Aluminum pans: pros and cons, selection and preparation for use

Aluminum is one of the most common materials that is used to make cookware that is exposed to direct heat. It is to such dishes that pans belong. Many housewives want to get similar pansbut they doubt what exactly their advantages are, how to choose them correctly among all the variety presented on the modern tableware market. Before buying a frying pan made of aluminum, it is important to know both the criteria for choosing this utensil and the features of its preparation for operation. All these issues will be discussed in detail in this article.

The material for the manufacture of such a kitchen appliance, such as an aluminum frying pan, is food-grade aluminum. A feature of this metal is the formation of a special protective layer when interacting with oxygen. This layer allows you to protect the device from corrosive processes and other undesirable chemical reactions, for example, exposure to various acids. Since this metal has a fairly high level of thermal conductivity, it is used as a raw material for creating pans.

The manufacture of aluminum pans can occur using a special stamp. For this, the necessary piece is cut out of a thin sheet of metal, from which the product is subsequently stamped. A distinctive feature of the result is the same thickness of the bottom and side sections of the pan. It is not particularly resistant to high temperatures, so it is better to use them on electric stoves, and not on gas ones. Cast technology for the production of aluminum pans is more advanced. When it is used, raw materials are poured into a special form, while the form is designed so that the bottom of the product is quite dense (more than 0.5 cm).

Before choosing a pan from aluminum, you need to take into account that such cooking appliances have both positive and negative sides. The advantages of an aluminum product include the following:

• quick warm-up - you won’t have to wait long before you heat up a pan like that;
• such material, especially in molded structures, is quite resistant to mechanical stress; even if you drop such a pan on the floor, you will not damage its body;
• a useful function is the preservation of heat - designs with a thickened bottom allow cooked dishes to stay warm for some time and eliminate the need for re-heating;
• in combination with a suitable coating, cast pans can serve for a very long time, which will save you money; if the coating is not sufficiently wear-resistant, then this will adversely affect the condition of the device as a whole;
• a good coating allows you to heat such pans up to +400 degrees, in them it will be possible to cook any dishes both on the stove and in the oven;
• the appearance of rust on such dishes is completely excluded, which explains the special properties of this metal when interacting with oxygen;
• aluminum is not a porous material, so it is quite easy to remove various kinds of contaminants from it; in combination with some coatings, such pans can even be washed in a dishwasher;
• cast aluminum products can be used on all types of stoves - gas, induction or electric.

The disadvantages of such utensils for cooking are much smaller, but still you need to pay attention to them before buying, namely:

• prices for products with a thick bottom and dense walls are quite high when compared with the cost of pans made of other materials;
• the need to wash some products by hand;
• such dishes are harmful for storing food; there is an opinion that during such storage oxidative processes begin to occur in the products due to the reaction with the metal, which subsequently can negatively affect the taste and usefulness of the dish.

It is worthwhile to dwell in more detail on various types of aluminum pans. Their characteristics are determined mainly by the type of coating, which is used as the second element of the product.

Each coating gives a specific variety of special properties.

• Uncoated Products are the cheapest, but also the most short-lived. To operate such a pan is extremely inconvenient. Food easily burns to its surface, and some products, such as lemon juice, are generally not recommended to be added to the surface due to the negative effect of acid on the metal.
• Ceramic-coated aluminum pans according to their characteristics, meet European standards. They have not only a very aesthetic appearance, but are also able to heat up quite quickly and evenly, presenting special usability due to the fact that the temperature of the handle does not change. And also it is worth noting that the ceramic surface is quite difficult to scratch during operation, therefore, the material has an inherent durability. Using this pan will help you also save oil during the cooking process.

However, among the minuses of the combination of aluminum with ceramics, it is worth noting the poor tolerance of the latter material to temperature differences during the washing process. Also, the products cannot be washed in a dishwasher, the risk of microcracks that can destroy the entire coating over time increases. Cooking in such a pan using ultra-thin hobs should not be due to the lack of a magnetic bottom, so the range of use is limited only by gas and electric stoves.

• Forged aluminum models made under a special press. They are distinguished by their special durability and bottom density. Such products are durable and resistant to fairly high temperatures. However, steel plates are often welded into the bottom of these pans, so they are mainly intended for induction cookers.

• Cast aluminum pan with non-stick Teflon coating is in great demand and belongs to products of the middle price category. The term of its operation with careful use is from two to three years. The coating consists of neutral polymers, it does not tolerate the effects of high temperatures (more than +260 degrees), and such a pan should not be washed in a dishwasher. On this product, you can cook meat, fish and other common hot dishes, but be sure to use a spatula made of plastic, not metal, because any touch of a sharp object can cause damage to the surface. The same applies to the use of a metal sponge in the washing process.

• There is a special kind of Teflon coating with marble chips in the composition. The number of layers of such a coating is directly proportional to its durability; some especially multilayer models can last even several decades. Unlike classic Teflon, this coating is less susceptible to sharp objects, it can maintain the temperature of a cooked dish for a long time, it can be cooked using a minimal amount of oil (simply by rubbing it slightly with a surface).

• In addition to marble chips, Teflon coating can also include diamond dust. Such products no longer need to be washed only by hand. They are not so susceptible to mechanical damage. The average life of these models is 10 years.

• The most expensive and high-quality variety of aluminum frying pan are titanium coated modelswhose service life reaches 25 years. Absolutely neutral metal, which easily tolerates the effects of high temperatures and is not afraid of their extremes, is also characterized by the highest strength and harmlessness. Titanium pans allow you to minimize the amount of oil when frying.

It is also worth remembering that the types of aluminum pans differ not only in the type of coating, but also in the way it is applied to the main body of the product.

• Coating is carried out before the stamping procedure begins. When the material is subsequently bent, the coating may be damaged, which affects its durability. However, this method of application provides products with additional ease.
• Application by spraying is carried out after the manufacture of the main form of aluminum. It is coated with a special solution to increase the adhesion of the metal to the spraying material, and then spray it with a spray gun. This coating is distributed evenly over the surface of the pan, and then it is sintered under the influence of high temperatures.

In order not to be mistaken with the choice of an aluminum frying pan, you need to know a number of nuances, allowing better orientation on the modern market of such products, as well as taking into account the characteristics of personal needs.

• Pay attention to the thickness of the walls and bottom of the pan. Remember that the thicker they are, the more durable the product will be.
• Consider parameters such as the size of the stove and burners. Inconsistency of these indicators with the size of the pan can affect the process and result of cooking.
• Pay attention to how the handle is attached to the body of the pan. It should be fastened securely, while not letting the hot temperature pass from the case to make cooking easier.
• Price is the most important factor that is determined individually. Most often, the cost of the product is proportional to its quality and sometimes it is better to pay more. But if your budget is limited, then you should pay attention to products with affordable prices, which belong to trusted brands. Typically, the quality of branded products even in the middle price segment is quite high.

One of the important steps in using an aluminum frying pan is its preparation for use and special processing after purchase. If you purchased an uncoated aluminum pan, then the first step will be to wash it under hot water using the product. After you dry the pan, it will need to be calcined so that a protective layer appears on the surface. To do this, put the pan on the fire and pour vegetable oil so that it completely covers the bottom, then add a tablespoon of salt and keep on fire until a specific smell of burning oil appears. You can also process the product before use with water. Boil water in it, then drain it and dry the dishes. Wipe the pan with vegetable oil and leave for a couple of days.

See how to prepare an aluminum pan for use in the next video.