Not only the taste and quality of food, but also the convenience of cooking depends on the inner coating of the frying pan - no one likes to scrape burnt scrambled eggs or pancakes from the bottom. Let's look at what types of non-stick coatings there are, how they differ from each other and what advantages they have.
Structure of the coating
The inner coating of the frying pan is made of various materials and can be single-layer or multi-layer. The more layers, the longer the pan will last. The highest quality (and most expensive) models with five or more wear-resistant non-stick layers can last up to 25 years. Coatings are made of Teflon, ceramics, titanium, excalibur, and are also enameled.
Teflon coating
The Teflon polymer, invented in the mid-20th century by DuPont, is now used everywhere in the production of cookware, and it is used to coat most frying pans. However, some companies (for example, Tefal) develop and produce their own non-stick coatings based on polytetrafluoroethylene.
Teflon-coated pans are lightweight, comfortable, retain the natural taste of food and are easy to clean. You can cook with them without oil. However, the coating is soft and sensitive to scratches, so metal accessories cannot be used with such pans, and it is recommended to wash them with a soft sponge and gel detergents.
Ceramic coating
Ceramic coating is based on silicon, an extremely hard chemical element that rocks and sand are made of. These pans can be heated up to 450 degrees, so they cook meat, fish and vegetable dishes with a golden brown crust well. The oil does not burn on it, and the heat is evenly distributed over the coating. Ceramic frying pans are difficult to scratch, but they are sensitive to shock, temperature changes and chemically active environments. For example, if you put frozen food in a hot frying pan, it may crack. Microcracks will also form when washing the pan in dishwasher. At correct use With proper care, such a frying pan will last up to three years.
Titanium coating
This is a non-stick coating reinforced with layers of titanium particles. Frying pans with titanium coating are the most reliable and wear-resistant. Even if you periodically scratch the bottom of the pan with a fork or knife, there will be no marks left on the titanium coating. Titanium coated pans heat up quickly and evenly. Some manufacturers claim the service life of such pans is up to 25 years.
Enameled coating
Enameled pans can be used for stewing and simmering. The enamel frying pan does not oxidize, so you can safely leave cooked food in it. However, if the dishes become chipped or scratched, you will have to throw them away because enamel particles may get into the food.
Excalibur Coating
Excalibur coated pans are durable, scratch resistant and distribute heat evenly. It is almost impossible to spoil such a frying pan; it is resistant to any damage. You can use any metal accessories while cooking. This type of coating has one disadvantage - it is significantly more expensive than others. Its service life is at least 5 - 7 years.
A reference article based on the author's expertise.
Many chefs tend to believe that you can cook a masterpiece using anything, but doing it quickly and without risk is only possible if you use high-quality and safe cookware. A good frying pan seems to be not uncommon on the modern market, but recognizing it among hundreds of options can be quite difficult. The Marka.guru portal has prepared a rating of cookware for frying and stewing from various manufacturers. Readers will get the most useful information by choice, they will find out what the best frying pan is, get acquainted with the characteristics of popular models, their advantages and disadvantages according to experts, experienced chefs, as well as users who have left reviews on popular resources.
The frying pan and the frying pan are different; one may be ideal for frying and stewing, but the other is only suitable for scrambled eggs. There are important characteristics that should not be forgotten under any circumstances.
- Bottom thickness. This is the most important indicator of uniform heating of food and proper cooking over low heat. As a rule, the heaviest with a bottom of 1.5 centimeters or more will be a high-quality cast iron frying pan. Such cookware is not afraid of damage, but often does not have a non-stick coating, which is why housewives underestimate it. It will have no equal in stewing, so it’s worth paying attention.
- Type of coverage. In stores you can see a lot non-stick coatings different price levels. This includes cheap Teflon, mid-segment ceramics, titanium, marble and even pearl, but you shouldn’t pay attention to modern marketing gimmicks. A high-quality ceramic-coated frying pan will fully satisfy your needs both in terms of price and properties. For those who plan to use cookware too actively, it is worth paying attention to titanium; it is an order of magnitude more expensive, however, it will last for many years.
- Handle shape and length- individual characteristic. It's worth experimenting in the store. If it is uncomfortable to hold at the time of purchase, it is unlikely that anything will change after. If the handle is comfortable, and also removable, it should probably be preferred to other options. For frying meat and bringing it to readiness already in the oven - this great option, ensuring a minimum of dirty dishes.
- The shape of the pan itself. A variety of saucepans, woks, grills and pancake makers allow your imagination to run wild, making it difficult to choose. It is worth thinking about what is prepared more often, and making a choice based on this.
And now more about what kind of frying pans are offered to consumers by well-known manufacturers of cooking utensils.
1. Tefal
The leader of the rating was the popular French brand. It earned first place due to the quality of its products, its availability and a thoughtful approach to the cooking process. Don't think that the dark coating inside is classic Teflon. Not at all, these are modern coatings PowerGlide, Titanium Pro, Titanium Excellence, Prometal Pro, which the company is constantly improving and striving to make more resistant to any mechanical stress. Tefal non-stick pans are easy to clean, ready for extreme temperatures, and allow you to cook without the use of fat and oils.
The brand's calling card is the Thermo-spot indicator, which signals when the pan is hot enough to start frying.
In stores you can find both budget aluminum models and unique ones. of stainless steel with ceramics and sapphire dust for induction cookers and ovens, which are not at all afraid of metal spatulas and knives. The price range is wide, but the most popular are frying pans in the mid-price segment from 1,500 to 4,000 rubles.
- reliability and safety of the materials used;
- uniform heating of products;
- presence of temperature indication;
- stylish modern design.
Cons: paint fades quickly on glossy models.
Prices Frying pan Tefal Extra 28 cm:
2. Kukmara
The brand comes from Kazan, in fact, this is the name of the area in which pots, cauldrons and frying pans of excellent quality have been made for more than 60 years. Products have affordable prices and characteristics that meet the latest trends in the world of cookware. In the catalog you can find a wide variety of utensils: these are pots, frying pans, stewpans and barbecues, and of course, a great variety of frying pans with non-stick, ceramic and decorative coating. Many housewives value this brand for its durability and workmanship.
The best frying pans can remain in everyday use even after 10 years of active use.
At the same time, the price range is pleasing to the eye: small pancake makers can cost 400-600 rubles, and a large saucepan with a thick bottom, a convenient lid and ceramic coating from 1500 to 2500.
- quality and durability;
- variety of models and sizes;
- low price;
- availability of purchase.
Cons: all coatings require careful handling.
Prices Frying pan Kukmara Marble 26 cm with removable handle :
3. Biol
Since 1999, the Ukrainian company has been producing aluminum and cast iron cookware with modern coatings and without them. Cast braziers, pancake pans and deep saucepans are widely used.
Most Biol frying pans have unheated silicone or wooden handles with removable fastening mechanisms, which allows them to be used in the oven and stored compactly.
All materials used in production are safe and environmentally friendly. The price adds to its attractiveness; a deep frying pan with a non-stick coating and a glass lid will cost less than 2,000 rubles.
- simplicity and availability of products;
- only safe aluminum and cast iron, coated and uncoated;
- thickened bottom;
- low price.
Cons: a thin layer of ceramic coating quickly becomes thinner and loses its properties.
Prices Frying pan Biol 0126 26 cm:
4. Rondell
A German brand bought by the Chinese in the early 2000s, however, the quality and materials have not changed much since then. Many chefs still recommend the Rondell as the best professional skillet on the market. The lines include many models made of stainless steel and aluminum with a non-stick coating.
The brand's calling card is a three-layer stamped bottom for better and uniform heat transfer.
Another distinctive feature is the long and rather heavy handles, which are installed even on light pancake makers and small frying pans for scrambled eggs - the dishes become unstable and tend to tip over. Prices depend entirely on the premium quality of the line and materials. For example, a saucepan with a lid and a non-stick coating will cost at least 5,000 rubles.
- safe materials;
- variety of shapes and models;
- impact-resistant coatings;
- three-layer bottom.
Cons: overpriced.
Prices Frying pan Rondell Mocco RDA-276 24 cm:
5. Neva-metal dishes
Durable cast cookware with coating - the profile of the St. Petersburg plant. Thick-walled frying pans are not subject to deformation or active wear. The excellent quality of the coatings has a long-term guarantee.
On the Titan and Almaz series, the manufacturer provides a 3-year warranty even when using metal utensils during cooking, and on the line of frying pans with a classic non-stick coating - 1 year.
However, buyers note that even when the ceramic or titanium layer is erased, the dishes do not lose their qualities and the food does not burn and everything is also heated evenly.
The cost of a popular deep frying pan with titanium coating ranges from 1,200 to 1,700 rubles.
- high quality products;
- long warranty period;
- safe materials;
- abrasion-resistant coatings.
Minuses: the lineup limited.
Prices Frying pan NEVA METAL TABLEWARE Special 9026 26 cm:
6. Fissler
German quality cookware from a brand with an impeccable reputation is expensive, in every sense. Many chefs tend to believe that their best frying pan was named after a talented entrepreneur who valued high level tableware production.
Each frying pan has its own passport and a 5-year warranty. Moreover, everyone who has dealt with this brand knows that when correct operation, both the base and the non-stick coating will last much longer, fully justifying their price.
In the lines you can find models made of cast aluminum and stainless steel with proprietary Teflon, steel and ceramic coatings. The cost of popular models is from 6,000 to 10,000 rubles.
- an infinite number of lines with different characteristics;
- unsurpassed German quality;
- modern design;
- safe materials.
Cons: high price.
Prices Frying pan Fissler SensoRed 26 cm:
7. TVS
Italian dishes at affordable prices are the dream of any housewife. For several decades now, the brand has been pleased with high-quality products with excellent non-stick properties and uniform heat distribution. Among the popular coatings, ceramics, titanium, granite were among the first to be launched by TVS. International standards of quality and safety, diplomas of various competitions - all this is absolutely deserved.
A wide range of affordable aluminum frying pans with removable handles for oven use.
The average price for brand products ranges from 1500-2500 rubles.
- excellent workmanship;
- safe durable materials;
- variety of models;
- affordable prices.
Cons: heavy handles, can tilt light pans of small diameter.
Prices Frying pan TVS Vinci 24 cm:
Swiss embodiment of quality and durability.
The basis of the brand's frying pans is cast aluminum with the addition of silicon, and the internal diamond coating is the company's patented invention.
It is practically not subject to external influences and is considered the most durable of all existing ones. The brand appeared on the market in 2001 and managed to conquer it with the quality of its products and constant improvement of technology. Already in 2010, Swiss Diamond specialists managed to increase the strength of an already impressive coating.
A huge number of models allows you to choose the optimal size and shape for each specific dish and cook.
The cost of a deep frying pan with a lid can range from 7,000 to 13,000 rubles.
- durability of the coating;
- materials not prone to deformation and abrasion;
- Swiss quality;
- rich variety of models.
Cons: high price.
Prices Grill pan Swiss Diamond Prestige Cast PC 42626R 26x26 cm:
9. Gipfel
This is an international brand that is successful all over the world thanks to the high quality of its tableware, proprietary durable coatings, and original design and many modern models.
The most best frying pans companies can be washed in dishwashers, use metal utensils - it is almost impossible to damage them.
Most of the manufactured cookware is made of cast aluminum, some lines are made of cast iron and stainless steel. German quality cannot be cheap, especially since we are talking about a world-famous brand, so the price range for popular models is from 6,000 to 10,000 rubles.
- high quality;
- proprietary durable coatings based on titanium and ceramics;
- thick walls that retain heat;
- resistant to machine wash.
Cons: Riveted handles can become loose over time.
Prices Frying pan GiPFEL GEMIOLA 24 cm:
10. Vitesse
This is a budget cookware made using modern technologies production.
Most of these are aluminum frying pans with a ceramic coating; they can be found in most hardware stores.
But there are also exclusive thick-walled cast iron rulers and attractive stainless steel models. You can choose from dozens of classic models for stewing and frying, and also take a closer look at grills with non-stick coating and bright sauté pans with colored enamel. Vitesse captivates with its variety of shapes, characteristics and surprisingly low price, which does not exceed 2000 or 3000 rubles, and popular models are even cheaper - 1000 or 1700.
- safe materials;
- wide range of dishes;
- high-quality execution;
- comfortable handles.
Cons: coatings require careful handling.
Prices Frying pan Vitesse Granite VS-4013 26 cm:
Conclusion
Top 10 most reliable and well-known manufacturers of cooking pans various dishes presented the main features of the products of each brand. We hope that the positive and negative sides of popular brands will help you choose quality dishes for the home and, most importantly, as safe as possible.
First of all, you should pay attention to the material from which the product is made. Owners of gas and electric stoves can choose any options, but those who purchased a glass-ceramic model should pay attention to steel products and cross all aluminum frying pans off the list.
