Capacity
The total volume of the pan, roughly speaking, is the amount of food that fits in it in one “load”. This parameter is somewhat secondary — when choosing a frying pan, the type and size still play the main role (see the points above), and the volume is directly related to them. However, it can be useful when choosing among similar options: usually, the larger the estimated cooking volumes, the larger the pan is better to take.
Wall height
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.
Handle material
— Metal.
Metal handles, usually, are made of the same material as the pan — steel or aluminium (see above). Their main advantages are high strength and resistance to heat — in fact, the handle can withstand the same temperature as a frying pan. This ensures maximum fire safety: if you unsuccessfully leave the pan with the handle over the fire, the metal will only heat up, but will not catch fire, and you can put such a pan in the oven without problems. At the same time, this material is characterized by high thermal conductivity — in other words, the handle heats up very much along with the pan itself. Because of this, it is possible to remove the dishes from the fire only with the help of special devices (for example, rags — "grabbers" made of thick fabric) — holding the handle with bare hands, you can get burned.
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Cast iron. The material used for the handles in cast iron pans (see "Pan Material"). It has all the characteristic advantages and disadvantages of metal handles (see above).
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Bakelite. A kind of plastic; was created a long time ago, but is still widely used due to a number of advantages. In the case of frying pans, the main one is low thermal conductivity: Bakelite handles heat up so little that they can be fearlessly taken with bare hands when the pan is hot. In addition, this material is fireproof: even if you accidentally leave the pen ov
...er an open fire, it will not catch fire, at most it will char. For added safety, many handles of this type have a combined design: a small part, directly at the pan, is made of metal, the rest is Bakelite. In terms of strength and brittleness, this material is somewhat weaker than metals, but it can withstand most shocks and shocks without problems, and is insensitive to scratches, moisture and chemicals. As a consequence, handles of this type have become widespread in modern frying pans. The most striking disadvantage of bakelite can be called poor suitability for use in the oven; however, dishes with removable handles can correct the situation (for both points, see "Additionally").
— Wood. The wooden handles have a nice "classic" look, but they conduct almost no heat, which allows them to be handled with bare hands. At the same time, this material is quite sensitive to moisture, dirt, prone to cracking and relatively short-lived; and its fire safety is very low — a handle carelessly placed over a fire can easily be charred, or even catch fire. In addition, such handles are not suitable for ovens, they must be removed (if such a possibility is provided, see "Additional") or other dishes should be used in the oven. As a result, wood is quite rare in modern frying pans and is a kind of image material intended for lovers of traditional design.
— Silicone. By itself, this material is too soft for use in the handles of pans in its pure form; therefore, in this case, a metal handle with a silicone overlay is usually meant. Silicone provides good thermal insulation, such handles, usually, can be safely taken even when the pan is heated; besides, they are softer and more pleasant to the touch than, for example, bakelite. Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the sensitivity to strong heat, which is why in pans compatible with ovens, silicone handles have to be made removable.Non-stick coating
The type
of non-stick coating used in the pan (if present — some pans
are not specially coated).
If the characteristics simply indicate the presence of a coating, without specifying its type, it should be assumed that this is most likely Teflon (functional, but short-lived and requiring careful handling — see below for more details). This will give the maximum guarantee against various troubles. And here is a detailed description of the different types of non-stick coating:
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Teflon. Coating based on polytetrafluoroethylene, also known as Teflon. One of the most popular options in modern frying pans is relatively inexpensive, very convenient to cook, and easy to clean. At the same time, this material has its own characteristics in use. First of all, it should be protected from scratches as much as possible: when cooking, you should use a wooden or silicone spatula (not metal, not to mention knives), and when washing, you should not use abrasive products and metal sponges (however, this is usually not required). If a scratch or some other damage still appears, you can’t use a Teflon pan — it starts to release harmful substances, the only option is to replace the dishes. This coating is sensitive to overheating (the release of harmful substances also begins, cracks may appear), it cannot be used on high heat and is not recommended for use on electric stove
...s. In addition, it is believed that the thickness of the Teflon pans was at least 5 mm, preferably a multi-layered bottom(see "Additional"). Also note that even the highest quality Teflon, with the most careful handling, has a limited service life — usually about 5 years.
— Ceramic. A coating created as an attempt to eliminate some of the shortcomings of Teflon. Its main advantage is complete harmlessness: ceramics do not emit harmful substances at high temperatures and scratches. At the same time, it is rather difficult to scratch it, and therefore you can use spatulas made of any material with a frying pan, wash it with abrasive products, etc. In addition, this coating looks quite aesthetically pleasing. At the same time, it is a type of glass and, like any glass, is quite sensitive to shock. Another drawback is the delicacy in washing: hot ceramic pans cannot be placed under cold water (otherwise cracks or even chips may appear), and they are poorly compatible with dishwashers.
— Stone (marble). This category includes all coatings reinforced with interspersed stone chips. The material of such inclusions can be different: marble, granite, other minerals, including their combinations. Such solutions are usually more stable and durable than Teflon, however, the specific properties may be different, so the operation features must be specified in the instructions for the dishes.
— Titanium. Titanium-based non-stick coatings are remarkable primarily for their high strength. So, if it is recommended to use wooden spatulas on all other varieties, then titanium surfaces often allow work with metal appliances (however, this point still does not hurt to clarify according to the instructions for the pan). On the other hand, such coverage is quite expensive.
— Enamel. Enamel-based coatings are notable for good strength and scratch resistance, they normally tolerate contact with forks and even knives, and are not afraid of overheating. The non-stick properties of such coatings may be somewhat worse than other varieties, but it all depends on the specific type of enamel. Of the unequivocal disadvantages, one can name a relatively weak thermal conductivity and the likelihood of chips during impacts and falls. In addition, some types of enamel have a microporous structure and require more oil when frying than other types of coatings. Therefore, this option is relatively rare.
