So yesterday we started discussing issues related to the safety of the utensils we use every day. Unfortunately, many types of utensils used every day can be very hazardous to your health. Therefore, you need to be able to choose dishes that are not only beautiful, functional and convenient, but also safe. Now let's continue analyzing the types of dishes.

Stainless steel utensils.
Such utensils, made of stainless steel, are considered the most durable and convenient. However, it often contains nickel, which is a very, very strong allergen and can have carcinogenic properties. It is not recommended to cook spicy and vegetable dishes in such dishes. This is explained by the fact that the juice from vegetables, during culinary heat treatment, reacts with the metal, which, when heated, turns into an ionized form. As a result of this reaction, harmful nickel salts are formed. One of the safest stainless pans is a double boiler. Quite expensive stainless steel cookware is less harmful; it usually has the inscription “nickel-free” or “nikelfrei”.

This kind of cookware, which is made from stainless steel, is very popular among housewives and is actively sold. However, really high-quality dishes made from stainless steel are an order of magnitude more expensive than ordinary dishes, for example, enameled ones; not every housewife can buy a complete set of dishes. But the kitchenware market is filled with pots and pans, and stewpans of dubious origin from Asia. Such utensils attract buyers due to their low price, but how safe are they?

Using such utensils at home is quite dangerous. To make products cheaper, manufacturers often use low-quality steel, which often contains an admixture of copper. If you cook food in such a container, it will be harmful to health, since when heated, ions of non-ferrous metals - chromium, copper, nickel - gradually pass into it. Food may acquire a characteristic metallic taste in it, this is especially sensitive in a kettle when water for tea or coffee is boiled in it. Attention, the main low-quality products are produced by Chinese or Korean manufacturing companies.

In recent years, stainless steel cookware with a non-stick coating has become more popular; prices for such products are the highest. But, it is necessary to remember that even such expensive and high-quality utensils are intended for cooking, and only immediately before consumption; it is not recommended to store food in them, especially if it is sour gravy, soups or borscht, or frying. The acid reacts with metals to form toxic salts that can accumulate in the body. In addition, you should not store dishes in such dishes until next use, since the food is in almost direct contact with the metal for a long time. In this case, the metal oxidizes and can negatively affect the taste and quality of food.

Enameled types of dishes.
We have already realized that metal utensils are unsafe, and metal ions from contact with food can form harmful salts. To protect food from the harmful effects of metal, enamel cookware was invented. This is a metal base coated with a special compound inside and outside, which must meet the requirements of Russian GOST. According to this standard, some types of metals that are quite acceptable for external coating cannot be included in the internal enamel. The inside of the dishes can be covered with enamel only in certain colors - black, white, cream, blue-gray or blue.

All other coloring additives contain large quantities of manganese compounds, cadmium salts or other harmful metals. These metals, when in contact with food and heated, can transfer into food and lead to negative consequences for life. Therefore, when purchasing enameled cookware in a store, you need to pay close attention to the color of the working enamel inside the product. Particularly dangerous will be products that have red, yellow or brown enamel inside, or some other colors. However, many manufacturers are disingenuous by producing pots coated with harmful types of enamel in order to reduce production costs.

For example, when producing yellow pans, if you coat those pans with yellow enamel both outside and inside, it will cost much less than it would cost to produce pans with white enamel inside. To reduce the cost of cookware, manufacturers are starting to produce cookware that is unsafe for health when used. Therefore, when purchasing enamel cookware, you must pay attention to the GOST instructions on its label. All saucepans and ladles without GOST may be unsafe.

It is important to pay attention to the quality of this enamel coating itself, since the coating varies. The smooth and glossy surface of the product should not be dull, stained or oily. If they are present, the quality of firing of the cookware is usually impaired, which means that the properties of such cookware are sharply reduced, it can become dangerous and allow the passage of metal ions from which the base of the pan is made. At the bottom of an enamel cookware, if it is made without a metal rim, there may be traces of needles, on which the products are usually placed when firing in the oven. And the dishes on which the metal rim is attached are usually placed in the oven with the bottom up, and then, after firing, the sides are covered with metal rims made of stainless steel.

