Discover the best oils for stainless steel cooking. Learn which oils can handle high heat, and which to avoid.
Key Takeaways:
If you love cooking with stainless steel pans, choosing the right oil is key to getting the best results. Stainless steel heats up quickly and cooks food evenly, but it also requires an oil that can handle high temperatures without burning or sticking.
Some oils work better than others, and if you're just learning about cooking oils, the differences might not be obvious at first. The wrong oil can lead to smoking, uneven cooking, or a sticky mess that’s tough to clean. On the other hand, the right oil will enhance your cooking experience.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best oil for stainless steel cooking and which ones to avoid — so you can make the right choice for your kitchen!
The best oil for cooking with stainless steel pans should have a high smoke point and good heat conductivity.
Stainless steel pans heat up quickly and cook food evenly, but they don’t have a natural non-stick surface. This means you need an oil that won’t burn too fast or leave behind a sticky mess. Some oils break down under high heat, creating smoke and unwanted flavors, while others don’t spread well, leading to uneven cooking.
To get the best results, you should use an oil with a high smoke point (so it doesn’t burn easily) and good heat conductivity (so it spreads evenly across the pan).
Algae cooking oil is a great choice because it stays stable at high temperatures and doesn’t leave behind residue. This helps food cook properly, keeps flavors fresh, and makes cleaning your stainless steel pan easier!
Related: Cooking with Stainless Steel: A Beginner's Guide
Let’s take a closer look at why algae oil works so well:
Algae oil has the highest smoke point among all cooking oils (535°F). This makes it ideal for high-heat cooking methods like searing, frying, and sautéing in stainless steel pans as it remains stable at extreme temperatures.
As a result, you can achieve the perfect golden-brown crust on meats, crisp vegetables without burning, and cook delicate foods like fish without worrying about excess smoke or residue.
One of the biggest challenges with stainless steel pans is food sticking, which often happens when the pan isn’t properly preheated or when heat isn’t distributed evenly. While stainless steel is great at retaining heat, it doesn’t have a natural non-stick surface, making oil selection important.
Algae oil, like other good cooking oils, creates a thin layer on the pan that helps keep food from sticking to the metal. This can make cooking easier when used the right way. Algae oil coats the surface evenly, helping to keep the temperature steady and preventing certain spots from getting too hot and burning the food.
Thanks to algae oil’s high smoke point, it resists breaking down at high temperatures. This makes it less likely to produce burnt residues compared to oils with lower smoke points, such as extra virgin olive oil or unrefined coconut oil.
However, keep in mind that even when using algae oil, proper cleaning is important. Stainless steel pans require proper preheating, oil application, and cleaning techniques to minimize buildup, regardless of the oil used.
If you’re looking for other oils that work with stainless steel pans, there are a few that are good in the sense that they have high smoke points and can handle high heat without burning. They include:
However, most of them are all seed oils, which some people try to avoid for health reasons ❶. So, it's important to keep this in mind when choosing the best oil for your needs.
Some oils aren’t the best choice for stainless steel cooking because they have low smoke points. When oils break down at high temperatures, they can create smoke, bitter flavors, and a sticky buildup on your pan.
Here are some oils to avoid:
Choosing the right oil makes all the difference when cooking with stainless steel pans. Algae oil handles high heat without burning, helps prevent sticking, and makes cleanup easier.
Plus, it’s seed oil-free, packed with heart-healthy Omega-9s, and has less saturated fat than many other oils. Whether you're frying, sautéing, or searing, algae oil is a versatile option for any dish.
Give it a try with Algae Cooking Club’s chef-grade algae oil and experience the difference in your cooking!
Tiffany Joy Yamut is a registered nurse with a focus on health and wellness. With over 10 years of writing experience, she combines her expertise in diet and nutrition coaching to help others adopt healthier lifestyles through balanced eating habits. A foodie at heart, Tiffany believes that food is essential to feeling your best.
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