The grill pan is very popular among professional chefs, as its use adds special flavors to dishes. You can use such a simple and useful device at home, the main thing is to make the right choice when purchasing. Let's try to understand all the intricacies of choosing and using this type of pan.
What is a grill pan and what is it used for?
A grill pan can be distinguished from a regular one by its specific grooved surface and thicker bottom. They can be of different shapes, sizes and colors, but their peculiarity lies in the principle of cooking. In addition to appetizing stripes on the finished products, such a frying pan ensures their juiciness and the absence of a burnt crust. A similar effect is achieved precisely thanks to the corrugated surface - food comes into contact only with the stripes, and excess fat and liquid flow into the grooves between them, evaporating, thereby not starting to burn and ensuring juiciness ready-made dish. Because meat or vegetables are cooked above the liquid or fat rather than in it, the surface will set faster.
Considering all the features of the functioning of grill pans, it can be argued that they contribute to the preparation of healthier food. This is confirmed by the following parameters of ready-made dishes:
- excess fat accumulates in the grooves and does not get back into the food, which makes even cutlets more tasty;
- no harmful burnt fatty crust forms on the meat;
- the ability to quickly process products, preserving maximum benefits and juiciness;
- The contact area is minimal, the coating is non-stick, and therefore you can get by with a very small amount of oil when frying or not use it at all.
Thanks to the use of such a frying pan, you can not only make food more appetizing visually, but also more tasty and healthy.
In order to fully enjoy all the delights of a grill pan, you need to choose the right model correctly. In this case, you need to rely on the following parameters:
Size
This characteristic depends on how many people you will have to cook for most often. Obviously, for two people and for a large family of 4-5 people, different amounts of food are needed. The larger the size, the more portions you can fry at one time. Also, do not forget about the size of your oven.
Material
There may be several options:
Inner coating
Usually the choice is between Teflon and ceramics. The first is absolutely safe, but does not tolerate high temperatures at all and, when overheated, releases dangerous volatile compounds. Ceramic coating is neutral to overheating, easy to clean, but requires especially careful handling - when temperature fluctuations or mechanical impact may crack, after which it will be unusable.
Form
On sale you can find square, round, oval and rectangular models. Which one to choose depends on what products you plan to cook most often. So, for fish it is most convenient to use an oval shape; for beef or fish, a round shape is suitable, but these recommendations are not fundamental. The most versatile option is a square frying pan - it can hold the maximum amount of food.
Height of ribs on surface
You should definitely pay attention to this parameter, since the quality of the prepared dishes largely depends on it. The strips should be as high as possible so that there is enough space for liquids in the grooves between them.
Handle material
Make sure that the handle is strong, especially if we are talking about a cast iron frying pan. It is best if the surface is covered with a non-heating coating, such as special wood, plastic or silicone.
The presence of special “ears” on the sides of the frying pan for draining liquid is a very useful addition that simplifies the cooking process.
How to choose the right frying pan for your stove
One of the most important parameters when choosing a grill pan is the type of stove on which it will be used.
For induction cooker
Electric stoves are more demanding when choosing cookware, and this also applies to grill pans. For induction hob models, it is necessary that there is a special metal insert at the bottom of the frying pan, otherwise heating will not occur. It doesn’t matter what the main part of the cookware is made of; it can be either aluminum or cast iron.
For gas
Any frying pan is suitable for a gas stove, and a grill made of any material will “work” perfectly on such stoves. Due to the fact that such pans have a very thick bottom, they evenly distribute the directed heat of the burner, which minimizes its disadvantages.
For glass ceramic hob
A glass-ceramic stove requires that the bottom of the cookware be perfectly smooth, so when purchasing a grill pan, you should definitely pay attention to this parameter. Separately, it is worth noting that when choosing a cast-iron model, you need to be extremely careful in operation, since its weight exceeds the weight of the cookware that is usually used for such stoves, and therefore, if handled carelessly, you can easily damage the glass-ceramic surface.
