Investing in High-Quality Stainless Steel Pots: A Family-Friendly Option

Stainless steel pots are a common item found in every kitchen. However, the market offers a variety of stainless steel pot types with different prices, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish between high-quality and safe options. In this article, we will explore the criteria for buying stainless steel pots.

1 Criteria for buying stainless steel pots

Choose by pot material

Choose by pot material

• Stainless Steel 430

This type of stainless steel pot has a higher susceptibility to magnetism and lower quality than other types of stainless steel used in household items. They also have low durability and resistance to oxidation corrosion, resulting in a short lifespan. The price of this type is usually only 3/4 the price of stainless steel 201 and 1/2 the price of stainless steel 304.

• Stainless Steel 304

Stainless Steel 304 has superior advantages over other types such as durability, flexibility, high oxidation resistance, and resistance to rusting. This leads to higher prices, but at the same time, it is widely used as a convenient and high-end household product, suitable for every family’s kitchen.

• Stainless Steel 201

This is the most commonly used type of stainless steel for making household products. Compared to stainless steel 430 and stainless steel 304, products made from this material have higher durability and corrosion resistance.

Choose by origin, brand

Choose by origin, brand

Choose products from reputable stores and large brands, with clear names and origins to ensure quality. Famous brands such as Sunhouse, Fivestar, Kangaroo, Hommy are typical examples. Buying genuine products ensures you receive better service with reasonable warranty terms and return policies. If you encounter any problems, large brands will handle them better than small brands without credibility. Also note about fake and counterfeit products, so choose to buy products at reputable stores.

Choose by pot design

Choose by pot design

Choose to buy stainless steel pots from reputable brands, with safe and energy-efficient designs. There are two popular designs of stainless steel pots on the market: those with handles on both sides and those with one long handle. Pots with handles on both sides are sturdy to hold, but can be inconvenient when lifting the pot with both hands. On the other hand, pots with one long handle allow you to lift the pot with one hand and the other hand can handle food preparation, but they do not provide the same stability as pots with two handles. Regardless of the type of pot you choose, make sure that the handle part is made of heat-resistant material for safety and convenience when cooking.

Choose by pot rim type

Choose by pot rim type

The pot rim is an important part that helps save energy and cook food faster. There are two popular types of pot rims on the market: stainless steel rims and glass rims. Stainless steel rims do not break when dropped, have high durability, and are usually cheaper, but you cannot observe the food while cooking. On the contrary, transparent glass rims allow you to observe the food while cooking, but need to be handled with care as they can break if dropped and are usually more expensive.

Choose by pot bottom structure

Choose by pot bottom structure

This is an important criterion when choosing stainless steel pots that should not be overlooked. Each type of pot bottom has its own characteristics suitable for each type of dish. There are 1, 3, 5, 7 types of bottoms. On the market, high-end stainless steel pots often have multiple layers of sophisticated and modern bottoms. In particular, stainless steel pots with 5 or 7-layer bottoms provide good fuel-saving ability and longer heat retention.

2 Things to note when buying stainless steel pots

• Choose stainless steel pots from large and reputable brands. Make sure the pot has detailed specifications, certification labels, and warranty policies.
• Check the pot by touching it with your hand. A good pot will have a seamless surface with no edges or joints.
• Avoid choosing pots with uneven or dented surfaces.
• Use your hand to distinguish between single bottom pots and multi-bottom pots. Multi-bottom pots will make a sound when tapped, while single-bottom pots will not.
• Note that fake pots are often light in weight when lifted even without a ringing sound when tapped on the bottom.
• Good stainless steel pots have a bright and cloudy color and are heavy when lifted.
• Good pots do not stick or can stick but with a light stickiness to a magnet.