Comparison Biol Optima 2804PC 28 cm vs Biol Classic 2807PC 28 cm

— Classic. The traditional type of frying pans most familiar to many, with a flat bottom and walls of medium height. They can be used for both frying and stewing and similar cooking, which makes this variety a fairly versatile solution — especially if you do not need to cook in large volumes.

— Deep frying pan. Frying pans of a traditional design, having a significant height of the sides — from 5.5 to 10 cm (deeper products are usually referred to as stewpans). Such sides allow you to fill the pan with a large amount of liquid contents, and when the lid is open, they provide additional protection of the stove and surrounding objects from grease splashes. Due to this, such dishes are quite versatile, they are widely used both for frying (especially meat or fish) and for stewing.
Note also that wok and tagine are, in fact, special varieties of deep pans; however, such products have their own specific application, so they are separated into separate categories (see below).

— Flip frying pan. The name of such pans comes from the word flip, which means, in particular, "flip in the air." These are relatively deep models (although there are exceptions) of a characteristic asymmetrical shape — the side on the opposite side of the handle is made higher than that of the handle, and is tilted...inward at a slight angle. This design makes it easy to toss and mix the ingredients in the pan; this requires some skill, but allows significant time savings and provides a more uniform processing of products than traditional mixing.

— For pancakes. A distinctive feature of this type of pans is a very shallow depth. This arrangement makes it as easy as possible to flip pancakes and other similar dishes — omelettes, potato pancakes, pancakes (however, pancakes also have their own kind of frying pans — see below). Also note that pancake pans are one of several varieties in which decor for children can be provided (see also below).

— Saucepan. A type of frying pan that has relatively high walls (compared to the total diameter), as well as a clearly defined border between the walls and the bottom (unlike conventional frying pans, where rounded sides smoothly merge into the bottom). In addition, the walls can be made vertical or almost vertical, although this is not necessary. Note that some of these frying pans are close in design to the classic models, others almost do not differ from woks. Anyway, stewpans can be used both for traditional frying and for stewing, sautéing, cooking sauces, etc.; some models even allow cooking.

— Brazier. Frying pans of this type outwardly resemble pans — they have a wide bottom, relatively high walls (usually vertical, without tilt), as well as small paired handles. Such dishes are considered perfect for stewing, both on the stove and in the oven (if the design allows it, of course). Some even consider the brazier not so much a frying pan as a kind of goose. However, nothing prevents the use of such models for frying.

— Wok. A type of frying pan that originally appeared in Asian cuisine. The wok has a hemispherical shape with rather high walls, and the flat bottom is made relatively small, if not completely absent. Thanks to this design, the bottom of the wok heats up to high temperatures during use, while the edges remain relatively cold, so food must be constantly stirred during cooking — this method is considered a classic for many oriental dishes. In addition, woks are well suited for stewing and quick frying.

— Grill. Frying pans designed to be used in the same way as open contact grills (without lid). Such models most often have a square shape(much less often — round or rectangular), as well as a corrugated bottom. For more information about the features of such a bottom, see "Functions and Possibilities", here we note that grill pans are excellent primarily for frying meat and fish, although other applications are also possible. At the same time, the relief and surface coating in many models allow you to cook effectively without adding oil or fat at all.
In addition, more specific types of grill pans can be found on the market — double-sided grills, as well as gas grill pans. These varieties differ markedly in the specifics of the application, and therefore they are placed in separate categories (see below).

— Grill-gas frying pan. A rather specific type of grill pans, designed for use exclusively with gas stoves. The base of the pan is shaped like a ring with a hole in the centre; around this ring is a grate on which cooked foods are laid out, so that the pan itself actually plays the role of a tray for fat, vegetable juice and other similar liquids. When cooking, such dishes are placed with a hole on the gas burner and covered with a solid cap-cap: hot air enters under this cap, and the products in the grill gas are, in fact, baked. At the same time, you can not use fat for cooking, so this method is considered one of the healthiest. However, note that for the effective use of such devices, fuel is required that does not give soot; liquefied gas of a high degree of purification is considered an perfect option.

— Double sided grill. A type of grill pan (see above) that can replace a closed contact grill. The working surface of such a frying pan consists of two halves connected by a swivel mount and capable of being tightly closed. In this case, one half, with higher sides, is considered the main one, and the second plays the role of a clamping cover. This design provides faster, deeper and more even frying than an open grill pan; at the same time, for maximum uniformity, it is advisable to periodically turn the pan upside down and back — a similar possibility is provided for in the design. The disadvantages of double-sided grills include the fact that it is inconvenient to turn over or remove individual pieces on them — for this you need to open the lid, violating the operating mode. However, most often this moment is not fundamental: pieces of the same product, having approximately the same thickness, are fried in such pans very efficiently.

— For paella. Specialized pans for cooking paella — a national Spanish dish of rice or small pasta with various additives and a special sauce. Such frying pans have a characteristic design: a round shape, walls with a clear outward slope, as well as a pair of symmetrical side handles of short length. At the same time, in traditional paella dishes, the sides are rather low, but there are exceptions to this rule.

