How to choose the safest pan?

Today, housewives and cooks use different kitchen utensils for cooking. Among its diversity, one can distinguish a pan, which is often used for different types of heat treatment of products. In light of its versatility, one should be well-versed in the proposed assortment in order to choose not only high-quality, but also safe utensils for use.

Kitchen utensils that allow you to fry meat, vegetables and other products have been used by humans for a long time, therefore, they have many modifications regarding the appearance, shapes and sizes, as well as the raw materials used for manufacturing. The classification of pans by cooks and producers is based on the main task of the dishes and the type of hob on which it will be used.

Today, one can distinguish several varieties of pans, presented in the assortment of domestic and foreign manufacturers.

As a rule, pans of this category are made with round base. Such dishes are considered universal, therefore, they can be used for heat treatment of various products. Most often, fried dishes are prepared in a classic pan, in most cases cast iron is the material for its manufacture.

This option will differ from the classics in its impressive mass and shape. Usually, pans of this type are made square with a ribbed bottom surface. A similar feature will allow you to fry beautiful pieces of meat or fish with even grooves, and also make it possible to reduce the amount of fat used. The grill is made of different metal alloys.

It is a multi-layer stainless steel cookware in which uniform heat distribution during heating. In such a pan, you can fry, stew and even bake products according to different recipes.

A dish is a container having high walls and a very small bottom diameter, moreover, it can be flat or round. Such a pan is used not so often, but only if it is important to fry or put out the food at the bottom, which is heated more than the walls.

This variety combines the features of a pan and a classic pan. The walls of the stewpan are usually made thick, which, when the lid is closed, allows you to cook healthy dishes in your own juice. In such dishes, the risk of burning ingredients to the walls is practically eliminated, since its bottom, as in the grill, will be corrugated.

Its main purpose can be determined from the name, the shape of the dishes is round with low walls, thanks to which it is more convenient to operate. Manufacturers make such pans with non-stick coating, due to which there will be no need to use additional fats.

Based on the main functions, the size of the dishes varies. So, in a crepe maker, the diameter usually does not exceed 16 centimeters. For classics, the optimal diameter is 24-25 centimeters. Stewpan, grill and wok can be large. The average height of the walls of the pan is 3-4 centimeters.

Of course, for the production of kitchen utensils, including pans, proven by manufacturers who care about their reputation, the safest materials are used. All of them differ in their characteristics, but it will be useful to know the characteristics of each type of raw material in order to acquire, indeed, a convenient and harmless dishware.

Most often, pans are made from several well-known materials.

Universal raw material, which is most in demand for the production of kitchen utensils. A cast iron pan with a handle made of the same metal or a removable option can be used on the stove, as well as in the oven. The alloy is allocated inertness to acidic environments, when heated does not emit harmful compounds. Such dishes can be considered environmentally friendly, it is easy to clean.

Besides, during heating, the food is additionally enriched with iron ions, which is considered beneficial for human health. Since the metal is distinguished by its porous structure, it absorbs microparticles of oil, so a natural non-stick coating forms in the pan. However, a cast iron pan will have an impressive mass, which will not always be convenient during operation.

Another neutral and durable metal that is great for making pans. Stainless steel cookware not prone to rust and corrosion, this is the version of kitchen utensils that many cooks prefer to use.In the process of heating and interaction with products, stainless steel does not emit harmful compounds, which means that it does not affect the organoleptic qualities of the food prepared in it.

Inexpensive products, so counterfeits on the market are quite rare. Inherent in metal high thermal conductivity, so during cooking, they should be constantly monitored. However, the metal can be easily damaged mechanically, in addition, aluminum from oxidation with various alkaline or acidic environments can be oxidized. Most often, an aluminum pan is used for frying meat.

In addition to the type of raw materials used for making dishes, an important aspect for safety is the type of non-stick coating on the bottom of the pan. Today, manufacturers offer products with the following types of coatings:

• teflon;
• ceramics;
• titanium;
• diamond spraying;
• marble.

The first option is used most often. However, such non-stick material does not withstand heat of more than + 200 ° C.

Ceramic coatings for pans are a rather new kind, however, many housewives have already appreciated the advantages of such dishes. First of all, such containers for frying and stewing are distinguished by environmental friendliness, since the main component of ceramics is sand. And also the dishes differ from Teflon in resistance to temperatures within + 450 ° C.

Without harm to health, you can cook in pans with more expensive non-stick coating options, which are titanium and diamond spraying. The dishes will be durable, frying pans with such processing are easy to clean.

Granite (marble) coating implies the use of the most popular Teflon, but with the addition of stone chips. Pans with a similar coating stand out uniform heat distribution over the entire bottom area, because of this, the dish will be warm for a long time.

In the line of kitchen utensils for frying, stewing and baking, there are some brands that have established themselves on the positive side in light of the high quality and safety of their products. So, the leading positions in the list are:

• Tefal;
• Gipfel Zenit;
• Fissler;
• Vitesse.

Frying pans Tefal are in the ranking of the best products for cooking for a long time. The dishes presented by the manufacturer are distinguished by their external attractiveness, as well as the high quality and environmental friendliness of the materials used.

Gipfel zenit It offers consumers products with a stone non-stick coating, the manufacture of which involves the use of the most advanced technologies. Products in such pans are uniformly heat-treated, products are distinguished by a large operational resource.

German brand Fissler offers universal utensils for frying, stewing and other options for heat treatment of products. The company's assortment includes aluminum products with non-stick ceramic coating. In the process of using pans, they are distinguished by rapid heating, as well as ease of care.

French brand Vitesse makes high-quality frying pans, which are very popular in the light of their external attractiveness. Products are noteworthy for their budgetary cost, but in quality they are not inferior to products from world famous brands.

In order to buy a really high-quality, and therefore safe for use and contact with food pan, It is recommended to pay attention to a number of important nuances.

• The fact that the proposed products can be harmful to health will be indicated by some substances that can be used for the manufacture of dishes by unscrupulous manufacturers. So, you should refuse to purchase a pan if it contains lead, cadmium or perfluorooctanoic acid.
• High-quality products will stand out among the entire assortment with their appearance, good lid and handle. Dishes should not have even minimal defects. Manufacturers usually offer pans with original lids. Such a set will provide a snug fit to the walls, which will positively affect the taste of dishes and the cooking process. The handle must be securely attached to the base. A solid mount is still considered a cast option. A big plus will be the presence of a special lining made of wood or plastic, which will facilitate the use of dishes. Pans with a removable handle are considered a convenient option, since such dishes can be used in the oven.
• As practice shows, for frying it is best to purchase cookware with a ceramic coating, for cooking juicy and large pieces of meat a skillet with a stone coating is suitable. For frequent use, inexpensive Teflon cookware can be purchased.
• An important point remains the compatibility of cookware with the type of hob or stove.

See how to choose a pan in the next video.