Stewpan – what is it, advantages and disadvantages, an overview of the best products with a description and prices

The content of the article

• What is a stewpan
• What does it look like
• What is it needed for
• What is cooked in a stewpan
• Advantages and disadvantages of using
• How to choose a stewpan
• Manufacturer
• Destination
• Production material
• Non-stick coating
• Stewpan shape
• Diameter of dishes
• Lid for frying pan
• Removable handles
• Which stewpan is better to buy – top 10

The modern housewife in the kitchen has many appliances that help in preparing hot dishes. One of them is a multifunctional stewpan. With this practical cooking container, you can replace several types of other kitchen utensils, for example, a boiler, a pan, a small pan.

What is a stewpan

The word stew-pan is of French origin Saute (jump, jump) – from one of the cooking methods. In France, mushrooms, vegetables, meat and fish are fried over high heat, adding a couple drops of oil. Due to the high walls of the stewpan, vegetables, meat, fish can be turned over, shaking and not afraid that the contents will fly to the floor. The French believe that this way of turning the dishes is the key to the appearance of a golden, evenly fried crust.

What does it look like

The stewpan is a low massive pan with thick walls, which can be considered a kind of frying pan with a long handle. In appearance, such a kitchen product is similar to a deep frying pan (ladle) with a lid that is equipped with one or more often two handles. Models with one handle are often confused with a conventional frying pan, but unlike the last stewpan have more weight. Compared to a pan, the stewpan has walls that are tilted outward. Key Features:

• relatively high walls;
• massiveness – the bottom and walls are made of thick metal or glass (option for a microwave oven);
• various forms – round, rectangular, oval;
• functionality, as such dishes are suitable for different types of cooking;
• can be used for cooking in the oven;
• most models have a lid made of heat-resistant thick glass.

What is it needed for

Stewpan is a universal utensil that is used for stewing, stewing, poaching, sautéing. Such dishes are also convenient for preparing dishes that require shaking and a high heating temperature. Thanks to the high walls, dishes cooked in a stewpan retain juiciness, evenly warm up on all sides.

Due to the high walls (compared to a pan), fish, vegetables and meat are slowly stewed in their own juice. Thanks to this, the consumption of fat and oil is minimal, and in the end you will get a useful product. In a stewpan, you can let the food go, i.e. boil them in a small amount of water in a closed container.

What is cooked in a stewpan

A frying pan-stew-pan, according to novice housewives, is suitable mainly for boiling milk, heating water. In fact, the functions of this kitchen utensil are completely different. It is ideal for sauteing, stewing, boiling and frying a variety of dishes. In it you can cook fish, meat, stewed vegetables, a variety of sauces and even pilaf, using as an analogue a cauldron. Food in the pot languishes slowly, gradually gaining a rich aroma.

The main purpose of this miraculous hybrid of the pan and pan still consists in languishing, stewing. It is ideal for making delicious cereals, stews, sauces, omelettes. Products during cooking do not burn and do not stick to the bottom. In quality containers, meat and fish steaks, stuffed and stewed vegetables, poultry and other products retain most of the minerals and vitamins. Stewpan can also be used to heat food, for example, soup.

Advantages and disadvantages of using

Advantages of this type of kitchen utensil:

• good taste of the dish, which is obtained due to uniform heating without burning;
• fast cooking;
• good non-stick properties, which are provided due to the polymer coating or steel, while it does not work out damage (for example, leave scratches) with metal spoons and forks;
• versatility, because one stewpan is able to replace at least one pan and pan, so that additional free space appears on a shelf or cabinet;
• heat accumulation due to the deep form, thick bottom and the presence of a cover;
• thoughtful design, comfortable handles, steam outlet;
• expensive models are equipped with a thermostat for temperature control.

Disadvantages:

• heavy cast iron products are very heavy.
• substances that are harmful to the body often enter the non-stick coating: cadmium, melamine and lead.

How to choose a stewpan

To choose quality utensils with a multilayer coating that will not deform, pay attention to the manufacturer and the material of manufacture. In addition, when planning to order such a peculiar pan with a deep bottom, pay attention to the shape, size and volume. If the family is relatively small, a product with a diameter of 20 cm and a capacity of 2.5 liters is suitable. Equally important when choosing a stewpan is the presence / absence of a removable handle. On some product models, a special additional spraying is applied – a polymer sublayer.

Manufacturer

To choose a durable and convenient model, in which it is convenient not only to cook, but also to fry, check out the well-known manufacturers of kitchen utensils. BergHOFF Belgian containers, which use innovative materials, have excellent quality. The main thing is that each stewpan of this brand is characterized by ergonomics and a variety of colors, shapes. Rondell products are safe for health, with a thick bottom and walls. Vinzer Swiss products are made from high quality food grade steel. Other brands:

• Berlinger Haus;
• Bergner;
• Flonal
• Scovo;
• Gipfel;
• Mayer&Boch;
• Pomi d’Oro;
• Berlinger Haus;
• De Buyer;
• Flonal
• Biol;
• Dobrynya;
• Neva;
• Kukmara.