— Portion. Frying pans designed not only for cooking, but also for serving dishes — for example, it is in a frying pan that the filling for fajitas is traditionally served. Such models usually have a relatively small size and depth, and are also equipped with wooden stands that allow you to safely place a hot pan on the table. The handle can be bent up so as not to create inconvenience on the table. Cast iron is usually used as a material for portioned pans: it is not afraid of contact with metal spoons and forks, and a large weight reduces the likelihood of accidentally moving or overturning dishes.

— Tazhin. A type of tableware that originally appeared in the cuisine of Morocco and the surrounding regions. A tagine is a thick-walled bowl of medium depth, covered with a high cone-shaped lid. Food in this design is cooked at a low temperature, in fact, by languishing, and the finished dish is eaten directly from the bowl, removing the lid. The traditional dish of meat or fish and vegetables with spices cooked in such dishes is also called “tagine”, but, of course, the possibilities of using such dishes are not limited to this.

— For fritters. Frying pans, originally designed for cooking pancakes and other similar dishes — for example, potato pancakes. In the classic version, such a frying pan is of medium size with several portioned recesses on the surface — this is a date for the ability to easily cook pancakes of the same size. Another, rarer option is miniature 1-pancake pans, usually about 12 cm in diameter. Some models may include decor for children, allowing you to cook dishes with funny patterns (see below for more details).

— For waffles. Waffle pans, like the pancake models described above, usually have a surface divided into portions. However, the bottom in such pans has a characteristic “checkered” relief, which makes it easy to cook waffles. In addition, portioned recesses are not necessarily made round — they can also have a different shape, including a very unusual one (hearts, stars, etc.). And some waffle pans even have a double-sided design: they close like traditional waffle irons and in this position can be installed on the stove on either side. This contributes to the most even frying.

— For fish. Frying pans designed for the possibility of frying fish with a whole carcass, without cutting into pieces. Usually, they have an oval shape and at the same time a fairly significant width, which allows you to easily accommodate even a fairly wide fish (for example, a flounder), or even two relatively narrow fish side by side. At the same time, due to the specific shape, the walls of the pan are close enough to the contents, and the heat from them contributes to the uniform cooking of fish; and melted fat almost does not spread from the products in the pan, which allows you to get soft and juicy meat as a result.

Note that the varieties of pans described above can also be sold in sets that combine different types of dishes. Here are some of the more popular options:

• classical + wok;
• classic + grill;
• classic + saucepan;
• classic + for pancakes;
• grill + for pancakes;
• classic + wok + grill;
• classic + saucepan + grill.

The diameter of the bottom of a pan that has a round shape.

This parameter is necessary first of all in order to assess the compatibility of the pan with a particular burner on the stove. It is especially relevant if the product is planned to be used on an electric stove: the diameter of the burner must be at least not less than the diameter of the bottom, otherwise the heating will turn out to be uneven and inefficient. And in induction electric stoves (see "Functions and capabilities — Induction bottom"), these diameters must match at all. The selection of suitable frying pans is somewhat simplified by the fact that modern electric stoves usually have burners of different diameters, and in some models the heaters can even be adjusted in size — up to autofocus in separate induction cookers). However, even in such cases, it's ok to clarify whether the pan fits into the range of suitable sizes.

In general, a thick bottom is considered more preferable than a thin one: the thicker the bottom, the more evenly the heat is distributed over it, the higher the quality of cooking and the lower the likelihood that the product will burn in some places. In addition, thick material is less prone to deformation from strong heat and temperature changes. True, the massive bottom also affects the weight of the product, but in most cases this moment is not significant - on the contrary, it contributes to the stability of the pan and reduces the risk of tipping it over by negligence. Of the unequivocal disadvantages, only the high cost of thick pans can be noted, but it is usually justified taking into account performance.

It is believed that for most cases a bottom thickness of at least 5 mm is desirable. However, in pans for pancakes (see "Type") and other "quick" fried foods, smaller indicators are also allowed - from 3 mm. As a rule, the bottom thickness corresponds to the wall thickness (see below), but exceptions are possible.

The thickness of the walls of the pan.

Thick material weighs more and costs more, but these disadvantages are outweighed by a number of advantages. Firstly, thicker walls distribute and retain heat more evenly, and also reduce the likelihood of overheating; all this is especially important when stewing, simmering and other similar cooking methods. Secondly, a large weight reduces the likelihood of overturning the pan, inadvertently hitting it. Thirdly, thick material better resists strong heat and temperature changes.

The minimum indicator for a quality pan is a wall thickness of 3 mm, and ideally it should be 5 mm or more.

The height of the walls is selected by the manufacturer depending on the type of pan (see above) and its size, however, similar products may vary in the height of the sides. In such cases, it is worth considering the features of the intended application. So, high sides are convenient for stewing, preparing sauces and other types of cooking that involve a large amount of liquid; in addition, they allow you to fit more content. On the other hand, deep pans are more expensive and heavier. The shallow depth, in turn, makes it easy to flip pancakes, omelettes and other similar dishes, but reduces capacity.