There are many grades of stainless steel. Regular stainless steel cookware is made from different alloys including scrap metal. “Most stainless steel sold in stores is of such a nature to allow chrome and nickel to bleed into the foods as the salts and acids of the food react with the pot,” says Dr. Shelton. So, for cleanliness and safety reasons, your food should be cooked in only high -grade surgical stainless steel.