Enamelware: the best manufacturers, selection criteria

The enamelware, familiar to all, for several decades has not yielded to its positions in the arsenal of hostesses, still surpassing in popularity such newfangled materials as heat-resistant glass and high-quality alloys. Pots and other containers made of this heat-resistant material are optimal for preparing a wide variety of dishes, and with careful attitude they can serve as a faithful and very long time.

As the statistics show, from the very beginning of the new century in Russia, although slowly, the sales of tableware are growing. At the same time, such a tendency is especially noticeable with regard to kitchen utensils made of a wide variety of metal alloys and coated with special enamel. The secret of the popularity of such products is due to several factors:

• versatility of kitchen utensils - they are suitable for cooking the first, second and third courses;
• a wide choice of shades and designs - everyone will be able to choose such dishes that will fully match the style of the kitchen room;
• relatively low prices, making the purchase of such dishes does not make a noticeable gap in the family budget.

Despite the abundance of the advantages of enamelware, many still perceive it as an indispensable attribute of the kitchens of the Soviet period. Such a look is completely vain - technology does not stand still, therefore Today, the considered category of goods is made only from the highest quality materials: cast iron, carbon steel or stainless steel, and enamel is applied to protect the metal from corrosion and rust.

In the manufacture of pots with enamel coating manufacturers often use a rather impractical method of applying the mixture - such dishes are inexpensive, but the coating is quickly erased, cracks and chips appear on it. Products of reliable brands are made in a different way, usually by immersion technology - such dishes can be distinguished by price, as well as by the presence of 3-4 dark color dots scattered on the outer surface of pans in those places where fasteners were fixed before processing.

Due to the inclusion of various oxides, you can get dishes of various shades. So, when mixing the components of the mixture with chromium oxides, a red color is obtained, and blue can be achieved by including tin oxides in the coating structure.

The main advantages of enamel ware include:

• increased resistance to alkalis and acids;
• Enamel is easy to clean using the most common cleaning products and a soft sponge;
• the coating has pronounced heat-resistant properties that persist throughout the entire period of use;
• dishes suitable for both traditional gas and electric stoves, and for induction cooking surfaces;
• democratic price;
• aesthetic design.

However, it was not without flaws:

• dairy and viscous products can burn when cooked in a similar container;
• when cleaning with abrasives and metal brushes, the coating is damaged;
• Enamel does not tolerate temperature changes, which lead to the formation of cracks.

Do not forget that the enamel is relatively fragile, so when hit or dropped, it often breaks off, and chipped coating is one of the most common problems when working with pots and kettles.

As experienced housewives testify, enamelware has many advantages in comparison with similar products made of cast iron, stainless steel without coatings, as well as aluminum and other raw materials. Pots made from aluminum, when interacting with organic compounds, they begin to darken, so when they store products they quickly lose their attractive appearance.

Ceramic ware when used, requires the use of a flame divider, in addition, the cost of such dishes is many times higher than the price of enameled containers. Cast iron dishes can be cleaned exclusively by hand, as when using dishwashers quickly rust. Medical steel require too much time to heat up, so over time, stains and unattractive spots appear on the surface.

Very often, enameled pans are compared with analogues stainless steel - Both materials are equally represented in kitchens. However, stainless steel pans with thin walls are quickly deformed, and with thick pans they are very expensive.

Stainless steel kitchen utensils are often supplemented with plastic handles and holders on the lid, which makes it impossible to use the container in the oven. At the same time, such dishes cool down longer and are resistant to chemical reagents. When choosing a product plays a role and a list of dishes that you are going to cook.

It is believed that the highest quality enamelware is products from Japan. However, this is an erroneous mistake - as is the case with Russian manufacturers, Japanese products can also be of poor quality, therefore, one should pay attention primarily not to the country of the manufacturer, but to the brand. Of the well-established industries are the following.

One of the largest Japanese firms engaged in the production of dishes with enamel coating. Externally, it is well recognized by the abundance of patterns and floral ornaments on a light background. Such dishes are of high quality, which is due to the use of glass enamels with the addition of powdered sugar.

