How to choose a pan?

The pan is used by most housewives more often than any other kitchen utensils. Frequent use fully explains the desire to choose high-quality products that will last for many years. An improper pan can cause permanent burning and sticking of food. It is important to separate the dishes both by materials and by purpose. When choosing, it is worth paying attention to literally every little thing, and then the purchase will definitely not disappoint.

The pan is designed to create a large number of dishes from a variety of products. It allows you to fry, stew, steam, and sometimes cook. When choosing, weight, material, type of plate are usually taken into account, but it is worth paying attention to the purpose. Most of the pans have a rounded shape, but there are exceptions.

A universal pan is familiar to every housewife. The diameter can be any, but the range of 24-28 cm is considered the most popular. The product always has a round shape and sides of medium height. Such a pan allows you to cook all the common dishes, but it is not specialized.

A product with a ribbed bottom that leaves characteristic marks on products after cooking. Meat and fish dishes remain juicy because all the liquid accumulates in the recesses and does not evaporate. Usually this pan is quite heavy and has the same lid.Oil is practically not added during cooking, and sometimes products simply do not come into contact with it. As a result of this processing, the food is as tasty as possible.

The grill pan can be with or without non-stick coating. It is the dishes with such an addition that are considered the best for cooking healthy meat. It is noteworthy that pans of this type are used even in nature. It is easy to clean from contamination if you do not start it. Even in inappropriate conditions, when there is no possibility to wash it correctly, it is recommended to rinse or wipe the pan after use.

Features of the pan are low sides. This allows you to fry pancakes with maximum comfort. The dishes are suitable for cooking and other dishes, such as omelettes, pancakes, pancakes. A pancake pan is always equipped with a long handle. This is necessary so that splashes of oil do not reach your hands while turning over cooking products.

The bottom of dishes of this type is always thick and even. Only this way it turns out to bake a pancake evenly. Usually has a non-stick coating that allows you to cook even without adding oil. It is very easy to wash the product, but do not use abrasive brushes.

Such a product allows you to cook absolutely all dishes, even soups and sauces. Outwardly resembles a combination of pots and pans. The walls are always high, which significantly expands the list of possible dishes. The food warms up evenly and cools down gradually thanks to the use of a thick layer of material.

Quite interesting models that have removable handles, which allows the use of stewpan even in the oven. Dear copies are equipped with an internal thermometer and a liquid quantity control sensor. All these additions, together with a non-stick coating, make use as comfortable as possible.

The popularity of this type of dishes has increased relatively recently, so not everyone is familiar with it. The feature is an interesting design. The beads are high and rounded, and the bottom has a small diameter (smaller than the upper part). There are usually two handles, and at least one of them is made in the form of an eye, as in pots. The kit always has a dome-shaped lid and a grill, which is needed to dry cooked food from fat or liquid.

The wok quickly warms to high temperature due to its design. Utensils can reduce the time of heat treatment, which ensures the preservation of a greater number of useful components in the products. This type of frying pan allows not only frying, but also stewing and boiling food. The presence of the lattice makes it possible to use the dishes as a double boiler.

Features of the pan allow you to create a beautiful and appetizing crust on the products. High sides ensure that mixing food during cooking is easy and safe. Modern non-stick models make use as simple as possible. You need to wash the pan with a soft sponge with detergent immediately after use. Please note that sometimes you need to wait for the material to cool completely.

Most of the pans are made of metal. Manufacturers guarantee the safety of products, but the service life directly depends on the material properties and proper care. Use non-stick products with extreme caution. Do not rub the pan with a hard washcloth or brush, or use abrasive cleaners. Such dishes should not come in contact with metal accessories.

Many professional chefs prefer just such a material, and without any coatings.It is believed that stainless steel is able to maintain the original taste and appearance of products better than any analogues. In combination with such dishes, you can use any accessories, provided that there is no non-stick coating. It’s easy to take care, the pan can be washed even hot.

Stainless steel cookware requires some skills on the part of the hostess. It is important to simply get used to the product and mix the products on time. Before frying, you need to wait until the oil or fat has warmed up completely, otherwise the food will stick. The material is not susceptible to corrosion, is not afraid of temperature changes.

The material is quite popular, almost every housewife has a product from it. Aluminum is lightweight, and tableware made of it has an affordable cost. The pan can be washed only by hand, and with strong heating it can become deformed. Brushes or abrasives are not recommended. The material is soft and may be damaged.

If aluminum is thin, then the dishes will last very short, and the food will burn. A quality frying pan can be bent during prolonged use, but this will only affect the decorative properties. There is an opinion that food from aluminum utensils is harmful, but this is not entirely true. Even if metal gets into food, then only in a small amount. However, it is not worth storing products in aluminum - oxidative processes may begin.

