Tag Archive: induction cooking

  1. Emma Britton Q&A

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    The team at ProWare first met Emma Britton at the Spirit of Christmas at London Olympia and were wowed by her beautiful and innovative designs. From glassware and mirrors to napkins and splashbacks, Emma’s collection has something for every home.

    With individually crafted and bespoke creations, Emma’s products are sure to give any kitchen a beautiful finishing touch. Intrigued by how Emma got started, we sat down and asked her more about it…


    1.Tell us more about yourself/brand?

    I am a decorative glass designer, meaning I put pattern onto glass. I launched my business, Emma Britton Decorative Glass Designer, back in 2010, and came up with an idea of putting repeated pattern onto glass splashbacks that wasn’t available at the time. I had a background in textile design but had worked in the glass industry, so my niche came from the marriage of these two areas of expertise.

    2. What makes your splashbacks so special?

    They are original and very much designed to bring joy or to complete an interior space. I personally oversee every project from design, to making and fitting. Each home and customer is unique so I work with clients to realise what they would like and help to solve their design dilemmas. My glass splashbacks are pretty yet practical, designed to last, suitable to use behind all kinds of hobs and cookers. Customers can either choose from one of my collections or commission a bespoke design – we have different price points depending on your budget. 

    3. Talk about your signature design style…

    My work has a strong British aesthetic, it’s bold, confident and often colourful with a hint of nostalgia, mostly floral, and always inspired by suburbia and the way we decorate our homes. I paint all my designs by hand. My pieces are always practical though, and designed with modern living and entertaining in mind. In my spare time I love to be a hostess and really enjoy decorating my Edwardian home.

    4. You also design for glassware…tell us more

    I’ve been designing patterns for glassware since 2015. I wanted to expand my offering and it felt like a natural synergy to the splashbacks as its still pattern on glass. During the pandemic we bought all our glassware decoration in-house, something I am incredibly proud of and now decorate everything in small batches in my Derbyshire studio. I launched new designs at this point; my pretty etched Silver Birch Collection with dainty, dappled leaves and it has really taken off. I think people like to use nice things everyday, it just elevates the everyday, from a nice glass of water to a pretty glass of wine on the sofa and with friends. 

    What is your favourite dish to cook at home?

    I really like to make a vegetarian version using quorn mince of coochinando’s Pasta Al Forna. It takes about two hours to make, so I usually do it on a Saturday afternoon when I can relax and enjoy the cooking process. I make a huge dish, or two at a time, so I can freeze some portions and also enjoy it the next day when it tastes even better! https://coochinando.com/recipes/pasta-al-forno-oven-pasta-bake/

    See more of Emma’s splashbacks and glassware at: www.emmabritton.net


  2. ProWare’s Guide to Gifts Under £40

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    Present-buying on a budget can be challenging, which is why we’ve put together ProWare’s Guide to Gifts Under £40. Spoil the foodies in your life but don’t break the bank with these great ideas…


    Shop gifts under £40

    Set of 2 Tea Towels: £20.00

    Copper Tri-ply Mini Frying Pan: £25.00

    Copper Tri-ply Mini Pan: £28.00

    Copper Tri-ply Mini Casserole: £34.00

    Mini Cast Iron Casserole: £22.00 or for 2 £39.00

    Salt Apron: £18.99

    Alchemist Cocktail Book: £14.00 or

    in a set with a Copper Tri-ply Mini Pan £39.00

    Stainless Steel Multi-steamer: £22.00

    Large Jute Tote Bag: £4

    Silver plated mini ladle: £20.00

    Stainless steel tri-ply 9cm mini pan: £24.00

    Looking for larger sets and bundles? We have a more extensive gift guide here so between the two you’re sure to find the perfect gift for your foodie loved on!

  3. Upcoming Foodie Events: Winter Edition

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    Winter is a time of culinary delight. With Game Season, Bonfire Night, Thanskgiving and Christmas, winter is the perfect time to head to a foodie festival! That’s why we’re bringing you a list of upcoming foodie events: winter edition. We have stalls at Spirit of Christmas, Living North and BBC Good Food festivals and we can’t wait to meet as many new and existing customers as possible so read on for more details!


    Spirit of London (30 October – 5 November)

    Lighting up London’s Olympia is the Spirit of London Christmas fair. This is one of our favourite events of the year because it really gets you into the festive spirit. Spirit of Christmas have a great blog about ProWare up on their website here so go and have a read!

    As well as visiting us at stall Q42 in the Grand Hall Ground, you can explore 700 ethical independent brands and designer-makers, curated in partnership with House & Garden, so there’s something for everyone.

    Shop food and eat food in equal measure with award-winning artisans and producers nestled alongside Louis Roederer bars and a BRAND NEW José Pizarro at Spirit of Christmas Restaurant.

    We will be selling all our ranges so come on down and treat yourself or a foodie loved one to the perfect christmas cookware gift!

