It is important to eat healthily, but do you know the cookware you use in preparing the food is also important? It is not OK to eat healthy foods without being concerned about what you use in cooking them. In our markets today, you can easily find different brands of cookware, but the difference between them is the materials they used to produce them.

There are some made with toxic materials, while others are made with non-toxic materials. The ones made with toxic materials are harmful to human health when used over time can result in health challenges.

This is why it is important only to make use of the best non-toxic cookware in your homes. Non-toxic cookware is one that cooks your food without posing risks to your health.

Without further ado, let’s consider the four types of non toxic cookware and what to look out for when purchasing one.

What to Look Out for When Choosing Your Cookware

When you are choosing your pots and pans, ensure that they are made from non-toxic materials like tempered glass, ceramic, porcelain enamel, carbon steel, or lava rock. It is important to know which cookware is harmless and toxic-free when choosing to get one. The materials used in manufacturing and coating determine if it is non-toxic or not. 

You might be eating healthy food, but if your cookware is made with toxic materials, you are prone to health challenges. Most non-sticky pots and pans are made with toxic substances that are harmful to humans, and they flake off into your food while you cook. These materials are dangerous when they come in contact with heat, and they can cause thyroid hormone disruption, cancer, and even affect the immune system.

Types of Non-Toxic Cookware

Stainless Steel

This is one of the well known non-toxic metals used in making cookware. Most companies are now making cookware with stainless steel, which has no perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) in it. There are many grades of stainless steel in the market ensure you buy a high quality one or a food-grade Stainless Steel, this lasts longer and does not contain any nickel. If its bottom is clad with aluminum, it heats evenly and is non-sticky as well.

When buying your cookware, consider getting one made with stainless steel because it is one of the best options in the market and has the following advantages.

• Non-toxic, which makes it safe for cooking
• very easy to clean
• it easily retains heat when used in baking.
• Scratch-resistant and high heat retention
• Lightweight and non-stick design
• Durable and even heat distribution
• Does not flame off

However, it is important to be careful when washing your stainless steel cookware to avoid the leaching of metals into your meals. When handled in a harsh manner or with abrasive cleaning agents, this could result in leaching of metals because the lining will get damaged. It is advisable to fill the cookware with hot water and detergent for a while before washing — this aids in removing food particles.

Glass

Glass cookware is a hundred percent free of toxic materials, even when heated. It is a safe choice to consider when getting your cookware. It lasts longer and is free from highly fluorinated chemicals or poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Glass cookware is eco-friendly. However, it sticks easily; it is also not versatile in nature, it cannot be used in cooking all kinds of dishes, but glass is a good option for savory dishes. Some of its advantages include :

• Green, which is environmentally friendly
• Durable option
• Non-toxic cookware
• Safe and healthier to store leftover meals than in a plastic container
• Retains heat well
• It can be used to serve meals as well.

 Ceramic Cookware

Ceramic cookware is one of the safe choice cookware to use; it is made with natural materials, it does not flake off into your food, it is non-toxic. Ceramic cookware stands the taste of time and lasts longer than other cookware. Most companies have produced a hundred percent non-toxic and non-sticky ceramic cookware. This cookware is free from perfluorooctanoate.

Cast Iron

This is one of the oldest types of cookware, it can be traceable way back to the 1990s, it is old fashioned cookware made from cast iron, and it has its form of health benefit. These sets of cookware are durable and affordable. Cast iron is a good conductor of heat, it leaches iron into your food which is healthy for the body, and this makes it non-toxic in nature. It is the safest cookware available even in this modern age. 

Some of its pros are :

• It can stand a high heat
• Impressive heat retention
• Does not include any toxic substances
• it helps to increase the iron in your food

Conclusion

Although some cookware may look harmless on the outside, it could become harmful when you start cooking with it because of its make up. Harmful chemicals like the highly fluorinated chemicals, PFAS, are used in manufacturing some cookware that is why it is essential to be selective when buying your kitchen cookware. These chemicals make them non-stick, resistant to stain, and waterproof, but they are harmful to health. So they cannot and should not be considered as an option.

