Stone frying pans

A stone frying pan is a combination of useful trends of a modern person. Firstly, such a frying pan allows to reduce consumption of fat for cooking. Secondly, buying a good frying pan solves the issue of minimalism. Stone cookware will cope with the preparation of any dish, it is durable enough, so you will not have to buy a huge number of inexpensive frying pans. And the third trend is the desire for naturalness and eco-friendliness.

What is a non-stick stone coating on a frying pan

The phrase "frying pan made of natural stone" should not be taken literally. Frying pans made of a single piece of mineral exist and are sold, but more about them later. However, more often than not, stores offer a metal frying pan with a stone coating under this name. A polymer with non-stick properties, polytetrafluoroethylene, more familiar to our ears as Tefal, is applied layer by layer to a metal blank. And mineral inclusions are added to this composition for strength, which also create that very "stone" pattern on the surface.

Pros and cons of stoneware

What is it about stone-coated frying pans that are winning the market and what are the pros and cons of stone cookware? At first glance, the high cost is one of the cons, but there are certainly more pros and you want to pay for them.

• Quality of cooked dishes. The thickness of such dishes helps to distribute the temperature evenly during cooking, which means juiciness and preservation of nutrients. The cooking time of products is reduced. Also, the dish in stone dishes is cooked without using oil, which makes it even more nutritious and healthier.
• Eco-friendliness. The use of stone for cooking goes back centuries. And today, civilization is turning to naturalness again. Stone coating is absolutely safe, because when heated, this material does not emit harmful substances and does not poison food.
• Durability of cookware. Having paid once for high-quality cookware using stone, the issue with the frying pan is solved for a huge period of time. The stone component of the coating adds strength to the product, resistance to scratches, prevents deformation from impact or exposure to high temperatures.
• Easy to maintain. Cookware with a natural stone coating does not require supernatural care. Even the dishwasher is not contraindicated. For maintenance, use a regular sponge, non-abrasive detergent and running water. The main thing is to remove drips and drops in time to prevent the formation of carbon deposits. It is also better to use gentle silicone or wooden spatulas for mixing products.
• Aesthetics. The design of stone dishes is laconic and stylish. Therefore, such kitchenware will not stand out from the style of a modern kitchen and will not create color dissonance on the shelves with dishes.

The intricacies of producing frying pans from natural stone

Stone cookware is not a device for daily use and not for all dishes. It is better to cook those culinary masterpieces here that need to simmer without fire, because pots and pans made of natural stone retain the temperature for a very long time.

This property of talc chlorite or soapstone was known in ancient times; it was from it that our ancestors made pots for the stove, and today manufacturers use it to create pots and pans from natural stone.

Soapstone pots are framed with copper, and the pot handles are made of copper. The main material, the mineral talc chlorite, is processed to an ideal state and the surface of the product acquires smoothness and a unique pattern.

Benefits of a Stone Coated Frying Pan

The main advantage of a frying pan made of natural stone will still be its environmental friendliness. Even at maximum heating, carcinogens will never start to be released into the prepared food from the stone. Other materials, unfortunately, cannot boast of this.

Another big advantage is the stone's ability to heat up quickly and retain heat for a long time. This is where the amazing taste of dishes comes from, which have retained as many useful substances as possible, juicy and healthy, since oil is not required for cooking in such dishes.

And, of course, durability. A stone frying pan does not require an army of silicone spatulas from the hostess. The surface is resistant to both deformation and mechanical impact.

Characteristics and types of stone pans

When choosing from a variety of stone-coated frying pans, it is impossible to give a clear assessment of which are better and which are worse, however, when giving preference to one model or another, it is important to note the following technical characteristics of the product: absence of external damage, weight, what the non-stick coating is made of.

Weight and wall thickness

The weight of the product should not be small, there are examples of 7-8 kg. It is this that can give away a low-quality manufacturer of a frying pan, who used artificial spraying from cheap synthetic materials. Cookware with high-quality stone spraying has a thick bottom, more than 6 mm and side walls with a thickness of 3.5 mm. The non-stick properties of the cookware and the taste of the prepared dish, the juiciness and uniformity of heating of the saucepan or frying pan directly depend on the thickness.

Type of external coating

Frying pans made entirely of stone are not widespread and are unlikely to settle in every kitchen. The weight, fairly high price and the fact that not every cooking surface is compatible with stone make talc chlorite cookware not the most universal option. Therefore, preference is given to frying pans with a natural stone coating.

The stone component of such pans has its own characteristics and different design options, and the types of minerals for the crumbs also vary.

Polymer with stone chips

The most common option is a frying pan made of metal, most often aluminum, and coated with a non-stick composition, which is mixed with marble or granite chips. The technology is such that first a non-stick coating without mineral elements is applied to the metal, and the second layer is a coating with chips.

Stoneware ceramics

A more expensive story is a frying pan made of stone ceramics, in which the protective layer consists of quartz, kaolin, chamotte and feldspar. The main advantage of such a composition is a high level of fire resistance, but this same quality makes such a frying pan ideal for stewing and not the most comfortable for frying. Stone ceramics are also very afraid of mechanical impacts. And despite the higher cost, it will last less time.

