There's no denying that a lot of foods have a natural moisture content that is spectacular. When this food is cooked in its own juices, undiluted with added water or other liquids, the flavor tends to pop. Taking advantage of that natural moisture, however, wasn't always easy. That is until West Bend waterless cookware hit the scene.

Created initially in the 1920s, West Bend waterless cookware was a patented idea that revolutionized single-burner cooking. The original piece of cookware was a big pot that had pans inset. The design was such that the lid of the pans could be clamped down to stop steam from escaping. This enabled food to steam in its own juices.

While West Bend waterless cookware paved the way, other brands have come on the market. Some pan sets out there enable the cooking of an entire meal on a single burner by using a stacking process. This works by starting all portions of the meal in their own stackable pans on their own burners.

Once a steam control valve whistles, the heat can be turned down to simmer and pans can be interlocked, one on top of the other. The process traps all the steam in, enabling the food to cook evenly, and healthfully on the same burner.

West Bend waterless cookware is typically made of high quality stainless steel. This type of metal is known for its ability to distribute heat. This helps ensure a perfect meal without the use of added water or lost steam.

In addition to its nifty single burner abilities, West Bend waterless cookware and other similar products do come with a few advantages over other pots and pans. The perks of waterless cooking include:

* Energy saving: Since the cookware can all be placed on simmer on the same burner, this method of cooking tends to be a real energy saver. A lower amount of heat is needed to ensure a well-cooked meal.

* Nutrient preserving: Since meals cooked in West Bend waterless cookware are prepared in their own juices without a loss of steam, the nutrients in the food tend to stay in the food. It is estimated that mineral loss in this kind of cooking can be as little as 2 percent, versus almost 50 percent in regular cooking.

* Taste preservation: Waterless cooking is known not only for its ability to hold steam and nutrients in, but also to help ensure flavors that really come alive. The low heat cooking process coupled with the steam creation can result in meals that offer the full flavors of foods.

* Ease: It might take a little bit of practice to get used to cooking in this manner, but once it's mastered, waterless cooking is rather easy. Once the pans are connected, it's just a question of waiting the set amount of time.

Waterless cooking has been on the scene since the 1920s. Although the West Bend waterless cookware creation was the first, there are many other options out there now. Providing a way to cook food in an energy saving way that preserves minerals and flavors, this method of cooking is regaining popularity for a lot of good reasons.