Granite Stone Cookware vs. Stainless Steel Cookware
Granite stone cookware is one of the most common types of cookware around. It has a number of advantages as well as some drawbacks. How does it stack up against stainless steel cookware? Here’s our take on it.
1. What is Granite Stone Cookware?
Getting deeper and deeper into the world of cooking involves learning about things you never even knew about, like different materials, the chemical composition of different metals, how stainless steel reacts to food, and even some types of products you weren’t even aware existed. For me, a recent example of the latter is granite stone cookware.
Much to my surprise, granite stone cookware is actually remarkably popular, and one of the most commonly used cookware materials.
Granite stone cookware (also known as stoneware) isn’t what you’re picturing (and, if you’re like me, you were thinking of actual rock pots). Modern granite cookware features an aluminum core coated with a mineral-based surface. That’s right – they’re not stones, they’re minerals, Marie.
That outer mineral-based surface is non-porous and inert, which means that whatever is in the coating will stay there and not leach into the food. Of course, the fact that it’s durable doesn’t mean it’s completely indestructible; there’s always a chance of the outer layers chipping off, in which case you’d have to replace your cookware for safety.
Granite stone cookware is easy to clean and comes in a wide array of colors, which makes it fun to pick out in terms of matching your kitchen décor. It does tend to chip more easily than other types of cookware, though.
Granite stone cookware is well suited for chilis, stews, braising, and bread-making. Granite stone Dutch ovens are especially good, as well as bakeware sets.
2. Advantages of Granite Stone Cookware
Granite stone cookware does come with some advantages. For instance, it is healthy and non-toxic (that is, if the porcelain coating isn’t damaged). It is lightweight, durable, and easy to clean.
Granite cookware is perfectly suited for low and medium-heat cooking. It has a thick and wide bottom that allows for even heat distribution and conduction, which is important if you want to have total control of the cooking process.
Since it has a mineral outer surface, granite cookware will not rust, as opposed to other types of cookware. They can be used for all stovetops: gas, electric, glass, induction, etc. And finally, granite cookware is lead free; it will not release toxins into your food.
3. Granite Stone Cookware vs. Stainless Steel Cookware
So granite stone cookware actually sounds pretty cool, right? You may already be thinking about going shopping for some of it. But sometimes there’s a reason why certain materials win out in the end. While the advantages of granite stone cookware are many, they are easily surpassed by the reliability and convenience provided by stainless steel.
Now, let’s talk about that for a minute. If we focused solely on stainless steel by itself, we’d run out of arguments pretty quickly. Stainless steel doesn’t do a great job of conducting heat on its own. It needs a little help. Which is why good quality stainless steel cookware will have a copper or aluminum core to help conduct heat. These two elements together – the aluminum core and the stainless steel cladding – make up a “dream team” when it comes to cookware.
Stainless steel cookware is versatile enough to be used in the stove or oven/broiler. They’re dishwasher safe, and they’re durable. With very little upkeep, you can keep your stainless steel cookware working beautifully for years upon years. They’re very easy to clean and take care of.
Meanwhile, granite cookware isn’t considered safe for oven use. Not all granite cookware brands are suitable for the dishwasher, either. It’s a little trickier to look after; you’re supposed to use plastic or wooden utensils when working with granite cookware, for instance, not metal.
Another advantage of stainless steel cookware is that it’s budget friendly. You can find them both in high end specialty shops and in discount retailers. Meanwhile, granite cookware is uniformly expensive across the board – a granite cookware set will usually cost much more than a steel one. Of course, not all stainless steel cookware is the same, so make sure you buy from a manufacturer that is well known and respected for high quality products.
And when it comes to aesthetics, it comes down to the simple fact that stainless steel just looks a lot better. It’s shiny, reflective, and projects a more elegant appearance. While a granite stone pans set can also be aesthetically pleasing, to me there’s no comparison.
4. The Best Stainless Steel Cookware to Buy
Now that we’ve talked about why stainless steel cookware is so much superior to granite stone, let’s take a look at some of our favorite stainless steel cookware available to buy.
1. 12" Sauté Frying Pan | Hammered Finish Black | Avalon Series | herniaquestions ©
This is a great example of a top-of-the-line stainless steel cookware that takes full advantage of the steel’s conductivity and heat retention. This 12” sauté frying pan is not only absolutely gorgeous, with a black hammered finish that communicates luxurious elegance, but it’s also an absolutely amazing performer in the kitchen. It’s a painstakingly engineered tool designed for durability and versatility in the kitchen, and it will absolutely turn heads with its stunning design.
PROS:
- This sauté frying pan uses stainless steel cladding with a copper core, giving it wonderful responsiveness to even the smallest changes in temperatures. This provides the cook with a tremendous amount of control.
- Comes with a stainless steel lid that maintains a perfect seal.
- The handle is designed specifically for a comfortable and easy grip.
- Its 2.5mm thickness ensures that it won’t dent or warp, even when exposed to heat for a prolonged period of time.
