stainless steel cookware – Butter, Bourbon, and Other Sins

360 Stainless Steel Cookware

December 3, 2024October 3, 2026Leave a comment

“A proper saute pan, for instance, should cause serious head injury if brought down hard against someone’s skull. If you have any doubts about which will dent — the victim’s head or your pan — then throw that pan right in the trash.”

― Anthony Bourdain

I am obsessed with stainless steel cookware. The first set I ever received was the classic Paul Revere cookware set. Remember that set? It wasn’t the highest quality; the pans didn’t have much weight to them; however, they had a pretty copper bottom, and they did the trick.

My mom gave me that first set of stainless-steel cookware as a wedding gift many moons ago. Six kids, one divorce, and a second marriage later, I still use a few of the Revereware pots and pans. The only ones missing are the ones I gave to the children as they left the nest.

As time passed, I added high-quality stainless-steel cookware to my kitchen and heeded Mr. Bourdain’s advice…excellent stainless-steel cookware should be heavy.

I love to cook and believe you get what you pay for when it comes to tools in the kitchen. I recently broke down and purchased one set of non-stick pans for eggs and pancakes (the only two things I think turn out best in non-stick). Other than that, it’s steel everything, and here’s why:

Stainless steel resists scratches, rust, and corrosion.
It’s often heat-safe from stovetop to oven to table.
Stainless steel is non-reactive, so no need to worry about cooking with acidic foods.
High-quality stainless-steel cookware is made with layers of metals, creating the most even heat distribution.
Steel won’t leach into your food or upset flavors.
Use any type of utensil with it, including metal, wood, and silicone.
Stainless steel cookware can last a lifetime, even for generations, when well cared for.

My latest addition is this beautiful 3.5 Quart Sauté Pan with a Stainless Steel Lid, by 360 Cookw are. I have other 360 pieces and I love them so very much. 360 cookware is made in the USA and is rock-solid surgical-grade steel. It’s the kind of stainless-steel cookware that makes one want to cook with stainless steel.

This gorgeous sauté pan arrived just in time for Thanksgiving cooking…and wow, did we have plenty of that to do. In these photos, I am preparing the celery and onions (in butter, of course) for my homemade stuffing. On a side note, we are still eating leftover stuffing because I always make too much. No one is complaining.

The pan has a heavy bottom and a shiny interior, which cleans up beautifully. I appreciate the stainless-steel lid keeping the heat in, plus it looks lovely with the pan. More importantly, the lid with a 360 cookware pan is designed to create a vapor seal. The patented Vapor Technology seals in flavors and juices, allowing cooks to use less fat and water in their dishes.

The extra handle on the side is helpful when pouring sauteed food into another dish, and the “stay cool” long handle makes it easy to grab the pan and move it around. There is no plastic or other materials—it’s steel everywhere.

I also enjoy their baking sheets. Like the other cookware from 360, they are heavy-duty and have a multi-layer design. My buttermilk biscuits baked up perfectly, and the medium-sized cookie sheet will be busy making cookies during the holidays.

Excellent cookware is an investment, and you won’t regret purchasing 360 Cookware…especially if you love to cook. The company offers sets and single pieces. Start with one piece, and you’ll soon be collecting them all.

360 Cookware

May 23, 2024October 3, 20261 Comment

Manufactured in West Bend, Wisconsin, 360 Cookware convinces us we do not need chemical-laden nonstick pans to enjoy cooking.

I have always felt entirely alone in my love for stainless steel cookware. I know, I know — it’s not the latest trend, and occasionally, it requires a little soaking to get clean. But I don’t care. I have never trusted nonstick due to the chemicals used to create the coating.

The Latest Craze of Ceramic Cookware isn’t Ceramic at all

Did you know that ceramic cookware isn’t ceramic at all? It’s called ceramic cookware only because it looks ceramic. Ceramic coatings are made of silica (derived from silicone). Once that coating chips, you’re adding silicone to your food. Call me weird, but that just freaks me out. Maybe it’s safe if it doesn’t chip, but I’d rather not take my chances. End of nonstick cookware rant.

Due to all of that, I have always turned to stainless steel pots and pans. I feel safe using them, and if you buy quality pieces, they literally last a lifetime. I have some great stainless steel cookware that I am certain will pass on to my children when I am gone and still last them a lifetime as well. Don’t fight, kids. There’s plenty to go around.

What Makes 360 Cookware Special?

Needless to say, when I was contacted to receive a sample of 360 Cookware, a high-quality stainless steel brand, I quickly said “yes.” I tried out the 8.5-inch fry pan. All of 360 cookware is designed in the following way:

** 3 metals bonded together: The inside layer, or cooking surface, is T-316 Surgical Grade Stainless Steel, 18/8. That 18/8 refers to the percentage of chromium and nickel in the metal. In this case, it’s 18% chromium and 8% nickel.

