Choosing Cookware — Elementary Chef Style
After I saw the post at Instapundit on cookware, I thought later he and his correspondents are looking at it in a different way than I would.
So in case any of you are thinking of cookware as a Christmas gift, you might also want to take into consideration the points I use when choosing pots and pans.
What the Instareaders are considering most are: how well does it cook, and how long does it last?
What I consider is: how well does it cook, how much does it cost, and how heavy is it?
For example, I do love cast iron. I actually have what could be considered a full set, including a dutch oven that I love. I never use any of it anymore, because it’s just too heavy for me with my arthritic hands. I don’t want to take the chance of having a big pot of something hot slip out of my grasp, while moving it from stove to counter, or wherever.
So if your intended giftee also has arthritis, or any other kind of disability, the weight can be important. A lighter, and possibly less durable item may be the better choice. Coincidentally, the lighter stuff tends also to be cheaper, so you can get more items for the same money.
Some pots/pans also have an extra little handle opposite the main handle. This is also helpful for those of us with weaker hands. I tend to use both hands when moving pots around anyway, and having the handle on the other side provides a bit of extra leverage.
Now, I know, some people would be horrified at the thought of giving someone pots and pans for Xmas. But a serious foodie would welcome any kind of kitchen thing!
It’s also possible your arthritic friend or loved one has been struggling with the same old, heavy equipment for a long time, and would enjoy having stuff that made the cooking a little easier. Heavy glass and ceramic mixing bowls are another thing that could be replaced with something lighter, such as stainless steel or even plastic.
After all, it is the thought that counts, right?
December 5th, 2006 at 12:19 am
I couldn’t lift anything heavier than a few ounces for about three years and I still have the very light palstic bowls I used then. Having a range of cooking equipoment makes a bunch of cooking possible, despite hindrances :).
December 5th, 2006 at 12:23 am
Sorry about my typing- the RSI left a legacy of unpredictable badness in typing some days. I can now lift heavy pans again though.
January 20th, 2007 at 12:49 am
Great post. I haven’t really used cast iron but I have some heavy cookware and I can understand the problems that people with arthritis would have. A heavy pot full of food or liquid becomes even heavier so something lighter like stainless steel is probably a better choice.