All About Double-Sided Pans

A double-sided pan is a convenient solution for cooking steaks, fish, sausages, casseroles and many other dishes. With its help, you can easily do without the usual grill when frying foods, to avoid leakage of oil or juice when turning over. The unusual design is convenient in working with different plates, suitable for camping use - on an open fire.

On sale you can even find options for desserts and sweet pastries - pancakes, baked fruits, waffles. But most often used precisely classic hybrids of a grill and an ordinary stewpan, providing cooking without excess oil, with maximum health benefits.

The double-sided pan is a universal design that combines the functions of a grill, stewpan, oven, and classic roasting pan. It does not require blades and other turning devices. It avoids splashing of the kitchen and stove when frying dishes of meat, fish, vegetables.

They produce both ordinary, round, and hemispherical, square or rectangular versions of double-sided pans. The cooking process takes place in a closed space inside the roasting pan. The ingredients are laid inside, the pan is closed tightly, and, if necessary, it is turned over for the handles squeezed together.

A distinctive feature of bilateral models is the presence of additional options - collecting draining fat, liquids in a special tank, venting steam through an opening in the joint, by analogy with a pressure cooker. For the tightness of the connection meets the silicone gasket-seal on the upper edge of the bowl. There are models in which the design opens into two separate pans. The standard sizes of one half are 28 × 20 cm, 30 × 22 cm.

Like any other kitchen utensils, double-sided pans have their own advantages and disadvantages. The original design has its advantages.

1. Convenience and functionality. Pans of this type provide acceleration of the cooking process, make it more accurate and easier. Turning the food during frying or stewing takes a minimum of time.
2. Protective non-stick properties. A special inner layer eliminates the appearance of a black crust, an unappetizing smell in the dish, even if cooking occurs without oil.
3. Security. Double-sided pans are equipped with elongated handles, insulated from heating. When turning the fat does not drip, contact with heat sources is minimal.
4. Tightness of the inner space. When closing heat-resistant sealants exclude leakage of liquid and hot fat outside.
5. Variety of surfaces. Most often, one or both halves of the pan have a special corrugation, when frying products, giving the effect of a grill grate.
6. The presence of a tank for draining fat, a special hole for steam. This allows you to maintain the desired temperature inside.
7. Aesthetics, ease of storage. Modern manufacturers pay great attention to the design of their products, try to give it originality. The compact size makes it possible to store the pan without taking up much space.

Not without cons. It is customary to attribute to them the lack of opportunities for baking dishes - the whole structure simply will not go into the oven. Not all models are adapted for use with induction cookers. In addition, washing dishes after cooking will also have to be done manually. And handling it requires some effort and experience, otherwise part of the liquid can still leak out when turned over.

The division into types for frying pans, having two sides, implies an accurate understanding of the purpose and features of such a container. So, the non-stick coating of Teflon makes the container not too suitable for strong heating, contact with an open flame. For induction cookers, only products made of ferromagnetic alloys (not aluminum) are suitable, or equipped with a special plate that matches the shape and size of the hob burner. They support the right heating technology.

It should be noted that rectangular pans for induction cookers, having a special marking, can be placed on double burners without adapters. The main thing is that the surface supports this mode of operation. The pan itself should at the same time occupy at least 70% of the combined burner area.

By designation, all two-way models are divided into two subspecies.

1. Grill. It has a special corrugation resembling a barbecue grill. Description of a double frying pan-grill most often indicates the average height of the sides, thick walls and the bottom. On such models it is convenient to fry steaks, sausages, cook fish and poultry. If one side is smooth, you can stew dishes in it, simulate the baking process without placing in the oven.
2. Pancake. The hemispherical or spherical design is focused on creating excellent in shape omelets, pancakes, tortilla, pancakes. Its sides are much lower, like the bottom, they have a smooth base.The product is made of lighter alloys, the walls may be less thick, non-stick coating is required.

• Kuchenberg - luxury products from Germany. There are round and square models, inside a nine-layer unique mineral-based coating. When the lid is tilted, condensation will collect Detachable pans, dishwasher safe.

• Tescoma - Czech brand. The branded product of the brand was, rather, a classic frying pan, consisting of two separate blocks, fastened with a lock. Outwardly, it resembles the classic form for chicken tobacco. It is made of aluminum with non-stick coating inside and bright enamel on the outside.

• Leomax - the company owns an online store, produces double-sided pans under the brand name "Master Heat". Products are distinguished by their affordable cost, one-piece tank design. But the Teflon coating inside is quite thin, we can’t talk about long-term operation.

When choosing a double-sided pan, you need to pay attention to a number of points. The first and most important factor is the correct selection of material for the manufacture of the body. It can be made of cast aluminum with thick walls and ensure even heat distribution. Such models are suitable for stewing, cooking casseroles.

Stainless steel products provide opportunities for the successful preparation of a wide variety of dishes. Both magnificent omelettes and juicy steaks are completely fried in them, with the formation of a quality crust. Such fryers often do not have an internal non-stick coating, you need to apply oil on them with a thin layer with a special brush.

The simplest solution is to use Teflon, which is a thin layer of metal covering the surface. It allows you to cook food without the use of fat, but does not tolerate high temperatures, is not resistant to mechanical damage. Such pans require gentle care, not too durable. Covers made of granite, marble chips, and ceramics are considered much more reliable options. They are resistant to damage, but not adapted for use on induction cookers.

A titanium non-stick coating is the perfect solution. It is strong enough, not afraid of mechanical damage and strong heating. Chemically neutral alloy does not react with food.

When planning to purchase a double-sided pan, it is worth considering a number of tips:

• choose the capacity based on the amount of food prepared;
• give preference to thick-walled models with high walls;
• take into account the presence of corrugation and its type - it can be present on one, two sides;
• remember the need to include a ferromagnetic disk, if you want to cook on an induction stove;
• pre-determine the optimal type of connection - detachable it is more convenient to wash and use separately.

The reviews for double-sided pans are mostly positive. Mistresses note the simplicity, convenience of this unusual cookware in use. It is pleasant to receive it as a gift or to hand it over to a cooking lover, whether it be a representative of the stronger sex or a beautiful lady. Using a double-sided pan, you can evenly fry dishes, turning them over in an instant.

Another important point concerns the weight of the kitchen appliance. Double-sided pans usually have rather thick walls, long handles, it is difficult to classify them as light products. But such massiveness is only for the benefit - it allows you to ensure optimal temperature conditions, prevents accidental overturning of dishes. According to most housewives, it makes no sense to use such a device in the kitchen every day.

It is noted that such devices are especially good at creating oriental culinary masterpieces. Mistresses recommend providing the most dense stacking of products inside the mold. A double-sided pan will become a good helper in a large family, partly replace a pressure cooker, and help to master the preparation of grilled dishes.

For a double-sided stone-coated pan with a magnetic latch, see the next video.