A frying pan is one of those things that you must have in the kitchen. In fact, you can use a frying pan to cook a wide variety of meals that range from omelets, scrambled eggs, meat balls, sausages and even onions and peppers. Although a frying pan is designed to last for many years, the choices that you make when buying one determines the experience and the results you will experience in your kitchen. As a matter of fact, buying the right fry pan can be a huge challenge, considering that they come in various sizes and shapes. If you are lucky, you will definitely find a pan that you will use for decades and still pass it on to the next generation. Here is a list of things that you must look out for when shopping for frying pans.
1. Fry Pan Materials
Fry pans are usually made from different materials. Since every metal has its unique properties, it’s important you do some homework on your preferred material before making an order. Some of the most common materials that are used in constructing pans include aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper and carbon steel. If you opt for a pan that’s made from steel, make sure it’s stainless steel; otherwise it will wear out faster due to rusting. Although you will initially need to use a lot of heat when cooking a steel frying pan, you can reduce it later because steel is very good in retaining heat.
The downside is that such pans are usually heavy. Aluminum is also an ideal material for making frying pan. In fact, aluminum is normally light in weight. The other advantage is that the material is designed to resist rusting and scratches. Copper is also highly recommended due to its durability. However, such pans come with a higher price tag than those made from carbon steel. You can settle for a carbon steel pan if you are on a low budget. The downside is that the pan won’t last long due to rusting.
2. Pan Thickness and Handles
Some people will tell you that the thickness of a pan doesn’t matter. In fact, it really does. The thickness of a pan determines how well your food will cook without burning. In fact, thinner pans encourage burning as they get extremely hot within a short time. With such a pan, you will have to keep adjusting the heat of your stove. They are actually recommended for cooking meals that require less time to prepare. Thicker pans on the other hand are the best as they allow heat to be evenly distributed, resulting in a uniformly cooked meal. They actually come in handy when you want to sear meat. It’s also important you check the handle of the pan. Some pans come with handles that are not coated with a material that doesn’t conduct heat. Such pans should be avoided unless you want to be using gloves all the time. Handles that are coated with polymer are the safest because they don’t get wet when placed on the stove for extended durations.
3. Natural vs. Non-stick Finish
Regardless of what you will be cooking in your kitchen, you can choose between a pan that has natural finish and non-stick. Pans with natural finish are slowly being phased out of the market. This is because they are not easy to clean. Their cumbersomeness is owed to the fact that they allow food to stick on the bottom and the sides. This in return increases chances of food burning. However, they are still sought after by those that prefer to sear their meat after grilling it. Non-stick pans offer the best experience in the kitchen. For a start, they cook food without burning it. This is because they have an extra layer of coating that prevents the food from coming into direct contact with the bottom or the sides. They are also easy to clean. However, you should avoid scrubbing them more often because the non-stick layer will eventually wear out.