    Upcoming foodie events: winter edition
    Copper Tri-Ply, Copper Base, Stainless Steel Tri-Ply and Stainless Steel Base ranges will all be available

    Getting there: Olympia London is located at

    Hammersmith Road
    London
    W14 8UX

    Kensington (Olympia) has a dedicated rail station located directly beside the venue, and is also served by London Overground and National Rail services, and a limited service on the District line from Earl’s Court. If the trains don’t align then you can easily walk from nearby stations as it’s a 0.5 mile walk from West Kensington on the district line or a 0.5 mile walk from Baron’s Court on the Piccadilly Line.

    Tickets: Day tickets from £22. Book here.


    Living North: Yorkshire Christmas Fair (9 – 12 November)

    Taking over York Racecourse is the Living North Yorkshire Christmas Fair at York Racecourse. We’re delighted to have a stand at the biggest seasonal event in the North and cannot wait to get into the festive spirit with new and existing customers so make sure you come and see us at stand EG3.

    From local, artisan producers to homewares and fashion retailers, there’s something for everyone at this larger than life event! All four days of the event also promise fantastic chef demonstrations so whichever day you go, you’re in for a treat.

    Getting there: York Racecourse is located at

    York Racecourse
    Racecourse Road, Knavesmire Road, York

    Tickets:

    Early Bird Discounted Tickets: £7
    Concessions: £6

    Booking fees apply. Book here.

    Early bird discounted tickets are available until Midnight on 8 November. After this, tickets will be available to buy on the door at £9 each and concessions are also available.

    Check out our minis here and see them at any of the festivals!


    BBC Good Food Show (23 – 26 November)

    Wrapping up our upcoming foodie events: winter edition is the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC in Birmingham. It promises to be a culinary cracker, with star guests already announced. These include The Hairy Bikers, Nadiya Hussein, Michel Roux, James Martin and Gennaro Contaldo so don’t miss them! Also make sure you hit the BBC Good Food Restaurant and star book signings alongside all your Christmas shopping stops.

    Come and visit us at stand Q32 for all your Christmas culinary needs, or to chat all things pots and pans.

    Getting there: The NEC’s address is

    NEC Birmingham, B40 1NT

    It is also connected to Birmingham International Station by a covered walkway so couldn’t be easier.

    Tickets: General admission from £25. Book here.

    And with that, Christmas stockings for the foodies in your life are sorted! If you’re looking for bigger gifts or gift bundles, then head over to our Christmas Gift Guide here and also keep an eye on our social media for any upcoming promotions or offers.

  4. ProWare’s Chrismas Gift Guide

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    Christmas is a time of culinary delight! From homemade mince pies and family Christmas cake recipes to the mouth-watering smell of roast turkey, there’s no denying that Christmas is the foodie gift that keeps on giving. With all this cooking going on, we’ve put together ProWare’s Chrismas Gift Guide to help you treat the foodies in your life.


    ProWare’s Christmas Gift Guide to main presents…

    Large gift sets

    Set of 6

    Proware's Christmas Gift Guide

    All our ranges come in larger sets. Copper Tri-Ply (pictured), Copper Base, and Stainless Steel Tri-Ply come in sets of 6 and Stainless Steel Base in a set of 5.

    These fantastic sets are the perfect bundle for setting up any home or professional chef for success. They all include 3x saucepans (16cm, 18cm, 20cm), and a 14cm milk pan and are completed by a variation of non-stick frying pans, stockpots, or saute pans.

    RRP: from £208.00 Buy here

    Set of 3

    Proware Christmas Gift Guide

    Within each of our four ranges we offer a set of 16cm, 18cm, and 20cm saucepans. Our sets of 3 give you a saucepan for every occasion.

    We have designed the handles specifically so that the pans nest within each other for stylish and efficient storage

    If you’re not sure which range is right for you, check out what we love about each of them here.

    RRP: from £135.00 Buy here


    Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Roaster

    ProWare's Christmas Gift Guide - woman putting roasting pan into the oven
    Our Roasting Pan is a Christmas must-have!

    If you’re anything like us, Christmas reminds you how much you love your roaster. So why not treat a foodie loved one to the same joy?

    Brad Carter, Chef/Owner at Michelin-starred Carters of Moseley loves using our roaster at home on Sundays… if that isn’t enough of an endorsement, we don’t know what is!

    RRP: from £82.00 Buy here


    Introducing our newest pan our stainless steel tri-ply Chef’s Pan

    A ProWare Kitchen Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Chef’s Pan makes a fantastic Christmas gift for anyone who loves to cook—or wants to start! With its durable tri-ply construction, this pan ensures even heat distribution for precise cooking, whether sautéing, simmering, or searing. Its sleek stainless steel finish adds a touch of professional style to any kitchen, while the versatile design works on all hobs, including induction. A high-quality chef’s pan like this elevates everyday meals and inspires culinary creativity, making it a thoughtful, long-lasting gift that shows you care about both flavor and function.

    RRP: from £65.00 Buy here


    ProWare’s Christmas Gift Guide to Mini Cookware

    A firm favourite with Michelin-starred chefs, our mini saucepans, frying pans and casserole dishes are really versatile and a key feature of ProWare’s Chrismas Gift Guide.

