Cookware for the oven: characteristics, types, selection and operation

Many housewives use an electric or gas oven for cooking various dishes. However, juicy meat, sweet pastries and other culinary masterpieces can be perfect only if you observe all the nuances of cooking. These include the right choice of baking container. Modern manufacturers offer a wide range of dishes for the oven. Products differ in shape, size, materials of manufacture.

Cookware for baking should be heat resistant, and when used in a gas appliance - also refractory. At the same time, high-quality products intended for cooking in the oven should conduct heat well. One of the important parameters when choosing heat-resistant dishes is the material. Tanks should not melt, deform, absorb odors. Products in them should not burn. A dish cooked in high-quality cookware turns out to be evenly baked. It is easily removed, does not have extraneous tastes.

Utensils for the oven to choose with rather thick walls and a bottom. The warming uniformity is connected with this, as well as the ability to retain heat. The optimal parameter is from 0.6 to 0.8 cm.

There are several types of containers in which they cook certain dishes.

• Cocotte. So called small bucket with a long handle. Such dishes are perfect for cooking and serving portions. Usually it is Julien. However, cocotte is also used for cooking roast, vegetable stew, baked fish, omelette, pudding, cottage cheese casserole. This dish is made of steel, ceramics, cast iron.

• Gooses This is an oval container with a lid, slightly resembling a pan. Modern options are made of cast iron, heat-resistant glass, ceramics. In such dishes bake and stew meat, vegetables, poultry.

• Brazier This is a container with a thickened bottom, a lid and small handles on the sides. Modern variations have a varied shape: they are round, oval, rectangular. Dishes are used for roasting meat, fish, vegetables. It turns out very tasty potatoes in French. For the manufacture of such containers using steel, aluminum, cast iron and glass.

• Tazhin - shallow wide tank with a high cone-shaped lid. Dishes came to us from Asian countries. Due to the wall thickness, special shape and massiveness, it is ideal for long extinguishing and “languishing”. During the cooking process, steam is condensed at the top of the lid. Then the drops gradually flow down the walls. This allows you to get succulent dishes without adding oil and water. Ingredients are stewed in their own juice. In the tagine prepare meat, poultry, fish, vegetables.

• Pot for roasting. These are small portions of ceramic. They cook delicious cereals, soups, juliens and other dishes.

• Baking tray - a thin sheet of metal with curved edges and sides. On baking sheets, pies and buns are usually baked. They are also suitable for roasting potatoes, meat, fish, and vegetables.

The sizes of cooking vessels in the oven range from very small, suitable for serving one serving of a dish, to large ones for a family of two or more people.

The shapes of the dishes are also different. The choice here depends on the purpose of the tank.

• Round. In this dish it is very convenient to bake cakes, various pies, pizza. It is worth considering that for baking bakery products, containers with a height of sides of about 7 cm are more suitable. For preparing other types of confectionery, a height of about 3 cm is sufficient.
• Oval shape optimal for cooking meat and fish dishes.
• Rectangular. In such containers you can also bake meat and fish. They are also suitable for cooking lasagna, vegetable dishes, pies with a filling.
• Wavy shapes used to create beautiful cupcakes, cakes, pastries. Before placing the dough in a container, all walls are carefully lubricated with oil. This is necessary in order to bake easily removed from the dish, and its edges were neat and beautiful.
• Figured. In addition to the usual wavy forms, manufacturers offer more original options. These are containers in the form of stars, hearts, letters, animals, etc. They are usually made of silicone. They are used to make a variety of confectionery products that delight both adults and children with their appearance.

Baking dishes can be both solid and detachable. Many hostesses consider the second option more convenient. It is perfect for baking biscuits. Baking is quick and easy to remove. This contributes to a removable bottom.

Earthenware dishes are very beautiful, and serving dishes in it is very effective. Modern microwave ovens and ovens allow the use of such products, if they are heat-resistant. It is desirable not to heat the device too much, the temperature should be increased gradually. Products will slowly stew, retaining all their beneficial properties. After cooking, the dish will stay warm for a long time.