The material is familiar to most housewives and used to be very popular. Its qualities and properties are still attractive, but some are repelled by cost. A cast-iron frying pan even allows you to bake pies in the oven. It can be of any type, but it will still be a universal assistant in the kitchen.

Cast iron is ideal for cooking meat dishes. The material is evenly heated and holds the temperature for a long time. Frying pans calmly tolerate contact with metal or abrasives and are not even afraid of falling from an impressive height. Cast iron is not just safe, but even healthy. Products in the process of processing absorb a small amount of iron, which is necessary for the body.

Cast iron has natural non-stick properties, without any coatings. The porous structure of the material is impregnated with oil and fat, which prevents the products from sticking. It is believed that such dishes can last forever. Washing the pan is quite simple, especially if you do it immediately after use.

Ideal dishes do not exist. Despite the many advantages, if negative features of cast iron pans. The material is quite heavy, so you have to get used to it. Periodically, you need to warm the pan together with salt and coat with oil.

Dishes made of such a material almost always have an inner coating. Copper quickly heats up and cools - this is the key feature of such pans. Suitable for processing products that require temperature changes. Products have an extremely attractive appearance. Such dishes can be placed on open shelves and enjoy the view.

Cooking in a copper pan is not as easy as it might seem. This is due precisely to the features of heating and cooling. However, a little practice - and the problem will be solved. Usually products have a fairly high cost. The pan is durable and requires no specific care.

Modern pans are coated both inside and out. Products with ceramic spraying or rolling are considered environmentally friendly and safe for health. The composition contains only natural components - stone, sand and clay. The quality of the pan directly depends on the method of applying ceramics.

Spraying is done on ready-made dishes, it can be not only on the inside, but also on the outside. An even layer guarantees a long service life and reliability. Another way to create a coating is to roll onto metal sheets. Then molding is done, and the frying pan is obtained at the exit. This option has a lower price, but the quality also suffers.

It is noteworthy that a ceramic frying pan can be colorful. Many housewives choose such dishes because of the high decorative properties. Immediately after the acquisition, you will have to prepare the product for use: wash, wipe dry and cover with oil. Typically, such manipulations are more accurately described in the instructions from the manufacturer.

Ceramic dishes can be safely heated to 450 ° C. The coating itself can endure some mechanical influences and will not be scratched from the careful use of metal accessories. However, it’s not worth the risk. It is easy to take care of dishes; food does not stick to it and does not burn. For cooking, you can use a very thin layer of oil.

Ceramics are very sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. If you fill the hot pan with cold water, you can say goodbye to it. Spraying does not perceive soaking in soapy water. In general, it is not worth keeping the pan wet for a long time, after cleaning it is better to wipe it dry.

This type of coating makes the dishes reliable and resistant to scratches and deposits. It is important to note that there is a small amount of titanium itself, so everything is safe for health. Many companies that produce such dishes, claim that it can be used for 10-25 years. It is connected with this rather high cost of titanium pans.

Titanium is considered inert, it does not enter into a chemical reaction with food. The taste of the dish is always real, natural, without extra notes. The material is not prone to oxidation, so absolutely everything can be cooked in such a pan. It is only important that the dishes do not contain nickel.

This coating was the first in aluminum pans. The most affordable version of the dishes for domestic use. Teflon is applied to the walls of the pan and to the bottom. At the very beginning, such utensils were extremely popular, but then at almost every step it was reported about its harm to health. Teflon is actually safe.

The coating has outstanding non-stick properties, which helps to minimize the use of oil during cooking. A fairly affordable cost compared to peers can also be considered a plus. Warming dishes above 200 ° C is strictly prohibited. It is in these conditions that dangerous toxins can begin to be released. It will not work for a long time to cook gourmet dishes at high temperatures.

It’s quite easy to take care of the pans, just wash after each use with a soft sponge. Be sure to wait for the natural cooling. If you fill the pan with cold water, then it will deteriorate. Teflon is not scratch resistant and therefore requires careful handling. If the integrity of the coating is broken, then you can not continue to use the dishes.

The pan should be as practical as possible. The most convenient option is cookware with non-stick coating. It allows you to add much less oil during cooking and not be afraid that the dish will be hopelessly spoiled. Smooth coating prevents sticking. Even if the pancakes get dark, they will still be easy to take off.

It’s not at all difficult to take care of a non-stick pan. A soft sponge copes with dirt without much effort on the part of the hostess. The non-stick layer on the outside is also quite practical and useful.Washing dishes becomes easier and the decorative properties are greatly improved.

