It is known that cooking most dishes without a pan is problematic, if not impossible. It is best if there are several products available.
In order to accurately select quality utensils, you need to know some nuances. So, the decision to buy a pan has already been made. However, in the store, the buyer will face a huge assortment. Naturally, he will have a question: "How to choose a good frying pan?" It is worth noting that these devices differ in the materials of which they are made.
How to choose a cast-iron frying pan?
This is from the "good old" section. A cast-iron pan has been used for several centuries. It is assumed that she will not soon leave numerous kitchens. Doubt it? And ask grandmothers, would they exchange a time-tested frying pan for some newfangled, with a Teflon coating? No way in the world!
For the older generation, there is no difficulty in choosing a pan. The reviews of many housewives suggest that this item is ideal for products that require cooking for a rather long time. This is possible due to the beneficial properties of the material. It is known that cast iron heats up very well, stronger than aluminum. This property, according to experienced housewives, is necessary for a high-quality frying process.
Many women note that in the cooking process on a cast-iron frying pan, there is no need for constant stirring of products. This is due to the fact that the material has a porous structure. A greasy film forms on the walls and bottom of the dishes. It, in turn, is a natural non-stick coating. Therefore, do not be afraid to add lemon juice or vinegar, if so written in the recipe.
In this case, nothing bad will happen to the pan. One of the undoubted advantages of such utensils, many housewives consider that when caring for it, you can not use detergents. The fact is that cast iron does not need this at all. It is customary to calcine the container on fire, then rinse with cold water.
Care Tips
Cast iron cookware is subject to rust. In order to avoid this, experienced housewives advise against storing ready-made food in it. It is also necessary to ensure that after rinsing the product does not remain moisture. A cast iron pan has several disadvantages. First of all, its weight should be noted. Such dishes will not be easy.
In addition, cast iron is a rather brittle metal. Accordingly, if the pan falls to the floor, the probability that it will break is quite high. It is not recommended to cook anything on it immediately after purchase. Keep in mind the need for the preparatory phase. Wash and dry the product. Next, oil the inside of the pan with vegetable oil. In this case, saving is inappropriate. Then it is necessary to calcine the new product in the oven or on the stove. One hour is enough for the whole procedure. Thanks to this, a so-called natural non-stick coating is formed.
Titanium
Speaking about which coating to choose a pan, you should pay attention to this material. The hostess considers his only drawback to be cost. And the rest of this utensil is an excellent assistant in the kitchen. Titanium coated pans have all the advantages described above. In addition, they do not rust. That is why many experienced housewives prefer them.
Stainless steel
Many shoppers want to know how to choose the right pan. A good option is stainless steel products. It is believed that the food prepared in them is the most healthy. This is due to the fact that stainless steel is a material that does not interact with any substances. Experienced housewives do not recommend leaving an empty pan on fire. In this case, it can become covered with stains of blue or greenish color and will become very unpresentable. It is not recommended to wash such dishes using abrasives.
Teflon Products
This material was developed by American experts. This happened back in the 30s of the last century. Developed by employees of a chemical concern. Then they managed to create polytetrafluoroethylene, which, in turn, is a polymer. Its properties include resistance to alkalis, acids and high temperatures. It should also be noted that it is rather slippery.
This substance became known as Teflon. Its true name is too bulky and long. It was not very suitable for commercial purposes. Teflon did not immediately begin to be used to cover pans. However, when this happened, it became widespread. And since the question arose of how to choose a non-stick pan, you should study products with a Teflon bottom.
Modern realities
Today, many are eager to choose a non-stick pan. Cases of products are made mainly of steel and aluminum. For everyday use, mainly Teflon-coated products are used. They are readily used by both ordinary people and cooks. Many products are perfectly cooked on them.
For example, fish, meat, vegetables or fried eggs. Commercials assure customers that they do not need to use oil or vegetable fats to make them. It is worth noting that manufacturers are slightly exaggerating. Vegetables are still possible to cook in this way. However, this number will not work with fish, even if flour is used. She will not fry as needed. Next, we dwell in more detail on the question "how to choose the right pan with a Teflon bottom."
Important feature
When studying the question of how to choose a good pan with a Teflon bottom, you should know that most of the products inside are smooth. However, there are those that have a relief pattern. Such dishes have more advantages. Due to the relief, the effectiveness of the coating increases. Therefore, food will burn even less. This is due to its minimal contact with the heated surface.
Care Rules
When discussing how to choose a pan with a Teflon bottom, at least a few words should be said about the operation of the product. It is unlikely that anyone would like to take care of a pan would be very troublesome. It is well known that non-stick Teflon coating does not "make friends" with metal objects. Accordingly, stirring food is only possible with a plastic or wooden spatula. It is also not recommended to overheat such a pan. Under the influence of high temperatures, the coating can simply ... evaporate. Of course, this happens gradually. In addition, the process is accompanied by the release of compounds that are dangerous to human health. It is also possible that the coating may crack.
Cooking temperature
For cooking in a Teflon pan, medium or low heat is best. There is also information that the operation of such products is best done on gas stoves. This is due to the fact that their heating temperature is lower. Currently, most modern pans are equipped with a thermal spot. As a rule, it is located at the bottom of the dishes. The thermal spot shows the user exactly when to put food in the pan. If it turns dark red, then the heating temperature is about 180 degrees.
Additionally
It should also be noted that you should not use a pan with a spoiled Teflon coating. Such a product must be discarded. It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that such dishes must be periodically changed. The thing is that Teflon will not retain its properties forever. Speaking about how to choose a pan, it should be noted that it is impractical to purchase products with a thin bottom and walls.
