A frying pan for cooking meat, fish, vegetables should be in every housewife. Thanks to her, delicious and fragrant dishes will be obtained. The advantages of a grill pan, the rules for choosing and using it are described in the article.
Why do you need such dishes? With her, it will be possible to realize 3 main culinary ideas of the hostess:
- Easier cooking.
- Speed up to save time.
- Getting delicious results.
According to reviews, it is advisable to choose products from well-known manufacturers, as their products are subjected to rigorous testing. This will allow you to purchase high-quality and reliable dishes that will last for many years.
Benefits
As soon as it began to be used in the home kitchen, the grill pan immediately fell in love with the housewives. Judging by the reviews, with such a device, the dish becomes a gastronomic masterpiece. This cookware includes the functions of a classic frying pan, barbecue, barbecue, toaster, microwave, steamer and oven.
Cooking with this pan is easy. Compared to the usual type of dishes, the natural taste of the products is preserved, theysoaked in fat and juice. And thanks to the special mode of heat treatment, it will be possible to preserve the energy value. Benefits include:
- Grooved bottom. This is the main difference between the grill pans. The contact of coated products will be only on the “hill”, that is, on the ribbed strips. The fat flows into the hollows between the ribs and evaporates, which allows you to eliminate the unpleasant smell and smoke in the kitchen.
- Economy. Cooking can be done without vegetable oil or with a small amount of it. It is only necessary to treat the convex surface with a silicone brush or spray with oil on the product.
- Even distribution of heat. After heating, the grill pan retains its temperature for a long time. This is due to the thick bottom, suitable for distributing and retaining heat. This function guarantees fast cooking without overdrying and sticking of food.
- Simultaneous cooking of different foods. For example, you can cook a meat steak with mushrooms and vegetables together.
- Appetizing looking food. In cooking, the aesthetic part is important. The golden-striped dishes are beautiful and delicious.
It is thanks to these advantages that the products have become in demand among housewives. There are many recipes for cooking different dishes.
Flaws
In addition to the advantages, there are also disadvantages:
- Weight. Cast iron grill pan weighs from 2.5 to 5 kg. Aluminum products are noticeably lighter (1.5-2 kg.). This is the weight without products.
- Care after each preparation. It consists not only in washing, but in wiping dry andoil treatment of the bottom and walls. If this care is not followed, then the kitchen utensils will quickly acquire rust spots.
- Lack of cover. Usually this item is not included. Although a grill pan with a lid is much more convenient.
Shape
How to choose the right grill pan? Reviews indicate that it is necessary to take into account the taste preferences of the family, as well as pay attention to some of the nuances. This will help you make the right choice.
An important nuance is the form. It depends on what will be prepared. There are 4 product shapes:
- Square. It is considered roomy and suitable for various dishes.
- Round. It is less capacious, but heating occurs more evenly. Suitable for cooking cutlets, meat steaks, cheesecakes.
- Oval or rectangular. Ideal for fish.
- Big grill trays. In appearance, they are similar to corrugated oven trays, occupying several burners (40x26 cm).
Some housewives recommend paying attention to the presence of a spout used to remove excess fluid and fat. These gutters can be 2 pieces: on both sides. This grill pan, used on gas or electric stove, will be a great helper in the home kitchen.
Material
Grill pans are made from cast iron and aluminium. The first option is considered the best. But aluminum is also famous for its many advantages.
Cast iron:
- durable;
- durable;
- safe;
- chemically inert;
- heat storage;
- lets you get delicious meals;
- has a non-stick coating;
- does not scratch;
- no need to use special paddles.
Among the shortcomings, one can single out a lot of weight, high cost. In addition, with improper care, rust appears. The product should not be washed with conventional detergents. Different dishes require different pans.
Aluminum:
- easy;
- has a low cost;
- high thermal conductivity;
- needs no special care.
But the material is able to deform, react with alkali, acid. Its non-stick coating is considered to be short-lived. When cooking, use wooden or silicone spatulas. There is more risk of food burning with such cookware.
Pen
The location and material of the handles also matter, especially when you need to move the product from one place to another. It is important to consider the following recommendations:
- Better 2 than 1 pen. It is advisable to purchase a model where 1 handle is opposite the other. It's convenient and safe.
- Heat resistant. Silicone-coated plastic, wood, a mixture of steel and Bakelite can provide this. In a cast-iron product, the handle is solid.
Grill pans are often produced with removable handles. This design is convenient because it helps to save space in the kitchen. In addition, the dishes are convenient when cooking in the oven.closet.
Height of corrugation
This parameter is needed for excellent heating of the dish. The protrusions must be high. If the bottom ribs are small, the product will come into contact with the surface, stick to it, and as a result, the expected result will not happen.
The height of the sides is important. Usually it is 1-7 cm. In a product with higher sides, food warms up better. In addition, it will act as a splash barrier when the food is turned over.
Diameter
The stores sell a diameter of 20-28 cm (upper diameter, the lid is selected from it). When choosing this parameter, you must take into account the number of people in the family:
- For one - 20-24 cm.
- For 24-26 cm.
- Family - 28 cm
It is necessary to take into account the area of the burners. It is advisable not to go beyond the burner circle if you are cooking on an electric stove.
Hob compatible
Before purchasing a gas grill pan or other stove, compatibility must be considered:
- Gas. All types are suitable for the gas stove.
- Electric. For an electric oven, you can choose a frying pan from different materials. The main thing is that the bottom should be thick because the heating temperature is higher.
- Glass-ceramic. It heats up a lot, so the bottom of the product should be from 3 mm.
- Induction cooker. Used for thick-bottomed dishes made of magnetic metals.
The gas grill pan is great for home use. And with it you can cook different dishes. Using the appliance correctly, you can get delicious and beautiful looking food.
