?? about cookware....

G

Glennis

Well-known member
So I've burned the last few "stockpots" and "Dutch ovens" I've bought. Even with heat diffusers, the heat scorches the food in the bottom of the pan, and so the pan is history immediately.

I like to cook some things in large quantities...say...more than 10 qts. What can I get...and I'll suck it up and pay the price...that I can cook a batch of chili and not burn the cookware when I'm only using low to med. heat? I have gas...propane gas cook stove. Please...and thank you well in advance... I'm so frustrated, and you folks are the BEST!

 
A friend from Davis, CA got a nice restaurant quality heavy

stockpan from a restaurant supply place in Sacramento for a very reasonable price. It was heavy aluminum, at least 14 quarts. It had rounded inner bottom and straight sides. If you are interested I can get the name of the place.

 
Shop on Amazon for a pot. Get one with the heavy bottom with

an aluminum core--not solid SS which has hot spots.

 
I believe that even with top quality cookware you can still burn food.....

...onto the bottom of the pan if you use medium heat.

The best cookware diffuses heat so well that you need not use medium heat to simmer or even boil. Doing that will burn food.

Use the lowest possible heat setting with good quality cookware and you will be fine. Go too hot and even AllClad will scorch.

Michael

 
Check out Cook's Essentials on QVC. I hve burned things in these (m)

pots and with just a little soak everything turned out ok. Very easy cleanup and very even heat distribution. Call 1-800-345-2525 and a product finder will be able to tell you what they have in stock to fit your needs. You can also go on line.. www.qvc.com

 
Have you considered an electric roaster?

I have cooked 20 as much as 20 qts of chili, etc., in mine. No scorching and works great. I love mine!

 
I agree, my All Clad tends to scorch easily at anything over medium

heat but I think it's due to my ceramic cooktop and the heat source being much closer to the pan than say a gas flame.

As Michael noted, I'd say go with good quality cookware...something with a heavy base with a good distribution of heat.

 
Can you stack your grill plates? I have a propane gas cooktop and while

I don't have a problem with burning, I do have a problem getting a low simmer. I stack a second grill plate on top of the burner and get better results. I have bought two diffusers, both cast iron, one solid and one with a hole in the center and they don't work for me. I do use heavy pots such as enameled cast iron.

Have you had the gas company check the stove for a problem? I think there are adjustments that can be made. Does the gas burn blue or yellow? It should hould be blue, but when the propane tank gets low, I've noticed the flame gets yellow and that can cause black deposits on the bottom of the cookware as well as overheating.

 
Glennis: Le Creuset?

Le Creuset is perfect for what you're describing and there are several sizes of "dutch" oven in their line (their large pots are too heavy for me). I don't know where you're located but there is a Le Creuset factory outlet in the Vacaville area.

However why not switch to crockpots (1 or 2 depending on the quantity you need) if you're cooking on low to medium? Mine (needn't bother with brand since it's my mother's ancient one!) allows me to set a specific temperature - or - set it to a mode that cycles the pot off & on. Nothing ever sticks and it's perfect for things like chili, stews, and my mother's red cabbage.

Best wishes,
R.

 
I just spoke to a friend of mine who has a job with the local gas company...

...and he says propane burns hotter than natural gas. That is most likely contributing to your problem.

Michael

 
Sounds like you need a heat diffuser for your burners - just saw one at...

Williams & Sonoma but it was pricey - it covered 2 burners. Maybe this website has them?

 
I have a plain cast iron heat diffuser--just a disc with holes in it ..

I bought many years ago for less than $10.00.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top