** The outside layer that sits on the burner is T-400 series stainless steel, which has a lower nickel content and high carbon steel content to interact on induction cooktops. These two layers of stainless steel surround a layer of aluminum. The aluminum does not touch your food but ensures superior heat conduction and even heating.

** Chemical-free cooking: 360 Cookware uses a dry sanding process on all of their products, which gives them a non-porous surface. Their cookware is always PFAS, PFOS, PFOA, and PTFE FREE. This process allows for easy cleanup, too.

Here is what makes 360 cookware unique from other stainless steel cookware brands. They designed the layers of metal in a way that allows air and heat to circulate evenly while cooking. For this reason, a high heat is almost never needed to get the job done. Low to medium heat works perfectly, and because of the even heat distribution, you don’t need as much fat and oils as you would with traditional stainless steel cookware. The food cooks in its own juices, allowing for easy cleanup and less fat.

What I Thought of it

Now that we’ve looked at several of the facts about 360 cookware, let me tell you what I thought of it. The first thing I noticed when I unpacked this little fry pan was an impressive weight. I have other stainless steel pans, and this is the heaviest one for its size. I can tell it is built with high-quality metals and made to last. A heavy bottom pan is a good clue that food will cook evenly and will be less likely to burn.

I wanted to make an apple cheesecake, so I put my shiny new toy to the test to cook up some apples in sugar and cinnamon.

The amazing aroma of apple’s cooking in sugar and cinnamon is another topic for another day. As far as the 360 cookware Fry Pan goes, it was a joy to use. If you love cooking, you know what I mean. Nothing was sticking, the wonderful heavy bottom of the pan heated evenly, and the result was tender, sticky apples, and a pan that was easy to clean up.

I plan on ordering more from this great company. If you check out their about us page, you’ll see it’s an American company with great values and high standards. Couple that with excellent cookware that will last a lifetime, and I am sold.

The Viking Roasting Pan

May 16, 2023May 16, 2023Leave a comment

Not everyone will understand this, but today I got a thrill from using a stainless steel roasting pan.

turkey in roasting pan — *In our hurry to eat Mr. Turkey, we forgot to take a pic…so we put the poor guy back in the pan after it was clean. I was a bit too anxious to shine the brand-new roasting pan.*

The best part of being a food writer is trying out new products. I was thrilled to receive this beauty from Viking Culinary so that I could experience firsthand the magic of this incredible cookware.

I am often looking for excuses as to why we should make a turkey dinner in the months after Thanksgiving. It’s one of the best meals all year, so why do it only once a year? The shiny new roasting pan sealed the deal.

Viking quality means better cooking

Viking is a renowned brand in the cookware industry, known for its high-quality products that cater to the needs of professional chefs and home cooks alike. The brand has been in existence for over three decades and has consistently maintained a reputation for excellence in design, construction, and performance.

They offer a range of products, including pots, pans, and other cooking tools. The quality of Viking cookware is unmatched and is one of the main reasons why the brand is so popular among chefs and enthusiasts. For myself, I enjoy cooking when I have the right tools and equipment. I have always been a stainless steel kind of gal, so my pots and pans have to be made with high-quality stainless steel. If they aren’t, I’m left with cookware that doesn’t cook evenly and is tough to clean. I have had some decent cookware, but now that I’ve tried Viking, it’s all I’ll buy when I need something.

Excellent Design and Performance

Not only are the proper and highest quality materials needed for excellent cookware, but the design is also essential. Viking’s design is unmatched in the industry. The brand offers a range of cookware that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Viking cookware is designed to be both stylish and practical, ensuring that it looks great in any kitchen while also performing exceptionally well. I appreciate things like strong steel handles on a roasting pan when I am lifting a heavy turkey out of the oven.

It’s also known for its performance. The brand uses innovative technologies such as tri-ply construction, which combines layers of stainless steel and aluminum to create cookware that heats quickly and evenly. The tri-ply construction also ensures that food is cooked to perfection without burning or sticking to the pan. As mentioned, for those of us who prefer stainless steel over nonstick, this is extremely important.

Easy to use and Maintain

In addition to its construction, design, and performance, Viking cookware is known for its ease of use and maintenance. The cookware is dishwasher safe, which we can all appreciate on those nights when we have lost motivation to wash dishes at the sink. I love how they have thought of everything, including comfortable handles and drip-free pouring spouts.

If there is an area in my life where I am willing to spend money, it’s in the kitchen. My husband and I enjoy cooking, and when the cookware works with us rather than against us, it’s a more pleasurable experience. We look at our cookware and other kitchen tools as an investment. The more we enjoy cooking at home, the less we waste money eating out.

The quality of Viking cookware is exceptional. The brand’s commitment to using high-quality materials, innovative technologies, and excellent design ensures that its cookware is not only functional but also beautiful.