Aluminium is one of the most standard forms of metal found in cookware. Not only does it conduct heat exceptionally well, but it doesn’t corrode or rust. Some chefs have complained that it reacts with foods that are highly acidic, thus changing their flavour, but the anodised aluminium found in today’s cookware combats this problem. The largest sellers of aluminium cookware include Scanpan, Swiss Diamond, Woll and GreenPan.
Cast iron is a favourite amongst many professional chefs despite the fact it is heavier than any other surface and heats food a lot slower. It provides even heating and withstands very high temperatures, making it great for searing and giving your steaks and fish the grill pan’s tell-tale flavour-rich crusts. Old materials have their place after all. Used with things like terrines, tagines and especially French ovens, cast iron produces deep, rich, flavoursome dishes. Some companies have created outstanding reputations though the use of cast iron in such items: Le Creuset, Le Chasseur and Staub. Lodge makes a good, old-fashioned seasoned frying pan out of cast iron and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
Copper was considered to be the best material for pots and pans because of the metal’s superior conductivity, which resulted in the most even heating. The items also looked distinctive. The weaknesses? Copper is expensive, heavy and reactive with acidic foods. To fix the last issue, copper cookware used to be lined with tin, but pieces subjected to regular and heavy use would have to be retinned. Nowadays copper pots and pans are lined with stainless steel, so they last much longer. Copper is great for high-heat and fast-cooking jobs, such as sautéing. Scanpan’s Fusion CS5 range makes beautiful use of copper, and some other brands, such as Jamie Oliver, will use copper in the bases of its pots and fry pans.
While cookware can be made from a vast number of different metals, aluminium, stainless, copper and cast iron remain the most preferred. As was touched upon in the above, linings and bases are often used to counteract the limitations of the chief construction material.