Cap
No lid is usually included. As evidenced by the reviews, opinions on this matter are different:
- Some housewives recommend picking up a lid when choosing, because when frying, fat splashes and stains the stove. It is created from heat-resistant glass, metal or a lid-press. The latter has a weight of 3-6 kg and is required for voluminous dishes: tobacco chicken, hot sandwiches or vegetable mix.
- Other housewives claim that the cooking technology does not involve the use of a lid.
Therefore, it is better to choose, decide for yourself. Whichever product is purchased, the manufacturer's recommendations for use should be taken into account.
Manufacturer Reviews
What is the best grill pan? As evidenced by the reviews, many housewives like the products of the Tefal company. It is valued for its excellent quality, ease of use and safety. The most popular products include:
- Tefal Talent. Square products are made of aluminum, and the handle is made of Bakelite and stainless steel. It has a Titanium Pro non-stick coating and an anti-warp disc. The size of the product is 26x26 cm, and the bottom thickness is 4 mm. According to reviews, such a product is reliable and compatible with all plates.
- Tefal Flavor. The round piece is crafted from die-cast aluminum and features a Resist Plus non-stick coating. The diameter is 31 cm, and the bottom thickness is 5 mm. According to the reviews of the hostesses, such a product can be used to prepare various dishes. They come out with a beautifulcrust and original look. The product is suitable for all cooktops except induction.
- Supra Hade. Rectangular frying pan is made of carbon steel. It is covered with 3 layers of ceramic material. The size of the frying pan is 28x25 cm, and the thickness of the bottom is 3 mm. There are many positive reviews about Supra products. Mistresses appreciate it for its quality, attractive appearance and affordable price. The product is suitable for different stoves.
- Risoli Gratella. This is a square die-cast aluminum product. The pan is equipped with a two-layer Teflon non-stick coating. The bottom thickness is 5 mm. The product has a folding handle for compact storage. But it can't be used for induction cooker. As reviews show, housewives like this product for its quality and durability.
Biol grill pan is in demand. According to the hostesses, the product is ideal for home use. Just read the manufacturer's instructions for use. Housewives note the high quality of BergHOFF tableware, which is of excellent quality. In the reviews, you can find a mention of the company VINZER, which produces aluminum pans.
Gipfel German quality products are in demand. The company produces cast iron pans, which are in demand from various customers. Judging by the reviews, Maestro products are available, from which you can buy a grill pan from 1.5 to 2.5 thousand rubles.
Terms of use
Judging by the photo, the grill pan has a special look compared to the usualproduct. To learn how to cook deliciously, as well as save kitchen utensils for a long time, you need to use them correctly:
- It is necessary to oil only the convex parts of the pan or the food itself.
- The container must be warmed up, and only then lay out the products. Otherwise, there will be sticking to the dishes.
- In order for the meat to be well fried, you need to reduce the heat and turn the cue balls several times.
- Turn food when golden crust appears.
- Turn at a 90 degree angle so that the dish has a grid pattern.
- If a lid is used, the dish is stewed, not fried.
- It is necessary to pre-prepare the products. Meat and fish are marinated in advance.
- Don't overcook food as it cooks quickly. Shish kebab is fried for no more than 2 minutes on each side, steak - 2-3 minutes, vegetables - about 4.
- You don't need to chop the food finely, otherwise the juiciness will be absent. For example, steaks should be at least 1.5 cm thick.
- Fish must be used with the skin on as the fillet falls apart.
First use of cast iron
For a cast iron skillet to last for many years, the first time you use it, you need to provide a non-stick coating from an oil layer. The following steps will allow you to use the product correctly:
- You need to open a window or turn on the hood.
- Heat the pan and ignite it with s alt for 10 minutes.
- It is necessary to discard the s alt and rinse the dishes without using detergents.
- Then pour in less than 0.5 tsp. vegetable oil and rubbed with a brush along the bottom and walls.
- Then it needs heating and baking for 10-15 minutes.
- The "cooking" of the oil must be done 2-3 times to penetrate the pores of the cast iron.
When using cast iron, do not scratch or use abrasives for cleaning. To remove adhering food residues, heat water with a drop of dish balm and leave to cool. You can use vinegar, soda or mustard. Then rinse with a soft washcloth.
Cooking rules
To properly prepare a dish, you must follow simple rules:
- Oil is not used or is used in small quantities. You can simply work with a brush dipped in oil, the ribbed part of the pan or the product itself.
- To make the dish tastier, the product is first kept in the marinade. And when cooking, it is advisable not to add s alt.
- It is advisable to use special tongs for turning. A wooden or silicone spatula will do.
- Stripes will be pronounced if the products are turned over less often.
Recipes on the grill pan allow you to cook delicious dishes. Meat, fish, vegetables are processed with it.
Steaks
How to cook a steak on a grill pan? It is necessary to cut the meat with a thickness of 2 psm. Some recommend pounding the steak before frying. If the steaks are thin, they should not be cooked for a long time, as they will be dry. Pieces of meat must be marinated.
Need olive oil, lemon juice, spices. Steaks should marinate for an hour. Then they are laid out on a hot frying pan. Fry for 1 minute on each side. Then another 3 minutes on both sides.
Fish
In such a pan you can cook fish - fatty varieties. Suitable mackerel, salmon, salmon, tilapia, cod. Fish steaks should be marinated before frying. For this, oil, lemon juice, sour cream are used. It takes 20 minutes, and then the product can be laid out for frying 1 piece at a time. The container can not be processed with oil, the fish will give juice when cooked. Cooking time is 15 minutes.
Thus, the grill pan serves as an assistant in the preparation of delicious and fragrant dishes. Compliance with the rules of use will help extend the life of the product.