Rating of the best manufacturers of grill pans: photos
Grill pans are very popular today, as products cooked on them acquire a special taste. Focusing on the main criteria for selecting such a kitchen appliance, it is worth paying attention to the offers of leading manufacturers, each of which has its own significant advantages.
Tefal
The popular brand of kitchen appliances Tefal offers its customers several options for high-quality grill pans, among which the following models should be noted:
aluminum round with “ears” on the sides with a diameter of 26 centimeters;
square (26 by 26 cm);
rectangular (24 by 28 cm), etc.
All Tefal models have a high-quality non-stick coating, and the frying pans themselves are made of cast aluminum alloy, which ensures their lightness and durability. The peculiarity of the frying pans is that they have a unique heating indicator, which will allow you to determine in time that the surface is hot enough for cooking.
Biol cast iron
Cast iron frying pans from Biol are available in three sizes: 26, 24, and 28 centimeters. All of them have a square shape with rounded edges. Due to the characteristics of the material from which they are made (cast iron), the models have a very significant weight - on average about three kilograms. The thickened bottom ensures uniform heating, prevents burning and guarantees fast frying of food. The pans are very strong and therefore resistant to mechanical damage. Models with a removable handle, so if necessary, it can be removed, and then due to reliable system fasteners, secure it again.
Gipfel
The company offers several options for grill pans measuring 24 and 26 centimeters on one side. The models differ not only in size and color, but also in the type of coating. So, you can choose a three-layer non-stick surface or a ceramic coating (especially resistant to mechanical damage). The handle can be coated with either silicone or bakelite, which prevents it from overheating during cooking. Regardless of the specific model, the weight is not large - about 1.3 kg. The average height of the walls is 4 centimeters.
Lodge
The American company Lodge produces cast iron cookware for cooking; the line also includes several grill pans. You can choose either a round or square model (most are 26 cm in size, some in diameter, others on one side). If necessary, it is possible to purchase a larger model – 30 cm. The base of the frying pan is cast iron, and therefore it heats up evenly and can retain heat for a long time. Products on such a surface are quickly and well fried, during which an appetizing corrugated surface is formed. The internal coating is non-stick, and therefore you can cook dishes with minimal addition of oil.
Double-sided frying pan "Master Grill"
The double-sided frying pan is designed in such a way that during frying you do not have to turn the food over to the other side; you just need to close the lid and turn the frying pan itself over. Both parts of the device are secured using magnetic locks, so when turning over you don’t have to worry about them opening. The dimensions of each “half” are 26 by 26 cm. Inside there is a special compartment for water, into which all excess moisture drains during cooking. The frying pan is made of aluminum, non-stick coating. If necessary, preparation large quantity You can separate the parts of the appliance and cook it as if you were using two regular frying pans.
Which is better, a grill pan or an electric grill?
An electric grill runs on electricity, but there are some models that also allow you to cook on gas. They can be open or closed, portable or stationary. Models for kitchen use are compact, they can be easily transported to any place, no special actions are required for maintenance - just wash them thoroughly. Compared to a grill pan, such a device has disadvantages: it is expensive, massive compared to a regular frying pan, and when a certain temperature is reached, the heating elements usually turn off, which complicates the preparation of large pieces. However, on an electric grill you can set the frying mode and not worry about properly prepared products, but with the temperature in the frying pan the situation is a little more complicated. The principle of cooking is equally based on the draining of excess liquids into the gutters, so which one to choose depends only on personal preferences and desires.
Video: how to use a frying pan and cook vegetables in it
Grilled vegetables are a great option for lovers of everything fresh and light. Ingredients for the dish include zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes and shallots. You will also need spices and herbs to give the vegetables a special taste, and meat eaters can complement the snack with fried slices of bacon. How to prepare the dish – watch this video.
Video: how to fry chicken fillet
Meat in a grill pan immediately acquires a special flavor and appearance, but to make the chicken breast juicy, you need to be able to marinate it properly and cook it without overcooking it. The secrets of the perfect grilled breast are revealed in this video from Slavny Druzhe.
Video recipe for chicken on a grill pan with a lid press
Real Tabaka chicken is best cooked in a special cast-iron frying pan with a press to give the dish a specific appearance and juiciness. The entire process is clearly demonstrated in the video - from preparing the carcass to the final cooking result.
For those who have not yet dealt with a grill pan with a press, the price of this pleasure may seem too high. However, after the first dish you begin to understand what exactly the money was paid for. The very taste and healthiness of grilled food have become the reason for the ever-growing popularity of this kitchen assistant.
Cast iron grill pan with lid press
So, you came to the store, and now you have to make a choice. There are options with and without lids; heavy lids are sold separately, but not made of glass, but of real cast iron. It is precisely the latter that are the very press we need. Why, exactly, do we need it?
The beauty of a grill pan with a press lid is that during cooking you slightly press bulky foods, thereby getting a good, even frying. This technique slightly shortens the cooking time, prevents the product from losing its juice, and allows you to get a crispy crust.
Regardless of whether it is a square or round grill pan lid, its size should be slightly smaller than the size of the pan itself. If you choose the right size, then instead of grilling you will just get stewed products. A grill pan with a “Granite” type press lid is perfect for cooking pre-marinated foods. Under the pressure they will have time to fry, but will not lose the juice from the marinade.
When choosing a press, pay attention to the following points:
For obvious reasons, every housewife will think about it, because the numbers on the price tag will be relatively high. But in reality it is a justifiable purchase. Firstly, you cook with virtually no oil, and even for short term. Secondly, cast iron will not only serve you for a long time, it quite claims to be a family kitchen helper, passed down from mother to daughter. Therefore, it’s worth spending once on a good frying pan with a press, but getting a real thing that will last forever.
Grill pan- these are not only beautiful corrugated stripes on your dish, but also a quick and convenient way of cooking. What is the advantage of a grill pan and how to cook on it correctly - we will tell you about this in this article.
Benefits of a grill pan
Corrugated surface
The main advantage and difference between a grill pan and a regular one is its corrugated surface. Thanks to it, contact of food with the bottom of the pan does not occur over the entire area, but only on ribbed strips. Due to this, the fat leaking out during cooking is collected between the grill ribs and evaporates. Thus, the cooked product will not be excessively fatty, since it will not be fried in its “own juice”.
No oil
Another incomparable advantage is that due to the small contact area with the surface, vegetable oil is not required for cooking. This rids the dish of the harmful qualities acquired with oil. If you’re really scared of cooking without oil, you can grease the bottom of the pan with a small amount of oil using a silicone brush. But even in this case, it is better to abandon sunflower oil, giving preference to healthier ones.
You can read more about choosing oil for frying.
Even heat distribution
Because of its thick bottom, the grill pan is able to distribute heat evenly and maintain the desired temperature for a long time. Thanks to this, food cooks faster, does not dry out and does not stick to the bottom.
Cooking multiple foods
An important advantage of a grill pan is the ability to cook several types of food at the same time. You can combine cooking vegetables, mushrooms, and meat in one pan. You can also fry bread toasts and cheese (for example, sulguni).
Aesthetic appearance
Of course, one cannot help but note the appetizing and attractive appearance of the dish, obtained thanks to the corrugated grill strips, simulating a barbecue or open-air grill.
How to choose the right grill pan?
Form
There are 4 types:
- Square (universal) - the most spacious, suitable for everything.
- Round - less spacious, but distributes heat more evenly. Suitable for steaks and cutlets.
- Oval or rectangular - suitable for cooking fish.
- Tray - similar to an oven tray, it takes up several burners.
Material
Basically, grill pans are made from 2 materials: cast iron and aluminum.
The advantage of cast iron is that it is strong, durable, has a natural non-stick coating, is scratch-resistant and does not require the use of special spatulas. However, pans made from this material are very heavy, quite expensive and require special care to avoid rusting.
