Thermos in everyday life is called a special heat-insulating utensil. It is able to maintain a higher or lower temperature of food products for a long time in comparison with the temperature indicator of the environment. A patent for the invention of a thermos in 1907 was received by a German businessman Reinhold Burger, who developed it on the basis of a Dewar vessel, and noticeably improved it.
Nowadays, not only drinks and broths are stored in a thermos. The solution to the problem of how to keep warm and tasty homemade food on the road is the so-called thermos pan or thermal pan.
Device and principle of operation
In its appearance, the thermal pan is similar to a normal stainless steel kitchen utensil. But its internal structure consists of a unique double thermal insulation system. Between the layers of such dishes, a thermally insulating material is fixed, which helps to maintain a certain temperature. A layer of thermal insulation allows you to keep inside and cold.
If you place frozen foods in a thermos pan, then it can work like a small refrigerator for about 4-6 hours.
The lid of the thermal pan has a special bayonet lock. After placing the food in the pan, close the lid and set it by turning it in a position in which the locks on the handles go into the grooves. Now the thermos pan can be transported, even with strong shaking, all the food inside it is reliably protected and will not leak out. In addition, such a lock prevents the spread of odors.
Advantages and disadvantages
When choosing a cookware, it should be noted that thermal pans have the following advantages:
- food-grade stainless steel does not absorb the smells of food placed in it and is very easy to clean with both hands and a dishwasher;
- thermo dishes very well maintain both warm and cold temperatures inside;
- preserves nutrients that can be lost when heated;
- has a tight bayonet lock;
- better preserves the taste and aroma of dishes, compared with reheating;
- produced in small (1 liter), and in large volumes (3-5 liters, and even 7);
- it is convenient to take small pans for work as lunch boxes.
The disadvantages include the high price of some brands of thermal pans, as well as the fact that they can not be used on the stove and in the microwave oven.
What can be stored and how to use?
The thermos pan is ideal for stewing any porridge, it’s worth putting it inside a thermo pan only after cooking in ordinary dishes, and the result will be as amazing as if the cereal was languishing in a Russian oven.
In such dishes, you can transport freshly baked pies, whites, cupcakes, pancakes. Thermal pans retain the taste and aroma of meat, poultry, fish, pasta and vegetables. If you have a long road out of town for a picnic, then the mini fridge will ideally preserve the freshness of seafood for grilling, any vegetables and milk.
Thermos pans with a sealed lid remarkably retain the freshness of pickled meat for barbecue.
Such dishes are not intended to cook food in it, but it is not difficult to make yogurt or kefir in it. To do this, put a liter of warm milk inside and put one or two tablespoons of natural yogurt in it. Mix the mixture and let stand with the lid open for 5-8 minutes, then close the bayonet lock and wait 3-4 hours. After that, homemade yogurt will be ready to eat. If instead of yogurt put kefir, you can get a delicious cottage cheese.
Range
On sale, you can often find the following thermal pots of the following brands.
- Milton. This Indian company produces elegant and functional thermal pans in an affordable price category. They are environmentally friendly and safe, made of high quality stainless steel. This cookware perfectly retains heat and cold for about 6-8 hours. It is presented in various options of volumes (from 1 to 5 liters) and in inexpensive sets. All pans are equipped with handles that are comfortable to grip.
- Pinnacle. The manufacturer of these thermos pans is also India. The dishes are made of high-quality plastic, which means that they cannot be washed in a dishwasher and kept near heat sources. Both individual thermal pots and sets have an attractive design in white and purple colors. The volume of pots is generally 3-6 liters.
- TOiTO. This is another variety of dishes made in India. It is affordable and made of food grade steel. The assortment of this brand is widely represented by thermal pots of various volumes, ranging from small one-liter pots. The sets are different, for example, there is a set consisting of small pots-thermoses with a volume of 1, 1.5 and 2.5 liters, and from larger dishes - with a volume of 2.5, 3.5 and 5 liters.
- Thermos. The products of this most famous brand of thermal cookware are made in China. They are the most expensive in price, but very high quality. These thermos pans most often have volumes of 1.5 liters, 3 and 4.5. They have a removable inner pan, in which you can cook on the stove and then put in a thermal container. This is the so-called thermocooking technology.
Thermal pans with a sealed lid are ideal for transporting ready-made meals or perishable foods. They can be taken with you to work, the cottage, on travel. Modern thermos pans have a stylish design, are environmentally friendly and easy to clean. Several of these pans of different sizes will surely help you out with daily cooking and in preparation for the holiday.
For an overview of TOiTO thermal pans, see the next video.
