Material |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|
Aluminum |
- excellent heat conductor
- relatively light in weight
|
- porous and relatively soft
- dents and scratches easily
- difficult to clean
- stains easily
- reacts to food
- oxidizes to a dull gray color
- warps easily
- requires a "nonstick" coating
|
|
| Stainless Steel |
- extremely durable
- non porous, extremely hard
- smooth surface, easy to clean
- dent and scratch resistant
- does not react to foods
- easy to maintain mirror finish
|
|
|
| Cast Iron |
- relatively low cost
- holds heat longer
|
- extremely heavy
- rusts easily if not enameled
- reacts to food
|
|
| Copper |
|
- relatively high cost
- reacts to food (toxic with some foods)
- oxidizes, very difficult to maintain finish
- dents and scratches easily
- must be lined with tin, nickel, or stainless steel
|
|
| Enameled Steel |
|
- very poor heat conductor
- chips easily
- rusts easily when chipped
|
|
| Carbon Steel |
|
- very poor heat conductor
- rusts easily
|
|
| Glass |
- can be decorated or plain
|
- extremely poor heat conductor
- heat resistant if tempered
|
|
