Every housewife should have a frying pan for cooking meat, fish, vegetables. Thanks to it, delicious and fragrant dishes will be obtained. The advantages of the grill pan, the rules for its selection and use are described in the article.
Why do you need such dishes? With it, it will turn out to realize 3 main culinary ideas of the hostess:
- Simplification of cooking.
- Acceleration to save time.
- Getting a delicious result.
According to reviews, it is advisable to choose products from well-known manufacturers, as their products are subject to rigorous testing. This will allow you to purchase high-quality and reliable dishes that will last for many years.
Benefits
The grill pan, as soon as it was used in home cooking, was immediately liked by the hostesses. 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, double boiler and oven.
Cooking with such a pan is easy. Compared with the usual type of dishes , the natural taste of the products is preserved, they are saturated with fat and juice. And thanks to a special heat treatment mode, it will be possible to maintain energy value. The benefits include:
- Corrugated bottom. This is the main difference between the grill pan. The contact of the products with the coating will be only on the "hill", that is, on the ribbed strips. The fat flows into the hollows between the ribs and evaporates, which eliminates the unpleasant odor and smoke in the kitchen.
- Profitability. 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 the product with oil.
- Uniform heat distribution. After heating, the grill pan retains temperature for a long time. This is due to the thick bottom, suitable for distribution and retention of heat. With this mode, fast cooking is guaranteed without overdrying and sticking food.
- Simultaneous preparation of different products. For example, you can cook meat steak with mushrooms and vegetables together.
- Appetizing kind of dishes. In cooking, the aesthetic part is important. 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.
disadvantages
In addition to the advantages, there are also disadvantages:
- Weight. A 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 just in washing, but in wiping dry and treating the bottom and walls with oil. If you do not perform such care, then the kitchen utensils will quickly find rust spots.
- Lack of cover. Usually this part is not included. Although the grill pan with the lid is much more convenient.
The form
How to choose a 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 nuances. This will make the right choice.
An important nuance is the form. It depends on what will be prepared. There are 4 forms of products:
- Square. It is considered roomy and suitable for different dishes.
- Round. It is less capacious, but heating occurs more evenly. Suitable for cooking meatballs, meat steaks, cheesecakes.
- Oval or rectangular. Ideal for fish.
- Large tray grills. In appearance, they are similar to corrugated baking sheets for the oven, occupying several burners (40x26 cm).
Some housewives recommend paying attention to the presence of a spout used to remove excess fluid and fat. There can be 2 pieces of gutters: on both sides. Such a grill pan, used on a gas or electric stove, will be an excellent assistant in the home kitchen.
Material
Grill pans are made of cast iron and aluminum. The first option is considered the best. But aluminum is famous for many advantages.
Cast iron:
- lasting;
- durable
- safe;
- chemically inert;
- heat storage;
- allows you to get delicious dishes;
- has a non-stick coating;
- not scratched;
- no need to use special blades.
Among the shortcomings can be identified a large weight, high cost. In addition, if improperly maintained, rust appears. The product should not be washed with ordinary detergents. Different dishes require different pans.
Aluminum:
- easy;
- has a low cost;
- has high thermal conductivity;
- does not need special care.
But the material is able to deform, react with alkali, acid. Its non-stick coating is considered short-lived. During cooking, use wooden or silicone spatulas. With such utensils there is a greater risk of burning food.
A 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 pen is opposite the other. It is convenient and safe.
- Heat resistant. It can provide plastic with silicone coating, wood, a mixture of steel and bakelite. In a cast iron product, the handle is solid.
Grill pans are often produced with removable handles. This design is convenient in that it helps to save space in the kitchen. In addition, the dishes are convenient when cooking in the oven.
Corrugation Height
This parameter is needed for excellent warming up of the dish. The protrusions should be high. If the bottom ribs are small, the product comes into contact with the surface, sticks to it and, as a result, the expected result will not be.
Important is the height of the sides. Usually it is 1-7 cm. In a product with higher sides, the food warms up better. In addition, it will be a barrier to spray during the turning of products.
Diameter
In stores, a diameter of 20-28 cm is sold (upper diameter, a lid is selected according to it). When choosing this parameter, one must take into account the number of people in the family:
- For one - 20-24 cm.
- For 24-26 cm.
- For a family - 28 cm.
The burner area must be taken into account. It is advisable not to go beyond the burner circle if you are cooking on an electric stove.
Plate compatibility
Before purchasing a grill pan for gas or another stove, compatibility should be considered:
- Gas. All types are suitable for a gas stove.
- Electric. For an electric furnace, you can choose a pan from different materials. The main thing is that the bottom is thick, since the heating temperature is higher.
- Glass ceramic. It is heated very much, so the bottom of the product should be from 3 mm.
- Induction cooker. It is used for dishes with a thick bottom made of metals with magnetic properties.
Gas grill pan is great for home use. And with it you can cook different dishes. Using the device correctly, you can get tasty and beautiful-looking food.