Smoked meat is delicious! It has a unique flavor that makes it a mouthwatering treat. The complex process of smoking makes it more special!

If you want to get into smoking meats, one of the first things that you need to do is to learn the right cut of the meat that you will use. This will have an impact on the overall flavor, as well as tenderness. Among others, chuck roast and brisket are two of the most popular choices.

Clueless about the right meat to choose? Read this short guide about smoked chuck roast vs brisket and learn from the insights that we will be sharing.

Know Where Your Meat Is From

In differentiating smoked chuck roast vs brisket, one of the first things that you should do is to know about the part of the beef where it is from. This will give you an idea on how tender the meat will be. If it is from a part of the animal that is used a lot for walking and other physical activities, expect that the meat will be tough. It can be quite a challenge to chew except if you cook it the right way.

The chuck is derived from the front portion of the cow. It has a lot of fibers, which will make it unideal for grilling since the meat can end up being tough.

The brisket, on the other hand, is from the breast or lower chest. It is one of the nine primal cuts of beef. It has collagen fibers and connective tissues.

Appearance of the Meat

To further differentiate smoked chuck roast vs brisket, it is also important that we talk about their appearance. There is a special kind of joy that we feel when the meat looks good, which makes it more delicious.

When you cut a chuck roast and brisket open, they are almost the same. The chuck roast will have a cleaner appearance.

Flavor of the Meat

Now, let’s talk about which one is more flavorful. When they are both smoked, the brisket can end up having slightly better flavor. 

However, the two will be almost the same in terms of taste provided that you cook them in the same way. At the end of the day, it is the technique that matters and not just the cut of the meat that are using. The seasonings that you will use will also have a huge impact on how the smoked meat will taste.

Tips and Tricks for Smoking Chuck Roast and Brisket

Now, let’s go to the more important part of this article. Let’s talk about the tips on how to smoke chuck roast and brisket to make sure that they will have a fuller flavor. Even as a novice, it will be a breeze to smoke this meat cuts the right way, especially if you have a high-quality smoker that is up to the task.

One of the first things that you need to do is to choose high-quality meats. We recommend that you head straight to the butcher where you can be assured of the freshness of the meat. If possible, avoid buying frozen. For briskets, it would be best to choose a flat cut, which will make it easier to smoke. When buying chuck, pay attention to the layer of fat. There should be marbling.

When choosing your meat, it is also important to pay attention to several things. For instance, grass-fed is better even if it is more expensive. USDA rating will also be crucial. These things can make the price go higher, but once you taste the meat, you will see the difference.

Before you smoke the meat, another thing that requires your attention would be the seasoning. This will have an impact on the overall flavor, so do it right. Some people choose to trim the fat from the brisket before seasoning. However, if you want it juicier, it would be best to not get rid of the fat. Salt and pepper are the best options for seasoning your chuck and brisket before they are smoked. One mistake that most people commit is to overdo the rub. Avoid this. Most of the flavor should come from the process of smoking and not from the seasonings that you will be using.

The smoker is also an important part of the process. Before you start, make sure that it is already hot. Preheating is important to perfectly smoke your chuck roast and brisket. This process is similar to preheating your oven. If you start without the smoker being hot, this can turn into a disaster.

Know when the meat is done. For most people, the best way to do this is through using an internal meat thermometer. You can be assured of accurate readings, and hence, this will eliminate guesswork. However, when it comes to smoked chuck roast and brisket, experts agree that touch is more important. This will give you an idea when it is cooked. But do not rely solely on this, especially if you are an inexperienced chef. For your peace of mind, it is hard to go wrong when you use a thermometer.

Do not be too excited to eat the smoked meat right after it is done. It would be best to give it enough time to rest, which will allow the beef to soak all the smoky flavors.

Conclusion

After reading this short guide about smoked chuck roast vs brisket, we hope that you can now differentiate the two. The biggest difference would be in terms of where they are from. The chuck roast is from the front portion while the brisket is from the breast part. In terms of flavor, they are almost the same. The taste will vary depending on how they are prepared, so pay attention to the things mentioned above.