The quality of the enamel will greatly depend on its thickness and number of layers, and some products may be produced with a double layer of enamel. However, a very thick layer of enamel usually indicates a defective product and its correction, since if defects occur on the product, it is again sent to the enameling stage. When re-enamelling, unevenness may occur in the coating area, in the area of ​​which chips can easily occur during use. Even minimal cracks and chips of enamel open the way for metals into products. Typically European production is done by spraying the enamel rather than dipping it into the enamel. This reduces the thickness of the coating and improves the quality of the product. However, the service life of such a product will be shorter than that of products dipped in enamel.

When applying a double layer of enamel coating, the quality of the cookware improves - it preserves food more reliably, preventing it from coming into contact with metal ions from the base of the product. This improves the taste and quality of food. The smooth, glass-like surface of the enamel practically prevents the growth of harmful bacteria. And of all the previously discussed types of cookware, enamel cookware is the best for cooking and storing food. However, it is necessary to strictly monitor the quality and condition of the enamel - abrasion, chips and cracks in the enamel should not be allowed. When washing such dishes, it is prohibited to use metal brushes and abrasive sponges.

You can wash off burnt food residues from the enamel on pans in this way: fill the dishes with cold water, add a handful of salt or baking soda to it and leave to soak for several hours. Then you need to wash it with a dishwashing sponge. Such dishes are resistant to the action of food acids and salts that are part of them. Its main drawback is its sensitivity to shocks and sudden changes in temperature, sharp objects, which cause the enamel to deteriorate and cause chips and cracks to form on it. If this happens, no matter how much you love this dish, it must be thrown away - enamel particles can get into the food, and metal ions accumulate in the food. All this causes significant harm to your health.

Aluminum cookware.
The dangers of aluminum cookware are still a subject of discussion in scientific circles; this issue is still being discussed and has not yet been sufficiently researched. However, one thing can be said for sure: it is strictly forbidden to cook or bake acidic foods in aluminum cookware; in addition, aluminum cookware suffers from salt and soda. According to scientists, aluminum products release metal ions when heated, so such dishes are not suitable for cooking cabbage soup with sauerkraut, sorrel soup, compote and jelly; they should not be stewed or fried vegetables, and it is especially not recommended to boil milk in aluminum saucepans. Also, food should not be stored in aluminum pans after it has been cooked and poured.

It is not recommended to use aluminum pans every day, as there are indications of the development of food poisoning in people who eat food from flasks or pans every day. Scientists have a particularly negative attitude towards storing milk and water in aluminum flasks. A film of metal oxide forms on the walls of the flask, and it negatively affects the food. It forms stains that cannot be rubbed with abrasives. You need to boil water with onions, and then wash the dishes with soap and water.

Today it is believed that such dishes are the most harmful, they rank last in terms of health safety. Manufacturers say that the oxide film on the surface protects food from the penetration of ions into the food, but this is disingenuous. When cooking food, ions are released, especially when stewing and stirring. Aluminum gradually penetrates the body and accumulates, which can cause serious illness. Therefore, despite the cheapness of such saucepans, it is not worth buying them, especially if they do not have a non-stick coating.

And this is not the end of our story,

Having a trash can in the house is one of the main conditions for cleanliness and order. It is of great practical importance; it is good if the waste basket also has an attractive appearance. Therefore, if you do not want to feel disgust every time you throw out garbage, then you should buy a good quality trash can suitable for your home, which will serve you for a long time, helping to create order and comfort.

What types of trash cans are there?

Waste buckets are usually made of plastic or metal. Plastic containers are most often impact-resistant products, often with various chrome-plated parts. As for metal buckets, they are made of stainless steel or with a special coating that protects against corrosion. The advantages of plastic containers over metal ones are their light weight and relatively inexpensive price. The advantages of metal ones are the greater strength of the basket and its representative appearance. The chrome model is most often purchased when the bucket is installed in plain sight indoors.

