Aluminum Cookware

Aluminum is a popular cookware for several reasons. First, aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat. This means that a pan will heat quickly and evenly. Second, aluminum is a light weight metal so large pots or pans are easy to handle. And finally, aluminum is inexpensive because the supply of the raw material is readily available.

Aluminum cookware is manufactured using a number of processes. It can be made by stamping, drawing, or casting. Stamping or drawing both use a press to form the material into the desired shape from a sheet of metal.

Casting is done by pouring molten alumimun into a mold of the product. This process allows for a more custom shape of the cookware because the thickness of the cookware can be varied. Casting allows the cookware to be designed for the needs of the cooking process rather than the limitations of the manufacturing process.

Quality of the cookware is determined by the guage or thickness of the cookware. The heavier the guage, the better the quality of the product is. Guages for cookware generally range from 8 to 20 with the lower number indicating a thicker aluminum. In other words, a pot made of twenty guage aluminum is actually thinner than a pot made of eight guage aluminum.

Whether the cookware is cast, stamped or drawn, the aluminum can be finished with many different exterior finishes such as the nonstick coating which is popular today. Colored porcelain enamel and anodized are also very popular finishes used today.

Calphalon Everyday Nonstick Cookware Set with traditional styling plus soft grip comfort that stays cool on the stove top makes Everyday Nonstick the perfect choice for daily cooking needs. Heavy duty hard anodized exterior won't chip or scratch. Durable nonstick interior allows food to release easily and makes clean up a breeze. Tempered glass lids allow you to keep an eye on what's cooking. All pieces are oven safe to 450 degrees which allows you true versatility in the kitchen.

All-Clad 7-pc. Master Chef 2 (MC2) Cookware Set is an update of their popular Master Chef line. The Master Chef 2 cookware features an easy-to-clean, highly polished 18/10 stainless steel cooking surface which won't react with food, and a thick core of aluminum for superior heat conductivity and the ultimate in cooking performance.

Some popular aluminum cookware sets are:

Chef's Secret 16pc Aluminum Cookware Set
Sunbeam 24-Piece Non-Stick Aluminum Set
Swiss Diamond Cast-Aluminum Nonstick 10-Piece Set
Calphalon 10-pc. Infused Anodized Cookware Set
Emerilware from All-Clad Nonstick Anodized Cookware Set

* As with any cookware, you will want to read and follow the manufacturer's directions for your cookware. This will ensure the safest, most flavorful meals.