    They’re perfect for cooking and serving: cooking jus, sauces, delicate veg, and serving soups, sides, and individual portions. They’re showstoppers in professional kitchens so why shouldn’t they be showstoppers in yours, or your loved one’s?

    RRP: individual items from £21.00

    Shop for them here.

    Mini Gift Set

    This gift set really is the perfect stocking filler. With a gorgeous ladle – made from stainless steel and plated in Sheffield – and one of our versatile mini pans (seen in action above) this gift set is a must-have stocking filler for any foodie!

    RRP: £41.00 Buy here

    ProWare's Chrismas Gift Guide

    Ladle

    Made from stainless steel and silver-plated in Sheffield, this ladle is a great addition to any kitchen or table. It’s part of our mini gift set (above) but also makes a brilliant present on its own. If you’re travelling light this Christmas, then it makes for the perfect portable stocking filler!

    RRP: £20.00 Buy here

    Mini pan gift sets

    We have large and small mini copper tri-ply gift sets, both coming with a beautiful ProWare tote bag so there’s something for every budget.  

    Large copper tri-ply gift set

    The large set comes with a copper tri-ply mini casserole, saucepan, frying pan, and silver plated ladle plus ProWare tote bag.

    RRP £90.00 Buy here

    Small copper tri-ply gift set

    The small gift set comes with the copper tri-ply saucepan and silver-plated ladle, plus ProWare tote bag.

    RRP £48.00 Buy here

    Cast-iron casserole gift set

    These stylish and versatile mini casseroles are crafted from hard-wearing cast iron, suitable for all hobs types. They are perfect for making individual portions of oven baked dishes. Also comes with ProWare tote bag.

    RRP: £42.00 Buy here


    ProWare’s Christmas Gift Guide to Cookbooks

    Cookbooks make super stocking fillers and they’re first up on ProWare’s Christmas Gift Guide.

    We all know someone who is rarely out of the kitchen, always keen to host a dinner party. So here’s the perfect gift for those adventurous chefs! Time to while away those cold January nights cooking up a culinary storm…

    How to Cook Meat Properly

    Michelin starred chef Paul Foster’s latest cookbook Salt: How to Cook Meat Properly is a fantastic buy for any meat-lovers with plenty of winter warmers, summer sizzlers, and autumn game recipes.

    RRP: £40.00 Buy here

    This book comes as a bundle… see below!

    ProWare's Chrismas Gift Guide

    The Alchemist’s Cocktail Book

    For the friends who love to host, this might be the perfect stocking filler. No dinner party is complete without a cocktail or mocktail to kick things off and this little book of wonders has cocktail recipes to suit every tastes.

    RRP: £14.00 Buy here

    This book comes as a bundle… see below!

    ProWare's Chrismas Gift Guide

    Beder UK was set up in memory of Beder Mirjan who took the unexpected decision to take his own life in April 2017. His family describe him as having an “infectious laugh” and being “gentle, caring, and kind natured.” The charity are doing amazing work in deconstructing the stigma surrounding mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

    Eat With Beder

    Eat with Beder features a unique collection of recipes and reflections from inspirational individuals across many industries. From Joanna Lumley to Dame Kelly Holmes, it gives an invaluable insight into how mental health affects us all, and how cooking can help.

    ProWare's Chrismas Gift Guide

    RRP: £24.99 Buy here

    From Beder’s Kitchen

    From Beder’s Kitchen brings together 90 recipes from foodies all over the world. We especially love that each chapter has a theme, like Start Your Day the Right Way or Fast Food (but not as you know it). Our favourite recipe is the Korean-Style Pork Tenderloin.

    ProWare's Chrismas Gift Guide

    RRP: £22.00 Buy here

    Upgrade from stocking filler to gift bundle…

    All of these wonderful books can come as part of a gift bundle!

    How to Cook Meat Properly

    How To Cook Meat Properly comes with an embroidered apron from Paul’s Michelin starred restaurant Salt and a best-selling ProWare pan. Saucepan, frying pan, sauté pan… the choice is yours!

    RRP: from £97 (cookbook, apron, best-selling pan)

    Salt apron and book

    The Alchemist’s Cocktail Book

    The Alchemist love using our Copper Tri-Ply 9cm mini pan to whip up flaming good cocktails. Whilst we don’t recommend you try this at home, we do offer one of our fab little pans with the cocktail book for a cracking Christmas bundle!

    RRP: £36.00 Buy here

    The ‘Beder’ Bundle

    If you’re gifting these wonderful books, it would be remiss not to gift a pan too! That’s why we have our Beder Bundles.

    Choose from any of our sauté pans and either Eat With Beder or From Beder’s Kitchen.

    RRP: £121.00 Buy here & here


    And with that, Christmas stockings for the foodies in your life are sorted! If you’re looking for bigger gifts or gift bundles, head over to our online shop here.