Cap
Usually there is no cover in the kit. According to reviews, opinions on this subject are different:
- Some housewives recommend choosing a lid when choosing, since when frying, fat is sprayed and stains the stove. It is created from heat-resistant glass, metal or a cover press. The latter has a weight of 3-6 kg and is required to obtain voluminous dishes: chicken, tobacco, hot sandwiches or a vegetable mix.
- Other housewives claim that cooking technology does not involve the use of a lid.
Therefore, what is better to choose, decide for yourself. Whatever product is purchased, the recommendations of the manufacturer regarding the application must be taken into account.
Manufacturer's Reviews
What is the best grill pan? According to reviews, many housewives like the products of the company "Tefal". It is appreciated for its excellent quality, usability and safety. The most popular products include:
- Tefal Talent. Square items are made of aluminum, and the handle is made of bakelite and stainless steel. It has a non-stick Titanium Pro coating and anti-deformation disk. 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 product is made of cast aluminum and has a non-stick coating Resist Plus. 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 for cooking various dishes. They are obtained with a beautiful crust and an original look. The product is suitable for all stoves except induction.
- Supra Hade. The rectangular pan is made of carbon steel. It is covered with 3 layers of ceramic material. The size of the pan is 28x25 cm, and the bottom thickness is 3 mm. There are many positive reviews on Supra products. Mistresses appreciate her for quality, attractive appearance and affordable price. The product is suitable for different plates.
- Risoli Gratella. This is a square 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 not be used for induction cooker. According to reviews, housewives like this product for its quality and durability.
The pan-grill "Biol" is in demand. According to the housewives, the product is ideal for home use. It is enough to familiarize yourself with the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the application. Housewives note the high quality of BergHOFF dishes, which is of excellent quality. In the reviews you can find a mention of the company VINZER, which produces aluminum pans.
Demanded products of German quality Gipfel. The company produces cast iron pans, which are in demand among various buyers. Judging by the reviews, Maestro products are available, from which you can purchase 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 a conventional product. In order to learn how to cook deliciously, and also to preserve kitchen utensils for a long time, you need to use it correctly:
- Only the convex parts of the pan or the products themselves need to be lubricated with oil.
- The capacity must be warmed up, and only then spread the products. Otherwise, it will stick to the dishes.
- To make the meat well-fried, you need to reduce the fire and turn the cue ball several times.
- Turn over the products after the appearance of a golden crust.
- You need to turn it over at an angle of 90 degrees so that the dish finds a “net” pattern.
- If a lid will be used, then the dish is stewed, not fried.
- You must first prepare the products. Marinate meat and fish in advance.
- Do not overdo the dishes, as cooking is fast. Barbecue is fried for no more than 2 minutes on each side, steak - 2-3 minutes, vegetables - about 4.
- No need to chop the food finely, otherwise juiciness will be absent. For example, steaks should have a thickness of at least 1.5 cm.
- Fish should be used with the skin, as the fillet is falling apart.
The first use of a cast iron product
In order for the cast-iron frying pan to serve for many years, at the first use it is necessary to provide a non-stick coating of the oil layer. The following steps will allow you to operate the product correctly:
- It is necessary to open a window or turn on the hood.
- You should heat the pan and calcine it with salt for 10 minutes.
- It is necessary to discard the salt, and rinse the dishes without using detergents.
- Then pour less than 0.5 tsp. vegetable oil and rubbed with a brush along the bottom and walls.
- Then it takes heating and annealing for 10-15 minutes.
- The “aging” of the oil must be done 2-3 times for penetration into the pores of cast iron.
When using cast iron, do not scratch or use abrasives for cleaning. To remove adhering food debris, you should heat the water with a drop of balm for dishes and leave to cool. You can use vinegar, soda or mustard. Then rinse with a soft washcloth.
Cooking rules
To properly prepare the dish, you must follow simple rules:
- Oil is not used or is used in small quantities. You can simply treat 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 aged in the marinade. And when cooking, it is advisable not to add.
- For turning, it is advisable to use special forceps. A wooden or silicone spatula is suitable.
- The strips will be pronounced if the products are less frequently turned over.
Recipes in a grill pan allow you to cook delicious dishes. With it they process meat, fish, vegetables.
Steaks
How to cook steak in a grill pan? It is necessary to cut meat with a thickness of 2 psm. Some recommend steaming off 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 be marinated for an hour. Then they are laid out on a hot frying pan. Roasting is carried out for 1 minute on each side. Then for another 3 minutes on both sides.
Fish
In such a pan you can cook fish - fatty varieties. Mackerel, salmon, salmon, tilapia, cod are suitable. Steaks of fish must be marinated before frying. To do this, apply oil, lemon juice, sour cream. It takes 20 minutes, and then the product can be laid out for frying 1 piece. Oil can not be processed, the fish will give juice when cooking. Cooking 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 to extend the life of the product.