It is believed that such a purchase will be useless. It is recommended to choose dishes with a wall thickness of at least 5 mm. You should also look at the double steel bottom. It is considered an ideal option. Pans with a mesh Teflon coating can last up to five years. It should be noted that this period is maintained only with proper operation. The longevity of a future purchase can be judged by the rough and thick layer of Teflon.
Aluminum products
This metal is considered "winged." This is due to its widespread use in the aircraft industry. Pans are also made from this material. They have their own advantages and disadvantages. The obvious advantages of these products by experienced housewives include high thermal conductivity and lightness. In addition, they are very cheap. However, in their reviews, women often note that food in such pans burns very much.
It is not recommended to use these products in the oven. In this case, we are again talking about the high "stickiness" of dishes. In addition, aluminum pans are quite difficult to wash due to adhering food debris. It is also worth noting that such products are exposed to alkalis and acids.
This pan is very easy to scratch. This is due to the softness of the metal itself. In this case, when mixing food, it is advisable to use only plastic and wooden devices. In general, according to many housewives, aluminum products are inappropriate to use for cooking serious dishes. According to women, they rarely have to use such pans.
General recommendations
Aluminum products do not like overheating. For example, if the bottom of the pan is thin, then it can easily change shape. This, as the hostesses say, happens with most stamped products. The likelihood of deformation is increased when using an electric stove. When buying, it is recommended to pay special attention to the bottom of the pan. It should be no thinner than 5 mm if you plan to use dishes for cooking meat.
The non-stick coating for aluminum pans is most often Teflon, which is also not friendly with high temperatures. In addition, deformation will not benefit the product. Because of it, the coating is damaged. This, in turn, contributes to the burning of food. It is worth noting that even high-quality aluminum pans generally do not last very long.
How to choose an aluminum pan? In this case, it is recommended to purchase only cast, not stamped product. Such a pan can last longer. It is worth paying attention to the bottom of such containers - it should not be thinner than 4-5 mm. The use of such pans is acceptable on electric stoves. They are very easy to distinguish from stamped ones - they are much harder. Before purchasing, it is recommended to consult with a consultant.
Slab Compatibility
Previously, the question of how to choose a pan was much simpler. It is known that some products can be used on some plates, but not on others. Before, there were only two types of devices in operation: electric and gas. Currently, the range of plates has expanded significantly. For example, induction and glass-ceramic hobs appeared. Most well-known manufacturers provide their pans with appropriate instructions. Thus, it is possible to determine what type of heating is suitable for the product.
For example, it is allowed to use any pan on gas stoves.On conventional electric, you can operate everything except stamped aluminum. It should also be noted that in this case, the diameter of the product must coincide with the burner. Glass-ceramic plates suggest the use of only those pans that can boast a perfectly flat bottom. In this case, all but the aforementioned stamped aluminum products are suitable. Induction cookers require the use of stainless steel cookware. Aluminum products are also suitable, but their bottom must be steel. The magnetic effect is very important here.
Varieties
Pans are also divided according to purpose. There are ordinary products. They are designed to cook almost any kind of food. There is also a special dish for fish. As a rule, it has an oval or oblong shape. There is a special pan for pancakes (which one to choose will be described below). They are equipped with low sides. Someone may need a grill pan. How to choose the right one from the presented assortment? First of all, it is necessary to precisely determine the tasks that the product will perform.
Grill pan
How to choose a product to last longer? Firstly, it should be said that such dishes are square or round in shape. The first is more spacious. Gutters are designed for accumulation of juice in them. Thus, it evaporates more slowly. Accordingly, the dishes are more juicy. That is why many experienced housewives prefer square-shaped products. When choosing, you should take into account the thickness of the walls and coatings, the reliability of fastening the handle. During visual inspection, the product should not have defects (chips or cracks).
"Special Purpose"
Many people wonder why they should buy a pan for pancakes at all. It is known that in most families they do not bake daily. In addition, for their preparation, you can use a regular frying pan. However, note that on special dishes, pancakes will burn much less. In addition, they are more convenient and faster to turn over. How to choose a frying pan for frying? The product features include the following:
- Low sides (usually not more than 1-2 cm).
- Thick and flat bottom.
- Long handle.
- Thick walls.
It is best to single out one pan on which exclusively pancakes will be prepared. Accordingly, you should not use it for other products. Also note that these pans most often have a ceramic coating.
Green option
Today, many experienced housewives seek to choose a ceramic coated pan. What is the reason for this? First of all, as the customers themselves note, the operation of such a product practically eliminates the need to constantly add oil. Women and the height of the sides of such pans were appreciated. Due to the quality of the material from which the caps are made, the steam is firmly held inside the product.
Additional Information
How to choose a ceramic pan? Buyers should consider a number of nuances. In particular, you should pay attention to size. Usually it is indicated on the package. Please note that the upper diameter is implied. If the stove is electric, then it is necessary to correlate it with the size of the burners. Do not purchase a pan with a smaller diameter.
This also applies to larger sizes. In this case, the food will burn in the middle and undercook at the edges. It is also recommended that you select the size of the pan according to the number of family members. If a lot of people live in the house, then, accordingly, you should purchase a large and roomy product. Small families will have enough medium-sized frying pans. Small dishes are great for warming up food. It is recommended that you choose a high-quality model from the very beginning, then later periodically buy new products.