  5. Gift Guide 2023

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    Now we know everyone loves cookware, but what cookware makes the perfect gift? We’ve got something for everyone in our brand new gift guide. Whether it’s a gift for yourself or a loved one, we’ve got copper cookware, induction friendly cookware, copper base cookware, you name it!


    For friends with induction hobs…

    Your friend has a beautiful kitchen, decked out with great cookware. But they’ve just made the move from gas to induction and are looking for new cookware. That’s where you come in!

    Our Stainless Steel Tri-Ply range is induction friendly and a Set of 3 Saucepans would make a great gift to get them started.

    RRP: £148.00 (Set of 3)


    Gifts for the newlyweds!

    Getting married can mean combining households and household items. Sometimes it’s easier to start again from scratch or give your kitchen a fresh start. Sometimes newlyweds are moving into a new house and need the works. Whatever the situation, our cookware is the perfect present!

    A real wedding showstopper is our Copper Tri-Ply Set of 3 or Set of 6. They stand out in any kitchen and are as fantastic at cooking as they are at looking good.

    RRP: £248.00 (Set 3)
    RRP: £498.00 (Set 6)


    Cookbook gift bundles for your experimental friends

    Salt, black apron and blue book entitled 'How to cook meat properly'

    We all have a friend who is rarely out of the kitchen, always keen to host a dinner party. They’ve tried out more recipes on you than we’ve ever seen on Masterchef, in fact they’ve applied to be a contestant three times.

    For the adventurous chefs among us we have some great cookbook gifts!

    How to Cook Meat Properly

    Michelin starred chef Paul Foster’s latest cookbook Salt: How to Cook Meat Properly is a fantastic buy for any meat-lovers with plenty of winter warmers, summer sizzlers, and autumn game recipes.

    You can buy Paul’s book on its own, or as part of a gift bundle! These bundles make great birthday or Christmas gifts as they include an embroidered apron from Paul’s Michelin starred restaurant Salt and a best-selling pan of your choice.

    RRP: £40.00 (book only);
    RRP: from £97.00 (cookbook, apron, best-selling pan)

    Eat with Beder by UK Charity Beder

    This wonderful cookbook by UK Charity Beder makes for a fantastic present, perfect for anyone looking for inspiration in the kitchen and delicious recipes.

    Alongside their delicious recipes are a series of impactful quotes about mental health from the recipe creators and collaborators. Browsing the book, it is clear that mental health struggles affect everyone, and that talking about it not only helps reduce the stigma around it but helps us realise we are all in this together.

    We are also offering a cookbook and sauté pan gift bundle. Our sauté pans are so versatile, perfect for searing veg, reducing a sauce, or finishing something off in the oven. Together, they make a great gift bundle!

    RRP: £24.99 (book only)
    RRP: From £80.00 (gift bundle)

    RRP: From £80.00 (gift bundle)

    You can take a look at our full selection of sauté pans here!


    Mini pan sets (for friends who love to host!)

    A firm favourite with Michelin starred chefs, these mini pans and ladles are really versatile.

    They’re perfect for cooking and serving: cooking jus, sauces, delicate veg, and serving soups, sides, and individual portions. They’re showstoppers in professional kitchens so why shouldn’t they be showstoppers in yours, or your loved one’s?

    RRP: £32.00 (save over 10% compared to buying individually)

    Mini Pan and The Alchemist Cocktail Book Gift Set

    In collaboration with The Alchemist we have put together a gift set including The Alchemist Cocktail book and our Copper Tri-Ply Mini Pan which is featured in this book.

    RRP: £36.00


    A roast joint in a stainless steel tri-ply roasting pan, taken from the back of the bird. It is sat atop vegetables and fresh herbs

    From friends who love to host, to friends who love to roast!

    If Sunday roasts are a long-held tradition, then our Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Roasting Pan is a perfect gift! One fantastic feature is that it’s not only oven-safe up to 260°C but it also works fantastically on top of the hob. Being Stainless Steel Tri-Ply, it’s also induction friendly. It really is the staple of any Sunday Roast.

    Some of our top chef friends can’t get enough of it!

    RRP: £64.00


    Tea towels: spice up the cleaning routine!

    Cleaning can be a chore, but not if you’re gifted these beautiful linen set of two tea towels. Linen is stronger and more absorbent than cotton, meaning it easily withstands abrasive drying and its drying performance will improve with use. The tea towels come in beautiful colours too! Go on… treat yourself!

    RRP: £20.00

    So, there really is something for everyone in our gift guide!
    What are you waiting for? Getting shopping now!

    Don’t forget to keep an eye on our social media for any offers.

  6. Jöro Restaurant – Tasting Menu & Meet the Chef

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    Last Thursday the ProWare team enjoyed an 8 course tasting menu at Jöro. The open kitchen is quite unique which creates a relaxed and entertaining atmosphere. Seeing the talent and expertise of the chefs in action makes it an exciting experience. There must be an element of showmanship about it but whilst it was a very lively and busy evening in the restaurant there was an incredible air of control coming from that open kitchen. Head Chef Luke and the team delivered a wonderful and varied set of dishes. We were left not knowing which was our favourite. What we did leave with is an appreciation of unique tastes, ingredients and a memorable evening dining out at what is easily Sheffield’s best restaurant. In addition to the fabulous food, it was a treat to see our Stainless Steel Tri-ply pans and Copper Tri-ply Mini Pan in use during service.

