We all have to be cautious about our lifestyle and wellness.
And, this is possible when we will eat and cook healthy.
Ignoring the concept of safe and durable cookware is not the right decision.
There is always confusion about choosing, aluminium or copper kitchen utensils. Cooking in the old-age vessels is a long back tradition, mostly in Indian families.
Before we start
Remember- the cookware you are using to cook affects health in many ways. Of course, every utensil has its own pros and cons.
The major factor while choosing the utensil is that it has to be solid and tough. They should be manufactured with substances that do not dissolve, crack, chip, vaporize, peel, or promotes any bacterial growth.
The cookware must sustain various temperatures to a specific extent. Of course, the utensil should get clean easily and also adds an antique touch to your kitchen. The cooking method is a vital factor as it works differently and better in specific materials.
Which one to choose: Copper or Aluminium?
Read on to know the basic details of both metals and get informed about the facts related to them.
Aluminium Utensils
The aluminium kitchen and its related utensils are in use for the 18th century. This cookware is the cheapest and, in comparison with others, very light. In addition, aluminium is an excellent conductor of thermal energy, which contributes to rapid heating and, as a result, food cooks faster and does not burn.
Is cooking in aluminium safe?
The first question that comes into mind is how to use the aluminium utensils- is there any precautionary measure to follow? Is this utensil safe in cooking?
The major factor to consider while cooking in aluminium is that the metal gets leached to the food. The more time you are keeping your food in this cookware, the more food gets leached. It, therefore, results in paralysis, liver disorders, constipation, and other infections.
When the metal is fixed in some acid solution and receives the presence of electric current, then, a thin layer of aluminium oxide gets deposited on the aluminium surface. This method is termed Anodization. The anodized aluminum utensils conduct heat and basic aluminium, though, has a non-stick and hard surface. This makes it easy to clean, durable and scratch-resistant. The anodization decreases the leaching of aluminium from the utensils in the food, generally, acidic food such as rhubarb and tomatoes.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Aluminium Utensils
The advantages of Aluminium metal are;
- Aluminium is a good conductor of heat. It has more thermal conductivity than others. That simply means, it instantly heats up.
- Because it is light in weight, hence, many prefer to use it to cook and eat.
The disadvantages include:
- Because of the softness, the aluminium cookware deforms very easily;
- The high thermal conductivity makes aluminium conducts heat well, but does not keep it;
- World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that youngsters consume approximately 50 mg of aluminium on daily basis.
- Because of the presence of high chemical activity, you cannot cook foods. The presence of acid will lead to the destruction of the protective layer and the formation of scale, darkening of the surface. Storing cooked food in a saucepan is strongly discouraged.
Cooking and cleaning of Aluminium Utensils
When it is about cooking, we advise you to prefer low or medium flame. Do not cook the food in high flame. The reason is that it leads to discoloration on the aluminium vessel surface. Remain cautious with ladles and spoons because it might remove the non-stick feature with passing time. Better will be if polyethylene, wooden, or silicone would be used.
Avoid cooking food that has more presence of acidic or alkaline because it can pit in the vessel surface. Let your utensil get cool before washing. Use a soft sponge to clean it; along with mild detergent/liquid/soap and water.
Copper Utensils
Copper is in use for cooking for 9000 years. Undeniably, cooking in Copper Sipri is a perfect heat conductor. They are corrosion-resistant, durable, and hygienic.
Unlike aluminium, copper conducts heat 20 times better. It is for this reason that many restaurateurs and professional chefs prefer copper cookware. The heat is distributed quickly and evenly, and the food tastes incredible while retaining all the beneficial properties by reducing the cooking time.
The undoubted advantage is also the antibacterial effect of copper. Food cooked with copper dishes is decontaminated due to the ability of copper to fight fungi and bacteria. The Copper Frying Pan is exquisite and will undoubtedly be the highlight of any kitchen. Also, these are popular among backers because of their durability, good heat transfer, and corrosion-resistant.
Different types of Copper Cookware
Most of the alloys we purchased in the market are not 100% made up of copper. Basically, there are two major types of copper utensils in the market; namely, steel-coated and tin-coated copper kitchenware.
In general, the copper cookware is outlined with tin. The fact is that the tin links with copper well. However, it makes it malleable, hence, gets melted easily. Tin gives a good lining as it does not get reacted with acid and is pretty, non-stick than aluminium. The only negative point is that it produces a low melting point and the copper metal lined among tin should be occasionally re-tinned.
The other type of copper is lining with stainless steel. It is more popular in the market because steel assures more durability than tin. Also, copper does not have any better bond with stainless steel. Both of these materials do not hold any natural adaptability; so they are forced or bonded together mechanically. The combination of copper and steel lining has much more durability than tin. Nevertheless, they are not a good conductor of heat. Also, it deteriorates the copper power.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Copper Utensils
The advantages of Copper metal are;
- Storing water in a copper bottle overnight and drinking it at first the next morning prevents anemia, reduces the occurrence of infections, controls heart health, soothes throat congestion, etc.
- Cooking food in copper increases collagen, so it is beneficial for the skin as well.
- Because the metal is related to the sun and fire, so, it boosts the heat in the human body and increases the metabolic rate.
- Copper-cooked food also enhances the levels of hemoglobin, bile secretion, assures body detoxification.
- It supports the peristaltic gut movement for good digestion.
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Those who have Vitiligo must drink water from copper water bottles as it produces melanin.
But copper utensils also have their drawbacks:
- high cost;
- care features: in no case should be stored in a humid environment;
- it is very aggressive towards ascorbic acid, which is found in many fruits and berries.
Cleaning of Copper Utensils
Of course, with the benefits of copper cookware to the human body, adding it becomes essential. So, we must know how to clean and manage copper utensils. After started using copper utensils, you will find that its outside layer is aged, termed as "Patina".
Cleaning it is an easy job. Take a simple sponge soaked in lime juice and salt, use this paste on your cookware, wash it and dry it with a soft cloth. Store the cooper cookware in a dry place when not in use.
Conclusion
Cooking is an art. Do not ruin it with the wrong choice of cookware. So, it is a must to choose the right one! Purchasing utensils is an overwhelming job, therefore, it is vital to carry out research and then, find out which one is appropriate for cooking.
The sole aim of this article is to compare copper or aluminium to give you surety on the choice of the one! The facts and figures have confirmed that copper is better than aluminium. Be smart and sensible while choosing the metal to cook hygienic and healthy food. Choosing copper utensils online from an online manufacturer, and the supplier is also a good option to pick high-quality and cost-effective cookware!