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How Chantal Enamel-On-Steel Cookware Is Made
Chantal pots are manufactured in Germany, where for centuries, they've
been perfecting the art of enameling. Uniquely beautiful and durable,
Chantal cookware performs under the conditions you expect it to. It's also
easy to take care of. The smooth enamel surface is easy to clean and
doesn't require seasoning or polishing.
Steps of Manufacturing
Basic pots are stamped out of a sheet of carbon steel. Carbon steel
is specially engineered to give Chantal pots a smooth finish without
dimples or ripples. Carbon steel can withstand much higher temperatures
than other metals, which makes it possible to produce the rich
high-gloss enamel colors that Chantal is famous for.
After the pots are stamped and shaped out of carbon steel, they're
soaked in a series of baths to remove oil and dirt in preparation for the
enameling process.
At the enameling mill, glass fragments (known as frit), minerals, and color
pigments are ground down to a fine powder. The formulation and
consistency of the ingredients is crucial to the final outcome of Chantal's
enamel finish.
Once the glass enamel slip is perfected, up to three different coats of
enamel are applied. Between each coating, the glass frit is vitrified in a
high-temperature furnace. This high-firing process "seals" the inner
carbon steel in a glass-like outer shell providing a durable, non-porous
cooking surface that will maintain the flavor and quality of foods.
When heated, other cookware metals may leach. This sometimes affects
the flavor of foods, leaving a telltale metal taste. This is not the case with
Chantal. In fact, the characteristics of enamel-on-steel make Chantal's
cookware safe for food storage.
During the enameling process, the pots undergo a series of tests to
ensure Chantal's high quality standards. At our headquarters in Houston,
Texas, our quality control department tests for color accuracy, enamel
density, chemical resistance, oxidation and enamel adherence.
Among the most rigorous are the "Thermal Shock Test," where a pan is
heated beyond normal cooking temperatures and then submerged into
very cold water and the "Impact Resistance Test," where a firing pin with
a metal ball emits 80kg/cm2 of pressure onto the enamel to check for
proper adherence of the enamel.
Once they pass Chantal's rigid testing procedures, they go to final
assembly and packaging.
What To Look For
So you've decided to invest in high-quality cookware. Congratulations,
you'll never look back!
Good quality pots and pans really can improve your cooking and make it
more enjoyable.
Here's some important properties to look for:
Look for heavy gauge materials. For even heat distribution and to
prevent warping, heavy gauge materials are worth their weight in gold.
Look for handles that are sturdy and oven-proof. With oven-proof
handles you can start a dish on the stovetop and finish in the oven.
Chantal's stainless steel handles are safe to put in the oven and have the
added benefit of staying cool on the stovetop.
Look for pans that are easy to clean and maintain. If time is
important to you, don't overlook this area. Avoid pans that require
seasoning or heavy polishing to maintain their beauty or cooking
attributes. Chantal's smooth enamel glass-like finish is naturally
stick-resistant which makes it easy to clean and doesn't require seasoning or polishing.
Look for a non-reactive lining. When cooking acidic foods, like
tomato and wine sauces, an un-lined pan can discolor and even leave a
metallic taste. Chantal's high-fired enamel coating seals in the base
metals, so no flavors or oils are absorbed into the cooking surface or
released back into the foods.
Look for a lifetime warranty. You're making a big investment, so make
sure it'll last. From date of purchase, Chantal guarantees repair or
replacement at no charge of any cookware showing defects in material
or workmanship.
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