There are different types of pans that chefs use for meal preparation and most of these pans are made of metal, such as cast iron, stainless steel, or copper and they have a flat bottom and a long handle. All the different types of pans have their own unique features and are used for different purposes. They can be used for cooking, sautéing, frying, searing and braising.
Pans are very important and valuable to chefs and cooks. They are often used for cooking everything from eggs and pancakes to meats and vegetables. Without a pan in the kitchen, no food can be made.
In this article, we’ll be looking at the different types of pans. Whether you’re a trained and well-skilled chef, a housewife or a novice cook, having the right type of pan can make a big difference in the quality, appearance, taste and flavor of your dishes.
7 Different Types of Pans
If you’re a chef and you’re looking for the perfect pan to prepare a special kind of dish or you just want to buy more pans for your kitchen or workspace, this article will help to give you all the necessary information you need to make the right kind of decision. In this article, we’ll be looking at different types of pans.
1. Frying Pans
The frying pan is also called a skillet. It is one of the most commonly used pans in the kitchen and can be used for different purposes, mainly frying. It is designed in such a way that it has a flat bottom and a long handle, making it a perfect match for cooking with a stove. It can be used to do a lot of things, like frying, sautéing, searing and stir-frying. It is commonly used to cook eggs, pancakes, shrimp, meats, fish, vegetables and more. Frying pans come in different sizes and are made from different kinds of materials, like cast iron, stainless steel and non-stick coatings.
2. Wok
The Wok is a type of pan that has its origins in China and is now widely used all over the world. It has a unique design; it has a round bottom with high sides and a long handle. The design makes it much easier for chefs cooking with it to easily maneuver it over a flame. They are primarily used for stir-frying. Stir-frying is the process of cooking small amounts of food, like vegetables, while stirring and flipping constantly. They can also be used for steaming, deep-frying, braising, etc. They can be used for making stir-fries, fried rice, noodles, dumplings, etc. The Wok pan is made from Carbon steel, stainless steel, and cast iron. Carbon steel is the most commonly used material for making woks because it heats up quickly and evenly, making it ideal for cooking with high temperature.
3. Non-stick Pan
The next item on the list of different types of pans is the non-stick pan. They have become very popular recently among modern chefs and cooks. They are coated with a non-stick material, like Teflon, which makes them very easy to cook and clean. These pans are perfect for cooking foods like eggs, pancakes and fish that are likely to stick to the surface of other types of pans.
Non-stick pans are made from materials like aluminum, stainless steel and ceramic. While non-stick pans are very easy to use and clean, they also have a few disadvantages. The coating on the pan that makes it non-stick can wear off over time, especially if the pan is not used or cared for properly. If you’re thinking of purchasing a non-stick pan, you should be informed on how to care for and maintain the pan. They should be used on low to medium heat, as high temperatures can damage the coating and release harmful chemicals into the food and air.
It’s also important to know that when cooking with a non-stick pan, you should avoid using metal utensils, as they can scratch the surface of the pan and damage the coating. Instead, use wooden or silicone utensils to protect the surface of the pan.
4. Saucepan
A saucepan is another type of pan that can be used for different purposes. It is commonly used for cooking sauces, soups, gravies and other liquid-based foods. It has a long handle, a round bottom and a lid, which helps to trap heat and moisture. The lid of a saucepan helps to trap moisture and heat inside the pan.
This helps prevent the food from drying out or burning and it helps the food cook faster. It is suitable for different cooking methods like simmering, boiling, poaching, and steaming. You can use a saucepan to cook rice, pasta, noodles or grains. You can also use a saucepan to cook vegetables, like broccoli or cauliflower, by steaming them in a small amount of water. They come in different sizes and they are made from stainless steel, aluminum and copper.
5. Waffle Iron
Just from the name of this type of pan, you can tell what it is used for. It is used for making waffles. It is designed in a way that makes it very easy to make waffles. It has two hot plates with patterns on them and when these hot plates are pressed together, it helps to create a waffle shape. It comes in different styles and sizes. There are Waffle Iron designed for home use and there are others designed for industrial or commercial use. It can be made from cast iron, non-stick or other materials.
6. Griddles
Griddles are a type of pan that can be used to make large quantities of food at once. One of the benefits of having a griddle in your kitchen as a chef is that it saves time as you get to cook large quantities of food at once and it also allows even cooking. It has a flat surface and it ensures that heat is evenly distributed across the entire cooking surface, which helps to ensure that your food is cooked evenly. Some Griddles may have a non-stick coating that prevents food like pancakes from sticking to the surface and they are very easy to clean. You can use a griddle to make cheese sandwiches, pancakes, quesadillas, hamburgers, fajitas and more. They are mostly made from cast iron, stainless steel, or aluminum and they are very easy to clean.
7. Grill Pans
The next type of pan is the grill pan. They have been designed to have a rigid surface, which creates those grill marks on your food, making it look as if the food was prepared on a grill. The Grill pan can be used on a stovetop or in the oven.
Just like a traditional grill, grill pans can be used to cook meats, vegetables and sandwiches. They have the same high heat and direct contact with the cooking surface as a traditional grill would. When cooking with a grill pan, it is important to preheat before use. Grill pans are usually made from cast iron, stainless steel and non-stick coatings and they come in a lot of sizes, from small, single-serving pans to large, family-sized pans.
Conclusion
In conclusion, in this article, we’ve looked at seven different types of pans. As a chef, having the right kind of pan in your kitchen or workspace can go a long way in having an impact on the taste, flavor and appearance of your meals. We’ve listed out seven of the most commonly used pans, their features and their uses.
From frying pans to woks to saucepans to griddles and grill pans, all these pans are important pans that can be used to cook different types of food and they all have their own unique features and special qualities. When choosing any type of pan, it is important that you consider the material, size and shape of the pan and get to know all the information on the care, use and maintenance of your pans.
