The term cookware refers to any sort of vessel for preparing food in the kitchen, be it at home or in a commercial setting. The shape of the vessel will depend on what is intended to be cooked, to maximize cooking options. This can come in the form of saucepans, skillets, frying pans, soup kettles, or saucepots, among others.
There's a long history of cookware. People have been preparing food ever since fire was discovered and quickly came up with clay pots which were used to heat and cook their food. Some consider this to be the first type of baking ware. With the discovery of bronze and iron being used as a building material, the containers increased in their level of refinement. The arsenal of skillets, frying pans, and sauce pans that we use today pay homage to the 17th century, and only keep getting better and better.
Cookware comes in a variety of materials. Metal is prevalent, with pots and pans commonly constructed out of such metals as aluminium, copper, cast iron, and stainless steel. Many times the pans are coated with a material so that food doesn't stick to them in the cooking process, known as non-stick pans. Other common materials used are glass, silicone, or ceramic. Each type helps the food cook differently, though this is left up to the personal preference of the chef.
There are a few special pieces of cookware that need to be mentioned, such as Dutch ovens and casserole pans. These are designed for braised meats, stews, casseroles, or anything that needs to be cooked slowly, generally over a period of many hours. For quick cooking, a skillet is always a good idea, as you can quickly cook basic ingredients in a short amount of time. Griddles can be used not only for pancakes, but for any sort of grilled item that is dropped into a hot surface and needs to spread out, such as omelettes or other food items that begin as a liquid and end as a solid.
There's also a different set of cookware that is designed for baking only, including springform cake pans, angel food cake pans, and pie pans. Flat sheets are for cookies or other shortbreads, and loaf pans are used for bread. Basically, for any sort of baked good that you can think of, there is a piece of equipment specifically designed for that sole purpose. - 30289
There's a long history of cookware. People have been preparing food ever since fire was discovered and quickly came up with clay pots which were used to heat and cook their food. Some consider this to be the first type of baking ware. With the discovery of bronze and iron being used as a building material, the containers increased in their level of refinement. The arsenal of skillets, frying pans, and sauce pans that we use today pay homage to the 17th century, and only keep getting better and better.
Cookware comes in a variety of materials. Metal is prevalent, with pots and pans commonly constructed out of such metals as aluminium, copper, cast iron, and stainless steel. Many times the pans are coated with a material so that food doesn't stick to them in the cooking process, known as non-stick pans. Other common materials used are glass, silicone, or ceramic. Each type helps the food cook differently, though this is left up to the personal preference of the chef.
There are a few special pieces of cookware that need to be mentioned, such as Dutch ovens and casserole pans. These are designed for braised meats, stews, casseroles, or anything that needs to be cooked slowly, generally over a period of many hours. For quick cooking, a skillet is always a good idea, as you can quickly cook basic ingredients in a short amount of time. Griddles can be used not only for pancakes, but for any sort of grilled item that is dropped into a hot surface and needs to spread out, such as omelettes or other food items that begin as a liquid and end as a solid.
There's also a different set of cookware that is designed for baking only, including springform cake pans, angel food cake pans, and pie pans. Flat sheets are for cookies or other shortbreads, and loaf pans are used for bread. Basically, for any sort of baked good that you can think of, there is a piece of equipment specifically designed for that sole purpose. - 30289
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Make your kitchen life that much simpler with our range of Cookware available online at the Choice Catering Equipment website.
