The cooking pans and pots used in the housewares are of a variety of types. No! I don’t mean the variety of shapes, colours or sizes. It is the ‘material’ I’m referring to. Most chefs prioritize those cook-wares which are portable, heavy-gauged and good conductors. Now, some utensils may have these characteristics individually, but we’re looking for those cook-wares which have all the above-mentioned features. And ‘Clad Pot’ is the best example of all-in-one material.
What are ‘All-Clad Pots’ and why are they preferred?
All-clad pots are made of a very thick layer of Aluminium/Copper that is sandwiched between two outer layers of stainless steel – thus making the pot a perfect balancer of all pros and cons of recommended cookware.
They are the most preferred cookware nowadays. Why?
The answer to this is simply explaining the material they’re made of. The aluminium/copper is an excellent conductor of heat. It does what a heat source tells it to. It catches more heat in less time and also cools down quickly. So, they have vast heat flow and quick diffusion – features of perfect cookware.
All-Clad vs High Heat:
Now here are two of the most asked questions of all the time:
1- ‘How much heat can a clad-pot suffer?’
2- ‘Is it safe to use a clad-pot in the oven?’
The answer is that every all-clad pot is oven-safe and can be used for cooking and grilling inside the oven. The only thing to take care of is the amount of temperature provided in the oven to the all-clad pot. According to the all-clad international service of utensils,
‘All-Clad stainless steel pots and pans are oven-safe and broiler-safe up to 315 degrees Celsius. All-Clad non-stick cookware is oven-safe up to 260 degrees Celsius, but is broiler-safe only for a minute or two.’
Which clad-pot is more efficient in the oven?
As it has been proven that all-clad pots can be used in the oven for cooking and grilling, yet the resistive property depends upon whether that clad pot is non-stick or stainless steel.
Now there exist further two types. The best quality clad-pot is that one which is made of stainless steel. It can suffer more heat, gives a quick response and cools down quickly as well when the heat source is removed.
The maximum heat that any stainless steel clad pot can suffer, either in the oven or under the boiler, is 600 degrees Fahrenheit (315o C). It is the temperature at which most of the food is cooked, and items are baked. So it is no problem for food as well.
Yet, if a non-stick clad pot is used, the maximum temperature range is about 500 degrees Fahrenheit (260o C). It is due to the nature of the clad-pot that makes it somewhat resistant to heat.
Can a Clad-pot get warped?
Although the all-clad specialists are quite confident of the excellent features of clad-pots, yet there are good chances of warping if proper care is not given while using them. The leading cause of warping is rapid changes in the temperature of the pot.
For example, if you take the pan which is currently at room temperature to the scorching heat of the oven, or when you try to rinse a boiling pot under cold water; the sudden changes in temperature will cause warping.
‘Lids’ are not Oven-safe:
Yes! The lids of both stainless steel and non-stick clad cookware aren’t designed to withstand the heat of the oven and may get warped/exploded under higher temperatures.
If anybody puts them in the scorching heat of the oven, the stainless steel lids will warp, and the glass lids (of non-stick cookware) could explode into pieces.
Therefore, the best process to avoid that thing is to attach a removable lid with the pots while handling and detach the lids while you’re about to put the all-clad pot into the oven.
Conclusion
The all-clad pot is the best pot recommended to the chefs and kitchen experts. It is heavy-gauged, best conductor, and more durable. It is oven-safe and broiler-safe as well, yet special measures should be taken while using them at very high temperatures – to avoid warping and other problems.
