Containers: Cooking Containers: Steel

The third ferrous metal found in the preindustrial kitchen is steel. This was the strongest metal available. It is composed of iron and carbon, like cast iron, but the carbon range is 0.5 percent to 1 percent. Steel is forged to shape just as wrought iron is, though at a lower heat. Since it has almost the same color and texture as iron, it frequently eludes identification. Pieces can be left rough from the anvil or finely finished just like iron. However, it can be hardened dramatically by quenching in water or oil. This gives it excellent edge-holding ability and stiffness.