Which pancake pan is better: cast iron, aluminum or ceramic
Pancakes are popular among our compatriots in Europe, the USA. Foreigners call pancakes a national dish in Russia because they are cooked on holidays and weekdays. Cooking does not take much time, so pancakes are fried for breakfast or treat guests to them. To make the dish tasty, fragrant, satisfying, you need a special pan. The experts studied the models, chose durable, comfortable of those that are available on the market.
Each hostess keeps her own secrets of delicious dishes for the family. Many admit that the pan affects the final result. It is worth trying to fry pancakes on another dish, as the result changes. This applies to both appearance and taste.
Tips for choosing pan for cooking pancakes
In matters of cooking such a popular dish, you should rely on the recommendations of experienced chefs and the advice of ordinary hostesses. The main requirement - even pancakes with a uniform ruddy color. They should not stick together and break when turned over. You can cook on a universal dish, but pancake pans are more convenient.
There are three main recommendations for choosing:
-
the height of the sides should not exceed 1-1.5 cm, because pancakes are difficult to turn;
-
There are no strict requirements to the diameter, but the size of pancakes depends on the size of the pan. Recommended - from 15 to 25 mm;
-
The handle must be strong, firm and long, so as not to burn yourself during frying.
Each person is guided by his own preferences, chooses dishes and tools for cooking with this in mind.
Cast-iron pan
The leader of the market and the kitchen is a cast-iron frying pan. The popularity of cast iron dishes is explained by the density, uniform heating, so the hostesses even today actively buy them. Modern technology can not be compared with the reliability of this material.
Virtues
-
reliability, durability, resistance to damage;
-
preservation of the form;
-
scratch resistance;
-
compatibility with any types of stoves;
-
thick bottom;
-
uniform distribution of heat;
disadvantages
-
heaviness, weight reaches 3-4 kg;
-
difficulty in cleaning up contaminants;
-
susceptibility to rust, bloom, and darkening;
-
absorption of oil, odors;
Light pans are gaining popularity in the market, but they often become deformed when they are cooked for a long time. Cast-iron cookware is devoid of this drawback - it regularly serves for tens of years.
The main advantage when cooking pancakes - a thick bottom. It absorbs a large amount of heat and evenly distributes it, so the dough is gently roasted to a uniform ruddy hue.
The main drawback is the large weight of cast iron pans. They have to constantly move from place to place, but the weight of 3-4 kg will make this process tedious. A young girl who decided to please her close people is unlikely to be able to.
Another problem is demanding care. Cast iron is afraid of moisture, and after long cooking it should be calcined with salt. If this is not done, it will rust and darken in the first year of operation. The structure of the metal contributes to the absorption of oil. The surface should be thoroughly cleaned, otherwise the dough rolls into lumps.
Pancake pan with non-stick coating
Today, manufacturers are switching to innovative materials, in particular, this applies to non-stick coating. This approach allows you to reduce the mass of dishes, while maintaining the positive moments of cooking pancakes. Pans with non-stick coating fry no worse than cast iron, but at the same time they are easier to wash, clean, use. They are more common on the market, including as part of kitchen sets.
Such pans allow you to cook delicious pancakes, but the housewives face many inconveniences. First of all, a low heating temperature will not allow the dough to be fried quickly and evenly, so the pancakes are thin and pale. The lack of oil affects the final structure of the pancakes, so the household will notice a difference compared to a cast iron pan.
But even a novice will make pancakes in a frying pan with a non-stick coating, because it is enough to pour the dough and wait 1.5-2 minutes. If you add a little butter, pancakes get more lush, ruddy and juicy. Experts recommend choosing models with a temperature sensor that simplifies the task and protects against excessive overheating.
Another problem is proper care. The coating is afraid of metal blades, knives and forks. Such models can not be washed with powders and abrasive materials. If you follow these rules, then you quickly get used to the pan. It will last 5-6 years, retaining the original appearance.
Virtues
-
instant preparation for work with the minimum amount of oil;
-
ease of use - suitable even for a beginner;
-
low cost;
-
easy heating;
disadvantages
-
the coating is sensitive to damage, therefore only wooden or plastic turning tools are allowed;
-
Maximum heating temperature - 220 ° C (fast and strong heating will lead to deformation of the light metal).
-
washing requires special cleaning brushes, soft sponges without abrasive coating;
Aluminum pancakes
Once aluminum dishes belonged to the category of innovative, but today it attracts only by its cheapness. The main features are light weight, high thermal conductivity. It is covered with a special protective layer to increase safety. When choosing, it is necessary to focus on the standard recommendations - the sides are no more than 2-3 cm, a thick bottom and a reliable handle. If the pan warms up well, keeps heat, then the pancakes will turn out to be rosy, tasty.
In general, such models are quite reliable assistants in the kitchen, although there are more shortcomings. Beginners should not choose them. Experienced housewives will fire on them ruddy and fluffy pancakes, but for this you will have to carefully monitor the temperature and add oil in a timely manner. If you cook a batch of pancakes for 4-5 people at a time, then the pan with a strong heat is deformed.
Metal belongs to the light, therefore subject to mechanical wear. Metal knives and paddles scratches it. Damage to the protective coating affects the preparation of pancakes, leading to increased toxicity in the case of cheap pans.
Virtues
-
instant heating in 1 minute;
-
low price;
-
simple care and easy cleaning without special detergents;
disadvantages
-
low thermal conductivity, poor heat retention;
-
toxicity of cheap aluminum without a protective coating;
-
sensitivity to mechanical stress;
-
high oil consumption;
-
susceptibility to deformation during strong heating;
Ceramic pancakes
Another innovative position on our list is ceramic pans that are ahead of the generation of non-stick cookware. The main difference in comparison with the cast-iron and aluminum models is environmental friendliness. The hostess will rejoice attractive appearance. Models of this type are distinguished by a special coating of titanium ceramics and a nano-composite layer. They are applied to a metal blank.
Such models attract in many respects. If it is recommended to replace conventional aluminum pans when the upper protective layer is damaged, then such problems do not arise with ceramics. It does not emit toxic substances when heated, even if scratches appear on the upper layer.
Models of this type withstand heating up to 450 ° C, which is important for even cooking and long cooking. The surface is resistant to damage and some models even withstand metal blades and scrapers.
Ceramic skillet will differ in price not for the better. But there are easy to find available analogues - metal models, ceramic coating. In this case, you need to carefully approach the choice, because it is often on the market that sell ordinary aluminum with enamel, issued for ceramics. The rest is a modern option that will allow the household to delight with delicious ruddy pancakes.
Virtues
-
resistance to burning, dirt;
-
resistance to high temperature - up to 450 C;
-
environmental friendliness and the absence of harmful substances when heated;
-
easy to clean without strong detergents;
disadvantages
-
risk of damage due to sudden temperature changes;
-
high price;
-
the difficulty in finding quality pans on the market;
-
proper care of the surface is required;
In the following articles, our experts tell how to choose a quality griddlewhich coating to choose pan - teflon or ceramic, Compare the material of the pan - aluminum or cast iron, analysis top pans manufacturers.
Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.