New York strip and ribeye are two of the most expensive cuts of meat. They look almost identical, but they are different in many ways. For a true steak connoisseur, it will be easy to tell the differences between the two. For the average person, however, it can be tricky.

The reason why you are reading this article is probably because you are one of the many people who are clueless about New York strip vs ribeye. We got you covered. These are premium steaks, so you need to know their similarities and differences to get the best bang for the buck.

Location of the Meat

One of the key differences between the two is where they are from.  The New York strip is from the loin area of the cow. This is between the short loin and the rib. It is from the part of the animal that does minimal work, and hence, this will have an impact on its tenderness.

The ribeye, on the other hand, is from the rib of the cow. This is one thing that is pretty much obvious given its name. It is behind the chuck. The part of the cow that is used for this steak can usually stretch from six to 12 ribs.

Marbling and Fat

When it comes to steak, fat is a major consideration. It will be good to have fat, which will help in marbling. This will add juice to the steak. The presence of fat will also have an impact on how tender the meat will be.

If you are looking for a part of the meat that comes with more fat, then ribeye is the option for you. It is known for its high-fat content, so you can also expect that this will become more flavorful.

Meanwhile, if you want a leaner meat, then you should go for New York strip. The meat is also tighter because it is leaner.

Flavor

One of the things that we love the most about steak is how flavorful they are. Even when eaten without sauces or with minimal condiments, it still tastes good. It is a sure way to tickle your taste buds.

Between New York strip vs ribeye, the ribeye has a slightly richer flavor. This can be attributed to the presence of more fat. However, that does not mean that New York strip does not taste good. Both cuts are flavorful, and hence, this is the most practical explanation why they are also both expensive.

Tenderness of Meat

No one likes to eat tough meat. Why would you pay a lot for a premium meat if it is hard to chew? So, consider what cut is tender before you order your steak. While this will depend highly on the way the meat is cooked, another thing that will have an impact would be the part of the cow where it is from.

Between the two, ribeye is tenderer. The tenderness can be attributed to the fact that it has a higher fat content, which also makes it juicy. Despite this, the New York strip is also tender, but not as tender as ribeye. Take note that these are from under-used muscles of cows, so expect that the meat will be tender.

Health Concerns

Meats are unpopular for people who are health-conscious. Nonetheless, even meat-lovers often think about which cuts are healthier. This all boils down to the presence of fats in the meat.

From the two cuts, New York strip is believed to be a healthier option. An average serving would have 160 calories, 2.3 grams of saturated fat, and 25 grams of protein. On the other hand, an average serving of a ribeye steak will have 190 calories, 4 grams of saturated fat, and 23 grams of protein. It is no longer surprising that New York strip is the healthier alternative since it contains lesser fat.

Cooking and Preparation

Now let’s talk about the way they are cooked and prepared. If you are cooking steak by yourself, it is crucial that you know how to do it right. These are expensive cuts, so you surely won’t want to end up wasting your money!

These two steaks will be flavorful even with minimal additions. Keep it simple by using only salt and pepper they will also do well when they are cooked medium rare. Cooking the steaks over charcoal is better since it imparts a stronger flavor. Nonetheless, cooking in a pan and broiler won’t be disappointing.

When cooking ribeye, one of the best methods would be two-zone grilling. One part of the grill should be on high-heat while the other one is in medium. You need to sear it on the hot side first and transfer to medium heat to finish it up.

One of the main problems when cooking ribeye is that it can be prone to flareups. This is expected because it contains a lot of fat. So, make sure to keep your tongs handy and do not panic once you see flames on your meat!

On the other hand, if you are cooking New York strip, it would be best to do it hot and fast. There’s no need to separate your grill into two zones. It can take heat better because it has lesser fat, which also means that it won’t be as prone to flareups. Set your grill to high heat, place the meat, and turn it at least once every thirty seconds.

Conclusion

After reading this short guide, we hope that the debate on New York strip vs ribeye is now finally settled. The New York strip is from the loin area of a cow while the ribeye is from the rib portion of the animal. Another key difference between the two is that the ribeye is fatter and tenderer compared to New York strip. Because of this, New York strip is also healthier compared to ribeye because it has lesser fat.