— Is absent. The lack of a non-stick coating in the design of the pan is not always a clear disadvantage. Firstly, additional coatings inevitably affect the price (and the better the composition, the more expensive it is); secondly, many of them require careful handling (see above). Thus, uncoated pans are less expensive and easier to clean (although the cleaning itself can be quite a laborious process). It should be noted that some materials themselves have non-stick properties; a typical example is cast iron (see “Frying pan material”).Features
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Induction bottom. Possibility of use of a frying pan on electric stoves of induction type. Heating in such stoves occurs due to the electromagnetic field created by special elements, and it is not the stove that is heated, but the dishes directly standing on it. This is convenient in many respects, but it imposes rather severe restrictions on materials — not all utensils, even metal ones, will work normally with this technology. Therefore, when choosing a frying pan for an induction cooker, you should separately pay attention to compatibility.
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Multi-layered bottom. A bottom made of several layers of a particular material. This design is believed to provide additional strength, resistance to overheating and uniform heating, as well as reduce the likelihood of deformation. However, such pans cost accordingly.
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Corrugated bottom. The bottom, which has a set of protrusions — usually in the form of characteristic stripes. Such a surface may cover the entire working area of \u200b\u200bthe pan or only part of it; and most models with this feature belong to one or another type of grill (see "Type"), although there are other types of pans with a corrugated bottom. Anyway, the peculiarity of such a surface is that only protrusions are in direct contact with the product being cooked, and fat, vegetable juice or other liquid that boils under the influence of h
...eat flows into the recesses between them. Due to this, characteristic fried stripes form on the finished dish, and the surface between these strips is not so much fried as welded. The corrugated surface is considered optimal, in particular for cooking meat: since fat can drip off the product, the finished dish is less greasy than when using a smooth surface. Also, such surfaces are quite convenient when frying fish and some other types of products.
— Thermal sensor. The indicator signaling about degree of heating of a frying pan. The simplest and most common version of such an indicator is an insert made of a special material that changes colour when heated to a certain temperature. There are also more advanced options, up to built-in digital thermometers with displays for monitoring temperature and an audible signal when it reaches the desired value. Anyway, if you have a temperature sensor, you will not have to check the degree of heating with the help of improvised means — a drop of water, a piece of dough, etc. In addition, the temperature sensor prevents excessive heating and saves electricity or gas (depending on the type of stove). And for models with a Teflon or marble non-stick coating (see above), as well as aluminium cookware (see “Frying pan material”), the latter is also important because when overheated, the coating can release harmful substances, and aluminium can deform. However the temperature sensor is only a signal device, and you still have to take measures to avoid overheating manually.
— Drain chute. A device in the form of a characteristic goon or spout on the edge of the pan, which allows you to conveniently drain non-fat, sauce, gravy and other liquids from non-fat. Drain gutters are often made in pairs — from opposite sides; due to this, holding the pan by the handle, you can drain its contents both to the right and to the left — depending on which direction is more convenient or more accessible at the moment.
— Removable handle. Detachable pan handle. This feature is useful primarily for those who plan to use the pan as oven dishes — dishes without a handle are easier to place inside. And if the handle is bakelite or wooden(see "Handle Material"), then it must be removed before installation in the oven — these materials do not tolerate high temperatures. In addition, the ability to remove the handle makes it easier to store and transport — in this respect, this function is similar to the folding handle described below.
— Foldable handle. A feature found mainly in grill pans (see "Type") of square and rectangular shapes (although there are exceptions to these rules). A similar handle is mounted on a swivel mount, and when folded, it fits directly on the working surface of the pan and in this position does not protrude beyond its edges. This greatly simplifies storage and transportation, including in comparison with the removable handles described above: the folding device is always with the pan without getting lost. On the other hand, not all such handles are compatible with ovens; and if such compatibility is provided, it is often necessary to use a lid so that the folded handle does not lie directly on the dish being prepared.
— Auxiliary handle. The presence of an additional handle on the pan, on the opposite side of the main one. Such a handle is much shorter and usually has the shape of a loop; its presence allows you to easily hold the dishes with two hands, which is convenient for large volumes of cooking. Note that frying pans with a pair of identical handles (like those that are installed on pans) do not belong to this category.
— Dishwasher safe. Possibility of washing the frying pan in the dishwasher. Such machines have their own requirements for dimensions and materials, and therefore, if you plan to use a dishwasher, you should choose compatible pans — they are guaranteed not to create problems.
— Use in the oven. The possibility of using a frying pan for cooking in the oven. Such pans must be able to withstand high temperatures well (especially for non-stick coatings, see above), and are often equipped with either a removable handle or small paired handles, which facilitates placement in a limited volume. Usually, stewpans and woks are made “under the oven”, and among ordinary frying pans (see “Type”) this function is quite rare.
— Internal partitions. Partitions dividing the working surface of the pan into separate zones. This feature allows you to cook several dishes at the same time and avoid mixing flavors. Also note that in some models, individual zones differ in the shape of the surface: on one side of the partition, the bottom can be corrugated (see above), on the other, traditionally smooth.Country of origin
Country of origin of the brand under which the pan is marketed. Usually, it is indicated by the "homeland" of the manufacturing company or by the location of its headquarters.
There are many stereotypes associated with the “nationality” of brands and products, but most of them have no basis nowadays. First, the actual place of production is often different from the brand's country of origin. Secondly, the quality of the goods depends not so much on geography, but on the policy of a particular company and how carefully this very quality is controlled in it. Therefore, you should pay attention to the country of origin of the brand only if you fundamentally want or (do not want) to support a manufacturer from a certain state. Quality is best judged by the reputation of a particular brand and the general price category.