Aluminum is a lighter material, does not require special care, and is inexpensive. Unlike cast iron, the non-stick coating of aluminum is short-lived and special spatulas (wooden or silicone) are needed for this type of frying pan.
Grooving height
The grooved grill strips should be high enough. If the ribs are low, the dishes will come into contact with the entire surface of the bottom, stick, and the expected result will be no different from cooking in a regular frying pan.
Stove compatibility
In total, there are 4 types of kitchen stoves: gas, electric, glass-ceramic and induction. Before purchasing a grill pan, make sure it will fit your type of cooker.
How to properly cook on a grill pan?
- Don't add a lot of oil. It is enough to grease the bottom a little or, if it is meat/fish, grease the product itself.
- Allow the pan to warm up before adding food to it. Otherwise, the dish may stick.
- Do not turn food until golden brown.
- Do not overcook the products. Monitor the cooking carefully, otherwise the food may dry out and lose all its juiciness.
- Do not cover the pan with a regular lid, otherwise the dish will be stewed rather than fried.
A grill pan is a good purchase, and not only for skilled chefs, but also for everyone who wants to prepare a quick, healthy and beautiful dish. To do this, you do not need to have special skills or extensive experience. Just put the frying pan on the stove and let your imagination run wild.
Among professional chefs, grill pans are very popular, giving seemingly ordinary dishes a completely new taste. But you don’t have to be a chef to learn how to use this wonderful device. Even a young housewife can learn to cook new dishes in a grill pan, or cook familiar chops or steak in a completely new way. Therefore: “grill pan: which one is better to choose and which one is better?” - the question is not at all idle.
The main difference between a grill and a regular classic frying pan is the embossed bottom, which is also thicker.
A grill can come in various shapes, depths and sizes, and the main distinguishing feature of such a frying pan is the very principle of cooking food.
The secret of such a frying pan is not only in the delicious, fried stripes on the meat - but in its juiciness
Grilling food is healthier
prepared products and the complete absence of burnt crust. This is achieved precisely thanks to the bottom topography, because the food touches only small stripes, and all the excess fat, which is very harmful, flows into the grooves. Products are not cooked in fat, but fried over live fire.
Considering the characteristics of grilling, we can say that food turns out healthier:
- Excess fat leaves the products, and they do not “bathe” in it;
- There is no harmful burnt crust on the meat;
- The maximum benefit is retained in the products, and they cook much faster;
- The grill coating is usually non-stick, and the area of food contact with the bottom is minimal. This allows you to use a minimum amount of fat when frying.
Wondering why do you need a grill pan, why, which one to choose and which one is better, you should pay attention to different parameters.
It's good if the frying pan has a groove for draining fat
How to choose a good grill pan?
In the store, your eyes literally run wide from the huge assortment of frying pans. There are different shapes and volumes, different coatings and colors.
Choosing a size
Of course, the larger the pan, the more food you can cook in it at one time. Therefore, it is important to immediately decide how much meat you need to cook or vegetables to fry. Do you need a massive frying pan if you live alone?
If we talk about shape, there are almost no usual round frying pans left in stores. We are offered to buy square, rectangular, and even oval models. Why do you need such a frying pan?
If you're cooking fish, you'll need an oval pan, but for a couple of steaks, a square one will be ideal.
Pay attention to other characteristics
Cast iron is the best material for a frying pan
How to choose a grill pan so that you can cook well in it and the food does not burn? When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the material and bottom.
The height of the ribs at the bottom is of great importance. Some unscrupulous manufacturers call the word “grill” frying pans in which the ribs on the bottom are made only for beauty. Food in such dishes burns and leaves only beautiful stripes on steaks and cutlets. Therefore, it is better to choose a frying pan with fairly high ribs.
The material from which the frying pan is made is also very important. There can be nothing better than cast iron! And besides, cast iron pans are very easy to care for.
But cast iron weighs a lot, and this main drawback(and the only) dishes made from it.
