Stone-coated pans: pros and cons, features of choice

Healthy food advocates try to avoid foods fried in oil. And this is no coincidence. It has long been known that food cooked in a pan in oil causes irreparable harm to human health. Vessels, heart, digestive organs suffer from excessive consumption of such products. Therefore, the appearance of a frying pan with a stone coating has become a real gift for people who love to eat tasty and healthy.

The production process of such a frying pan consists of applying a stone coating to a workpiece obtained by casting or stamping. Cast varieties are considered more expensive because of the massive bottom, which increases the performance of the product. The workpiece itself is well processed before applying a stone layer to it, and only then is it covered with a stone coating of the required thickness. Further, the products are thermally processed.

The stone covering is made of marble and granite chips, and porcelain stoneware is also used.

During operation, there is no need to use oil, since the modern stone coating will provide cooking in its own juice. This significantly reduces the calorie content of the dish, as well as reduces the content of harmful carcinogens in it. Such food is characterized not only by benefits, but also by excellent taste and aroma. Most of the nutrients are stored in it. For example, stewed vegetables save up to 90% of vitamins.

Many renowned chefs with extensive experience choose stone-coated pans for the following reasons.

• it safe and environmentally friendly vessel, the coating of which contains only natural elements, and during heating the surface does not emit hazardous substances.
• Stone-coated pans are strong and durable products... They are resistant to scratches, do not react to high temperatures, and do not deform under the influence of severe operating conditions.
• The benefits of the dish are enhanced by the lack of oil in it.... The food is low-fat, low-calorie, and contains no harmful cholesterol. This includes the issue of saving oil.
• During cooking foods retain most of the beneficial vitamins, and this is very important with a diet or problems with the digestive tract.
• In such a frying pan, dishes are very tasty due to its the ability to warm up all contents quickly and evenly. The products come out juicy, tender, fragrant.
• These pans are versatile. They are quite suitable for cooking on a gas, electric, glass-ceramic or induction cooker. They are also convenient to care for, for example, they can be washed in the dishwasher.
• The cooking process itself is very convenient due to the fact that food does not stick to the surface.
• Most modern models has an aesthetic and attractive appearance, and this is very important for the emotional comfort of a young housewife.

Before buying a stone-coated frying pan, you should familiarize yourself with its disadvantages. These products quite expensive, compared to its Teflon or ceramic rivals. In addition, now unscrupulous manufacturers offer on the market models with low-level spraying or a coating of titanium mixed with Teflon for imitation, so there is a very high risk of getting low-quality products. Such a product does not meet the requirements for stone ware.

Another disadvantage - large weight of products, which is not always convenient when cooking. Sometimes in a new frying pan, you may notice flaws that were visually difficult to distinguish when buying.

The stone-coated pans available on the market can be classified into the following types:

• cast or stamped, usually aluminum, with the application of a polymer with fused crumbs of natural stone;
• with a ceramic layer, including stone inclusions;
• product made from a solid stone or with a mineral insert;
• frying pan made in stone design without actually including minerals.

Stores offer models that differ in design and style. You can also find pans of different price categories. These parameters depend on the manufacturing technology of a particular product.

Most appreciated is the classic heavy stone crumb frying pan. The thicker its bottom and walls, the better, since the heat in such specimens is evenly distributed, respectively, the dishes are more tasty. In addition, thick-walled options have a longer service life. The thickness can be limited by parameters of 4-7 mm.

The most common sizes of pans are as follows:

• 20 cm;
• 22 cm;
• 24 cm;
• 26 cm;
• 28 cm.

The choice depends on the purpose of the pan. For example, for frying pancakes, pancakes or scrambled eggs, it is recommended to buy a frying pan with a minimum diameter, and for cooking in large quantities, stewing vegetables, meat, fish - the widest one. Even stone saucepans are made for those who prepare food for a large family. In such products, it is possible, for example, to stew food in gravy, because the high sides will prevent the liquid from flowing out. If the dishes are bought for cooking pancakes, then it is better to take a sample with small sides, then the dough will turn over more easily.

If a person living alone is looking for a frying pan, then it is recommended to choose specimens with a diameter of 24 cm.For a couple or a family of three, the 26-centimeter version is suitable, and a frying pan with a 28 cm diameter is intended for a larger number of eaters.

According to the shape, the pans can be divided into round, rectangular and wok. Among the round ones, small pancake makers are popular - special products with low sides and a perfectly flat flat bottom for making pancakes. The wok is a vessel with high walls and a rather narrow bottom; these specimens are used for frying food and cooking soups and broths.

Stone-coated pans are increasingly appearing in the kitchens of modern housewives, therefore their production is organized in various countries around the world. So, the most famous manufacturers in Germany are firms Stoneline, Gipfel, Fissler... In Denmark - Fissman, in Italy - Art granit, in Japan - Noryoku. In Korea - Ecoramic, in Russia - Tradition, SCOVO, Kukmara, Gevura. Let's try to dwell a little more on the most popular models.

A versatile frying pan suitable for a wide variety of dishes. You can fry, stew, prepare sauces in it. Has an attractive design. The stone coating has a fine structure, which further enhances the aesthetics of the product.

Customers are attracted by a large assortment of products of various styles and designs. The pans are available in a wide variety of colors, making it easy to find the one that best suits your particular kitchen decor. The mass of products is small, since the body is made mainly of aluminum. Among the pluses is the presence of removable handles, some of which can be washed in the dishwasher. Suitable for cooking on an induction hob.

A standard round frying pan with 5 cm high sides. The tall walls make it easy to cook liquid food such as gravy. The products have a noble appearance, depending on the series, customers are offered products with a black, white or red matte finish. Of the minuses, there is a lot of weight.