One of the most reliable options is a cast iron frying pan. This item is ideal for food, since the material from which it is made ensures uniform heating of the surface. In addition, cast iron frying pans are low maintenance and durable. However, it is important to remember that they are heavy. If you want to buy something lighter, look at other options.
Aluminum models, on the contrary, are lightweight. They are easy and convenient to use. In addition, such pans are quite cheap, which makes them accessible to a wide range of buyers. However, it is important to understand that aluminum objects do not last long, especially if they are thin. Such products are easily deformed when exposed to high temperatures.
High quality Teflon - perfect option for those who adhere to principles healthy eating. This product allows you to fry foods without oil, while preserving them beneficial features. However, it should be remembered that Teflon-coated pans are difficult to clean: they are easy to scratch, which means that such products must be cleaned and cooked with caution.
If you need a frying pan for quickly frying food, choose a model with a ceramic coating. It has excellent non-stick properties and can heat up to 450 degrees Celsius. However, it is important to understand that poor quality coating can cause the frying pan to quickly break down. Cracks, deformation, constantly burning food - all these problems are typical for cheap frying pans from unreliable manufacturers.
What to look for when choosing a frying pan
If you plan to use the pan for cooking in the oven, choose a model with a removable handle. If it is sufficient to use the product for hob, a frying pan with a monolithic handle is suitable.
The larger the pan, the more food you can cook with it at once. But small products are easier to store, and their weight is relatively small.
For a housewife, the kitchen is a place where she cooks for her family, opens up, and puts her soul into every serving. But the quality of food often directly depends on the quality of the dishes. This affects not only the taste, but also the mood of the hostess. If food burns or sticks in a frying pan, then all desire to cook disappears. Therefore, it is important to choose the right dishes so that it is healthy and joyful for yourself.
Instructions
When choosing a frying pan, you need to consider several nuances. And the first thing you should pay attention to is the material of the vessel. The material for the frying pan must be durable, heavy, not oxidize when heated and not rust when wet. Choose a frying pan according to the principle “the heavier the better.” Thick walls and bottom will distribute heat evenly, and food will cook faster and taste better. Metals currently used to make frying pans include cast iron, titanium, aluminum and steel.
Cast iron frying pans have been familiar to many since childhood, because this metal began to be used earlier than anyone else. This unique metal may not look pretty, but it does not deform when heated and does not spoil the taste of food. A cast iron pan will take a long time to heat up on the stove, but it will also take a long time to cool down. That is, the food in it remains warm for a long time. Cast iron frying pans with a thick bottom fry meat perfectly without imparting a metallic taste to it. Due to the thick walls, you can simmer food in this pan for hours, and it will be tasty and rich. But there are also negative aspects of cast iron - it needs to be calcined periodically so that the metal does not become rusty. To do this, wash the new frying pan thoroughly, dry it, spread a thin layer of oil over the entire surface and place it in the oven at 150° upside down. After an hour, turn off the oven and let the pan cool. Wipe off any remaining oil from the cookware and then you can cook in it. Try to always keep the pan lightly free of oil, otherwise you will have to repeat the procedure.
A titanium frying pan has similar properties to a cast iron one. They have the same quality. The walls and bottom of the titanium frying pan are also thick, which ensures uniform heating and long-term cooling of food. And this type of metal looks more presentable than cast iron. But titanium pans are not always pure alloy. It often contains nickel impurities, which oxidize at high temperatures. And dissolved nickel is dangerous to human health if it enters the body constantly. Therefore, it is better to cook in such a frying pan rarely.
The stainless steel frying pan is popular among young families. It is inexpensive, but at the same time it is pleasant to cook with it. It also contains nickel impurities, so strong heating of stainless steel is contraindicated. You cannot heat such a frying pan without oil and food in it. Due to empty heating, blue spots may form on the vessel, which will not affect health in any way, but will spoil the appearance of the product. If you like this metal for cooking, then choose frying pans with a double bottom for better heating.
The aluminum frying pan has also been known to us for a long time. It is light in weight and cheap. But it has many more disadvantages. Because of thin metal it quickly deforms, the bottom bends under the influence of high temperatures. Interior The pan quickly becomes scratched and the food begins to burn. Aluminum can also react with alkaline and acidic foods, which can ruin the taste of the food. The service life of such a frying pan is no more than three years.
