Frying pans for steak are very different. However, many cooks, even those who specialize in cooking Japanese cuisine, strongly recommend cooking steaks in a cast-iron skillet. How to choose the best of them, we will consider in the article.
Varieties
For the preparation of steaks, frying pans are used, which can be classified depending on the material, shape, and configuration.
Material
Ceramic pans considered the safest. Food prepared on them is less harmful.
But such a frying pan for the hostess creates a lot of trouble. Since it can not be dropped, and also need to be cleaned only with gentle means and soft sponges.
Stainless steel with impurities copper is widely used in restaurants. On such dishes excellent steaks are really created, but it also costs a lot. Yes, and copper in its composition does not speak in favor of the device, since it is dull and quickly deformed.
Such pans should be recommended only to those who very rarely cook steaks or are willing to change dishes every few months.
Cast iron pans are very difficult to deform. They are usually not so easy to raise. They are not afraid of metal appliances and will normally react to the fact that the user will turn the meat over with a metal spatula. The surface of such a pan is non-stick, therefore, do not be afraid for meat - you will get a delicious and crispy crust.
When choosing a cast iron skillet, tap on its surface. If you hear a dull sound - it is of high quality.
Aluminum pans possess non-stick coating, affordable price, easy cleaning, but they are not too durable.And also they quickly cool down, and creating heat with them will not work. Namely, this is necessary for the preparation of juicy and tasty meat.
Equipment
Do not focus on the presence or absence of the lid, as the meat is fried without it. If you plan to cook other dishes in the same frying pan, then it is better to choose a model with a lid. And it is desirable that they be made of transparent glass, so that it is easy to follow the dish. But professional chefs are advised to have a separate frying pan for steaks.
Shape and size
Pans vary in their shape and size. Round is best used for making beef medallions and vegetables. With it you can cook a steak that is perfect in taste and color using a grill pan. But the large square pan is universal.
Its main advantage is the ability to cook more food at a time.
Features of the griddle pan
If the dishes have a corrugated bottom, it is called a grill. The presence of this feature allows fat to accumulate between the recesses at the bottom of the pan. Therefore, the products that are prepared do not float in fat.
Using a frying pan with a grill function for cooking any dish, you can be sure that the level of fat content of the dish will be much lower.
The food that is fried on these ribs is prepared by heat, not fat. But the liquid that accumulates between these recesses steams the product. And, of course, the dish has a beautiful pattern on the surface in the form of stripes. It should also be noted that grilled dishes do not require a large amount of oil for cooking, thereby saving money.
The advantage of cast iron
A cast-iron frying pan retains heat much better than other dishes with the same dimensions. The food prepared on it enriches the human body with iron.
Such a pan is a profitable investment because dishes made from this material are famous for their long service life.
And the longer it "functions", the higher its quality indicators. Many cast-iron dishes were inherited from grandmothers, and they keep it as a relic, passing it from generation to generation. Since cast iron cookware does not create difficulties in the manufacture, it is characterized by budget cost.
Professional chefs say that they did not manage to achieve such excellent taste qualities of meat after using a cast-iron frying pan in any other way.
If you handle this pan correctly, then it retains non-stick properties for a long time. It can cook meat with a minimum amount of oil. As well as steaks fried in such a pan, they absorb less harmful substances in comparison with the use of analogues.
Rules for selection and use
A good skillet should have the following qualities:
- to be strong;
- with a thick bottom and walls;
- quickly and efficiently warm up;
- to keep heat;
- not too heavy in weight;
- universal and multifunctional;
- good succumb to purification.
The steak pan should have high walls. This will not only protect against hot sprays, but also contribute to the rapid formation of high temperatures. After all, heat comes from the walls, which helps to speed up the cooking process.
If large volumes of cooking are planned, then it is rational to choose models that have a special drain for pouring juices and fats that form during frying. Doing it yourself with a spoon is extremely inconvenient, it is better to buy a frying pan, which already has a special "nose".
For different plates
Remember that the choice of the pan is influenced not only by its shape and material, but also by the type of plate. Gas to this day is considered the most used type. On a gas stove, you can cook in a dish of any material. Specialists only recommend carefully choosing the thickness. After all, the greater this indicator, the more uniform the heating will be.
Electric cookers require certain utensils.It is recommended to purchase kitchen utensils, which in diameter coincides with the heating surface of the stove, and so that the surface itself is as even as possible for uniform heating.
Induction furnaces additionally require the presence of special magnetic discs at the bottom of the dishes.
Brand, brand
There is a special rating of companies that manufacture this cookware. One of the most popular brands is considered Lodge. This is a company from America that produces cast iron grill pans.
The peculiarity of the pan of this brand is that before cooking it does not need to be calcined. It is characterized by high durability and strength.
The next brand in popularity Tefal. This brand is the most popular among domestic buyers.
It is distinguished by the presence of non-stick coating, as well as all kinds of additional indicators that indicate the level of heating of the dishes.
A wide range of products allows you to choose a frying pan for any type of stove.
And, of course, it’s important to note brand products Gipfel. These are German products made from aluminum. But there are cast iron dishes, as well as coated. Most products are equipped with special removable handles.
The form
It is known that the shape of the dishes affects the usability. If we talk about the pan, it can also be of various shapes, namely:
- round;
- square;
- oval.
And also always choose a form depending on the amount of food that they plan to cook. Suppose a large pan is often used for a large family. And if you need to cook a dish for one or two people, then you can choose the dishes of a round shape and with a small diameter.
Experts advise having several pans for cooking various dishes.
Another important role is played by which model of the plate is used. Suppose you don’t need to buy a wide frying pan for a gas stove, otherwise the dishes will take up a lot of space on the surface. But for induction you need to choose a device with dimensions that correspond to the diameter of the burner. If we are talking about a glass-ceramic surface, it is better not to use cast-iron dishes, otherwise dents will remain.
In the next video, you will learn how to prepare a cast iron pan for use.