    ProWare Team at Jöror Restaurant Sheffield

    The evening started with a series of amuse-bouches and some freshly made bread. Each dish was expertly explained by our host/sommelier who was a delight. He answered our haphazard questions with charm and interesting tidbits of information including where they forage for some of the food on their menu.

    Jöro Restaurant Sheffield

    The most popular dishes of the evening were the Cod with chevril as well as the Cumbrian Herdwick Hogget with wild garlic, jersey royal & mint pictured below.

    Jöro collage

    And of course, the Browned Butter Parfait which is one of the recipes Chef Luke shared with us for Christmas. Check out the recipe here.

    ProWare Christmas Recipes Joro-87

    To read more about Jöro check out our blog here and read more below to find out about how Luke got to the place where he is now.

    Meet the Chef – Luke French

    Starting Out

    Beginning as a kitchen porter at The White Pheasant pub in Fordham, Cambridgeshire, Luke French worked hard to climb up the kitchen ranks, going on to become part of the catering team at the University of Cambridge. Over the following two years he amassed a wealth of knowledge and experience, thanks in part to the wide variety of events that he was tasked with catering, from student meals to large scale banquets, to fine dining for delegates and government officials. He also had the opportunity to try his hand at a great number of international cuisines, expanding his knowledge and refining his skills along the way allowing him to reach a height of Junior Sous Chef.

    From here, he went on to work at a selection of high end restaurants such as Aliemtum, Graffiti, Hotel Felix and Gonville Hotel. During this time of working in AA Rosette and Michelin Star establishments, Luke also gained experience working with pastry, an area which had thus far remained unexplored.

    Following this, in the months prior to embarking on a global travel adventure, he worked at The Fat Duck. With three Michelin stars and a recipient of the esteemed title of Best Restaurant in the World, Heston Blumenthal’s eatery is noted for its wildly inventive food, multi-sensory cooking and unorthodox flavour combinations.

    Luke travelled first to India, on to Thailand, then Vietnam, Burma and finishing in Cambodia. Enjoying the street food on offer and immersing himself in the vibrant cultures introduced him to new, local ingredients. This time, he says, has become a rich source of inspiration for the food he is cooking today.

    Upon his return to the UK, he spent some time in Cambridge, working as Head Chef, giving him free reign to develop his own distinctive style of cooking. He eventually moved to Sheffield and joined the team at local gastro pub, The Milestone, where he worked as a sectional chef for two years. A head chef vacancy opened up, an opportunity to which Luke jumped and a position he subsequently achieved.

    Joro Restaurant - Luke French

    On the Way Up

    Alongside his duties as head chef, Luke worked with Stacy and Mat (Jöro co-owners) to open Craft and Dough, who serve indulgent, innovative pizzas with the finest craft beers available. This formula has proved successful, resulting in the three Craft and Dough restaurants opening in Sheffield and Luke acquiring invaluable experience.

    While cooking at event hosted for a group of architects working on a new development, located just around the corner from The Milestone, Luke first heard about Krynkl. Twenty-nine shipping containers, combined to produce “a revolutionary new space created to showcase the best and most exciting independent start-ups and businesses from Sheffield, where they can share space, skills and ideas. A space built for work and play”. After the warm reception received by several pop-ups, hosted at The Milestone, it became apparent that Sheffield was ready for Joro to set up a permanent home. The restaurant opened at Krynkl in November 2017.

    A New Direction

    With the opening of Jöro, Luke set about redefining Sheffield’s culinary scene with his nature-inspired food, channelling the ethos widely adopted in Denmark and Norway; that cooking should be kept simple to really get the best out of quality ingredients.

    “A meal made of many small plates” is the message that greets with you when opening the Joro website.

    ProWare Christmas Recipes Joro Trout

     

    To book your table:

    Jöro Restaurant
    0.2 – 0.5 Krynkl
    294 Shalesmoor
    Sheffield
    S3 8US

    0114 299 1539
    Email

    Opening Times

    Lunch 12.00 – 15.00
    Thursday – Saturday

    Dinner 17:30 – 22:00
    Wednesday – Saturday

    (last orders for tasting menus at 14.00 & 21.00)

    Closed Sundays, Mondays & Tuesdays, Wednesday Lunchtime.

     

    We can wholeheartedly say that everyone experience a meal at Jöro. We left the restaurant with full bellies and our taste buds tingling. We would like to say a big thank you to Luke and the whole team at Jöro for a wonderful evening. Also we’d like to credit Tom Kahler for the featured image about of Luke.

  7. Induction Cooking – Sheer Magnetism

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    Following the success of the Copper Tri-Ply and Copper Base ranges, and with the growing popularity of induction cooking we decided to put our heads together and develop a range that could be used with all hob types to make ProWare accessible to all. The Stainless Steel Tri-Ply range was what we came up with and we couldn’t be happier with it.