If you understand the material of the frying pan, study its coating. The most well-known coating is Teflon, or polytetrafluoroethylene. It is famous for the fact that you can cook with it without oil. This is used by those who are on diets. Nothing sticks to this coating unless you forget your breakfast on it. But there is this coverage. "Teflon" tends to evaporate when heated. This coating is also easily scratched and rubbed off from the bottom of the pan, so using metal spoons is not recommended. You only need to stir food in it with a wooden or silicone spatula. Teflon coating is often used on aluminum or steel pans.
More recently, ceramic-coated frying pans have become popular. This original coating will delight you not only with its pleasant appearance, but also with ease of cleaning and cooking on it. In a ceramic frying pan, food does not burn and heats up evenly on all sides. In addition, such pans are lightweight and do not require special care. But be careful when choosing. If you come across a fake, then after a couple of months of use this coating will lose its properties.
In order to surprise and delight your loved ones with delicious and delicious dishes, few quality products and skills. Kitchen furnishings and cooking utensils are of great importance. Pots, stewpans, cauldrons and, of course, frying pans. Probably every housewife has her own favorite, best frying pan. And most likely not even alone. Indeed, in terms of their characteristics and purpose, they are very diverse. And if such a kitchen helper has not yet been found, then it’s time to make your choice.
The Basics of Choosing a Pan
When considering a wide range of frying pans, you should take into account several basic parameters that are inherent in each device.
- Bottom. It shouldn't be thin. Optimal thickness is about 5-6 mm. It is better if the diameter of the bottom of the frying pan matches the diameter of the burner on which the cooking process will presumably take place. If the bottom is embossed, then the convexities should be as voluminous as possible. Compliance with these parameters will allow you to waste less heat and heat the food being cooked evenly.
- Pen. Should not be too thin and light or thick and heavy. When purchasing, it is advisable to try the frying pan and hold it. The handle should fit comfortably in the palm and have enough smooth surface. Special attention Care should be taken to attach the handle to the pan, even if it is removable. There should be no feeling of looseness when moving.
- Weight. The frying pan should be of medium weight, regardless of its type. But the total volume and dimensions are determined based on the purpose.
Choosing a frying pan according to its intended purpose
When deciding which frying pan is best to choose, you need to think about its main purpose. Namely, will it be a universal frying pan or a frying pan for a specific dish.
- For stewing and simmering would be better suited frying pan with thick walls and a thick bottom. It warms up slowly and evenly and also cools down slowly. Food is prepared at optimum temperature conditions necessary for gentle heat treatment of products.
- For frying, a frying pan with thin walls and a fairly thin bottom is best. The required temperature is reached quickly and the food is fried as efficiently as possible.
It is best to fry most foods, from meat to vegetables, in a ceramic frying pan. And pancakes, pancakes and other flour products are on Teflon.
Selecting a frying pan by coating type
When considering different frying pans, you need to take into account that each has a special type of surface coating. Choosing the right surface is important, as the best pans can only come with a quality coating.
- Ceramic.
A safe coating that is particularly durable both during cooking and during care. Withstands high temperatures and ensures uniform heating of the surface.
2. Teflon.
Has excellent non-stick properties. But at the same time it requires careful care, since if damaged it becomes toxic.
3. Titanium.
Environmentally friendly coating. Wear-resistant and very durable. The cost of such a frying pan is an order of magnitude higher than average, but it fully pays for itself in the long term of use.
4. Enameled.
Proven over the years and familiar to many. Such dishes are affordable, but the coating itself is fragile and easily deformed.
The most popular coatings today are ceramic and Teflon.
Ceramic coating
Manufacturers of ceramic frying pans
When choosing such a frying pan, you must find out who the manufacturer is. After all, the quality of the product depends on it.
The main thing you should pay attention to is that ceramic dishes cannot be cheap. A manufacturer (brand) offering “high-quality” ceramics for pennies should immediately arouse suspicion.
Popular manufacturers respect their customers and offer only high quality cookware.
The main leaders can be identified:
- Italian manufacturer TVS. Users respond positively, especially the affordable prices.
- Belgian company BEKA. It produces frying pans with a chrome-plated ceramic coating. It also combines affordable prices with decent quality.
- Patlon takes its pride of place among customer preferences. There is every reason for this, since the pans are made of high-quality aluminum and coated with the safest possible ceramics.
Also widely known are such brands as Kukmara, Rondell, Pensofal.
Advantages and disadvantages of non-stick pans
There is an opinion that cookware is unsafe and it is undesirable to cook in Teflon pans. In fact, such beliefs are deceptive.