Destination

It is also important for which plates the model of interest is suitable. Not all cookware can be used on induction hobs – in this case, a special stewpan is required. In addition, there are dozens of models that are suitable for electric stoves, gas burners, ovens. Microwave capacities are allocated, i.e. microwave ovens – molded glass products are designed for them. You can find out what type of plates the selected option is suitable for, from the product specifications or from the seller. Examples for induction cooker:

• Rondell Latte RDA-286 with a titanium non-stick coating and a diameter of 26 cm;
• Rondell Vintage RDS-353 with a multi-layer fused bottom and a diameter of 26 cm;
• Rondell Infinity RDA-574 with non-stick coating and a diameter of 24 cm.

Production material

The stewpan is made of stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron, heat-resistant ceramics and glass. It is better to give preference to models made of multilayer stainless steel or aluminum. Heat-resistant glass products intended for microwave ovens are outwardly similar to round-shaped pots or deep trays if it is a rectangular (square) container without a lid.

Cast iron products differ in that they quickly warm up to maximum temperature, it is convenient to fry and stew in them. In addition, cast-iron dishes are easily cleaned from the remnants of fat and oil. The disadvantages are high weight and susceptibility to acidic conditions, as cast iron is easily oxidized. Aluminum stewpan is light and well warmed up, suitable for boiling and frying meat, vegetables. The disadvantage is the porosity of the material. For ease of care, this type of aluminum cookware is coated with a ceramic layer that is easily washed away from dirt..

Premium products include steel models. Such kitchen utensils are lightweight, the bottom is thickened, and the walls are thin. Polished steel is not subject to mechanical damage and quickly cleans of grease. Several models made of different materials:

• aluminum: Regent Denaro 93-AL-DE-2-24, Neva Metal 26 cm, Gipfel VIOLETA 0406;
• steel: Rondell Vintage RDS-353, Tefal Jamie Oliver;
• cast iron: Rondell Noble Red RDI-707, Regent Ferro 93-FE-2-24.

Non-stick coating

High-quality kitchen utensils should have several layers of non-stick coating, which will not allow dishes to burn. It is titanium, diamond, teflon, granite chips, marble. The best coating option is ceramic or teflon with granite chips. The coating thickness should not be less than 20 microns. Make sure that it is made using the roll rolling technique, as this option is more reliable than simple polymer spraying.

Pay attention to the internal pattern or embossed pattern. Manufacturers do this in order to improve the heat distribution process and improve the quality of non-stick properties. That is, the presence of a special pattern is a necessity if you want the products in the saucepan not to burn. Examples of products with different non-stick coatings:

• titanium: Rondell Latte RDA-286, Rondell Balance RDA-785;
• Teflon: Tefal Tendance black current, Regent Denaro 93-AL-DE-2-28;
• marble: TimA TVS art granit AT-2124, Mayer & Boch MB-25684;
• ceramic: BergHOFF Scala 2307204, Vitesse VS-2265.

Stewpan shape

To prepare various culinary masterpieces was easier, determine the optimal form of kitchen utensils. A classic option for cooking is a round stewpan, which is presented on the market in a large assortment. An equally interesting option is the oval model. Examples:

• round shape: Seaton Ch2860d, Gipfel TERRA 1447, BergHOFF Cook & Co 2801260;
• oval: Zepter Z-V3060;
• rectangular: WOLL 629SLI.

Diameter of dishes

Most of the round stewpan has a diameter in the range of 12-32 centimeters. The higher this indicator, the more difficult and roomy your choice will be. Note that in too narrow a product it is inconvenient and difficult to fry chops, pancakes. When choosing the optimal diameter, take into account which dishes you are going to constantly cook. Take a look at the height of the walls: the low model is suitable for frying, and the high one is universal. Several options depending on the diameter (in centimeters):

• 16: Gipfel PASAT 0540;
• 20: Gipfel VALTERY 0704;
• 22: Regent Denaro 93-AL-DE-2-22;
• 24: BergHOFF Cook & Co 2801260, BergHOFF Neo 3501985;
• 26: Regent Denaro 93-AL-DE-2-26, Scovo Expert SE-016;
• 28: Seaton Ch2860d;
• 30: Kukmara s309;
• 32: Gipfel VIRIDIS 0489;
• 36: BergHOFF Earthchef Acadion 3600039.

Lid for frying pan

The presence of the lid will help speed up the cooking process, and the stainless steel edging (rim) will protect it from damage in the form of chips, cracks. In addition to the metal rim, silicone is also found. To prevent the contents from spilling out during cooking, the product must have a valve. As for the cover material, the most convenient option is heat-resistant (heat-resistant) glass. Some cookware models are additionally equipped with a temperature indicator..

Removable handles

Thanks to the removable handle, you can easily put the stewpan in the oven or fold and put it on the shelf – in this case it will not take up much space. The most important thing is that the handle is easily fixed and removed with the same ease – this will eliminate the likelihood of burns. Pay attention to the reliability of the fasteners. Ergonomic parameters are important, many modern products have a handle with recesses for the fingers that increase the convenience of using dishes – it will not slip during cooking, frying. Models with removable handles:

• Kukmara c303;
• Kukmara c306;
• Neva Metal tableware 26;
• Regent Ferro 93-FE-2-24;
• BergHOFF Scala 2307204.

Which stewpan is better to buy – top 10

Having decided to replenish your kitchen arsenal with a durable, safe and unique four- or six-layer saucepan, check out the rating of popular options. Please note that the non-stick coating must be safe and stable, the handles (preferably two) convenient and removable, and the capacity – optimal for cooking at once for all family members. TOP 10 popular models: