Stone-coated pans: pros and cons, selection features

Supporters of a healthy diet try to avoid foods fried in oil. And this is no coincidence. It has long been known that food cooked in a frying pan in oil causes irreparable harm to human health. Excessive consumption of such products affects blood vessels, heart, digestive organs. Therefore, the appearance of a stone-coated pan became a real gift for people who like to eat tasty and healthy.

The production process of such a pan consists of applying a stone coating to a workpiece obtained by casting or stamping. Cast varieties are considered more expensive due to the massive bottom that improves the performance of the product. The workpiece itself, before applying a stone layer to it, is well processed, and only then it is covered with a stone coating of the desired thickness. Further, the products are thermally processed.

The stone coating is made of marble and granite chips, porcelain stoneware is also used.

During operation, there is no need to use oil, as a modern stone coating will ensure the preparation of products in their own juice. This significantly reduces the calorie content of the dish, and also reduces the content of harmful carcinogens in it. Such food is characterized not only by its benefits, but also by its excellent taste and aroma. It retains most of the beneficial substances. For example, stewed vegetables save up to 90% of vitamins.

Many well-known cooks with extensive experience choose stone-coated pans for the following reasons.

• it safe and environmentally friendly cookware, the coating of which contains only natural elements, and during heating the surface does not emit hazardous substances.
• Stone-coated pans are strong and durable products. They are scratch resistant, do not respond to elevated temperatures, do not deform under the influence of harsh operating conditions.
• The benefit of the dish is increased due to the lack of oil in it. The food is low-fat, low-calorie, in its composition there is no harmful cholesterol. This should include the issue of oil saving.
• During cooking foods retain most of the healthy vitamins, and this is very important with a diet or problems with the digestive tract.
• In such a pan, the dishes are very tasty due to its the ability to warm all the contents quickly and evenly. Products come out juicy, delicate, fragrant.
• These pans are versatile. They are quite suitable for cooking on a gas, electric, vitroceramic or induction stove. They are also convenient in care, for example, they can be washed in a dishwasher.
• The cooking process itself is very convenient due to the fact that food does not stick to the surface.
• Most modern models has an aesthetic and attractive appearance, and this is very important for the emotional comfort of a young housewife.

Before buying a skillet with a stone coating, it is worth getting acquainted with its shortcomings. These products quite expensive, in comparison with their Teflon or ceramic "competitors". In addition, unscrupulous manufacturers are now offering low-level or titanium coated models mixed with Teflon to simulate on the market, so there is a great risk of poor-quality products. This product does not meet the requirements of stone utensils.

Another minus is high weight of products which is not always convenient when cooking. Sometimes in a new pan you can notice flaws that were visually difficult to see when buying.

Stone-coated pans on the market can be classified into the following varieties:

• cast or stamped, usually aluminum, with the application of a polymer with fused crumbs of natural stone
• with a ceramic layer including stone inclusions;
• product made made of solid stone or with a mineral insert;
• frying pan made in stone design without the actual inclusion of minerals.

Stores offer models that differ in design and style. You can also find pans of different price categories. These parameters depend on the manufacturing technology of a particular product.

Most appreciated is a classic heavy crumb stone pan. The thicker its bottom and walls, the better, since the heat in such instances is evenly distributed, respectively, the dishes are more delicious. In addition, thick-walled versions have a longer service life. Thickness may be limited by parameters of 4-7 mm.

The sizes of pans are most often found as follows:

• 20 cm;
• 22 cm;
• 24 cm;
• 26 cm;
• 28 cm

The choice depends on the purpose of the pan. For example, for frying pancakes, pancakes or fried eggs, it is recommended to buy a frying pan with a minimum diameter, and for cooking large amounts of food, stewing vegetables, meat, fish - the widest. Even stone stewpots are made for those who cook for a large family. In such products it is possible, for example, to stew food in gravy, because high sides will not allow liquid to leak. If the dishes are bought for cooking pancakes, it is better to take a sample with small sides, then the dough will be easier to turn over.

If a person living alone is looking for a frying pan, it is recommended to choose specimens with a diameter of 24 cm. For a couple or a family of three, the 26-centimeter option is suitable, and a pan with a diameter of 28 cm is designed for more eaters.

The shape of the pan can be divided into round, rectangular and wok. Among the round ones, small crepes are popular - special products with low sides and a perfectly flat flat bottom for making pancakes. A wok is a vessel with high walls and a rather narrow bottom, these items are used for frying foods and cooking soups and broths.

Stone-coated pans are increasingly appearing in the kitchen of modern housewives, so their production is organized in various countries around the world. So, the most famous manufacturers in Germany are firms Stoneline, Gipfel, Fissler. In Denmark - Fissman in Italy - Art granit, in Japan - Noryoku. In Korea - Ecoramic, in Russia - Tradition, SCOVO, Kukmara, Gevura. Let's try to dwell a little more on the most popular models.

A universal pan suitable for a wide variety of dishes. You can fry, stew, cook sauces in it. It has an attractive design. The stone coating has a fine structure, due to which the aesthetics of the product is further enhanced.

Buyers are attracted by a wide range of products of a wide variety of styles and designs. Pans are available in a variety of colors, and among them you can easily choose the most suitable for a specific kitchen interior. The mass of the products is small, since the body is made mainly of aluminum. Among the pluses is the presence of removable handles, some of which can be washed in a dishwasher. Suitable for cooking on an induction cooker.