Stone coating is popular. Marble and stone pans are made of cast aluminum, and stone material is applied on top. Fluoropolymers are not used in spraying, which makes it very environmentally friendly. The composite layer is made from crumbs of stone and polymers.

A rough surface of dark color with small light spots is characteristic of marble utensils. Service life directly depends on the thickness of the spraying. Non-stick coating is represented by a durable film with a crumb of marble. Manufacturers allow housewives to use metal accessories in combination with such pans. Scratching the bottom deliberately is not necessary, however, from turning the food over during cooking, the coating will not be damaged.

The pan warms up evenly and fairly quickly, can hold the temperature after removing from the burner. Fatty meat can be cooked without adding oil, in other cases, it is enough to lightly grease the bottom with a thin layer. With proper care, the dishes will last at least 2 years, and it can also be put in the oven.

A frying pan with such a coating is quite expensive, which is fully explained by its advantages. Do not test dishes with sudden changes in temperature, and aggressive chemical detergents and hard brushes should also be discarded. It is important that the hostess protect the pan from falls and bumps.

Pans can have a different bottom, which determines the admissibility of a certain type of application on the hob. However, it is not worth being guided only by this. Each stove has its own working features, and for more comfortable cooking you need to choose the appropriate material for the dishes. Tips for using pans are given below.

• For a gas stove, you can take any material in general. This is a universal hob.
• For a glass-ceramic induction panel, you will have to look for a suitable pan. The burner itself is always cold, but the dishes are heated due to certain waves. The material must have good conductivity and magnetic properties. Safe and pleasant to use cookware made of cast iron, aluminum and stainless steel.
• For electric hob, cast-iron, ceramic, steel, aluminum cookware can be used. The only ban on non-stick coatings is Teflon, but everything else can be taken without fear. It is important to choose the diameter of the pan correctly. Dishes and burners should not vary greatly in size.
• Enameled pans can be used on any cooking surfaces. Extruded aluminum products, in turn, are only suitable for gas burners. Using such a pan on an electric stove will lead to rapid deformation.
• Do not use copper or aluminum pans on glass hobs.

The pan should be comfortable and practical. Handles primarily affect ergonomics. However, many models are equipped with a cast handle that has a coating that is insensitive to heat. These pans are considered the most high-quality and durable. The base of the handle is made of the same material as the pan itself.

Removable handles can be considered an interesting solution. They allow you to use the dishes both on the stove and in the oven. Many housewives choose such dishes because the pan with the handle simply does not fit in the oven. It is worth remembering that this option is hardly reliable. The removable handle can be removed spontaneously at the most inopportune moment.

There is another option that is familiar to many from the past. The pan can be equipped with a screwed handle.Products of this kind are quite rare, but they have an affordable cost. It is noteworthy that from time to time you need to remove such a pen and wash out the fat that enters the space between it and the pan body.

Many companies offer kitchen utensils made of various materials. When choosing dishes, it is worth giving preference to proven brands that have managed to earn the trust of consumers. A review of the model range will allow you to choose the appropriate diameter and material, type of pan.

TOP 9 of the best manufacturers.

The world famous company tops the rating. Modern design combined with high quality can satisfy the needs of housewives. A fairly wide range of non-stick pans with double bottom. You can purchase products with anti-shock enamel, which will protect the dishes from breakage as a result of shock or fall. Handles made of non-heating material make the cooking process safer.

Many people think that the pans of this production are ideal for domestic use. It is worth noting that the dishes have a truly German quality. The pans are so reliable that they are used not only by amateurs, but also by professionals. Only safe and modern materials are used for manufacturing.

A company from Germany makes good quality metal pans. The dishes are suitable for both domestic and commercial use. Pans are ergonomic, acceptable weight, long life.

Domestic producer makes excellent pans of European quality. The main advantage in the more affordable cost of dishes. Among the wide range there are interesting models with removable handles. Reliable and simple mechanism allows you to use the pan in the oven.

A popular manufacturer that manufactures metal utensils. In a wide assortment there are pans with various non-stick coatings. The main advantages are that the products are environmentally friendly, strong and durable.

The Ukrainian manufacturer offers both metal pans with non-stick coating and cast iron cookware. The latter is quite affordable, high-quality and has a long service life with proper care. Ceramic material allows you to warm dishes quickly and evenly, preventing burning. Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting that the ceramic coating quickly deteriorates.

