How to choose a grill pan

The content of the article

• Grill pan material selection
• Shaped Grill Pans
• Grill Pans Size
• The inner surface of the pan
• Grill pan handle
• Advantages and disadvantages of grill pans
• Grill Pan Manufacturers
• How to cook in a grill pan
• Useful tips from professionals

A quality frying pan for cooking meat, fish, vegetables should be in the kitchen of every housewife! Not everyone knows how to choose a grill pan: the material, internal coating, shape and size are of great importance for the optimal operation of the purchased goods. Do you want to have a barbecue without leaving your house, then you just can’t do without a grill pan!

Grill pan material selection

Both the durability and the usability will depend on the material of the selected product. Various types of grill pans are on sale, among which cast iron, aluminum and ceramic pans are in demand. Each of them has pros and cons, which you need to know about before buying:

1. Cast iron frying pan. Products from this material are strong and durable. Ideal for grilling, because they evenly warm up and slowly cool down.The cons include the significant weight of such a pan, as well as a clear metallic smell coming from its surface.
2. Frying pan made of aluminum. Light weight and non-stick coating are the main advantages of aluminum pans. Due to the high thermal conductivity of the material, the pan is heated faster than usual. The disadvantages of aluminum products are the instability to high temperatures (overheating above 260 ° C leads to the destruction of the non-stick layer).
3. Ceramic pan. Products with ceramic coating can withstand high temperatures and can be used for cooking in the oven. They have good thermal conductivity, do not emit harmful substances when heated. The only minus of ceramic grill pans is fragility and fragility.

Shaped Grill Pans

The shape of the grill pans depends entirely on the preferences of the buyer. Round, square or oval – each product has its own advantages. For example, for a large family, a square frying pan is suitable, while a small round one is enough for one person. You can also buy several grill pans of different sizes: one for frying steaks and vegetables, and the second for making omelettes for breakfast.

If you plan to bake meat or fish in the oven, buy a ceramic-coated rectangular grill pan. When choosing a product, pay attention to its walls: they must be thick so that a strong heat is created inside the pan.

Grill Pans Size

Buying a large diameter grill pan, a person expects to be able to cook a lot of products in it at the same time. However, if only a gas or electric stove is available, then using a wide frying pan will be inconvenient. If you cook on an induction cooker, then the size of the pan should match the diameter of the burner. Otherwise, there will be a need to purchase an adaptation disk.

The quality of the cooking is also affected by the height of the sides of the grill pans. Experienced chefs advise you to buy deep pans – in them the products are fried much better. Shallow dishes usually cook fish or fresh vegetables.

Pork steak cooking workshop, see this video tutorial:

The inner surface of the pan

A distinctive feature of grill pans is a ribbed bottom, due to which characteristic strips remain on the cooked product. The height of the ribs matters – the higher they are, the farther the dish is from the frying surface. Juice and excess fat secreted during cooking will accumulate between the grooves, completely not in contact with food. Dishes cooked in such a pan are considered dietary throughout the world.!

Modern grill pans are available with Teflon coating. They are convenient to use, environmentally friendly, easy to clean. When purchasing products with a non-stick coating, you should immediately stock up on silicone blades so as not to disturb the Teflon layer. Also, do not heat the pan over 200 ° C, as the risk of releasing harmful fumes from its surface increases.

Choosing a grill pan among the models presented in the store, ask the seller what product is suitable for your stove. Sometimes the compatibility of the product and the stove is reported by the manufacturer in the product instructions. If you cook on an ordinary gas stove, then do not be tormented by the choice and buy the first grill pan you like.

It is better for holders of glass-ceramic plates to abandon heavy cast-iron pans in favor of aluminum with a smooth bottom. The grill pan for the induction hob must have a flat steel bottom. Double-sided pans with iron inserts in the bottom area are also suitable. If for some reason your kitchen does not yet have a stove, purchase an electric grill pan. With its help it is easy to cook a large number of dishes.

Grill pan handle

No matter what positive qualities this or that pan has, but without a well-made handle, you will not be able to take advantage of it. The catch of cheap pans is not only the quickly erasing non-stick coating, but also the melting and cracking handles.

The handle of the grill pan should be made of heat-resistant plastic, silicone or wood. Heavy models made of cast iron are often equipped with solid handles so that they do not break under the weight of the product at the wrong time. Extremely practical grill pans with folding handles – they are compact and save space in the kitchen.

Advantages and disadvantages of grill pans

The main advantage of the grill pans is the ribbed surface, which allows you to cook a juicy and healthy dish without soot and fat. The meat or fish steak will be ready in 5-7 minutes, and all thanks to well-heated ribs of the pan. Another plus of dishes prepared on a grill pan is their golden crust and unusual aroma..

Grill pans have almost no disadvantages. What disadvantages can we talk about if the food cooked in this pan becomes only healthier and more nutritious! And yet, someone might find the grill pan too heavy and bulky..

Grill Pan Manufacturers

Today, there are many brands involved in the production of grill pans of different models. In order to make the right choice and buy a quality product, you should familiarize yourself with the popular manufacturers of this tableware:

1. Ballarini is an Italian brand leading in the production of non-stick pans.
2. BergHOFF – Belgian manufacturer of high quality cookware.
3. GIPFEL is a German brand of cookware that is popular all over the world. The main area of ​​Gipfel is the production of cast iron grill pans.
4. HOME CLUB – Russian manufacturer of barbecues, grill pans, roasters.
5. LODGE – the American company leader in the sale of high-quality cast iron grill pans, located in the middle price segment.
6. Tefal is a French cookware brand that was among the first to use Teflon coating for its products..

How to cook in a grill pan

In order to cook a delicious dish in a grill pan, you will need to remember a few simple rules:

1. Use a minimum of oil for cooking or discard it altogether. Alternatively, grease the ribs of the pan with a brush dipped in olive oil..
2. Spread food only on a hot skillet – the dish will be taken in a delicious crust and will not stick to the ribbed surface.
3. Before grilling the meat, cut it into slices 1.5-2cm thick.
4. During cooking, the grill pan becomes very hot, so do not place it on the table without a special stand..

Useful tips from professionals

To ensure that your grill pan does not disappoint you during the operation, follow the tips of professionals:

1. It is advisable that the pan has a special “nose” that will allow you to safely drain the released meat juice or fat.
2. Before first use, place the grill pan on an open fire and calcine it with coarse salt to increase its non-stick properties. After a while, salt should be carefully shaken off and in no case should the surface be washed.
3. Products in a grill pan cook faster, especially if you pour a little water between the grooves at the bottom.
4. On average, fish with dense meat (salmon or cod) is fried for 1.5-3 minutes on each side. Do not overdo fatty fish in a pan; it may fall apart during frying.
5. Vegetables must first be salt and pepper, and then fry for 5-10 minutes. Young potatoes must be boiled before half-cooked before grilling.
6. Well-beaten flat slices of chicken will be ready in 4 minutes – 2 minutes on each side.

These simple recommendations will allow you to cook delicious dishes from various products with your own hands. With the help of such a wonderful device, like a grill pan, you can not only master already known recipes, but also create your own culinary masterpieces. Share photos and videos of your dishes in the comments under the article!

How to choose the right grill pan and what you can cook on it, this video guide will tell you: