Calphalon Stainless Steel Omelette Pans can be purchased with an optional non-stick coating, combining the elegant look of stainless steel with the easy cleanup of non-stick cookware. Unlike normal stainless steel cookware the optional non-stick coating provides an option for lower fat cooking by removing the need to use fats, greases or oils to keep foods from sticking to the cookware surface. This coating does add an additional cost to the pan.

The All-stainless versions of these pans are oven-safe to any temperature, glass covers and pans featuring the non-stick coating are safe to 450 degrees. The all-stainless versions are also broiler and dishwasher safe and can be used with any type of cooking utensil including metal utensils. Both versions of this pan include a lifetime warranty.

Calphalon Stainless Steel Omelette Pans are available in the following sizes and options:
8″ Omelette Pan
10″ Omelette Pan
12″ Omelette Pan
8″ Omelette Pan with Nonstick Interior
10″ Omelette Pan with Nonstick Interior
12″ Omelette Pan with Nonstick Interior

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Before using your stainless steel cookware for the first time be sure to wash it with warm water and dish soap.  The cleanliness of your stainless steel cookware is very important, any residues can cause foods to stick.  Most stainless steel cookware can be washed using a dishwasher but be sure to verify with your owners manual before doing so.  Preventative maintenance can save you from extra work and headaches in the future.

Be sure to cook on lower heat settings than normal when using stainless steel cookware for the first time.  It can heat up faster than cookware made from other materials.  After cooking with it a couple of times you should get an idea of how your stainless steel cookware reacts with the heat settings on your particular stove.  Some stainless steel cookware is oven safe and can even be used in a broiler however be sure to consult your owners manual before using it in this manner.  You don’t want to exceed the max temperature and this can vary between sets.

When cooking with this type of cookware it is usually safe to use nylon, wooden and even metal utensils.

When cleaning stainless steel do not use abrasive cleaners, abrasive cleaning pads or any caustic substances.  Some examples of caustic substances include oven cleaners, baking soda and liquid bleach.  There are many options available to you when it comes to cleaning and polishing your stainless steel cookware.  These options range from name brand cleaners to cheaper homemade cleaners.  Some name brand stainless steel cleaners include Radiance, PennyBrite, Barkeeper’s Friend, Whirlpool Stainless Steel Cleaner and Polish, and Simple Green Stainless Steel Cleaner.
Here are two very effective yet simple home made cleaners:

• White Vinegar:  Apply some white vinegar, let it sit for a moment and then wipe down with a soft non-abrasive cloth.
• Club Soda: Apply some Club Soda, let it sit for a moment and then wipe down with a soft non-abrasive cloth.

Remember that stainless steel cookware can last nearly a lifetime if cared for properly.  Lifetime warranties often accompany stainless steel cookware as long as the manufactures care instructions are followed.

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To understand the different qualities of stainless steel cookware we must first understand what goes into making the alloy stainless steel. Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, stainless steel is an alloy of steel and chromium. Most stainless steel cookware contains 18% chromium and must contain at least 12% chromium or it is not considered stainless. The amount of chromium that the stainless steel contains affects the corrosion, stain and rust resistance of the alloy. Chromium also gives stainless steel its shiny finish. There are three main mixtures of stainless steel cookware, these include 18/10, 18/8 and 18/0. The first number represents the percentage of chromium in the mixture and the second represents the percentage of nickel. Nickel is added to increase the durability of the cookware. 18/10 stainless cookware is the highest quality of the three types, the higher amount of nickel increases the cookwares durability, temperature tolerance and of course the price tag. Cookware made of 18/8 stainless steel is usually considered mid grade but is still durable enough to stand up to most abuse. Cookware that contains 18/0 stainless steel is considered low grade and is not very durable. Steel is not a good conductor of heat therefore most stainless steel cookware also contains aluminum or copper which are better conductors. The price of a stainless steel cookware sets can verify depending on the grade however these sets are in most cases less costly than buying cookware crafted from other materials such as copper and cast iron.

A problem than can be found with some other types of cookware is that the materials used to create these products can affect the tastes of the food being prepared. Stainless steel cookware does not react or interact with either acidic or alkaline foods therefore it will not affect your final product. While stainless steel should not affect the taste of foods prepared in it, small traces of the metals used in crafting the cookware can sometimes be found in the food. Most agree the amount of metal that goes into the food is very small and therefore negligible, However some cooks may stray to anodized aluminum or ceramic cookware to prevent any metals from being absorbed by the food.

A popular trait of stainless steel is that it is easy to clean and maintain as long as you follow some general guidelines. When preparing food do not use metal utensils, using synthetic utensils will minimize scratching. When cleaning, it is believed best to hand wash because dishwasher detergent could affect the finish. When hand washing you should use a synthetic scour to minimize the scratching. It is best to dry by hand immediately after washing as this will reduce spotting caused by air drying.

Stainless steel can be crafted into pretty much any cookware piece you need so it should be pretty easy to complete a set with all of the pieces you desire. You can easily find 8-13 piece sets of stainless steel cookware manufactured by some of the top names in cookware including Calphalon, Cuisinart and All-Clad.

Perhaps the most well known trait associated with stainless steel cookware is the elegant look that it portrays. Stainless steel is famous for its shine and stainless steel cookware can easily multitask as a kitchen decoration as well as being used to create wonderful dishes. Remember that the chromium and nickel percentage used in the stainless steel will affect the shine that the cookware displays.

Stainless steel cookware is less expensive than a lot of other cookware types while still being durable and elegant. This fact makes stainless steel a must to consider in making your next cookware purchase.

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