Manufacturers that respect themselves and their customers use only high-tech developments and thus offer the best non-stick frying pans.
The main thing to remember and always take into account is that non-stick Teflon frying pans can only be used at temperatures not exceeding 200 degrees. At temperatures exceeding the permissible maximum, Teflon begins to emit fumes that can actually be harmful to health. Hence the statements about the harmfulness of this type of coating. But if you use the cookware with precautions, it will serve for a long time without causing absolutely any harm.
As for ceramic frying pans, for Teflon there are rules of use. And they are no different. The same soft sponges and gentle cleaning products. The same silicone or wooden cooking utensils. Frying pans with damaged Teflon coating should not be used.
Manufacturers of non-stick (Teflon) frying pans
The leader among manufacturers of such frying pans is, of course, the French Tefal.
The quality, proven over decades, is only improving these days. Buyers trust the brand and speak only positively about it.
Also well-known companies producing high-quality non-stick cookware are the already mentioned TVS and the equally well-known Kulinar, Burletti, Epicure, Ballarini. Users highlight various positive traits for each of the brands. This is also the special compacted bottom of Ballarini. And almost all of the above manufacturers have a high-quality solid surface. One of the main advantages of cookware from each brand is the coating to which food does not stick.
Choosing a frying pan based on appearance and purpose
The entire wide range of dishes can be divided into categories. Frying pans differ in appearance and intended purpose.
There are universal frying pans of various sizes and volumes. But progress, as we know, does not stand still. And in the world of kitchenware as well. Manufacturers produce frying pans not only from various materials, but also for certain types of heat treatment and even for certain dishes.
Knowing the main types, it is much easier to decide which frying pan is best to choose.
Based on the material used, the following types can be distinguished:
- Cast iron.
- Steel.
- Titanium.
- Aluminum.
- Ceramic.
- Teflon.
You can highlight one more interesting group frying pans Let's look at it in more detail.
The best frying pans - pancake, grill, WOK
How to bake delicious pancakes without burning your fingers and without worrying about the notorious first pancake lump? There is no secret. You just need to use a special pan - a pancake pan. This frying pan has a thick and completely flat bottom and very low sides. Combined with a long handle, it is ideal for easily preparing pancakes, pancakes and omelettes.
How to cook a crispy, ribbed steak? Easily. The best grill pan will help with this. It has a specific ribbed bottom, thanks to which the products are not soaked through with oil and are perfectly fried, covered with a crispy crust. Most often, grill pans have a rectangular shape and a noticeable weight.
Do you want real exotic cuisine? It is not necessary to fly to Asian countries. You can prepare dishes “with a twist” in It has a specific shape - a flat, narrow bottom and flaring edges. A mandatory part of the design is two handles. The wok is perfect for any stove and hob.
Rating
Having considered a large number of of various materials, types, shapes of frying pans, you can make some rating of the most popular parameters, and also figure out which frying pan is the best.
The most popular bases for frying pans: cast iron, titanium, stainless steel, aluminum.
The most popular coatings are ceramic and Teflon.
The most popular types: pancake, grill, WOK.
Most common uses: frying and stewing.
The most necessary additions: handle and lid.
The most important matches: the diameter of the bottom of the frying pan and the burner, the type and material of the cookware and the type of stove.
Based on the main nuances noted, you can safely choose the necessary frying pan. And best of all, not one, but at least three, because with the help of one you are unlikely to be able to fully reveal your culinary talents.
Rating of the best manufacturers
The most popular manufacturers of ceramic and Teflon frying pans that have won the trust of customers were discussed above.
But we can also highlight other brands that are the standard of high-quality and decent tableware, including those that produce the best frying pans. These include:
- Tefal.
- Rondell.
- Kukmara.
- Ballirini.
- Swiss Diamond.
- Neva-Metal Utensils.
- Biol.
Which frying pan should you not buy?
Apart from all the advantages and basic features and functions that the best frying pans have, there are also some unpleasant aspects that are best avoided.
When choosing a frying pan, you need to carefully examine its inside and outside. There should be no chips, abrasions or scratches on their surface. If a drawing is applied, it should be painted evenly and not rub off when touched. If the bottom of the frying pan is embossed, the pattern should be uniform, without clearly standing out or sinking fragments.
Additional elements, such as the lid and handle, must also be of good quality, without cracks or inconsistencies in the seams. The dishes should not have an unpleasant odor.