    Su Sutton, from esteemed bespoke kitchen maker My Father’s Heart, estimates that induction hobs account for around 90% of their hob-top sales. This is frankly an astonishing figure. So what has prompted this sudden surge in popularity? Let’s find out.

    Where did it all start?

    Much earlier than you may think with the first patents outlining the principle of induction cooking dating back to 1909. Following some exposure at technology fairs in the 1950’s, induction hobs as we know them today were the result of work carried out at the Westinghouse Electric Corporation Research and Development Centre near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the early 1970’s.  The first commercially available induction hob was Westinghouse’s Cool Top 2, launched in 1973 priced at $1500 ($8260 in 2017 dollars).

    Westinghouse Electric CT-2

    Westinghouse Electric CT-2 1973 (image: Westinghouse Electric Corporation)

    How does it work?

    Conventional hobs work using thermal convection. In other words they use a heat source, whether it be with a gas flame, a radiant ring or a halogen filament to heat up your pots and pans.

    Induction hobs work slightly differently. Instead they use magnetic induction to directly heat the vessel in which you are cooking. An alternating electric current is passed through a coil of copper wire located within the hob beneath your pot (1). This creates an oscillating magnetic field (2) which produces eddy currents within the pot. The pot’s resistance against these currents is what causes it to heat (3).

    Induction Diagram

    An induction hob

    Why choose induction?

    Perhaps the main attraction to a society that is becoming increasingly aware of energy consumption and it’s environmental impact is efficiency. Test carried out by the US Department of Energy found induction cooking to have an average of efficiency of around 75%, compared with 70% for electric coil and 44% for gas (read more here). This can be largely attributed to the significantly higher ambient loss attained with cooking methods that use a flame or heating element; compared to induction, which heats the pot directly.

    Safety is another factor which falls in its favour. The absence of a direct heat source is of great appeal to families with young children, or for that matter, absent minded adults. Of course your pots and pans will get hot during cooking (that’s the whole point) but the hob-top itself does not emit heat. It will warm up due to heat transfer from your hot pan so caution is still recommended but it doesn’t pose the same risks as a naked flame or hot plate. In fact, Raymond Baxter once demonstrated on the BBC series Tomorrow’s World, that it was possible to cook through a slab of ice (don’t try this at home!).

    In addition, many induction hobs are a single flat piece of glass. This means food being burnt on or getting stuck in nooks and crannies doesn’t really happen, so keeping them clean is a doddle. Also, being aesthetically very neat they appeal to those with contemporary tastes.

    Are they still expensive?

    Yes and no. If you are thinking of installing an induction hob in your new kitchen, it’s true that an entry level one will set you back around double that of the equivalent gas hob. This difference becomes less defined as you increase in spec level. The disparity in initial outlay may not sit well with your wallet, but you may notice benefits in the long run thanks to the increased efficiency of induction. Generally speaking however, they have reduced in price significantly since their introduction. You can get small portable hobs for as little as £30.

    Another factor to take in to consideration is whether the cookware you have (or want) is induction compatible. If it isn’t, this will be an added expense in making the transition, which brings us on to our next point.

    Are there any drawbacks?

    A reliance on magnetism to heat your pans means that almost all induction hobs require the cooking vessel to be made of (or at least contain) a ferromagnetic metal such as cast iron or some stainless steels. Cookware made of copper, glass, non-magnetic stainless steels or aluminium does therefore not work on an induction hob. There are ways around this with the availability of discs that you place on your hob allowing it to function as a conventional hot plate, on which non magnetic cookware can be used. You will, however, forfeit the efficiency gained by opting for induction.

    Induction hobs can be noisy. The source of this noise is two fold – it can be generated by the cooling fans housed withing the hob itself; they can also produce an audible electromagnetic noise as a result of cookware being exposed to a high magnetic field. This normally manifests itself as a humming or buzzing but most users find this to be minor and something grown quickly accustomed to.

    ProWare Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Induction Hob

    ProWare Stainless Steel Tri-Ply 16cm Saucepan on a BORA induction hob with integrated downdraft technology

    What is next for induction?

    It would be fair to say that thanks to their efficiency, cleanliness and good looks, induction hobs are here to stay. We asked Su her thoughts on the future of induction and where she sees it going in coming years;

    “Leading the way now in terms of induction is downdraft.”

    Downdraft refers to a type of extraction system that draws air down and out as opposed to the conventional hoods which draw it up and out.

    BORA is our best-selling hob-top brand with internal extraction within the induction cook-top. They are a relatively new company – being only about 8 years old – but they have changed the way people think about extraction and offer several different models of induction cook-tops that are well-engineered and designed.  They are, definitely, one to watch.”

    This revolutionary technology doesn’t come cheap with prices starting around £3,000. It does however give us a glimpse of how we all may be cooking in years to come.