The Tatarstan manufacturer has been manufacturing aluminum cookware for quite some time. The application of Soviet standards seems strange, but the quality of the pans is truly amazing. A fairly wide range of companies allows you to find something suitable for any purpose. The bottom and walls of the pans are thickened, which ensures uniform heating of food. The combination of high quality and reasonable price attracts buyers. It is worth noting that ceramic coated pans are rather fragile.

The manufacturer offers fairly high-quality pans with ceramic coating. The range includes interesting models with two handles, one of which is metal, and the second is silicone and removable. Ceramics are applied to thick aluminum from both the inside and the outside. It looks pretty attractive, but requires a careful attitude.

The German manufacturer offers customers high-quality pans. The feature is a five-layer bottom, with each layer serving for specific purposes. Cast aluminum is used as the main material.

Buying dishes is a delicate matter. A frying pan should be both attractive and durable, and practical. It is difficult to find a product that would meet all the requirements of the hostess. However, if you know about the key points, it will be much easier to choose. Important nuances that you need to think about before buying are presented below.

• A grill pan will be the best option for lovers of fish and meat dishes. The food will be juicier and tastier due to the special design of the dishes. The advantage is that a specialized pan allows you to cook your favorite culinary masterpieces even faster. You can choose any shape, but keep in mind that square grill pans, although unusual, are much more spacious than round ones.
• Pan frying pan requires a special approach. The dish will be ideal if the dishes are as ergonomic as possible. Mostly used are long handles with non-slip coating. The easiest way would be to choose such dishes, if you take it in your hand and present the cooking process.
• Oval pans are convenient for cooking fish dishes. If you purchase the option with a removable handle, you can finish the culinary masterpiece in the oven.
• The embossed bottom on the pan is a big plus. The design increases non-stick properties, reduces the likelihood of food sticking. Pans with a rough and thick coating are durable and delight housewives for at least 10 years, provided adequate care.
• A thick bottom is good, thick walls are even better. If the material is thin, then the dishes are heated faster, but not at all evenly. This feature will lead to permanent problems in the form of adhesion and burning. If the thickness is in doubt, then it is better to choose another pan. It is worth noting that thin pancake pans are perfectly acceptable.
• Fried eggs are more convenient to cook in a light aluminum pan. It is better to choose a model with non-stick coating.
• It is convenient to stew and fry various products if the dishes have high sides. A frying pan is suitable. The bottom should be thick so that all the components of the dish are thoroughly warmed up. A big advantage will be a transparent cover.
• Asian recipes for meat, seafood, and vegetables are best done in a flat-bottomed wok. Cooking is fast thanks to the special design of the dishes.
• Inexpensive Teflon pan will help to cope with everyday tasks. You can easily make pancakes for breakfast in it or prepare the frying for soup.
• Stone and cast-iron pans are excellent for preparing absolutely all dishes. Despite the high cost, they are durable and completely safe. True, in both cases, you need to properly care for the product.
• Ceramic non-stick coating is best for cooking cutlets and chips. However, it is worth remembering that the use of such pans does not imply a complete rejection of oil or fat. Be sure to lubricate the bottom with a thin layer, otherwise the coating will deteriorate. Do not forget to wash pans with coatings only with mild tools and detergents with a gentle effect, without abrasives.
• If the pan will be used in the dishwasher, the handle must be removable or metal. Coverage is not acceptable.
• For one person, it is quite possible to choose a pan with a diameter of 24 cm, and for a family, an ideal option is 26-28 cm

Convenient to buy sets for frying. Moreover, you can take ready-made options or assemble a set of quality dishes yourself. Be sure to include a simple, medium-sized universal pan in the list. It is recommended to have in your arsenal a set of 3 or more items. Each pan should be used to prepare certain dishes.

Women all over the world are constantly trying to make the cooking process as comfortable, fast and efficient as possible. Experienced housewives have already learned how to choose the right pans for different dishes.

Pig-iron products are liked by experienced housewives, but they often confuse beginners. Women complain that corrosion forms on the surface of the pan, both inside and outside. In fact, to avoid this is quite easy, just cast iron needs special care. Do not store food in such pans, and after washing it is important to wipe the surface so that it is perfectly dry.

Most women do not like Teflon products. Mistresses claim that they are short-lived, and the cover itself is moody. Aluminum pans are very fond of young families. Such products serve more than one year and are distinguished by affordable cost.

Cast handles inspire more confidence, but removable ones cause concern. Some women are sure that the mechanism can fail at the most inopportune moment. The screw mount finds its fans and critics alike approximately. Some claim that dirt accumulates at the junction and the coating collapses. Others believe that this design allows you to use the pan with great comfort as a baking dish.

See how to choose the right pan in the next video.