How to choose a good grill pan?

A grill pan is not only an excellent kitchen assistant, but also a stylish attribute of any kitchen. Such a product is suitable for those who lead a healthy lifestyle and choose healthy, tasty food. Dishes are prepared without excess oil or fat, obtained juicy, aromatic.

Grill pan - a product with a raised bottom. It is intended for cooking various dishes on the home grill. Among housewives and cooks of restaurants such dishes are very popular. Juices of products secreted during cooking drain between the ribs. Everyone will like juicy, aromatic and healthy dishes without extra oil and fat.

In order to choose the right grill pan, you can turn to the advice of professionals.

• For heating and heating products, you need to choose a product with a high density of the bottom and sides.
• The height of the sides of the dishes depends on the products that will be cooked. For cooking fish or vegetables, it is better to choose a product with low sides, for meat - with sides higher.
• The quality of the grilled dishes depends on the height of the ribs. The standard size of the height of the ribs does not exceed 1 cm.
• The gutter for draining oil and fat is necessary to drain excess fluid and juices that are released during food processing.
• The size of the diameter of the grill pan depends on the number of people in the company or family. For cooking for one person, a product with a diameter of 24 cm is suitable. In pans with a diameter of 26-28 cm, you can cook for two or more people.
• The form depends on purely personal preferences and convenience.Now on the market there is a wide variety of shapes and patterns: round, oval, square or rectangular. Everyone is repelled by their feelings.

Of course, when choosing products it is also worth considering their compatibility with cooktops. For a gas stove, any model is suitable. When cooking on such a stove, you can use models from any raw material. But the main condition for cooking on a gas stove is the density of the bottom of the product.

An aluminum pan with a flat bottom should be used when cooking on a ceramic-coated surface.

Electric cooker is the most popular type of stove. For this type of hob, choose a model of a size that will correspond to the parameters of the heating disc. Non-stick aluminum and steel products are great for electric cookers. Models with a ribbed bottom and magnet inserts are not compatible with this type of plate.

To choose the best grill pan, you first need to understand which material and coating is better in properties and quality. The service life and quality of the prepared dishes depends on the material.

More popular today cast iron and aluminum models. Ceramic products are also in great demand.

Cast iron is an excellent heat conductor. The use of this material contributes to the rapid heating and heating of the walls and bottom. Cast iron pans have a long service life and are resistant to damage. The disadvantage is the large weight of the product. Cast iron pans cannot be washed in the dishwasher.

When cooking in an aluminum non-stick grill pan, the oil can be omitted altogether or a very small amount can be used. Cast aluminum products heat up quickly, which contributes to the complete heating of the bottom and sides. However, its disadvantage is instability to surface heating above 240 degrees. At this temperature, the coating tends to collapse.

Stainless steel. Dishes made of such material are just for those who are inclined to proper nutrition. When cooking steel does not emit harmful substances, therefore, the beneficial properties of the products remain unchanged. But such models can only serve from 3 to 4 years. Stainless steel grill pans require special care. Abrasive materials and the use of the same cleaning agents violate the integrity of the coating.

Pan models ceramic produced with the addition of sand. Even heating, heating the walls and bottom helps to avoid the release of harmful compounds into food. These pans are also good when cooking in the oven. The disadvantage is the fragility of ceramic products.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of time choosing frying pans, but want to try homemade grilled products, you should pay attention to universal products. A universal model is a square grill pan. On this model, you can cook or heat up a large portion of the products. Square-shaped models are used on all types of plates.

A complete cover with a press comes with some products. The glass lid avoids splashing grease. The press will help ensure a good frying of food, you just have to press on the dish.

When choosing a model for a home grill, it is also worth considering that there are double-sided pans. They are suitable for those who want to save time in cooking. You can fry food in a pan by simply turning the structure from one side to the other.

When choosing a model for a home grill, pay attention to the handle of the product. It must be done from heat-resistant material. The coating can be wooden, plastic or silicone, but a prerequisite is resistance to high temperatures. Some models with removable handles are suitable for cooking in the oven or oven.

Grill pan and electric grill are similar in properties. The embossed bottom of the products helps to prepare food without a crust and excess fat. But still they have some differences.

The electric grill is endowed with many functions. In closed models, cooking does not emit fumes and odors. When using frying pans, you should include a hood.

Cooking in an electric grill occurs with uniform heat generation, which ensures good frying of any products. When using a grill pan, products must be constantly turned over manually.

However, the electric grill has its drawbacks. The product is very difficult to wash. Even with removable parts, this is quite problematic. Another disadvantage is the cost. The price of an electric grill is several times higher than the cost of a pan.

In the kitchen equipment market there are many companies that manufacture dishes. You should choose trusted manufacturers.

Companies that have long established themselves as the best manufacturers of kitchen accessories are presented below.

• French company Tefal It has been engaged in the production of grill pans for a long time. In the stores of this company models of different shapes and sizes are presented. The products are made from high quality raw materials. In production, aluminum is used, which has a high service life. Such models are suitable for cooking on electric and gas stoves. The average price of Tefal products is from 3,500 rubles.

• Polaris - Another well-known company. The surface coating of products has non-stick properties and a flat, non-neck bottom. Polaris models are used for induction cookers.

• The company "Biol" the production of models made of cast iron is well established. This material warms up quickly, contributing to a uniform glow of the entire surface. Cast iron products are suitable for different types of plates. And thanks to removable handles made of silicone, Biol pans can be safely used in the oven. The minus is the impressive weight of the products. Cost - from 1500 rubles.

• Company Bergoff Introduces aluminum models for different types of hobs.

• Gipfel - A well-known manufacturer from Germany. The manufacturer's aluminum and cast-iron models are presented in various shapes and parameters and are equipped with silicone handles for convenience. Despite the fact that the products are made of cast iron, the weight of the models is very light. Ceramic chips are used in the coating, this feature distinguishes this company from other manufacturers. Price - from 3500 rubles.

• AMT Gastroguss - Another German manufacturer. Products are made of high quality aluminum. The coating of such pans is temperature resistant, suitable for all types of cookers and has a long service life. Cost - from 7000 rubles.

• Manufacturer from America Lodge quite famous throughout Europe. Model pans Lodge has a special property. The surface is treated with oil. This unique treatment eliminates pre-heating during initial operation. Products are suitable for cooking on induction surfaces, ceramic, gas and electric stoves.

Before choosing a good quality grill pan, you need to study customer reviews. They are important. Tastes and preferences in kitchen accessories are different for everyone. But some recommendations are worth paying attention to.

For example, many professional restaurant cooks tend to choose cast iron products. A cast iron grill pan will ensure uniform cooking and the preservation of useful trace elements. Cast iron models are not so cheap. But the model of a cast iron frying pan will last for many years, so professionals advise not to save money on such a purchase.

Those who want to save time should choose electric grill. Cooking takes a little time. All that is needed is just to prepare the products, put them on the grill and select the desired option. The automated system itself will calculate the cooking time.

See how to choose a grill pan in the next video.