     

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  8. 7 Things We Love About Our Stainless Steel Tri-Ply

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    Last December we were delighted to launch our Stainless Steel Tri-Ply range. We have now had a couple of months to live with them and see how the pans perform in the real world. The team here at ProWare have had a discussion about what they like most about them and this is what we came up with, we hope you agree!

    Efficiency

    ProWare Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Hob

    A totally flat base ensures excellent hob contact

    These pans are designed with a perfectly flat base to ensure maximum contact with flat hobs and reduce ambient heat loss. This means they are very responsive to changes in heat, quickly achieving a rolling boil or settling down to a simmer. The Tri-Ply construction allows them to perform at their best on all hob tops (find out more here).

    2 Versatility

    ProWare Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Frying Pans Non-Stick

    ProWare Stainless Steel Tri-Ply 24cm with and without non-stick

    When developing the Stainless Steel Tri-Ply 14cm Milk Pan and 24cm Frying Pan, we decided to offer the choice of non-stick or not (read more about the benefits of each here). Each has its pros and cons. Consequently, each perform some tasks better than others. If you’re going to use you frying pan for fried eggs and crepes, go for non-stick. Conversely, if you intend to make lots of sauces using a metal whisk, a 14cm saucepan without non-stick would be preferable. Another bonus is that the entire range is oven safe!

    3 Durability

    Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Durability

    Our stainless steel rivets are secured with 200 tonnes of pressure

    When we develop a new product, the approach we take when deciding on a specification level is to ask ourselves ‘what would we want in our own kitchen?’ With a wall thickness of 2.5mm and cast stainless steel handles, these pans both look and feel extremely robust. In addition, our handles are secured using stainless steel rivets pressed with 200 tonnes of pressure. Most manufacturers use more cost effective aluminium rivets however, these are softer than stainless steel and can deform if repeatedly banged causing handles to loosen. We offer a lifetime guarantee on every element of the cookware with the exception of the non-stick coating.

    4 Aesthetics

    ProWare Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Hanging

    Hanging loops mean these pans don’t have to be confined to the cupboard

    We have established that there is more to these pans than just a pretty base (get it?…anyone?), but we couldn’t talk about our Stainless Steel Tri-Ply without acknowledging just what handsome devils they are. Classic yet contemporary design combined with the non-tarnishing properties of stainless steel means these pans will come out of the dishwasher looking almost as good as the day you bought them for years to come.

    5 Thoughtful Design

    SSTP Nested 2

    ProWare Stainless Steel Tri-Ply saucepans efficiently nest

    We have incorporated several design aspects in to these pans to make them not only beautiful but dynamically functional. A steep arch in the handle makes the items easier to handle; it keeps the handle away from the heat source; and, allows the pans to nest efficiently in cupboards or drawers. An eyelet where the handle meets the pan body disperses heat to ensure handles don’t get too hot and a hanging loop enables the pans to be elegantly displayed in your kitchen. We also know that larger pans can be very heavy when full. That’s why we have added helper handles to the 18cm and 20cm saucepans, and the 24cm sauté pan.

    6 Induction Compatible

    ProWare Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Induction

    Cooking on induction is now possible with ProWare

    This is the first complete range we have produced that can be used on an induction hob. The popularity of induction is increasing rapidly due to its wide appeal as a clean, efficient method of cooking.

    7 Roast to Perfection

    ProWare Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Roasting Pan

    ProWare Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Roasting Pan

    In February 2018 we launched something entirely new for us. The latest member of the Stainless Steel Tri-Ply family, our 35cm Roasting Pan has the same three-layer construction as the rest of the range meaning it will work on an induction hob too. This stunning piece makes oven-to-table dishes that much more appealing and it is built to last so will see you through decades of roast potatoes!

    We would love to hear from you!

    If you think we have missed anything or have any feedback about our Stainless Steel Tri-Ply (or any of our other products), please get in touch.

  9. Non-Stick vs. Stainless Steel – The Test

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    The Test

    To compare the results achieved from stainless steel alongside non-stick we have devised simple experiment. Heck sausages are a favourite among ProWare staff. Not only are they a lunchtime saviour for us at The GoodFood Show, their range of meat and vegetarian sausages truly has something for everyone. In recent times, they have also ventured out in burgers, veggie balls and even sauerkraut.

    It is with great pride that I can announce that Heck’s Chicken Italia sausages will serve as yardstick in this highly scientific endevour!

    The sausages were cooked as follows;

    Proware Stainless Steel Tri-Ply 28cm Non-Stick Frying Pan
    Hob – 30 minutes, medium/low heat

    ProWare Stainless Steel 28cm Frying Pan
    Hob – 5 minutes, medium/high heat
    Oven – 25 minutes at 180°C

    NB – Both of our Stainless Steel Tri-Ply frying pans are oven safe, however, the non-stick pan is only safe up to 200C, we therefore decided to exploit the advantage of the former for the purpose of this test and used the non-stick pan on the hob only.