Talc chlorite

A talc chlorite frying pan is the highest price segment and the best quality. Durability, safety, and reliability are guaranteed. And for greater functionality, the mineral is combined with metal. This can be a solid stone from which the frying pan is made, as well as a metal base on which stone parts are located.

Additional information! Talc chlorite or steatite, or soapstone is a natural gray mineral with inclusions. It has been used since ancient times in construction, making figurines and various household items.

Sizes of frying pans

Frying pans with a stone coating have several diameter options:

• 18 cm;
• 20 cm;
• 22 cm;
• 24 cm;
• 28 cm.

The choice of size depends on the number of people in the family and the cooking load that the hostess plans. For example, if the frying pan will be used more often for baking pancakes, then the ideal option would be a diameter of 20-22 cm, but for cooking meat, a larger pan is more convenient, preferably also a deep one.

A family of two will be quite satisfied with a small volume of dishes, 18 and 20 cm in diameter. Accordingly, it is more convenient for larger families to use frying pans of a larger diameter.

Design and ergonomics of lids and handles

Manufacturers prefer wood, silicone, metal and heat-resistant plastic as a material for handles. The consumer makes a choice based on their needs, but the main thing is that the handle is comfortable and safe, does not heat up and does not deform from exposure to high temperatures. And models with removable handles are especially popular - such a frying pan will serve both on the stove and in the oven.

The lid is not always included with the frying pan. But it is necessary to purchase one. Glass lids equipped with a steam vent and a handle that does not heat up are a priority. You can also monitor the state of the dish being prepared through the glass. And if you want reliability, then you should choose a metal lid.

Choosing a Quality Stone Coated Frying Pan

A stone-coated frying pan is a significant purchase, so it should bring daily satisfaction from use. This can be easily achieved at the time of choosing the cookware, paying attention to several points.

• The manufacturer and seller must be reliable, with good reviews and relevant certificates.
• The frying pan should be attractive in design and convenience – it should fit comfortably and easily in your hand.
• Such kitchenware should not be cheap, because high-quality cookware is made using natural expensive components, and only synthetic materials can make production and the final product cheaper, which not only will not bring the desired results, but can also simply cause harm.

Caring for your stone frying pan

To ensure that a frying pan with a stone coating serves you for a long time, you should adhere to a number of simple rules for the care and operation of the product.

1. No contrast procedures. You can't put hot dishes on a very cold surface and vice versa, a frying pan from the refrigerator should not be immediately placed on a hot burner. Such actions can lead to the formation of cracks and chips.
2. Do not use abrasive cleaners or rough metal brushes to wash such dishes.
3. Although all manufacturers compete with each other to declare the super-strength and scratch-resistant nature of the stone coating, it is still worth choosing plastic, silicone, or wooden spatulas for mixing food.
4. It is better to wash the frying pan under running water by hand.

How long does a frying pan with a natural stone coating last?

A frying pan with a natural stone coating, with proper care and careful handling, can please the housewife for 3-4 years on average, that's how long the non-stick properties will last. However, there are models whose service life can reach 7 years.

What are the best stone pans?

The market is filled with offers of stone frying pans. But to avoid disappointment with your purchase, it is better to pay attention to proven brands in this area.

Tvs

The Italian brand has created convenient frying pans with a non-stick ceramic coating. The models have ergonomic handles with silicone inserts. The highlight is the pleasant color of the frying pans and laconic design.

Stoneline

Buyers note the vaunted German quality of these frying pans. The brand has a wide range of models, from a small pancake pan to a capacious wok pan.

Fissman

Universal frying pans from the Danish manufacturer have the "PFOAfree" marking on all products, which confirms the safety of the materials used for human health and the environment. The model range includes very bold and interesting designs.

Fissler

German manufacturers do not chase unique design solutions, but they 100% guarantee quality, durability and convenience in their products. Most often, it is this brand that ends up in the kitchens of professionals.

Gipfel

The protective coating of the frying pan from the German brand Gipfel is based on marble chips. The removable handle makes this model indispensable for use in the oven. Suitable for all types of cooking surfaces.

Noryoku

Handmade granite frying pan from Japan. The manufacturer guarantees the service life of its creation for more than 20 years. The shape of the cookware is universal and allows you to use it for both frying and stewing products.

Art Granite

Italian frying pan TimA Art Granit with a seven-layer non-stick coating made of stone chips. In addition to the advantages that are typical of cookware with a stone coating, this model adds another one - a democratic price. Of the minuses - a small diameter.

Bergner

The Austrian brand uses marble coating in its frying pans. Durability, reliability and resistance to damage are guaranteed.

Kukmara

The Russian brand uses cast aluminum bodies with additional grooves on the bottom as the basis for its cookware. The non-stick coating with mineral crumbs is developed based on German technology.

NEVA METAL DISHES

A domestic frying pan with high-quality marble coating. Deep and wide, which allows you to cook a huge range of dishes in it. Users note the ease of use.

Dream "Granite"

Inexpensive Russian-made pancake pan. Universal size 22 cm and high-quality coating allow you to enjoy the process of making pancakes, quickly and without using oil.

Buying a frying pan made of stone or with a natural stone coating is finding the best assistant for cooking and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The main thing is to approach the purchase carefully and not to trust little-known companies without quality certificates.

VIDEO: Stoneline Stone Coated Frying Pan.