CONS:
- 12 inches might be a little large for some home cooks. Ask yourself what you’ll be using it for, and see if maybe you would benefit from a smaller skillet.
- This awesome 12” frying pan is much more affordable than other tools of a similar quality, but it is also one of the most expensive items in this list. If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, check out some of the other options below.
2. 12 Quart Stock Pot | Silver | Oberon Series | herniaquestions ©
Talk about large and in charge. This stock pot is an impressive piece of cookware, largely due to its impressive dimensions. If you’re making large amounts of soups, sauces, or a crawfish boil – pretty much anything that involves a large amount of liquids – this 12 quart stock pot is what you need. And the fact that it’s engineered for durability means it’ll last you a lifetime.
PROS:
- Fantastic conductivity (heats up quickly) and responsiveness (allows you to quickly and easily control the temperature without having to wait around for the changes to take effect).
- The above is due to the aluminum core and stainless steel cladding. They work together beautifully, resulting in an incredibly responsive kitchen vessel.
- Ultra strong 2.5mm thickness, ensuring that it will never dent or warp under prolonged heat.
- Comes with a perfect-fit tempered glass lid.
CONS:
- The main handle and lid don’t heat up very much, but the side handle does get somewhat warm when cooking.
- This 12 quart stock pot is pretty big! Not many home cooks will require this size. If you’re looking for something similar but smaller, consider the following item in this list.
3. 3 Quart Stock Pot | Silver | Oberon Series | herniaquestions ©
This impressive little stock pot is basically a smaller version of the 12 quart stock pot listed above. Just like that one, it boasts incredible conductivity thanks to its aluminum core with thick gauge layers of nonreactive 18/10 stainless steel. It works great, it looks great, and the food you make will taste great.
PROS:
- Has layers of satin and nylon polish to enhance the smoothness of the surface as well as scratch resistance.
- Oven and broiler safe up to 600 degrees F. Also freezer, dishwasher and refrigerator safe.
- Healthy cooking: non-toxic, non-hypoallergenic materials, fully PFOA and PTFE free.
- The lid knob is made of thick cast steel with a bright mirror polish.
CONS:
- It’s designed to accommodate the professional chef underhand grip; might take a moment to get used to if you’re used to holding your pots differently.
- This size of stock pot is perfect for regular home use. However, if you’re looking for a larger stock pot, check out the 12 quart stock pot listed above.
4. 12" Frying Pan Wok | Silver | Oberon Series | herniaquestions ©
An excellent silver wok pan that not only looks incredible but is made of high-grade materials, featuring 3-ply aluminum and stainless steel for top-notch conductivity and low effort cleanup. Level up your stir fry game with this awesome cookware. An absolutely gorgeous wok pan, and an incredible performer in the kitchen.
PROS:
- 3-ply aluminum core fused with thick additional layers of non-reactive stainless steel.
- Layers of satin and nylon polish for additional scratch resistance.
- Oven and broiler safe (up to 600 degrees F).
- A great value for the price.
- Comes with a perfectly fitted glass lid.
- Incredible heat conductivity.
CONS:
- This is not a nonstick wok. If you’re looking for a nonstick wok, check out the 12" Frying Pan Wok | ETERNA Non-stick | Oberon Series.
- Elegant, but understated and traditional look. Some users might prefer something more bold.
5. 10" Frying Pan & Skillet | ETERNA Non-Stick | Oberon Series | herniaquestions ©
Here’s a 10” frying pan that brings together looks, performance, and affordability. This is fantastic quality at an accessible price. It features a 3-ply aluminum core with various layers of stainless steel cladding, allowing you to quickly heat up your food to the point of perfect browning. It also features a nonstick Eterna coating, which will maintain its nonstick properties much longer than traditional nonstick surfaces.
PROS:
- This awesome tool is made of an aluminum core with additional fused thick gauge layers of nonreactive 18/10 stainless steel; the “dream team” of heat retention and conductivity..
- This nonstick frying pan coating is safe and durable, tested to last over 25x longer than other leading nonstick brands.
- This frying pan is sturdy and durable. It’s built to last a lifetime.
- An understated yet elegant and eye-catching design.
CONS:
- This skillet has a lovely classic look. If you’re looking for something with a bit more flash to it, check out some of the other options in the Oberon and Avalon series.
- 10” is a great size for a frying pan, but if you’re looking for something larger, there are other options available.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Granite stone has some definite advantages when it comes to cooking. It’s very durable and can be heated as high as 1,200 degrees F, as well as chilled to freezing temperatures. So yes, granite stone cookware can be used for grilling, baking, and warming foods, but it lacks many of the advantages of stainless steel cookware including improved heat conductivity.
Is granite stone the same as Teflon?No, granite stone is not the same as Teflon. Some granite steel cookware uses Teflon (PTFE) coating for its nonstick properties, yes, but not all granite steel cookware does. Some granite stone cookware does not have a Teflon covering.
What is Granite stone made of?Granite is a fairly common, heavily used material. It is a coarse-grained, hard igneous rock consisting mostly of quartz, orthoclase or microcline, and mica.