Standard round pan with high 5 cm sides. High walls provide comfortable cooking of liquid dishes, for example, gravy. Products have a noble appearance, depending on the series, customers are offered products with a black, white or red matte finish. Of the minuses, a lot of weight is noted.

Aluminum round pans with fixed handles. The height of the sides is from 5 cm, which allows you to cook a variety of dishes. This manufacturer offers not only universal products, but also narrowly targeted crepes. This product is also suitable for use on an induction hob and dishwasher safe.

Another option with high walls. The manufacturer offers nice comfortable products, stone chips - granite. It is suitable for any dishes that are usually made in a saucepan.

The Italian company offers a whole range of stone-coated kitchen utensils. These are universal frying pans, grilling pans, crepe makers, stewing pans. All copies have removable handles, and therefore they can be used when cooking in the oven. Dishwasher safe. These models are also good because they have a thick seven-layer spraying, which makes it possible to use metal blades. Removable handles treated with anti-slip agent.

This dish has a three-layer coating, and its advantage is the presence of spouts for serving sauces. In the manufacture of used marble chips. Especially in this product, buyers are attracted to pens, they are square in shape and made in a beautiful wood look, the products are removable and treated with a non-slip compound.

A frying pan that deserves a lot of attention. It has stable non-stick qualities, the height of the sides is from 6 cm. The handle is removable, solid. Suitable for preparing semi-liquid dishes.

In Korean-made products, consumers are attracted by an aesthetic design that allows you to choose a product that fits perfectly into the interior. Also among the advantages are decent non-stick qualities and the ability to quickly distribute heat over the entire surface.

According to customers, this is one of the most worthy Russian manufacturers. The product is well washed, it makes it possible to use metal shovels, food in this pan does not stick, but it is well fried. Of the minuses, poor-quality material of pens is noted - they begin to melt after a short time after purchase.

There is an opinion that it is better to choose pans with a thick coating, however, according to reviews of other users, a thick layer is destroyed faster, so it is recommended to buy a product with a multilayer coating.

If you buy a product with enamel, then you should remember that caring for such a pan will be more difficult.

Before buying, carefully study the goods. The bottom should be thicker than the walls, well, if it is not less than 6 cm, then the products will not burn, and the heat will be distributed evenly. Check that the thickness is uniform across the entire diameter. If the dishes will be used for cooking on a glass-ceramic stove, then choose models with a completely flat bottom so that the surfaces are clearly adjacent to each other. In the case of gas stoves, any cookware will do. If a pan is needed for stewing and poaching dishes, then take thick-walled products with a slight inclination of the sides.

Cast instance with marble or granite coating is heavier by weighthowever, the thickness of a stamped frying pan is rarely large, and therefore it is not suitable for cooking dishes that require lengthy heat treatment. In addition, the service life of the stamped variety is several times shorter, and it cannot be used for frying at maximum heat.

Pay attention to uniformity of coverage. A layer inhomogeneous in structure within a couple of minutes after installation on the gas will begin to deform, cracks and swelling may form on the surface. All this negatively affects the operation of the product and reduces its service life. When buying, ask the seller for a certificate. This document has the highest quality models, which, however, are much higher in price.

Still, most products have standard sizes, and suitable lids are already in the kitchen. If there is no lid of the required diameter in the house, then it is better to buy it in a set with a frying pan, and not waste time searching for a separate suitable model. If a frying pan is needed for a specific purpose, for example, for making pancakes, then choose a narrow focus model (in this case, a crepe maker). If you take a universal pan, then its service life will be reduced due to frequent cooking.

Usually, when faked, enamel is applied to a steel base. If the product is made of aluminum or stainless steel, the magnet will not react. Also, visual signs such as chips, spots, cracks speak of a fake. Another interesting test is sometimes carried out in the laboratory. Here in the pans, milk is calcined. If this is a quality product, then the burnt milk will not stick.

Immediately after purchase, it is recommended to rinse the product well with a detergent to remove all dust accumulated during transportation and sale. Before starting to use, you need to grease the pan with oil or grease. Observe the following operating instructions.

• If there is no need to fry over high heat, then try to avoid this. Overheating reduces product life. Do not leave the pan on fire if nothing is cooked in it so as not to damage the non-stick layer.
• If the pan is still cold, do not fill it with cold water. The same applies to dishes that were removed from the refrigerator - do not place them under hot water. Let the surface reach room temperature. A sharp temperature fluctuation can provoke the formation of microcracks, and worsen non-stick properties.
• Use blades made of plastic, silicone or wood. Even if the model allows the use of a metal spatula, it is best to avoid this if possible so as not to damage the non-stick coating.
• Rinse the dishes well after each use so that no carbon deposits form on the surface.
• Avoid when cleaning aggressive chemicals and hard sponges, these products can completely destroy the stone coating.
• Even if the pan can be washed in a dishwasher, it is recommended to do it as little as possible. With a manual wash, the product will last longer.

In general, the reviews about the stone-coated pans are positive. The product is especially appreciated by supporters of a healthy diet, and by those who during the diet missed the golden roast crust. According to customer reviews, the dishes are quite tasty, juicy, evenly fried from all sides and well soaked in juice of other ingredients and seasonings. Consumers also like the opportunity to choose a product of suitable design, although in general even a standard frying pan looks very aesthetically attractive due to its elegant “crumbs”.

Of the minuses noted heavy weight pans, This is especially inconvenient in the case of making pancakes, so here recommended to buy light crepes, they are easier and more convenient to work with. Also disadvantages include high pricehowever, according to customers, it is fully justified by the good quality of the products.

In the next video you will learn the advantages of stone utensils and its distinctive features.