Inner coating
It is very important what kind of internal coating the grill has. Modern frying pans boast:
- Teflon coating;
- Ceramic;
- Marble.
Ceramic coating can withstand any temperature
The main thing when using cookware with Teflon coated- this is to prevent severe overheating, due to which the coating may collapse. Otherwise, Teflon has no disadvantages. You can determine the desired heating level using the indicator on the bottom of the pan.
Ceramic the coating will easily withstand even the most high temperatures. In addition, ceramic is very easy to clean and can be used on all hobs. But a frying pan with a ceramic coating must be protected from impacts, and also from sudden temperature changes - the coating can simply crack.
It is considered the most durable material and also durable marble. Marble heats up quickly and evenly and retains heat for a long time. But the main disadvantage of such frying pans is their too high cost.
Handle material
But no matter how good the coating, it is very important that the frying pan is comfortable to use.
A high-quality pen is one of the main selection criteria. A bad handle can simply melt, break or crack.
Most often, grill handles are made of silicone and heat-resistant plastic. Cast iron frying pans are often produced with solid handles, which certainly will not break.
Dishes with removable handles are very practical. Housewives are very fond of such frying pans for their compactness and significant space saving in the kitchen cabinet.
Choosing a frying pan for steaks
If you are going to fry steaks in your frying pan, then, of course, you should opt for a cast iron model. It is advisable to choose a rectangular dish so that large and appetizing pieces of meat can fit on it.
Tap the pan - if it is thick and of high quality, the sound will be dull. If the frying pan rings loudly when you knock, then look for another model.
What else should you pay attention to?
How to choose a grill for your stove?
But an important factor when choosing a grill is the characteristics of the stove. Therefore, you must not forget what kind of stove you have.
For induction hobs
If you have an induction cooker, then it is necessary that there is a metal insert at the bottom of the grill
All electric stoves, and even more so induction, are very demanding on the bottom of the cookware, and this also applies to the grill. If you have an induction cooker, then you need to have a grill on the bottom. metal insert, otherwise the frying pan simply will not heat up. The material from which the frying pan is made has absolutely no meaning - it can be either cast iron or aluminum.
For gas stove
Absolutely any frying pan will be good for gas stoves, and it doesn’t matter at all what material it is made of. Any cookware will “work” perfectly and heat up well on gas stoves. But it is still advisable to buy a frying pan with a very thick bottom for a gas burner so that the heat is evenly distributed. All thick-bottomed grill pans are great for gas ovens.
Glass ceramic hob
For a glass-ceramic hob, it is extremely important that the bottom was smooth. Be sure to pay attention to this. In addition, you have to be very careful with such a stove, and therefore a cast-iron, heavy frying pan is not a very good option.
How to grill properly?
To prepare a tasty and healthy grilled dish, it is important to follow certain rules:
To ensure that your cookware doesn’t disappoint and that you actually cook delicious food in it, arm yourself with the following tips from professional chefs:
- A good frying pan should have a spout through which you can pour out excess fat;
- Before the very first use, the grill must be seasoned with salt. After this, you don’t need to wash the pan, just shake off the salt;
- If you pour a little water between the ribs, the food will cook faster and will be juicier - the food will be both cooked through and very juicy, which is important when grilling;
- Grilling dense fish is enough to fry for about 3 minutes. Do not overcook oily fish, otherwise it will fall apart;
- Before frying, vegetables must be salted, and then only fried. Potatoes need to be boiled until half cooked;
- A well-cut fillet will be ready for the grill in 4 minutes.
Grill pan care
It is advisable to wash the pan without detergent. You can simply wash it with water and laundry soap.
Do not wash the grill in dishwashers, as after use detergents the food will start to burn on the ribs.
Allow the pan to cool after use.
You should also not soak dishes before washing. After use, you need to let the pan cool down, and then just wash it.
After washing the grill, wipe it dry with a clean cloth, lubricate it with vegetable oil and warm it up a little over the fire.