Bucket shapes come in different shapes: round, oval, square, triangular and conical. Waste containers come with lids that can be opened using your hands, and there is also the option of a trash can with a pedal or that can be opened using other devices. For convenience, many containers are equipped with handles necessary for carrying, and sometimes with legs, so that the basket does not slip on the floor. They are double: the outer side is made of metal, and the inner side is made of plastic.

Bucket dimensions

The size of the basket must be selected depending on how many people live in the house, where exactly it will be located and what exactly it will be used for. Kitchen trash can It should be large in size, as it will fill instantly. A large bucket will also come in handy if the house is currently undergoing renovations. A small container is good, for example, for a bathroom.

Now, among the range provided, you can buy a bucket with a capacity of up to 36 liters. Many of the models are also equipped with special clamps that prevent garbage bags from slipping and the waste itself from falling out of the bucket in any way.

Which bucket to choose for a certain room?

For the kitchen, it is better to choose a trash can with a lid to protect against unpleasant odors, which it is advisable not to open with your hands. A good option would be a unit with a swinging lid, into which garbage can be easily thrown with the slightest push. If you want to purchase a wastebasket for the kitchen, you should pay attention and buy a trash can with a pedal, in such cases you won’t have to touch the container with your hands once again while cooking. Some models of baskets can move out from under the sink as needed when the door is opened or when a special pedal is pressed. There are models that travel along special rails located on the bottom or side of the cabinet surface. Not long ago, sensory trash can with opening lid, which opens on its own, you just have to raise your hand.

In order to sort waste, you can take a container with a separator. Garbage can be processed using an electronic shredder, but it will only be able to grind husks, shells, paper and small seeds. He will not be able to overcome plastic bags, large bones and various non-food waste. As for the processed material, after such a shredder it goes into the sewer.

The trash can in the kitchen can be installed in such a way that it is not visible, but in which sector it will be located is not so important. But remember that installing a container, for example, under a sink, will also have its drawbacks - the unpleasant smell will spread faster in this case. Another option is to make the trash can, on the contrary, bright, effective and noticeable. Then it can become not an interior detail that needs to be hidden, but an original and unique addition to the overall atmosphere of the kitchen.

If you need to install a trash can with a pedal for your cabinet, then its appearance and compliance with the design come first. So, if the room is designed in a simple style, then the container should be cylindrical or with a geometric pattern. You can choose a suitable model made of leather or steel, with special shapes for cigarette butts. Such a bucket should not be large, because there will be much less waste in such a place, compared to the kitchen.

What other original types of buckets are there?

1. Nowadays, trash cans have appeared that independently determine how full they are using light. A glowing green light will tell you that the basket is empty, an orange light will tell you that the bucket is half full, and a red light will tell you that you shouldn’t throw garbage in there, because the unit is already full.

2. Sensory models. Just bring your hand to such a bucket and it will open it itself. An interesting fact is that some models can independently calculate the amount of garbage and open the lid as much as needed. For those who like to throw trash from afar, such a basket will also be great entertainment.

3. Compost bucket. It is suitable for kitchens in private homes and only processes food waste. In such a container, special microorganisms work that transform garbage into fertilizer. In just a week, the garbage will be completely recycled.

4. Container that compresses waste. It allows you to avoid throwing out waste for a longer period of time, and is suitable for those people who do not want to often take out garbage from their apartment. The only thing worth considering is that the unit is not suitable for food waste. The container is designed in such a way that it forms waste into convenient briquettes, which are wrapped in polyethylene on top.

Do not forget that a trash can is not only a container for garbage, but also an integral part of the overall ambiance of the room, so it must be chosen in such a way that it fits harmoniously into the design of the entire room.

Enameled cookware cannot be called the closest “relative” of aluminum. However, for a long time, especially during the Soviet years, when the variety of tableware in stores left much to be desired, it was considered the main alternative.

Enameled - from the word enamel. Actually, that says it all. Such dishes are generally made of cast iron or metal alloys. And then the finished pans are covered with one or more (depending on the technology) layers of glass enamel. It protects the metal from oxidation, and those who use the dishes from possible poisoning by harmful chemical compounds. Moreover, in Russian factories, largely due to relatively outdated equipment, as a rule, the “dipping” method is used, when the tableware blank is dipped into enamel. But imported enamel cookware is often made using a more modern method - using enamel spraying. In this case, less of it (enamel) is spent, its layer is thinner, and the products are cheaper. However, in terms of its consumer characteristics, such cookware is inferior to high-quality Russian samples.

A noticeable advantage of enamel cookware, although not directly related to cooking, is the variety of designs. After all, enamel can be of any color; with its help, various designs can be applied to dishes: cooking in beautiful dishes is always a pleasure.

The heavier and thicker the enamel cookware, the better. Naturally, within reasonable limits. The best option is enamel cookware with a thickness of 4.5 mm. It heats up most correctly (in the sense of evenly). In addition, thicker dishes are more resistant to mechanical damage. However, to find dishes of this thickness in a store, you have to try; more often you can find thinner ones (2-3 mm).

You can cook a lot in enamel cookware, but not everything. Cook soup, vegetables, compote or jelly - please. Stew or fry meat, poultry, fish - if you please. But for preparing all dairy

Enameled cookware is not suitable. Whether you are just boiling milk or cooking milk soup or porridge, get distracted a little and everything will burn. Do you need this? For “dairy matters” it’s a good idea to use the aluminum saucepan discussed above.

Another point that should not be forgotten is the relative fragility of the enamel that covers the dishes. It often breaks off when a pot or pan is dropped, and it really doesn’t like overheating. Chips of enamel are frequent guests of the edges of pans, which we hit with a spoon. In this sense, the bottom suffers more from falls. Chips near the handles are the result of mechanical stress on the cookware. If you notice such damage, especially on the inside of enamel cookware, it is better not to use it. The fact is that in this case, food begins to come into direct contact with the metal or metal alloy from which the utensil is made, and this, as a rule, does not benefit human health.

When purchasing enamel cookware, be sure to look inside the pots or pans. It is desirable that the inside of the cookware be white, blue-gray or black. The enamel inside should not be brown, yellow or red. There is an opinion that the use of dishes coated inside with enamel of these colors causes some harm to health (such enamel supposedly contains some kind of chemical compounds that are not exactly poisonous, but there are simply more of them than normal, and this is no longer “ice”) . True, it is difficult to find any evidence of this. In any case, always check that the product conforms to the state standard (GOST) on the label.

In addition, be sure to check the quality of the enamel coating. Beware of specimens with oily or matte stains on the glossy enamel surface. This indicates improper firing, which means unsatisfactory quality of the enamel coating.

If the dishes do not have a “rim”, specific “dots” may be noticeable on the bottom - they appear from the needles on which the product is placed during the firing process. If there is a “rim” (usually made of stainless steel), there should be no dots.

Caring for enamel cookware is easy. You just need to wash it with warm water with a sponge and regular detergent. Avoid using abrasives and steel wool - this will cause the enamel to become dull and scratched. If there is an embarrassment - the food is burnt, fill an enamel pot or frying pan with a cold solution of soda or salt (a tablespoon per liter and a half), leave for a couple of hours. Then you can easily wash everything off.

Next, “Culinary Eden” will continue the story about various types of modern cookware, what you need to know about certain pots, pans and bowls, and how to properly care for them. Follow our publications!.

Olga Nikitina

Reading time: 12 minutes

A A

There is no such house that could do without a trash can. Indeed, your home may not have a toilet or bathroom, but there is always a trash can. Today, a lot of convenient and, most importantly, beautiful household waste disposal devices have been invented. But how can you make the right choice among such diversity?

To find the best bucket for your kitchen, you need to follow our tips.

When choosing a trash can, you should pay attention to:

• Size
  It depends on how often you intend to throw out the bucket, the number of members in your family, and your ability to generate litter. For example, one family eats semi-finished products. And during the day they only have a few cardboard boxes of cutlets in the trash can. And another family consumes only natural products, and therefore several bags, boxes, half a kilo of potato peelings, onion peels, etc. are added to their bucket per day. Thus, the latter has to take out the trash once a day, and the former every three to four days.
• Material of manufacture
  Today the market is overflowing with plastic buckets. You can also rarely find iron ones - they are characterized by increased strength and will withstand the careless attitude of children and teenagers.
• Beauty and aesthetics
  The kitchen today is not just a room for preparing food, it is a separate world, an atmosphere that creates comfort and coziness. And the trash can is increasingly becoming an element of the interior.
• The shape of the bucket determines its placement
  Because square, triangular and rectangular ones take up less space and can be placed in a corner.
• Ease of use
  Of course, you can also use a simple galvanized one. But it is much more convenient to deal with a sensor, pedal or household waste compacting bucket.

Types of trash cans - which trash can do you choose for your kitchen?

1. The basket is the simplest type of trash can
   Used for dry waste, such as papers. But it can also be an additional kitchen recycler.
   
   
   Advantages: low price, availability, ease of use.
   Flaws:
   Price — from 50 rub.
2. Roll-out bucket is mounted on the highway under the sink
   When the door is opened, the highway mechanism pushes the bucket forward.
   
   
   Advantages: ease of use, simplicity of design and ease of repair.
   Flaws: not suitable for all types of kitchens.
   Price such a bucket costs about 1500 rubles.
3. The simplest bucket with a lid is an eternal classic of garbage bins
   This is an economical option, very convenient and easy to use.
   
   
   Advantages: low price, ease of use, availability.
   Flaws: low level of comfort, lack of additional functions.
   Price such a product costs about 200 rubles.
4. Bucket with pedal
   The lid opening mechanism allows you to avoid touching the urn with your hands. This is very convenient if your hands are dirty with food or foam. A trash can with a lid blocks odors and prevents trash from falling out of the bin. It can be made in any materials. But most often such buckets are made of metal.
   
   
   Advantages: simplicity of design, strength, durability and accessibility. These buckets are available in any hardware store.
   Flaws: Over time, the mechanism may become warped, and then the lid will tilt to its side.
   Price a trash can with a pedal is about 2000 - 6000 rubles. depending on complexity and design execution.
5. A new word in waste technology - the touch bin
   It will open the lid itself, you just have to bring the trash to it. Moreover, some models independently calculate the dimensions of the garbage and open the lid exactly as much as required.
   Scientists went further and invented a bucket with a lid that opens like a supermarket door. Now you can throw an apple core into the trash, the trash can will “catch it with its gaze,” open the doors and slam shut as soon as the trash is inside.
   
   
   Advantages: comfort of use, beautiful and stylish design. This bucket can even be a gift. It’s not a shame to show off such an urn.
   Flaws: Difficulties in maintenance - replacing batteries, keeping the sensor and door clean.
   approximate cost — from 1900 rub.
6. Bucket with color indicator
   This type of trash can communicates how full it is using color. So, a green light is empty, an orange light is half full, and a red light is full.
   
   Advantages: a convenient and creative detail in the kitchen interior.
   Flaws: the same as the previous type. In addition, this gadget is a rather rare thing, even on the Internet.
   Price such an urn - from 3000 rubles.
7. Press bucket - for those who do not like to throw away garbage
   It is usually made of steel and equipped with a pedal-powered, mechanical or electric press.
   
   Advantages: allows you not to throw away garbage longer, forms it into convenient briquettes, wrapped in polyethylene.
   Flaws: not suitable for food waste.
   Price such a bucket from 3500 rubles.
8. Bucket with compartments for different types of garbage
   A bucket for different types of waste: dry, for example, paper, glass containers, food waste and plastic. Today, in an era of concern for the environment, even trash cans on the streets are divided according to the origin of the garbage. This makes it easier to recycle and increases the environmental friendliness of both entire cities and individual enterprises. Especially for the convenience of working with this technology, ballot boxes with divisions were invented.
   
   
   Advantages: Convenient waste sorting, low price, easy to use.
   Flaws: are missing.
   Price such buckets are minimal - from 100 rubles.
9. Huge sized compost bucket
   More suitable for private homes and summer kitchens. This bin is intended for food waste only. Unlike an ordinary composter, it is not worms that work in it, but microorganisms that convert waste into fertilizer. After 7 days, the former garbage can already be brought into the aisles.
   
   
   Advantages: an undeniable convenience for a summer resident - his own fertilizers, waste-free consumption of products, saving the family budget.
   Flaws: cannot be used in a city apartment.
   Price such a bucket from 700 rubles.

A trash can is more than just a means of waste disposal. This simple item combines a huge number of functions - kitchen decor, environmental protection, money saving and high-tech entertainment . And - who knows - maybe soon it will be possible to fly on garbage cans.

Which trash can for the kitchen did you choose? Share your host experience in the comments below!

The Duslar company is a wholesale and retail online store of fittings, accessories and components for furniture. We are the official supplier of unique high-class solutions from leading foreign manufacturers.

Our company offers a wide range of built-in accessories for kitchen units, cabinets and dressing rooms.

Working for more than 15 years, we have become highly specialized professionals; we are well versed in the development trends of the furniture industry market, we work with leading factories, private craftsmen, designers and retail buyers throughout Russia.

By trusting us, you can be sure that all products presented in the store are the best offer in terms of ergonomics, practicality and reliability.

Everything for the kitchen

You will find everything you need to make your kitchen comfortable, ergonomic and cozy.

Retractable systems for various kitchen cabinets, the task of which is to increase the efficiency and convenience of filling the kitchen several times. Thanks to these mechanisms, you can always quickly find the necessary utensils and easily get them from the farthest corners.

Stylish trays and dividers made of durable food-grade plastic or natural wood - they will put the drawers in perfect order by neatly stacking skimmers, ladles, forks, spoons, containers with spices, etc.

Anti-slip mats will preserve the original appearance of drawers and shelves for a long time, protect against unwanted scratches and liquid leaks. Each item will be in its designated place.

Sorting systems and waste bins will allow you to effectively use the kitchen space, maintaining cleanliness and order. You will forever get rid of the problem of storing vegetables in your apartment, and easy-to-use garbage bins will always be at hand, but hidden from view.

Railings for the kitchen perform not only a practical, but also a decorative function. They emphasize the style of the set, give it individuality, and help to properly organize the kitchen work area.

Furniture lamps will protect your eyes from strain while cooking, allowing you to create a cozy atmosphere in the kitchen.

Supports for tables and countertops- functionally and unusually design a bar counter or dining area, giving the kitchen a modern look and saving space.

Exclusive kitchenware will make working at home easy and enjoyable, so that you receive only positive emotions from the cooking process.

Everything for wardrobes and dressing rooms

Cabinet filling and accessories will perfectly solve the problem of rational storage of things in the hallway, nursery, bedroom. There are pull-out shelves, baskets for clothes and linen, holders for shoes, belts, ties, pantographs, lamps and much more.

Why choose us

Wide range of products accessories and components for kitchen furniture allows us to offer a wide range of products for each consumer segment. Each category presents both budget models and premium products. The catalog features a variety of products in the most popular colors in various styles!

Professionalism of our specialists. Each of our employees is a true expert in his field, who has an excellent understanding of the furniture fittings and accessories segment, and constantly monitors market trends. Duslar partners call us a consistently reliable and professional supplier!

Convenient conditions and quality service. When ordering goods from us, you are guaranteed to receive them as soon as possible: all accessories from the catalog are in stock with a supply of several months. You don’t have to waste time contacting the transport company - we take care of all the worries about processing and delivering the cargo!