What is better for cooking? Hard anodized aluminum or Titanium cookware? A simple question asked by the one looking to buy a new set of pots and pans. Unfortunately, there is still no direct answer. Both of these cookwares have their advantages and disadvantages.
In this article, I will highlight the main differences between the two. You will get to know the pros and cons, as well as the qualities each cookware has. All of this will support you in making an educated decision on which cookware is best for your needs, helping you save time and money.
Time to uncover which cookware is the most suitable for hassle-free cooking.
All About Hard Anodized Aluminum Cookware
Aluminum by itself is toxic for humans because this chemical makes its way into food. Since it is not safe to cook food, aluminum is transformed into hard-anodized aluminum. It is a chemical process that creates a protective layer. The protective layer or coating covers the aluminum, preventing the mixture of the harmful chemical with the food.
Advantages
While aluminum is not safe, hard-anodized aluminum is a game-changer in the cooking industry. The cookware offers a lot of benefits, such as:
1.) Aluminum is durable, and the extra coating which makes it hard-anodized will last for a long time. The average lifespan of hard-anodized aluminum cookware is three years.
2.) The protective layer makes sure that aluminum isn’t entered into the food, even if it is acidic food like lemons or tomatoes.
3.) The protective layer makes the cookware nonstick.
4.) The protective layer is very long-lasting. So, you can rest assured that it will be scratch-resistant. However, avoid using sharp utensils when cooking in the pot or pan, especially when mixing the ingredients. As time goes by, the protective coating may wear out and not be invincible to sharp objects. The aluminum will leech into your food.
5.) It is a good conductor of heat, distributing it evenly.
6.) A good Hard anodized cookware is easy to clean thanks to the nonstick surface.
7.) Thanks to the protective layer, the hard-anodized aluminum is versatile and can be used for any type of cooking except high heat.
Disadvantages
1.) Even though it is easy to clean, you can’t get rid of those nasty stains.
2.) The cookware is not dishwasher-friendly.
3.) It distributes heat evenly but is not suitable for high heat. So, you want to deep fry chicken or meat, hard-anodized aluminum cookware is not for you.
Tips when using Hard anodized aluminum cookware
Do you know how to take care of your hard-anodized aluminum cookware? With a little bit of care and maintenance, this cookware can last for a long time. It is even said to be gifted to the next generation. However, that is unlikely as the average lifespan is three years, after which the protective coating starts to wear off.
Nevertheless here are some tips you should follow.
1.) It is not dishwasher safe, so handwash your hard-anodized aluminum cookware. A soft sponge is best to avoid scratching the surface.
2.) Don’t stress too much on those hard-to-remove stains. They may not look pretty, but it is better to bypass them rather than use some cleaning chemical that may damage the protective coating.
3.) You can stack the cookware but be careful as the surface may get damaged.
4.) Inspect your hard-anodized aluminum cookware and make sure that there are no scratches. If you notice that the protective layer is peeling off and see visible scratches, replace your cookware immediately. The protective coating has worn off, and aluminum may leech into the food.
All about Titanium cookware
I was surprised to discover that Titanium cookware is the safest and healthiest metal for cooking. Why is it the healthiest cookware? Well, this metal is naturally non-toxic, and will not leech or change the taste of your food. Even if the cookware is nonstick, it is still safe to use. The only catch is it should be pure titanium to be considered secure for cooking.
When buying Titanium cookware, make sure it is pure and not Titanium infused cookware, which is a mixture of titanium with steel, aluminum, or ceramic.
Purchasing high-quality Titanium cookware is very expensive, and if it is not within your reach, you should consider Titanium infused cookware. Check the metal used and the chances of it leaking into the food during cooking.
Advantages
1.) Titanium cookware is strong, lightweight, and durable. It will last a lifetime if you have a pure titanium cookware
2.) It is naturally non-toxic, so you don’t have to worry about any harmful chemicals getting mixed into your food. If you have Titanium infused cookware, you should review the metal used.
3.) Pure or titanium infused cookware is scratch resistant due to the protective layer.
4.) It heats up quickly, great for boiling food.
Disadvantages
1.) It isn’t possible to find pure titanium cookware, so you would have to go with the other option.
2.) It does not distribute heat evenly. So, all parts of the food will not be evenly cooked or maybe burned.
3.) Titanium cookware is expensive compared to Hard anodized aluminum cookware.
Tips when using Titanium cookware
Titanium cookware is long-lasting and durable, but it still needs to be adequately maintained. Here are some tips you can follow to care for Titanium cookware.
1.) Titanium distributes heat unevenly, but it does heat quickly. So set the flame to low. If you want to finish up with your cooking in a short time and have set the heat too high, then you have to keep an eye on your food to make sure that it does not burn.
2.) Don’t use metal utensils, as they will scratch the surface
3.) Putting it in a dishwasher isn’t recommended. Grab a liquid detergent and soft sponge to clean the pots and pans.
4.) Wash your cookware when it is warm to the touch. Doing so will help remove the burned food with ease instead of scrubbing it off.
Hard Anodized Cookware vs Titanium Cookware. Which is better?
I like the Titanium cookware, the main reason being it is not harmful to the human body. Unfortunately, pure titanium is expensive and hard to find. So instead of going with the Titanium infused cookware, purchase the Hard anodized aluminum cookware.
The Hard anodized aluminum cookware is safe to cook food unless the protective coating is damaged. It also distributes heat evenly, is lightweight, and is not that expensive. It can last for a minimum of 2 years to a maximum of 5 years, depending on how you use it.
