Lids for saucepans: selection and storage

The lid is an inseparable companion of the pot. It retains moisture inside it, which prevents the dish from drying out - it turns out juicy and fragrant. And also speeds up the cooking process.

Usually a lid is attached to the pot. But at the request of the hostess, she can additionally purchase a more convenient accessory.

Usually choose the lid for the pan is not a big deal. All manufacturers of this item use standard sizes. On the basis of them, the diameter of the covers varies between 16-32 cm with a step of 2 cm.

If the utensil has non-standard parameters, then the cap, as a rule, is necessarily attached in the kit.

The most common covers - glass and stainless steel. They are considered universal, very easy to use, do not affect the taste of food, they are easy to care for.

The glass product is perfectly washable, being cleaned even in the dishwasher. It is allowed to use in microwave ovens. Glass holds the temperature perfectly.

But there is also a minus - the increased fragility.

Choosing a glass cover, pay attention to its bezel. His presence is welcome because he:

• reduces sliding and friction of the product on the side of the pan;
• provides a tight fit;
• holding the glass in a strong rim, reduces its trauma.

The rim is made of stainless steel or silicone. If it is absent, then the product must be made of extra strong glass.

Steel cover is more reliable and less fragile. But then it retains heat worse. And, having covered the pot with it, you will not be able to observe the cooking process, since it is opaque. For microwave ovens, it is contraindicated.

A variation of the universal cap is an accessory for sterilizing cans. It can be both glass and steel. It is distinguished from an ordinary product by a hole in the center corresponding to the size of the can. Placing it above the boiling water in a saucepan, a can is inserted into the hole, which is sterilized by steam produced by boiling water. This is simply an indispensable thing for those who are seriously engaged in conservation.

In addition to standard materials - glass and steel, other materials are used for the manufacture of covers. For example, ceramics. But such a product you can apply only to the pan of the same material. It has an attractive appearance, is easy to clean, suitable for ovens and microwave ovens. But afraid of sudden changes in temperature.

Wooden covers are environmentally friendly but impractical. Given that the tree is afraid of moisture, the use of such products is strictly limited. They either cover the finished dishes, or used to make pilaf, stews and other dishes where the amount of liquid is minimal. Compatible with cast iron pots.

Special attention is required silicone lid - nevipipayka. This is just a godsend for any hostess. Her name speaks for itself: it does not allow liquids to run away from the pan. Its structure causes a foaming cap to collect on the surface of the cap, and water flows back into the tank. Because of this, your stove is always kept in perfect purity. With this technology it is convenient to boil milk, cook broths and other liquid dishes.

Its advantages do not end there. Silicone "cap" easily turns into a double boiler, if you put it on a pot of water, put food into it, and cover with a lid. When stored in the fridge of plant food silicone lid will keep it fresh and turgor for a long time. In the care of it is simple to the obscene: easy to clean, even in the dishwasher.

When choosing lids for saucepans, you should initially consider the material from which they are made. It is the quality of the material that affects the service life of the product and the taste of cooked food.

However, there are smaller details that also play a role in exploitation.

• Handle material. Choose products with a silicone or bakelite handle. They practically do not heat up, which makes it possible to take them with their bare hands. What can not be said about steel, too quickly glowing.
• The size of the pot and lid, tightness when closing.
• The presence of a hole on the surface of the glass cover, which allows to release steam.
• The presence of a protective rim.

Since the caps are used in the cooking process quite often, they should be in quick access for the hostess. But still they must be arranged in order so as not to drop and not create a lot of noise when they are extracted.

We pay special attention to the storage of glass lids, as they are very fragile.

You can store covers in different ways. We accept the old old-fashioned method - along with the pan. But current trends make their own adjustments. There are many devices that allow you to streamline all the existing covers:

• horizontal coasters for perfect visibility of all accessories;
• vertical holders with dividers - they are installed in drawers, on a table or hung on the wall;
• railing - a vertical stand, the holders of which can change position;
• on the cabinet door, where hooks, strips, holders are attached;
• retractable shelves mounted in furniture;
• dryers;
• organizers.

Before sending the lids to storage, they are thoroughly cleaned and well dried. Store products only in a dry state.

For information on how to store lids from pans, see the video below.