The disadvantages of ceramic tanks include the porosity of the material. Such dishes can absorb flavors, so it is better to shift the remains of the dish into another container. It is worth noting the fragility of ceramics. Handle products with extreme care.

Silicone products are distinguished by plasticity, lightness, a variety of shapes and colors. That is why today they are very popular. Tanks have non-stick properties, they make excellent pastries. The material is not afraid of changes in temperature, such forms can be put in the oven and in the refrigerator. Unlike glass or ceramic dishes such a product can not be broken.

Teflon coating allows cooking without fat. This is a great solution for a diet. However, it is important to remember that the material cannot be heated more than 260 ° C, otherwise it will begin to emit substances hazardous to human health.

Steel dishes - the classic version. It is affordable, easy to use, practical. Stainless steel is resistant to corrosion, is durable, retains all the useful properties of products. The choice of steel utensils suitable for the oven is very wide. In such containers, food is cooked quickly, without burning at the same time.

Cast iron is not very attractive. However, some today use cast iron for cooking. The material retains heat for a long time, does not allow food to burn. It is durable, resistant to mechanical stress. Scratches from metal spoons do not affect the functionality of such dishes. Nevertheless, the cast iron has more disadvantages. It is prone to rust, absorbs fat, which gradually becomes carcinogenic.

Heat resistant glass is also used to make heat-resistant utensils. It can both bake and reheat food. The shape is usually oval or rectangular. This ensures uniform heating. Some models come with a lid. It is only important to remember that glass does not tolerate sudden temperature changes.

Disposable forms of foil or special paper - an excellent solution for those who rarely cook and do not want to overload the kitchen with various dishes. Paper allows you to bake without much oil. It does not deform, retains the shape of confectionery, allows them to be easily removed (as a last resort, you can simply tear the paper) Such forms do not need to be washed. Products in paper can be placed in the refrigerator. It is worth noting also the pleasantly low price of such a solution.

When choosing dishes for gas or electric ovens, several important points should be taken into account.

• The size of the capacity depends on the number of members of your family. If you are two, small enough will be enough. If the family is numerous or guests often come to you, the volume is better to take more. Another option is a few individual small pots or, for example, cocottes.
• The dimensions of the oven chamber should also be considered, especially when purchasing a pan. From its edges to the walls of the oven should remain at least 5-6 cm.
• The next criterion is the purpose of the dishes. Healthy dishes without fat in their own juice can be cooked in ceramic and glass containers. If you like crispy crusty crust, choose aluminum or cast iron. Such materials can be used in grill mode. Silicone is usually used to create baking (cakes, muffins, etc.).
• As for the thickness of the dishes, it depends on the method of preparation. Thick-walled products are intended for long languishing at low temperatures. Thin steel trays are suitable for high heating and subsequent rapid cooling.
• The height of the walls is related to the type of dish you are going to cook. High need for bakery products, potatoes, casseroles. Meat and fish can be baked on a pan with low sides.
• If you like pilaf, get a cauldron. If you like julienne and casseroles, cocotte will be a good purchase. Sophisticated multi-component dishes and delicious roasts are obtained in a meat sausage. Appetizing soups and porridges - in a pot with a lid. Tazhin is useful for creating dishes without fat.
• When choosing dishes should consider the type of device. For example, if you have an oven with a microwave, metal objects will not suit you. It's all about the ability of the material to reflect microwaves.
• Plastic dishes are not suitable for use in any type of oven. Also it is impossible to place there enameled ware, not intended for strong heating. It should be noted that some cast-iron baking sheets also have enamelled coating. Therefore, it is important to take into account the manufacturer's recommendations on the purpose of the item.
• Do not put containers with damage (cracks, chips, etc.) in the oven. Under the influence of temperature such dishes may burst. This in turn can lead not only to damage the dish, but also to damage the inner surface of the oven.

Enamelled, glass and steel products do not require special care. They are easy to clean by conventional means. The main thing is not to use abrasives and wipe the product dry to avoid stains. If stains appear on a stainless steel item, they can be removed with vinegar or citric acid. Cast iron cookware, like iron, is prone to rust, so it can not be soaked.

See the following video for the differences between baking molds.