retain their natural flavors and textures. Whether you want to achieve an inch-perfect sear on a steak, or prepare a delicate frittata, Le Creuset’s stainless steel cookware accommodates with ease, delivering a virtually nonstick surface.
Another common misconception is that stainless steel cookware rusts easily––wrong! Made in Europe with a proprietary blend of professional-grade metals, Le Creuset’s high-quality stainless steel cookware resists rusting, maintaining its lustrous shine for years to come.
Rusting is typically caused due to prolonged exposure to moisture or improper cleaning techniques, such as air drying. While Le Creuset’s stainless steel cookware is rust-resistant, it is important to dry it thoroughly before storing. In fact, never store stainless steel frying pans while they are still damp and be sure to store them in a dry cupboard away from steam.
There is a widespread belief that aluminum cookware warps under high heat. However, Le Creuset’s high-quality stainless steel cookware has been carefully crafted to withstand higher temperatures without warping.
Featuring a triple-layer construction, our stainless steel cookware ensures even heat distribution and enhanced durability, resisting bending and deforming. This durable construction ultimately eliminates hot spots at the bottom of your cookware.
It is nonetheless recommended to avoid sudden temperature changes when cooking with stainless steel cookware, using low to medium heat. This is particularly important when cleaning your stainless steel frying pans, allowing them to reach room temperature before rinsing or washing.
Stainless steel cookware is, in fact, beloved by professional chefs due to its even heat distribution and durability, however, these qualities are just as beneficial in home kitchens.
Stainless steel cookware is perfect for everything from quick sautés to complex sauces, making it a go-to for everyday cooking, regardless of your experience in the kitchen. Easy to use, versatile, and easy to clean, stainless steel cookware makes for a great addition to any cookware collection, professional chef or not. Le Creuset’s Stainless Steel cookware offers home cooks a beginner-friendly option, delivering restaurant-worthy results every single time.
Arguably the biggest myth about stainless steel cookware is that it doesn’t distribute heat evenly. Le Creuset’s stainless steel cookware comes equipped with a heat-responsive aluminum core between two layers of high-quality stainless steel, exposing ingredients to a consistent heat source until they are ready to be served.
This durable construction ultimately ensures evenly-cooked meals, whether you’re searing, pan-frying, or simmering your favourite recipes. Best of all, this triple-layer construction not only delivers superior heat distribution and heat retention, but also guarantees its durability for years to come, embodying the buy-it-once-for-life nature of Le Creuset’s cookware.
It’s a common misconception that stainless steel cookware can’t handle acidic foods. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, Le Creuset’s stainless steel cookware offers a non-reactive surface, which simply means it won’t alter the flavours of acidic ingredients like tomatoes, citrus, or wine reductions.
Unlike other metals and materials, our stainless steel cookware doesn’t corrode or leach harmful chemicals when exposed to acidic ingredients. Made from a proprietary blend of professional-grade metals, Le Creuset’s stainless steel cookware is equally easy as it is safe to use. This opens up endless recipe possibilities, from savoury, homemade sauces to zesty lemon reductions.
Many believe that stainless steel cookware needs endless polishing to keep its shine. Our high-quality stainless steel, however, is carefully designed to maintain its light-catching luster with little maintenance. Resistant to pitting, pocking, and scorching, its three-layer construction and non-reactive surface ensures minimal upkeep is needed.
In fact, the only thing you need to maintain its mirror-like gleam is warm water, mild soap, and a non-abrasive sponge. Occasionally, a gentle polish with a specialized stainless steel cookware cleaner can be used for stubborn food residues. It is important to note, however, that metallic pads and harsh cleaning agents can damage the surface over time.
Last but certainly not least, stainless steel cookware is often accused of not retaining heat well. Le Creuset’s Tri-Ply Stainless Steel cookware features a commercial grade triple-layer construction, including a full aluminum core between two layers of premium-quality stainless steel.
Its triple-layer construction ultimately alleviates any heat retention concerns, eliminating scorching and hot spots. In fact, its heat-responsive aluminum core extends up the sides of the stainless steel frying pan to offer even heat distribution and superior heat retention.
For consistent results, always preheat your stainless steel frying pan on low to medium heat. Keep in mind that this material will not cool quickly and if overheated, may cause food to burn or stick to the surface.
Le Creuset's Stainless Steel Cookware Essentials
Le Creuset offers a wide range of stainless steel essentials, ranging from versatile frying pans and saucepans to braisers and sauciers. Ultimately, no kitchen is complete without a blend of stainless steel cookware, offering a beginner-friendly alternative to traditional meal preparation.
Our Stainless Steel Fry Pan offers a reliable piece of cookware for daily cooking, featuring sloping sides to easily turn and remove foods. The Stainless Steel Saucepan is equally ideal for experimenting with new recipes and simplifying meal prep, and is perfectly suited for reducing sauces, blanching veggies, and cooking grains.
The Stainless Steel Stockpot is yet another Le Creuset essential, and with good reason, offering a generous capacity when preparing large batches of meals for the whole family to enjoy. There are also a number of specialty stainless steel essentials, including our Stainless Steel Essential Pan, and our Stainless Steel Saucier, also known as the Chef’s Pan.
Our 10-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware set remains the most comprehensive collection of high-quality stainless steel, equipping home cooks with all the essentials. This 10-piece set includes the following: a 26 cm Stainless Steel Fry Pan, 1.9 L Stainless Steel Saucepan with Lid, 3.8 L Stainless Steel Saucepan with Lid, 2.8 L Sauté Pan and 8.3 L Stockpot with Lid and Pasta Insert.
Shop Le Creuset Stainless Steel Cookware
Stainless steel is among the most versatile and easy to use cookware materials, delivering consistently delicious results time after time. That being said, it is nonetheless important to familiarize yourself with proper stainless steel care and use, avoiding common misconceptions and myths.
Le Creuset’s Stainless Steel cookware has established itself as the benchmark for high-quality stainless steel, combining expert European craftsmanship and premium materials. Whether you need to sauté a side of veggies, whip up a quick omelette, or prepare your very own steak frites, our eye-catching collection of stainless steel pans are built to handle any culinary challenge.
From proper care techniques to everyday cooking tips, we’ve debunked nine of the most common myths about stainless steel. Now that you know the truth behind stainless steel, you can cook confidently and enjoy the benefits of Le Creuset’s Stainless Steel Cookware. Explore our stainless steel collection and discover your new go-to kitchen essentials today!
