How to choose a good grill pan?

The grill pan is not only an excellent kitchen helper, but also a stylish attribute of any kitchen... Such a product is suitable for those who lead a healthy lifestyle and choose healthy, tasty food. The dishes are cooked without excess oil or fat, they are juicy and aromatic.

The grill pan is a product with a raised bottom. It is intended for preparing various dishes on a home grill. Such dishes are very popular among housewives and restaurant chefs. Food juices released during cooking run off between the ribs. Juicy, aromatic and healthy meals without excess oil and fat will appeal to everyone.

In order to choose the right grill pan, you can turn to the advice of professionals.

• For heating and heating products, you need to choose a product with a high density of the bottom and sides.
• The height of the sides of the crockery depends on the food to be cooked. For cooking fish or vegetables, it is better to choose a product with low sides, for meat - with higher sides.
• The quality of the grilled dish depends on the height of the ribs. The standard size for the height of the ribs does not exceed 1 cm.
• The oil and fat drain chute is used to drain off excess liquid and juices that are released during food processing.
• The size of the diameter of the grill pan depends on the number of people in the company or family. For cooking for one person, a product with a diameter of 24 cm is suitable. In pans with a diameter of 26-28 cm, you can cook for two or more people.
• The form depends on purely personal preference and convenience.Now on the market there is a wide variety of shapes and models: round, oval, square or rectangular. Everyone starts from their own feelings.

Of course, when choosing products, you should also take into account their compatibility with hobs. Any model is suitable for a gas stove. When cooking on such a stove, you can use models from any raw material and material. But the main condition for cooking on a gas stove is the density of the bottom of the product.

An aluminum pan with a flat bottom should be used when cooking on a glass ceramic surface.

The electric stove is the most popular type of stove. For this type of hob, you should choose a model of such a size that will match the parameters of the heating disc. Non-stick coated aluminum and steel products are great for electric cookers. Models with ribbed bottom and magnet inserts are not compatible with this type of plate.

To choose the best grill pan, you first need to understand which material and coating is better in terms of properties and quality. The service life and the quality of the prepared dishes depend on the material.

Today more popular cast iron and aluminum models. Ceramic products are also in great demand.

Cast iron is an excellent heat conductor. The use of this material contributes to the rapid heating and heating of the walls and bottom. Cast iron pans have a long service life and are resistant to damage. The disadvantage is the large weight of the product. Also, cast iron pans cannot be washed in the dishwasher.

When cooking On a non-stick aluminum grill pan, you may not use oil at all or use very little oil. Cast aluminum products heat up quickly, which contributes to the complete heating of the bottom and sides. However, the downside is its instability to surface heating above 240 degrees... At this temperature, the coating tends to collapse.

Stainless steel. Dishes made of this material are just for those who are inclined to proper nutrition. During cooking, steel does not emit harmful substances, therefore, the beneficial properties of the products remain unchanged. But such models are able to serve only from 3 to 4 years. Stainless steel grill pans require special care. Abrasive materials and the use of the same cleaning agents will damage the integrity of the coating.

Frying pan models ceramic produced with the addition of sand. Uniform heating, heating of the walls and bottom helps to avoid the release of harmful compounds into food. These pans are also good for oven cooking. The disadvantage is the fragility of ceramic products.

If you don't want to spend a lot of time choosing pans, but want to try homemade grilled products, you should pay attention to universal products. A universal model is the square grill pan. On this model, you can cook or reheat a large portion of food. Square models are used on all types of slabs.

Some products are supplied with a transparent cover with a press. The glass lid avoids splashing grease. The press will help ensure that food is well-done by pressing on the dish.

When choosing a model for a home grill, it is also worth considering that there are double-sided pans... They are perfect for those who want to save time in cooking. In a frying pan, you can fry food by simply turning the structure from one side to the other.

When choosing a model for a home grill, you should pay attention to the handle of the product. It must be done made of heat-resistant material. The coating can be wood, plastic or silicone, but a prerequisite is resistance to high temperatures. Some models with removable handles are suitable for cooking in an oven or oven.

The grill pan and the electric grill are similar in properties. The raised bottom of the products helps to cook food without crust and excess fat. But they still have some differences.

The electric grill is endowed with many functions. In the models of the closed type, no fumes and odors are emitted during cooking. When using pans, turn on the extractor hood.

Food is cooked on an electric grill with an even heat release, which ensures good roasting of any food. When using a grill pan, the food must be constantly turned by hand.

However, the electric grill has its drawbacks. The product is very difficult to wash. Even with removable parts, this is quite problematic. Another disadvantage is cost. The price of an electric grill is several times higher than the cost of a frying pan.

There are many companies on the kitchen equipment market that are engaged in the production of tableware. You should choose trusted manufacturers.

Companies that have long established themselves as the best manufacturers of kitchen utensils are presented below.

• French company Tefal has been engaged in the production of grill pans for a long time. In the stores of this company, models of various shapes and sizes are presented. The products are made from high quality raw materials. In production, aluminum is used, which has a long service life. Such models are suitable for cooking on electric and gas stoves. The average price of Tefal products is from 3,500 rubles.

• Polaris Is another well-known company. The surface coating of the products has non-stick properties and an even, uneven bottom. Polaris models are used for induction hobs.

• The firm "Biol" the production of cast iron models is well established. This material heats up quickly, contributing to an even glow of the entire surface. Cast iron products are suitable for different types of slabs. And thanks to the removable silicone handles, Biol pans can be safely used in the oven. The downside is the impressive weight of the products. Cost - from 1500 rubles.

• Company BergHOFF presents aluminum models for different types of hobs.

• Gipfel - a well-known manufacturer from Germany. The manufacturer's aluminum and cast iron models are available in various shapes and sizes and are equipped with silicone handles for convenience. Despite the fact that the products are made of cast iron, the weight of the models is very light. The coating uses ceramic chips, this feature distinguishes this company from other manufacturers. Price - from 3500 rubles.

• AMT Gastroguss Is another German manufacturer. Products are produced from high quality aluminum. The coating of these pans is resistant to temperatures, suitable for all types of stoves and has a long service life. Cost - from 7000 rubles.

• Manufacturer from America Lodge well known throughout Europe. The Lodge frying pan model has a special feature. The surface is treated with oil. This unique treatment eliminates the need for pre-heating during initial use.The products are suitable for cooking on induction surfaces, ceramic, gas and electric stoves.

Before choosing a good quality grill pan, you need to study customer reviews. They are important. Everyone has different tastes and preferences in kitchen utensils. But some recommendations are worth paying attention to.

For example, many professional restaurant chefs tend to choose cast iron. A cast iron grill pan will ensure uniform roasting and preservation of useful microelements. Cast iron models are not so cheap. But the cast iron frying pan model will last for many years, so professionals advise not to save money on such a purchase.

Those looking to save time should choose electric grill. Cooking takes little time. All you need to do is prepare the food, place it on the grill and select the option you want. The automated system will automatically calculate the cooking time.

For information on how to choose a grill pan, see the next video.