The series of these dishes is designed in the style of Provence, therefore it is distinguished by the use of delicate paints and an abundance of romantic floral drawings. Enamel for the manufacture of such pots produced from the highest quality and natural materials.

The Finnish tableware is in great demand; the Termosol brand, which is one of the world leaders in the market of kitchenware, is particularly in demand. The basis for the manufacture of enamelware is carbon steel, and it is covered with a thick layer of enamel, which withstands fairly high temperatures without any deformation and damage to the integrity of the coating.

In Europe, Metrot (Serbia) has been in steady demand for a long time; its main advantages include exceptional quality, environmental safety, stylish colorful design. The enamel coating is made of natural materials, applied in an even layer, and does not require special care. Under this brand not only pots are produced, but also kettles, Turks and the most common ladles and ladles.

The best user reviews deserved products from Germany.

By the way, domestic manufacturers also make the dishes, which in their quality is almost as good as their imported counterparts. Among the most popular can be called "Novomoskovskoye dishes" and "Lysva enamel." Distinctive feature of products - high quality, which has been maintained for almost a hundred years.

Among other domestic enterprises are the following two.

• "Enamel" - This is a company from Magnitogorsk that specializes in the production of high-quality and very interesting, in terms of decor, dishes. Through the use of high-tech equipment, the manufacturer has the ability to maintain the cost of dishes at an affordable level.
• "Stalemal" - a subsidiary of a major metallurgical magnate, Severstal. The ware of this brand is presented in the widest range and differs in rather European quality.

Buying kitchen utensils and utensils is a very responsible exercise, so you need to take the choice seriously. Experts give several recommendations to distinguish high-quality enamel ware from its cheap and short-lived counterparts.

• The layer of enamel should be smooth and shiny.
• If you notice spots on the coating, various sorts of swelling, cracks, chips and partially bare metal - boldly refuse to buy, the benefits of the food prepared in it will be small, perhaps even dangerous.
• If you choose thick-walled enameled ware, it will be much more resistant to shocks, but at the same time it will weigh much more heavily.
• Pay attention to the method of applying the material - by spraying or immersion. The second, no doubt, is more preferable.
• When buying enameled utensils, look at the inside of the container without fail and appreciate the shade of the coating - normally it should be white, blue-gray or black. But if you have a yellowish or reddish coating before you, then, most likely, it contains chemical compounds that are potentially dangerous for the human body.

Housewives are often interested in the question - is it possible to bake products in an enamel pan? It is possible, but the set temperature and the quality of the coating are of great importance. Not any enameled pan can be put in the oven.

• For baking, only dishes with thick walls are suitable, the coating must be intact, no cracks or chips should be visible.
• You should not put the pot right in a hot oven, it is better to warm it gradually.
• Enamelware can be used only at temperatures up to 250 degrees.

No less relevant is the question of whether it is possible to pickle foods in such a saucepan. The fact is that usually certain concentrations of organic acids are present in marinades, therefore not every metal will be suitable for such purposes.

Read the recommendations for the use of such utensils.

• Before the first use of enamelware, it must be hardened. To do this, pour concentrated brine solution into it (2 tbsp of salt per liter of water) and bring to a boil.Then cooled naturally and washed.
• Do not expose the enamel to sudden changes in temperature, otherwise it may crack.
• Do not leave enameled pans and other containers in the cold, because in the process of crystallization of water begins the destruction of enamel.
• During cooking, food should not be tapped with a metal spoon or a scoop on the sides of the container.
• Keep in mind: dishes with a large capacity do not need to put on a weak hob.
• If trouble happens and food burns in your new pan - do not despair. Just fill it with a solution of salt and water at the rate of 1 tbsp. l 1.5 liters and leave for 2-3 hours, then you can easily wash off all stuck food with a regular sponge.
• Remove deposits and clean the pan from the scale at home by using powders "Komet" and "Pemolyuks." First you need to wash the pan, put scouring powder on the stains, rub the hard side of the sponge and leave it in a bowl of hot water for a couple of hours, then just wash it off under running water.

If all the rules of operation of kitchenware with enamelled coating are observed, it will serve you and your family for a very long time, maintaining its original appearance.

For details on how to clean enameled pans, see the next video.