Often low-quality goods are sold at promotions with tempting discounts. But dishes with defects will not last long and are likely to cause damage to health.
Having decided to buy a frying pan and thinking, for example, which ceramic frying pans are better or what is better to choose - a grill or a WOK, you need to weigh all the arguments. Well, if opportunity allows, then you can replenish your rows of dishes with several frying pan recruits at once. The main thing is to choose dishes carefully and carefully.
Let's talk about frying pans? Like dishes and utensils, what could be special about them? However, of all the frying pans that I have had over... many years, only one is still in use - my grandmother's cast iron. The rest are thrown into the trash in two or three years, if not sooner.
Specifically, I would like to find out which frying pan with a non-stick coating is better: lasts longer, does not emit harmful substances, does not require careful treatment?
Player 1 – Teflon pans
Teflon is the very first and so far the most popular non-stick coating, and the most famous manufacturer of such frying pans is the French company Tefal, which was the first to launch them on the market. Therefore, Teflon coating is often called Tefal.
But these are not the only names: you can find in stores, under the guise of new products, frying pans coated with:
- adgelasta,
- stalaflon,
- Steloflon, etc.
In fact, they are all the same substance: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or, for short and more pronounced, Teflon.
What you need to know about Teflon and cookware with such coating
There are many conflicting opinions and reviews about Teflon, as well as concerns about its use. Some claim that these are the best frying pans, others complain about the fragility and rapid abrasion of the coating.
To understand where the truth is, you need to know how to choose them correctly and what not to do when using them:
- Firstly, the maximum service life of such cookware declared by the manufacturers is 5 years. And this is when proper care and careful use. Therefore, you should not count on a miracle.
- Secondly, Teflon cannot withstand heating above 230 degrees, so frying pans with such a coating are recommended to be used only on gas stoves, the heating temperature of which is lower than that of electric ones.
When overheated, the coating cracks, and particles of Teflon that have fallen off the walls and get into food will not add health. Although they do not cause harm - this is a common myth. PTFE, which is absolutely neutral to acids and alkalis, is excreted unchanged from the body.
- Thirdly, the instructions for any Teflon glass prohibit eating directly from it using ordinary cutlery, as they instantly scratch the surface. For the same reason, you should not use metal spatulas when cooking - only wooden, silicone or polymer ones.
Of course, all this is about high-quality Teflon. If you take into account all the manufacturer's recommendations, it will serve its purpose. And a fake will reveal itself almost immediately, despite all precautions.
But not only the quality of the coating matters, but also the frying pan itself, its base. If it is made of thin extruded aluminum, then its bottom will deform when heated, which does not contribute to the integrity of the Teflon film.
The bottom must be thick, at least 5 mm. It would be even better if the walls had the same thickness.
Review of popular models
Of course, I am not able to buy a bunch of cookware and test it, so this impromptu rating was compiled based on customer reviews.
- Tefal E4400612
Made of die-cast aluminum, with a grooved bottom, temperature sensor and non-removable bakelite handle. The cost is about 2500 rubles.
- Tefal 04081400
And it costs almost half as much - 1350 rubles. Because it's thin extruded aluminum.
- Rondell RDA-290
Thick bottom, removable handle, oven safe. Price 2500 rubles.
- Rondell RDA-073
The bottom thickness is 2.5 mm - not so bad for stamping. And affordable for your wallet - 790 rubles.
- Supra SAD-K240P
670 rubles for cast aluminum and a 4.5 mm bottom - an excellent purchase!
- Vitesse VS-1191
An interesting combination: cast iron with Teflon coating. For 900 rubles I would have bought it without it.
- Rondell RDA-119
Grill pan made of cast aluminum with a bottom of 5.5 mm and walls of 2.5 mm. The price is reasonable - 1750 rubles.
- Becker BK-631
Excellent cast iron pot with a volume of 3.6 liters. Costs 1250 rubles.
- Gipfel 2405
Expensive steel model with a removable handle for 4200 rubles.
No one can say which frying pan is the best, because some value versatility, others value durability and quality, and others value affordable cost. Choose the optimal ratio of these parameters - and you will be happy.
Player 2 – marble pans
Surely everyone has seen cute frying pans in stores that look like they were made of marble. This is hinted at not only by the multiple shiny specks on the surface, but also by the name itself: many manufacturers proudly write on the label: marble coating. Or even diamond.