Round aluminum pans with non-removable handles. The height of the sides is from 5 cm, which allows you to cook a variety of dishes. This manufacturer offers not only universal products, but also highly targeted crepe makers. These products are also suitable for induction hob use and dishwasher safe.

Another option with high walls. The manufacturer offers nice comfortable products, stone chips - granite. They are quite suitable for any dishes that are usually cooked in a saucepan.

The Italian company offers a whole line of stone-coated kitchen utensils. These are universal pans, grill pans, pancakes, saucepans. All units have removable handles, and therefore they can be used when cooking in the oven. Dishwasher safe. These models are also good in that they have a thick seven-layer spraying, which makes it possible to use metal blades. Removable handles with anti-slip treatment.

This dish has a three-layer coating, and its advantage is the presence of spouts for serving sauces. Used in the production of marble chips. Especially in these products, buyers are attracted by the handles, they are square in shape and made in a beautiful wood-like style, the products are removable and treated with an anti-slip compound.

A frying pan that deserves a lot of attention. It has stable non-stick qualities, the height of the sides is from 6 cm. The handle is removable, one-piece.Suitable for preparing semi-liquid dishes.

In Korean-made products, consumers are attracted by the aesthetic design, which allows them to choose a product that fits perfectly into the interior. Also among the advantages are decent non-stick qualities and the ability to quickly distribute heat over the entire surface.

According to buyers, this is one of the most worthy Russian manufacturers. The product washes well, makes it possible to use metal spatulas, food in this frying pan does not stick, but it fries well. Of the minuses, the handles are of poor quality - they begin to melt within a short time after purchase.

It is believed that it is better to choose pans with a thick coating, however, according to reviews from other users, the thick layer breaks down faster, so it is recommended to buy a product with a multilayer coating.

If you are buying a product with enamel, then it is worth remembering that caring for such a pan will be more difficult.

Please study the product carefully before purchasing. The bottom should be thicker than the walls, it is good if it is at least 6 cm, then the food will not burn, and the heat will be evenly distributed. Check that the thickness is the same over the entire diameter. If the dishes are to be used for cooking on a glass-ceramic stove, then choose models with an absolutely flat bottom so that the surfaces adhere clearly to each other. In the case of gas stoves, any kind of cookware will do. If you need a frying pan for stewing and simmering dishes, then take thick-walled products with a slight slope of the sides.

Cast specimen with marble or granite coating heavier in weighthowever, the thickness of a stamped pan is rarely large, and therefore is not suitable for cooking dishes that require prolonged heat treatment. In addition, the service life of the stamped variety is several times shorter, and it cannot be used for frying at maximum heat.

Pay attention to the uniformity of the coating. The layer, heterogeneous in structure, will begin to deform within a couple of minutes after installation on gas, cracks and bulges may form on the surface. All this negatively affects the operation of the product and shortens its service life. When buying, ask the seller for a certificate. This document has the highest quality models, which, however, are significantly higher in price.

Still, most of the products are standard sizes, and suitable lids are already in the kitchen. If there is no lid of the required diameter in the house, then it is better to buy it in a set with a frying pan, and not waste time looking for a separate suitable model. If the pan is needed for a specific purpose, for example, for making pancakes, then choose a model with a narrow focus (in this case, a pancake maker). If you use a multipurpose pan, its lifespan will be shortened by frequent cooking.

Usually, when counterfeiting, enamel is applied to a steel base. If the product is made of aluminum or stainless steel, the magnet will not react. Also, such visual signs as chips, spots, cracks indicate a fake. Another interesting test is sometimes done in a laboratory setting. Here milk is calcined in pans. If this is a quality product, then the burnt milk will not stick.

Immediately after purchase, it is recommended to thoroughly rinse the product with a detergent to remove all dust accumulated during transportation and sale. Before using, you need to grease the pan with oil or fat. Observe the following operating guidelines.

• If you do not need to fry over high heat, then try to avoid it. Overheating will shorten the life of the product. Do not leave the skillet over the fire if nothing is cooking in it, so as not to damage the non-stick layer.
• If the pan is still hot, do not fill it with cold water. The same goes for dishes that have been taken out of the refrigerator - do not place them under hot water. Let the surface reach room temperature. A sharp fluctuation in temperature can provoke the formation of microcracks, and worsen the non-stick properties.
• Use plastic, silicone or wood spatulas. Even if the model allows the use of a metal spatula, it is best to avoid this if possible so as not to damage the non-stick coating.
• Rinse the dishes well after each use so that no carbon deposits form on the surface.
• Avoid aggressive chemicals and hard sponges when leaving, these products can completely destroy the stone coating.
• Even if the pan can be washed in the dishwasher, it is recommended to do it as little as possible. Hand washing the product will last longer.

In general, reviews of stone-coated pans are positive. The product is especially appreciated by supporters of a healthy diet, and by those who, during the diet, missed the golden brown crust. According to customer reviews, the dishes are quite tasty, juicy, fried evenly on all sides and are well saturated with the juice of other ingredients and seasonings. Consumers also like the opportunity to choose a product of a suitable design, although in general even a standard frying pan looks very aesthetically pleasing because of its elegant "crumb".

Of the minuses, it is noted heavy weight of pans, this is especially inconvenient in the case of making pancakes, so here it is recommended to buy light pancake makers, it is easier and more convenient to work with them. Also, the disadvantages include high pricehowever, in the opinion of buyers, it is fully justified by the good quality of the product.

In the next video, you will learn the benefits of stone ware and its distinguishing features.