    Proware Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Frying Pan Oven

    The Results

    The end results did show a difference between the two pans but in all fairness it was perhaps not as obvious as we had anticipated. The sausages in the stainless steel pan certainly did brown better which gave them a better caramelised flavour; and should you be making bangers and mash, you could have made a stonking onion gravy with the sticky juices left in pan. It would also be within the realms of possibility to add some Yorkshire pudding batter, sling it in the oven and make a toad in the hole.

    In the face of this, the non-stick pan performed admirably and held its own. Whereas the final result may not have been quite as good, for those wanting a speedy clean up and to use less oil, this would be the pan to choose.

    ProWare Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Frying Pans Results

  10. Non-Stick vs. Stainless Steel – Which is Better?

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    It has been over 60 years since non-stick cookware was first introduced, and since then its popularity has continued to be widespread and significant. You would likely be hard-pressed to find a household in the UK that doesn’t have at least one non-stick pan. The promise of pancakes gliding effortlessly on to your plate; the prospect of never again being stood at the kitchen sink chiselling burnt food off your favourite frying pan. The appeal was, and still is, obvious. There are some strong arguments, however, in favour of the more traditional stainless steel pans that beg the question – which is better, non-stick or not?

    Whatever your feelings are toward non-stick pans, it is difficult to deny their virtues in the realm of frying eggs and making pancakes. The ease with which you can produce perfect fried eggs with nothing but a drop of oil and a delicate touch make them (in our view) worth having, if just for this task alone. Also, cleaning non-stick pans is often a breeze. If you get a decent one sometimes just a wipe with a paper towel does the trick.

    ProWare Stainless Steel Tri-Ply 26cm Non-Stick Frying Pan

    ProWare Stainless Steel Tri-Ply 24cm Non-Stick Frying Pan

    Unfortunately, they do have their limitations. The main one, which every keen cook will race to share, is that when using a non-stick pan, you cannot achieve that lovely golden colour when searing meat or caramelising. For this purpose, stainless steel pans are invaluable. Another area in which stainless steel reigns supreme is the making of gravy and pan sauces, an essential part of some dishes. All the juices that are released during cooking stick to the pan, allowing you to deglaze with the desired liquid.

    ProWare Stainless Steel Tri-Ply 26cm Frying Pan

    ProWare Stainless Steel Tri-Ply 24cm Frying Pan

    Aside from culinary matters, there are also some very practical reasons why stainless steel pans are favourable. Firstly, they are generally considered to be far more durable than their non-stick counterparts due to non-stick coatings often being easily damaged and requiring careful handling (find out more about looking after your non-stick here). To ensure the longevity of our pans we use Teflon Platinum Plus, a market leading, ceramic reinforced coating that we test rigorously (check out the video below). In addition, non-stick pans can’t be preheated in the way a stainless steel one can. This is due to good non-sticks being made up of multiple layers and when a pan is heated while empty the heat has nowhere to be transferred to which can lead to the layers deteriorating.

    Many people are deterred from cooking with stainless steel because they think everything will immediately stick, burn and it will all end in a charred, greasy disaster. What they don’t know is that it will only take a bit of confidence, some practice and the right pan for it to become a walk in the park.

    A great place to start is buying a quality pan. Pans that are very thin (some basic ones are as thin as 0.4mm), are likely to develop hot-spots and will not heat evenly. It is this which leads to food being burnt in one place and underdone in another. Our ProWare 24cm Stainless Steel Frying Pan has a three-layer construction – two layers of stainless steel sandwiching a core of aluminium. The overall thickness of the pan is 3mm, resulting in a wonderful robust feel and an ability to heat very evenly. It also means, like the rest of the range, this pan is oven safe.

    Once you have your pan, the easiest way to ensure effortless, stick free cooking is to season the pan (it is worth noting that this is not essential if you are willing to use oil a bit more liberally). Seasoning will produce a thin layer on the surface of the pan which will allow you to cook without the addition of more oil, and most importantly, without your food sticking. This is how you do it:

    Seasoning Stainless Steel

    1. Ensure your pan is thoroughly clean and over a medium heat, allow the pan to heat up for 2-3 minutes.
    2. Add a tablespoon of oil (rapeseed works very well) and swirl around the pan to evenly coat the inside.
    3. Heat the oil until it begins to smoke. Once smoking, remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool completely.
    4. Pour out the oil and wipe the inside of the pan with paper towel.
    5. Your pan is now seasoned and ready to use.

    Another useful tip when it comes to cooking with stainless steel is take your time! Do not rush and resist the temptation to constantly move your food around the pan. For example, when cooking meat, if the pan is properly preheated and the oil is hot when the steak is added you need not move it again until it is time to turn it. The meat will seal beautifully and you will be able to lift it from the pan easily, if you try to move it too soon you run the risk of tearing the flesh.

    ProWare Copper Tri-Ply 24cm Frying Pan

    The Verdict

    A conclusion we can draw in the argument of stainless steel versus non-stick, is that they both have their merits and drawbacks but it really depends on what you intend to use it for. For the more ardent cooks amongst you, we would actually recommend having one of each. Use your non-stick for things like eggs, crepes and delicate fish; and the stainless steel for just about everything else.