Comparing Casserole Cookware - The Good And Not So Good
Being able to put dinner together quickly and easily is the reason why many of us love casserole recipes. You can layer or mix ingredients, throw them in the oven, and voila!, in about 45 minutes or less, dinner is served.
But, not all casserole pans, the actual dishes themselves, are created equal. Or, I should really say, not all casserole pans are suitable or desirable for every recipe. Let's take a look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of using specific casserole dishes.
Glass
These are the workhorses in many homes; the classic transparent casserole. Think about the assortment of 9x13 glass cookware you have. You may also have some round glass casseroles with covers.
The benefits to using these glass casseroles or baking dishes is that you can see what's cooking. If you make a lot of layered casserole recipes, it can also be pretty to see. They are relatively lightweight and usually quite inexpensive. You can also find lots of them at thrift stores. Because they're glass (non-reactive) you can also do marinading and baking in the same pan. These are also easy to clean in a dishwasher.
The drawbacks to these pans is they can break, not just by dropping them, but if you add cold liquid into a hot pan. They can develop small chips around the edges and the covers, and may develop stains that are difficult to remove, although not impossible.
Enameled Stoneware
There are some very pretty colors and designs when it comes to this category of casserole dishes. There are also some very pretty prices, so this is a nice category for gifts.
The benefits to using these casserole dishes is they are lovely, and go from oven to even the fanciest table. They also heat evenly and maintain the heat well. These are sturdy dishes, even though they do need some gentle handling, they won't chip or break as easily as a glass casserole.
The downside would have to be the price. Other than that, they are not very lightweight, which is good and bad. Their heavier weight is nice for cooking reasons but they are harder to lug around.
Glazed Stoneware
You'll find these casserole dishes to be very lovely, usually more earthy looking, and suitable for showing off. Think about a bean pot with a cover and you've got a general idea.
The benefits to using these lovely dishes is they heat evenly and go from oven to table beautifully. You can often find these dishes made by local potters. Once you buy one, you could easily end up with a collection.
The downside is they can break if not handled carefully. Many of them have hand painted designs, which means you really don't want to put them in the dishwasher. They may also be on the more expensive side, especially if you're just looking for a dish for everyday use.
Cast Iron
This covers a wide range of casserole options, from raw cast iron to the colorful enamel coated variety. They come in all sorts of sizes and prices.
The benefits to using one of these heavy duty pots for casseroles is they are suitable for browning the meats and veggies right in the same pot, before adding the remaining ingredients. Then the dish can go right into the oven. These pots are very versatile, almost indestructible, and hold heat well. And, did I say pretty?
The downsize may be the weight and the price. They are heavy, but that's part of what gives them their fantastic versatility. If you choose a less expensive raw cast iron pot, keep in mind that cooking acidic ingredients in a raw cast iron pot can harm the finish or patina.
For that reason, you may want to choose an enamel coated cast iron pot. But, the price is going to jump up considerably. The good news is, there are companies that specialize in average priced cookware that have taken on the fancier cookware group and developed their own enameled cast iron pots to suit a tighter budget.
Stainless
When you look at a set of stainless pots and pans, you will often see a big pot with oven proof handles that is suitable for making casseroles. This is a very popular trend.
One reason we're seeing more of these stainless pot/casserole dishes is the versatility. This is the kind of pot that does double duty; you can boil water for spaghetti in it (which you can't do in a raw cast iron pot), brown meat and vegetables, build your casserole recipe, and throw it in the oven. If you don't have a huge pantry, it's nice to have everything rolled into one pot. They are also lightweight and almost indestructible.
You may get a ding or a slight scratch, but most good stainless cookware is extremely durable. Stainless is also non-reactive so you can put acidic food in there with no worries.
The downside is price. To get a nice pot with a heavy bottom, good conductivity, and oven-proof handles, you're going to spend a little money. But, don't forget; this one pot, if you choose the right one, can do everything from boil water to simmer chili to bake a casserole, and then some. It may be worth the investment.
Even a beginner cook knows there will come a time when they will want to make a beautiful, comforting, bubbly hot casserole. The right casserole vessel is almost as important as the right ingredients. Shop around, try a few different styles, then choose what works best for you. Most importantly, enjoy your casserole creations!
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