What can a grill pan be used for? What types of grill pans are there? How to use a non-stick grill pan? Can you cook on a grill pan without oil?
Content
Why do you need a grill pan?
Every year, more and more items from professional restaurants and cafes migrate to home kitchens. Bar counters, coffee machines, and now even cookware for cooking on the grill. The latter, in particular such a type as a frying pan, is very popular and occupies a place of honor in the kitchens of many housewives. What makes it so popular?
It is safe to say that such a frying pan performs three important functions.
- Simplifying food preparation.
- Reducing its duration.
- Getting a tasty and healthy meal.
Advantages:
- Bottom thickness. This type of frying pan has a much thicker bottom than a regular one. This allows for better heat distribution and retention.
- Oil drain chute. It allows you to easily drain hot liquid without the risk of getting burned.
- The presence of several handles (you can use only one, because the second is attached only when needed). Therefore, in a grill pan you can not only fry, but also bake.
- The presence of a ribbed or "striped" bottom. Thanks to it, food does not burn and acquires an original pattern.
- Saving oil. Cooking on a grill pan does not require its use. However, the amount of oil can vary if desired.
- Joint cooking. Using this cookware allows you to fry different products at the same time: meat, vegetables, mushrooms.
Please note! The grill pan requires special care. It must be washed and wiped thoroughly, removing all moisture. After that, it should be oiled from the inside. Only in this way will it retain its properties and serve for many years.
In addition to these positive qualities, the grill pan has the main advantage that makes it more popular: dishes cooked on it will retain a large number of useful properties. This is possible thanks to those ribs on the bottom. They help not only to fry, but also to stew products, because steam cooking occurs in the grooves. The ribbed surface will also protect against burning. In the worst case, it will only occur in places where the products come into contact with the "stripes".
What types of grill pans are there?
Grill pan material
- Aluminum (cast).
This material heats up quickly and is easy to clean. However, it is not durable and requires careful maintenance. Aluminum also does not "like" very high temperatures. At them, the non-stick coating can be damaged, which will make such a frying pan unsuitable for cooking.
- Cast iron.
It is the most suitable for grilling. Despite the long heating time, cast iron holds heat for a long time and distributes it well. This material is more difficult to clean. It requires special care, which can rust if not observed.
- Stainless steel.
Products cooked in such a frying pan retain their useful properties well. This happens because there is no reaction between steel and substances released by food. When working with such cookware, you cannot use metal utensils. This will damage the surface.
- Ceramics.
This material is very light and environmentally friendly. It conducts heat well, which allows the pan to heat up quickly. However, it is quite fragile, so you need to handle it very carefully.
Grill pan coating
Today, almost all manufacturers of kitchenware use non-stick coating. After all, it is thanks to it that the cookware becomes more convenient and functional. It allows you to make food healthy, since it does not require the use of a large amount of oil.
Types of non-stick coating:
- Teflon.
Despite its practicality, it is dangerous to health. Therefore, you should not use any kitchen utensils with such a coating.
- Marble.
This type is not much safer than the previous one, as it is a combination of Teflon and marble chips.
- Titanium.
This coating is environmentally friendly and safe. It is also resistant to mechanical impacts.
- Diamond.
This type of spraying can only be used at temperatures up to 320 degrees.
- Granite.
This coating is safe only if it is intact. Once damaged, it cannot be used.
- Ceramic.
It is best to use ceramics as a base material rather than a coating. It is non-toxic and can withstand high temperatures.
Important! If the non-stick coating is damaged (completely or partially), the frying pan cannot be used. This can be harmful to health.
Form
- Round.
It is characterized by uniform heating. However, it is not very capacious.
- Square.
One of the most versatile. The main advantage is its capacity.
- Oval, rectangular.
Excellent for cooking fish.
- Tray.
They look like oven roasters and can occupy several burners at once.
Matching the grill pan to the stove
- Electric.
The dimensions of the grill pan bottom and the heating disk must match. You should not choose cookware with a ribbed surface on the outer bottom.
- Gas.
It is best to buy a frying pan with a thick bottom. This helps to distribute heat evenly. Otherwise, the shape and material of the cookware can be any.
- Induction.
Only special grill pans with a magnetic insert located on the bottom are suitable for such stoves.
- Glass ceramic.
The main requirement for the cookware: a flat and smooth bottom. It should be thick, but the pan itself should not be heavy.
What can and how to fry on a grill pan
You can fry all products on a grill pan. It will not only preserve their useful properties, but also does not require large amounts of oil, since it can do without it completely. Let's consider what can be fried or stewed on a grill pan?
Rules for frying beef and pork
- It is better to fry beef or pork steak in a hot frying pan. It is better to add oil not to its surface, but to the meat itself.
- Spices should be added at the end of frying.
- Use culinary tongs to turn the meat. Do not pierce the meat during cooking.
- To make the steak more tender, you should put a little butter on it.
- It is better to salt the meat after it has browned.
Cooking grilled chicken in a frying pan
- Chicken should be cooked at a low temperature but for a long time.
- To get a golden brown crust, fry over high heat and then reduce the heat.
- You can't use forks or other sharp instruments. They will only make the meat dry and not juicy. It's better to use spatulas and tongs for turning.
How to Grill Fish
- Lean fish should be basted with oil, marinade or wine.
- If you are roasting the whole carcass, you need to make several cuts on both sides.
- The fish needs to be turned frequently.
Grilled vegetables
- Do not cook vegetables at the same time that require different cooking times and temperatures.
- It is better to cut food into equal pieces.
- You don't need to use a lot of oil.
- Vegetables should be dried thoroughly and excess moisture should not be allowed.
The answer to the question “How to cook on a grill pan?” will be general recommendations, taking into account the need to treat its surface with care.
How to Wash a Grill Pan Without Damaging It
The main rule when cleaning a grill pan: do not use sharp objects or abrasives, do not wash the hot surface. Otherwise, removing food residues does not require additional effort, because thanks to the non-stick coating, food does not stick to the surface.
How to Choose a Quality Grill Pan
To ensure that the grill pan you purchase lasts a long time and performs all of its functions well, you should follow some recommendations.
- The quality of the cooked food depends on the height of the ribbed surface. The higher the ribs, the tastier and healthier the food.
- The material for the handle should not heat up.
- A frying pan with high, sloping sides is best. It retains heat better and is easier to turn food over.
- To drain the oil easily, you should choose a container with a special spout.
- For greater convenience of cooking, you can also use a press lid. It will help you cook the dish faster.
A grill pan is a convenient and practical thing. With its help, you can cook a tasty, beautiful, and most importantly healthy dish. Due to its versatility and variety of shapes and materials, it has become a regular in many kitchens. In order for such cookware to serve as long as possible, you should simply follow the rules on how to use a grill pan with a non-stick coating.