Is it better to use a grill or an electric grill?
Electric grills can be either open or closed. You don’t need any special products to care for your electric grill. But compared to a grill, an electric grill has a lot of disadvantages - high cost, impressive size, and high cost of electricity. However, on an electric grill it is possible to install temperature regime, but with the temperature of frying in a simple frying pan, the situation is much more complicated.
Still, the best grill pan is cast iron, with a solid handle.
Nowadays, there are many different devices that can significantly simplify the difficult work in the kitchen. One of them is the grill press. This device attracts the attention of both restaurant owners or specialized cafes, and ordinary housewives. To understand the reason for such wild popularity, you just need to get to know him better.
Significant benefits
Can anyone be left indifferent to grilled foods? Their rich aroma and special taste attract people like a magnet, and their unusual appearance excites the imagination and whets the appetite. Previously, to prepare them you had to have a special device consisting of a grate and separate container for preparing coals. Such devices, as a rule, are intended for use outdoors. They can be taken with you when going on a picnic or placed in the yard. Now these bulky units have been replaced by a compact and very convenient grill press.
The device consists of two metal plates, the corrugated surface of which creates an imitation of a grating. Inside each of them there are quite powerful heating elements. The device operates from a source natural gas or a regular electrical network with a standard voltage of 220 volts. The grill press is very easy to use. To prepare food, just perform several sequential steps:
- Plug in the device and wait until the working surfaces warm up well.
- Place the prepared products on the lower plate.
- Lower the top and wait the required time.
A grill press usually does its job in a matter of minutes. Moreover, the person does not need to do any additional operations at this time.
Description of equipment
The most popular type is still the electric one. This equipment can be used to prepare meat, fish, vegetables, as well as a wide variety of sandwiches from these food products. The first thing that attracts any user is the compactness of the device. Relatively small overall dimensions allow you to find a place for it even in the smallest room. This is especially important considering the limited free space in the kitchen in modern apartments. The material used for making work surfaces is usually steel, cast iron or glass ceramics. Food does not burn on them, which makes it possible to sometimes cook even without using oil or other fats. Some models provide two working zones.
This allows you to cook different dishes at the same time. When choosing desired device it is necessary to take into account the following main parameters:
- Maximum operating time. Typically, such devices can operate continuously throughout the day.
- Number of heating thermoelements. The higher it is, the greater the performance of this device.
- The presence in the device of any additional functions will always be useful.
Only after studying the parameters of specific equipment can you confidently make a purchase.
Super frying pan
At home, a grill pan with a press is also considered a good option. They can be square, round or oval in shape. But this does not affect the quality of cooking at all.
In principle, the device is an ordinary frying pan with a corrugated inner surface, in which a heavy lid acts as a press. As a rule, it has two handles. Moreover, one of them can be removable. These pans are usually made of cast iron or cast aluminum with a non-stick coating. This way, you don't have to worry about the food accidentally burning. When choosing a device, you should also pay attention to the height of the edge of the internal corrugated surface of the product. Small differences in levels will not allow you to cook food without oil, since the juice that is released when the food is heated has nowhere to drain and the food, accordingly, will begin to burn. It is better if the ribs are high. This way, all the moisture will remain at the bottom, and the product itself will remain dry and moderately fried.
What is a press for?
A grill pan with a lid-press is an ideal assistant for the housewife. In it, in a matter of minutes, you can, for example, cook chicken breast, fry a delicious steak, fish fillet or vegetables for a side dish. The tricky frying pan copes with the task assigned to it without any problems. The lid plays a very important role in this case.
It presses the product tightly against the surface of the pan, which significantly reduces the time required for cooking. There's one here important point. The lid itself should be slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the pan. This will prevent steam from accumulating inside. Then the food will be fried, and not stewed, as is usually the case. In addition, additional mechanical action can significantly speed up heat treatment. As a result, the product is not only tasty, but also healthy. And the spectacular pattern in the form of fried stripes will make it more appetizing.
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