How to choose a steak pan?
There are many different types of steak pans. However, many chefs, even those who specialize in Japanese cuisine, strongly recommend cooking steaks in a cast iron skillet. How to choose the best of them, we will consider in the article.
Varieties
For the preparation of steaks, pans are used, which can be classified depending on the material, shape, configuration.
Material
Ceramic pans are considered the safest. Food prepared on them is less harmful.
But such a frying pan creates a lot of trouble for the hostess. Since it must not be dropped, and also must be cleaned only with gentle agents and soft sponges.
Stainless steel with impurities copper is widely used in restaurants. Such dishes really create excellent steaks, but they also cost a lot. And the copper in its composition does not speak in favor of the device, since it tarnishes and quickly deforms.
These pans should only be recommended to those who rarely cook steaks or who are ready to change dishes every few months.
Cast iron pans are very difficult to deform. They are usually not easy to pick up. They are not afraid of metal devices and will normally react to the fact that the user turns the meat over with a metal spatula. The surface of such a frying pan is non-stick, therefore, do not be afraid for the meat - you will get an appetizing and crispy crust.
When choosing a cast iron skillet, tap on its surface. If you hear a dull sound, it is of high quality.
Aluminum frying pans non-stick, affordable, easy to clean, but not very durable.And also they cool down quickly, and it will not work to create heat with them. Namely, this is necessary for the preparation of juicy and tasty meat.
Equipment
Do not emphasize the presence or absence of the lid, as the meat is fried without it. If you plan to cook other dishes in the same frying pan, then it is better to choose a model with a lid. And it is desirable that they are made of transparent glass so that it is easy to follow the dish. But professional chefs advise you to have a separate skillet especially for steaks.
Shape and dimensions
Frying pans vary in shape and size. The round one is best used for making beef medallions and vegetables. With it, you can cook the perfect steak in taste and color using the grill pan. But the large square frying pan is universal.
Its main advantage is the ability to cook more food at one time.
Features of a frying pan with a grooved bottom
If the dish has a grooved bottom, it is called a grill. The presence of this feature allows fat to accumulate between the grooves in the bottom of the pan. Therefore, the foods that are cooked do not float in fat.
Using a frying pan with a grill function for cooking any dish, you can be sure that the fat content of the dish will be much lower.
The food that is fried on these ribs is cooked with heat, not fat. But the liquid that accumulates between these recesses steams the product. And, of course, the dish has a beautiful pattern on the surface in the form of stripes. It should also be noted that grilling dishes do not require a lot of oil for cooking, allowing you to save money.
Advantage of cast iron product
A cast iron skillet retains heat much better than other cookware with the same dimensions. Food prepared on it enriches the human body with iron.
Such a frying pan is a profitable investment of money, since the dishes made from this material are famous for their long service life.
And the longer it "functions", the higher its quality indicators. Many people inherited cast-iron dishes from their grandmothers, and they keep it as a relic, passing it on from generation to generation. Since cast iron cookware does not create difficulties in manufacturing, it is characterized by a budgetary cost.
Professional chefs note that they could not achieve such excellent taste of meat after using a cast-iron frying pan in any other way.
If handled correctly, this frying pan retains its non-stick properties for a long time. It can be used to cook meat with a minimum amount of oil. And also steaks fried in such a pan absorb less harmful substances in comparison with the use of analogues.
Selection and use rules
A good skillet should have the following qualities:
- be durable;
- with a thick bottom and walls;
- warm up quickly and efficiently;
- keep warm;
- be not too heavy in weight;
- universal and multifunctional;
- it is good to give in to cleansing.
The steak pan should have high sides. This not only protects against hot splashes, but also contributes to the rapid formation of high temperatures. After all, heat comes from the walls, which helps to speed up the cooking process.
If you are planning large volumes for cooking, then it is rational to choose models that have a special drain for pouring out juices and fats that are formed during frying... It is extremely inconvenient to do this on your own with a spoon; it is better to buy a frying pan that already has a special "nose".
For different slabs
Remember that the choice of a frying pan is influenced not only by its shape and material, but also by the type of plate. Gas is still considered the most used type. You can cook on a gas stove in pans made of any material. Experts only recommend carefully choosing the thickness. After all, the greater this indicator, the more even the heating will be.
Electric cookers require certain utensils. It is recommended to purchase kitchen utensils that coincide in diameter with the heating surface of the stove, and so that the surface itself is as even as possible for uniform heating.
Induction ovens additionally require special magnetic disks on the bottom of the dishes.
Brand, brand
There is a special rating of companies that manufacture this tableware. One of the most popular brands is considered Lodge. This is a company from America that produces cast iron grill pans.
The peculiarity of the frying pan of this brand is that it does not need to be ignited before cooking. It is characterized by high durability and strength.
Next most popular brand Tefal... This brand is the most popular among domestic buyers.
It is distinguished by the presence of a non-stick coating, as well as all kinds of additional indicators that indicate the level of heating of the dishes.
A wide range of models allows you to choose a frying pan for any type of stove.
And, of course, it is important to mark the products of the brand. Gipfel. This is a German product made of aluminum. But there are also cast iron cookware, as well as coated ones. Most of the products are equipped with special removable handles.
The form
It is known that the shape of the cookware affects the convenience of its use. If we talk about a frying pan, it can also be of different shapes, namely:
- round;
- square;
- oval.
And also they always choose the form depending on the volume of food that they plan to cook. Let's say a square frying pan is often used for a large family. And if you need to cook a dish for one or two people, then you can choose round-shaped dishes with a small diameter.
Experts advise having multiple pans for preparing different dishes.
Another important role is played by which model of the plate is used. Let's say you don't need to buy a wide frying pan for a gas stove, otherwise the dishes will take up a lot of surface space. But for induction, you need to choose a device with dimensions that correspond to the diameter of the burner. If we are talking about a glass-ceramic surface, it is better not to use cast iron dishes, otherwise dents will remain.
In the next video, you will learn how to prepare a cast iron pan for use.