In fact, it is still the same polytetrafluoroethylene, but, indeed, with the addition of marble chips. Or artificial diamond.
Despite some embellishment of reality, such a coating actually has greater strength and resistance to mechanical damage than conventional PTFE. And “marble” dishes heat up faster and retain heat longer.
The cost is almost three thousand. But both appearance and long term her services justify her. There are also much more expensive ones...
...and much cheaper
Player 3 – Titanium Pans
And again the picture is similar: there is no pure titanium coating; this element is built into the PTFE structural lattice, improving its properties. Either the pan itself is made of an alloy or aluminum with titanium.
Coating features
In terms of their properties, products made from this metal are similar to cast iron: they hold heat well, do not oxidize, and do not deform. Plus they don't rust. But they cost more.
Titanium frying pans have the following pros and cons:
- Very high resistance to damage and wear. The highest among all “non-stick” ovens. So high that it allows the use of metal accessories when cooking.
- However, it’s still not worth eating from such a frying pan with a fork and knife. How to clean it wire brush or abrasives. This can be considered a disadvantage;
- Quick cooking food due to the high thermal conductivity of the titanium coating and uniform heat distribution;
- Long-term preservation ready-made dish hot;
- Coating safety;
- Durability of dishes;
Review of popular models
- The most famous manufacturer of such frying pans is the Whitford company, and QuanTanium is precisely its invention.
- But titanium coating is also used by many others. well-known companies, including Russian ones.
- The production of the European “monsters of frying pan production” is much higher. For example:
I would not make a choice of frying pan based on the promotion of the brand or the high price, which supposedly guarantees appropriate quality. It's better to rely on reviews. Although they can also be “custom-made”, so you can’t guess.
Player 4 – Ceramic Pans
I haven't had any luck with these pans yet. As it turned out, due to lack of information. Or rather, because I was simply too lazy to study the item of purchase.
Firstly, I took something cheaper, and such dishes could very well turn out to be fakes with an enamel coating. And secondly, I washed them in the dishwasher, which is very undesirable to do.
Advantages and disadvantages
Ceramics are a priori safe natural material, consisting of clay, sand and other natural components. When heated, it does not emit harmful substances, of course, if the manufacturer did not mix them in there. Which is unlikely.
What other advantages does this coating have?
- It, unlike Teflon, is not afraid of strong heat and can withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees;
- The cookware heats up quickly and evenly;
- The ceramic surface is more resistant to damage. Some manufacturers don't even warn us against using metal spatulas. But I still wouldn’t risk it;
- You can use very little oil for cooking. We can’t do without it at all, because we need the food not to burn, and the concept “non-stick” means that it will not stick to the surface, that’s all.
Now about the cons:
- The frying pan is not afraid of strong heating, but it is very much afraid of sudden changes in temperature. That is why you should not wash it in a PMM - only with your own hands. Also, do not put frozen foods into hot dishes or rinse them cold water, barely removed from the heat;
- The coating, despite its strength, is quite fragile - if you drop the frying pan on a tiled floor or accidentally hit it with something hard and heavy, chips may appear;
- Since such dishes are usually covered with ceramics on all sides, they lose their magnetic properties and therefore cannot be used on induction cookers. Although, given this feature, manufacturers often leave the bottom uncoated.
These are the features you need to consider before choosing a frying pan with a non-stick ceramic coating.
Review of popular models
“Everyone is the same in the arena.” I would like to say that all the most famous manufacturers of Teflon cookware have also mastered the production of ceramic cookware. Perhaps its popularity is due to the fame of the brands.
Choose.
- Gipfel 2556
- Supra SCS-H231P
- Kukmara S262A
- Tefal C6204072
- NMP 3130W
On my own behalf, I would like to advise: do not buy frying pans with a light coating. Meat juice, flour, and oil during heat treatment leave too obvious dark marks on it, which are tempting to wipe off with something abrasive if it is not immediately possible to do this with soft means. The result is obvious.
Conclusion
I think it makes no sense to advocate for any particular type of non-stick coating - everyone will decide for themselves what they like best. Moreover, in any form you can find both very expensive and cheap models.
But I would like to listen to the arguments - why this particular one was chosen, and not that. Besides real reviews in the comments, as well as the video in this article, will help someone not to make a mistake or get rid of doubts.
P.S. I almost forgot: I appoint the goalkeeper cast iron frying pan. Nothing sticks on it even without any coating.
