Home Improvement

November 15, 2009

Magnalite Cookware – A Legacy Of Durability

aluminum cookware4 Magnalite Cookware   A Legacy Of Durability
David Faulkner asked:




The popular Magnalite cookware has been with us for more than 70 years now. These indispensable cooking tools are known for their durability, distinctive design, and patented Cast Aluminum fabrication. Magnalite cookware's durability stems from the magnesium-aluminum alloy casting process.

Its superior heat conduction is due to the casting process Magnalite cookware is known for. Its pans have varied thicknesses designed to optimize heat conductivity.

Magnalite Cookware's pans boast extremely thick bases which not only speed up cooking but also distribute the heat evenly up the sides. The vapor-tight pot and pan lids, on the other hand, lock in moisture to keep the food flavorful. And because they are vapor-tight, cooking time is also shortened.

They also have a sleek retro design, with heavy cast lids and pouring spouts for spill-free pouring. All Magnalite cookware are shiny and handsome and would look fantastic in any kitchen. Aside from these features, Magnalite cookware is also oven safe for up to 350 degrees.

One of the strange facts about the history of Magnalite cookware is that one about the dispute regarding the use of the name "Magnalite." The American Culinary Corporation claims that its President bought the Wagner and Magnalite brands plus the molds of the original Magnalite.

World Kitchen (formerly the Corningware group), on the other hand, has also been selling cookware using the Magnalite brand. This cookware look like the original Magnalite, but the cookware parts do not fit the original Magnalite cookware. These are readily available at Sam's Club, WalMart stores, and Corningstores, while Magnalite cookware from the American Culinary Corp. can sometimes be hard to find.

The authentic Magnalite Cookware comes with a 50-year warranty and the prices range from $100 for an individual piece to over $300 for a set of 13 pieces. It is still considerably cheaper than All-Clad cookware, and is a wise investment in its own right.

To read more about Magnalite Cookware's ambiguous origins, you can visit http://fantes.com/magnalite.htm. You can also browse the history of what the American Culinary Corporation claims to be the original Magnalite Cookware at http://www.wagnerware.com/about.asp?section=time.

In addition, you can find everything you want to know about Magnalite Cookware products at http://www.americanculinarycorp.com/ and see why this cookware is sought by millions of chefs and cooks the world over.

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November 14, 2009

All-Clad Cookware For World-Class Cuisine

aluminum cookware49 All Clad Cookware For World Class Cuisine
David Faulkner asked:




The hands-down choice of four-star kitchens all over the world, All-Clad Cookware is recommended by professional and amateur chefs alike because of its unparalleled quality.

Loyal users swear by its durability, functional design, and exceptional heat conduction. All-Clad Cookware is known for its patented heat-conducting aluminum core which is not only a feature of the cookware's bottom but goes all the way up to the utensil's sides for evenly distributed cooking.

Its interior is made of 18/10 stainless steel which is guaranteed not to react with the food nor alter its flavor. Because of these, it is definitely one of the best metals used for cookware interiors. Some models are coated with non-stick material, but even without this coating, stainless steel is still the easiest cookware surface to use.

The All-Clad Cookware LTD model has an anodized aluminum exterior (your choice of black or dark gray) which is excellent for heat transfer. The sleek look of this is All-Clad Cookware line is just an added bonus to their impressive heat conductivity.

You can also find the All-Clad Cop-R-Chef models whose exteriors are made with easy-to-clean, extra-thick copper that's chip and crack resistant. They are similarly made of 18/10-grade stainless steel, just as the All-Clad Copper Core Cookware. This line features a copper core for greater heat conductivity and a rolled rim to make pouring easy.

Of all the All-Clad Cookware models, the Copper Core set has the most number of layers of high-performance metal – 5. For exceptionally precise heat control, the copper layer is sandwiched between two heavy-duty aluminum layers, and is fully clad – which means that these 5 layers extend from the bottom all the way to its sides.

Depending on your preference and on your kitchen's design, you can choose the model of All-Clad Cookware that you prefer.

All Clad Cookware is not your run-of-the-mill cookware, and thus are priced higher than the more common brands. However, its durability more than makes up for the relatively higher price tag. You can also choose from several All-Clad Cookware lines to suit your budget, or buy a few pieces from different lines.

The most popular model is the All-Clad Stainless Steel collection, favored for its classic good looks and low maintenance. It is dishwasher-safe, unlike the other models which need to be hand-washed. All-Clad Cookware pieces all use stainless, non-corrosive rivets to attach their trademark stay-cool handles.

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October 6, 2009

Cookware Materials And Heat Conductivity – What Should You Have?

aluminum cookware19 Cookware Materials And Heat Conductivity   What Should You Have?
Dale Crouse asked:




Stainless steel cookware, aluminum cookware, cast aluminum cookware, glass, ceramic, there are many choices and each choice has very different coefficient of conductivity. The old idea that the best heat conductor is the best cooking utensil to use may not always be true in all cases. We will look at the most popular metals used and the different construction variations that should help you make better purchases.

The first data we will look at is the more popular materials used. We will also add a rating system on the ability of each material to conduct heat. Our rating system will be a scale from 0 to 10. The rating of 10 will be the best conductive material and a rating of 0 would be the worst. We will stay between the upper and lower scales. As we present this data remember the materials will also cool in relationship to how fast they heat.

The material list follows: Copper rating of 9, Aluminum and Cast Aluminum rating of 5, Cast Iron rating of 1.5, Stainless Steel and Steel rating of 1, Ceramic rating of 0.5 and Glass a rating of 0.25. By the ratings it is very easy to see that copper is the best conductive material listed, and glass is the least conductive. The one problem with copper utensils is that it is reactive to acidic foods. To mention all of the important materials used in cookware, the list should also include copper clad and multi-ply utensils. The reason these are not listed is the conductivity will vary depending on the thickness of the copper clad or plate and the number of plies or layers in the utensil and the materials used in the layers. The two best choices for good heat conductivity are the last two mentioned, copper clad or multiple layered bottoms. Most all of the layered cookware has at least one layer of copper for good heat conductivity.

To conclude the characteristics of quality cookware should be able to provide even distribution of heat. This can be achieved by material types, thickness and multiple ply construction. The cost of each manufacturing process will dictate the final cookware cost. Although copper cookware is the best heat conductor, copper also is the material that requires the most maintenance to remain with a great appearance. This would make the multi-layered bottom utensils best choice.

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