Frying pancakes is not an easy task, and you can cook perfect and tasty pancakes only with the help of the best pan. We will figure out how to choose a successful pancake pan, what material is better to choose from and what are the criteria choosing the perfect pan.
What should be a pan for pancakes
Every housewife is faced with the problem of choosing pancake utensils. On the market there is a wide selection of pans made from different materials, various shapes, diameters and colors. Therefore, choosing pancake dishes is not so simple, however, after learning about the advantages and disadvantages of each of the materials, you can make a choice. A pan suitable for pancakes should be of high quality, durable, bake deliciously and evenly fry.
In the kitchen there should be a special pancake pan, on which only pancakes can be fried. It features low sides, a thick bottom for uniform calcination and a comfortable handle.
Now in stores you can see pancakes of various shapes: round, oval, square, heart-shaped, bears and others. Unusual decorative forms are often used to surprise loved ones or in the kitchens of restaurants.
At home, you should use a round pan, in which case pancakes are better placed on plates, and it is easier to twist round pancakes with filling. If you like spring rolls, then you need to choose dishes with a diameter of 25-26 cm, for lovers of small fluffy pancakes, a diameter of 15 cm is perfect.
On sale the following selection of pancake pans:
- Teflon
- ceramic;
- marble;
- cast iron;
- copper;
- aluminum;
- steel.
You can purchase a pan in several categories: price, quality, taste of pancakes and more. Also, the choice depends on the place and method of use - home cooking or catering, stove or oven, etc. To choose your perfect pancake pan, consider the characteristics of each type.
Teflon pan
This non-stick coating is great for baking pancakes. In such a pan, you can bake without using oil. Another advantage of the pan is its low price. The cover is great for beginners who are just learning to bake perfect crepes.
However, Teflon cookware also has a drawback - you need to handle it very carefully, do not scratch the surface. You can use only wooden, plastic or silicone spatulas, and you can only wash with soft foam and gentle detergents.
Another drawback is that Teflon can not be overheated above 220 degrees because toxic substances can be released on the surface. Therefore, in modern pans, a special heating indicator is installed - a thermospot.
Ceramic pan - comfort and environmental friendliness
Ceramic coating is typical for frying pans made of cast iron, aluminum and other alloys. The quality of this ware exceeds Teflon, therefore the price for it is higher. Interestingly, housewives with experience claim that ceramics are much more resistant to scratches, and non-stick properties when used properly are higher than Teflon ones.
You also need to use plastic, wooden or silicone blades, a metal spatula can damage the surface. The advantage of ceramics is that it is not afraid of high temperatures.Another plus of the surface is that it is absolutely environmentally friendly for human health. Ceramics are made from natural ingredients: stone, sand and water.
To start using ceramic pan, you need to rinse it with water, wipe it dry with a towel, put it on a fire and pour quite a bit of oil. The coating is quickly saturated with oil and heated; after 2-3 minutes, you can fry delicious low-fat pancakes.
Marble-coated frying pan for beautiful pancakes
Spectacular marble or granite, reminiscent of space, is the new generation of pans. Such a coating has a lot of advantages:
- Pancakes do not burn and do not stick.
- Environmentally friendly coating composition is safe for humans.
- Does not emit toxins.
- Not afraid of high temperatures.
The only drawback of such dishes is the high cost. However, the money invested pays off - the life of such a pan with proper care is many years. The surface is not afraid of metal blades and knives, but it is better to protect dishes and use other softer types of materials for the blades.
To start using marble pan, just rinse it, wipe it and put on fire, add a little oil and immediately you can start to fry. This coating does not require preliminary calcination, and the pancakes are evenly fried, with a perfect golden color.
Cast iron pancake pan
Cast iron utensils - one of the most ancient, appeared in the 3rd century BC. This is the most versatile and best material for cooking various dishes. This is the strongest and most durable material of all that can be used for pans.
Interestingly, such a pan does not initially have a non-stick coating. It appears by itself after cooking pancakes in oil. The porous coating absorbs the oil and thereby forms a non-stick layer.
Therefore, the longer the pan was in operation, the tastier the pancakes are. However, ideal pancakes will be only if it is exclusively a pancake pan, which is used only for this purpose. Otherwise, pancakes will be obtained with a specific taste and smell of previous dishes.
Such a pan has a lot of advantages: strength, durability of use, resistance to high temperatures, the ability to retain heat for a long time.
The cast iron coating cannot be scratched. Such dishes can be passed from generation to generation, it is highly appreciated by housewives who prefer cast-iron pans. By the way, the cost of the pan is low, since cast iron is not considered expensive material.
However, cast-iron utensils have disadvantages:
- It is prone to rust.
- Cast iron is very heavy.
After buying new dishes made of cast iron, it is necessary to heat the salt on it until it darkens. The fact is that salt is able to take away cinder and technical oily substances that were used to create cast-iron cookware. This procedure is best done several times. After that, you can use oil.
To get delicious, perfectly fried golden pancakes on a cast iron surface, you need to learn how to work with a frying pan. After some time, she will repay you with the magnificent aroma of pancakes.
Copper pans for aesthetes
Copper is a valuable metal that is widely used in many industrial industries, including for the manufacture of pans. Interestingly, the copper coating is great for perfect baking.
Copper pans, like cast-iron, retain heat for a long time, warm up evenly and quickly. Before the first use, rinse the dishes and you can immediately start cooking.
Professionals and aesthetes acquire copper pans; the price of such dishes is very high. The taste of pancakes baked on a copper surface is delicate and elegant.However, the dishes have a drawback - the surface darkens, acquiring an untidy look. To bring copper to its original beautiful appearance, it must be cleaned with lemon juice or acid and other cleaning products.
Aluminum and steel
Aluminum and steel pancake pans are popular because of their practicality, lightness and low cost. Exist aluminum pans, steel and complex, combining two metals at once.
The last type is pans, the bottom of which is made of several layers of aluminum and steel, so the dishes acquire the ability to heat evenly and quickly bake beautiful golden pancakes.
Pans made of aluminum are very light and cheap, they heat up quickly, so baking them is easy and simple. However, the aluminum coating is easily damaged, and food-grade aluminum can release toxic substances that are harmful to health. Therefore, it is necessary to use blades made of special materials - wood, silicone or plastic, so as not to scratch the bottom.
Another drawback is the softness of the metal, which is why the frying pan is easily deformed, so the pancakes in the center can be thick and fried unevenly.
Steel or stainless steel is often used by cooks in public canteens. Professionals choose these pans because of practicality and convenience, moreover, they are lightweight.
The cost of steel utensils is slightly higher than aluminum, but it serves longer and is slightly higher in quality. Steel warms up easily and quickly, and scratching the surface is much more difficult.
The choice of dishes is an eternal problem for responsible housewives. A good and high-quality pancake pan is an important attribute, and such an accessory should be in every kitchen. Therefore, the purchase must be treated responsibly.
After purchasing the dishes, always look at the instruction manual or operating tips, it is possible that the pan must be baked or wiped with oil before use.
