Evolution of Kitchen Cookware: Look how far we have come!

Have you ever taken a minute to comprehend how our cookware has evolved from stones to iron kadai, stainless steel pots and aluminium pans? The modern kitchen's amenities, such as its electric and gas burners, stainless steel pots and pans, and effective refrigeration and reheating methods, are simple to take for granted.

Discovery of fire was one giant leap towards invention and by far the most important one. Do you know when did humans start using fire to prepare food? Archaeological evidence suggests that it started at least 300,000 years ago, but some estimate that humans started cooking up to 2 million years ago.  Whatever be the estimated years, aren’t we simply glad that it happened?

The evolution of kitchen cookware is a fascinating journey that has taken us from the Stone Age to the modern age. From primitive tools made of stone and clay to modern cookware made of stainless steel and aluminium, the evolution of kitchen cookware has been an ever-evolving process. Let's take a look at the evolution of cookware through thousands of years to discover how it became the pots and pans we use today in our kitchens.

The earliest evidence of kitchen cookware dates back to the Stone Age, when primitive tools were used to cook food over open fires. They were made of stone, clay, and wood and were used to prepare food in a variety of ways. The most common tools used during this time were griddles, mortars, and pestles.

The development of earthenware pots in the ancient world was a major step forward in the evolution of kitchen cookware. These pots were made from clay and were used to cook food over an open fire. This allowed for the development of a variety of cooking techniques, including boiling, steaming, and roasting.

The introduction of metal cookware, such as copper, cast iron, and steel, was yet another major step forward in the evolution of kitchen cookware. Around 3600 BCE, the Bronze Age began, and wealthy households in the Middle East and the Mediterranean replaced their stone and wood utensils with, you guessed it, bronze as well as copper. Copper was the first metal to be used for cookware, and it was highly prized for its ability to conduct heat evenly. The Iron Age came after the Bronze Age, and more complex types of metallurgy resulted in the production of more useful instruments for food preparation. Cast iron was popular as it was durable and could be used on an open fire.

The invention of wood ranges and gas cookers in the 19th century led to a revolution in kitchen cookware. These new appliances allowed for the mass production of stoneware and cast-iron cookware. This further facilitated the production of cookware in a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as the introduction of new materials.

The 20th century brought about the introduction of stainless-steel cookware. Stainless steel was a popular choice because it was durable and could withstand high temperatures. It was also easy to clean and could be used to create a variety of cookware pieces. Not only that, the introduction of electric cookers in the 20th century further revolutionized the kitchen cookware industry. Electric cookers allowed for the production of cookware with a variety of features, such as non-stick surfaces, adjustable temperatures, and even self-cleaning functions.

Today, kitchen cookware has come a long way from the days of clay pots and bronze cauldrons. Modern cookware is made from a variety of materials, including aluminium, stainless steel, copper, SAS Metal, HANOS and cast iron. Considering the kind of food being prepared and type of cooking technique used, the modern-day kitchen has the best of both the world – ancient and modern. You may still find that copper glass is used to drink water. For roasting dry ingredients, people still prefer a cast iron tawa. Boiling technique is used to prepare food in a stainless-steel vessel. Last but not the least, your day-to-day cooking vessels and pots are largely made of anodized aluminium, stainless steel and non-stick material.

From the earliest days of mankind to the modern era, kitchen cookware has evolved significantly. From clay pots to electric cookers, the evolution of kitchen cookware has been an ever-evolving process. As technology continues to advance, it is likely that kitchen cookware will continue to evolve and become even more advanced.

Do let us know which invention in cookware fascinates you the most in the comment section below.