Aluminum pans: pros and cons, selection and preparation for use

Aluminum is one of the most common materials used to make dishes that are exposed to direct thermal effects. Frying pans concern to such ware. Many housewives want to acquire such pans, but they doubt exactly what their advantages are, how to choose them correctly among the whole variety represented on the modern market of tableware. Before buying an aluminum frying pan, it is important to know both the criteria for choosing this utensil and the features of its preparation for operation. All these questions will be discussed in detail in this article.

The material for the manufacture of such a kitchen appliance as an aluminum frying pan is food grade aluminum. A feature of this metal is the formation of a special protective layer when interacting with oxygen. This layer allows you to protect the device from corrosive processes and other undesirable chemical reactions, such as exposure to various acids. Since this metal has a fairly high level of thermal conductivity, it is also used as a raw material for creating pans.

The manufacture of an aluminum pan can occur using a special stamp. For this, a necessary piece is cut from a thin sheet of metal, from which the product is subsequently stamped. A distinctive feature of the result is the same thickness of the bottom and sides of this pan. It is not particularly resistant to high temperatures, so it is better to use them on electric type stoves rather than gas. Cast manufacturing technology of aluminum frying pans is more perfect. When applied in a special form, the raw material is poured, and the form is designed so that the bottom of the product is quite dense (more than 0.5 cm).

Before you choose an aluminum pan, you need to take into account that such cooking appliances have both positive and negative sides. The advantages of aluminum products include the following:

• quick warm-up - you do not have to wait long before heating a frying pan like this;
• such a material, especially infused structures, is quite resistant to mechanical stress; even dropping such a frying pan on the floor, you will not damage its body;
• a useful function is to preserve heat - designs with a thickened bottom allow cooked dishes to remain warm for some time and eliminate the need for reheating;
• in combination with a suitable coating, cast pans can last for a very long time, which will save you money; if the coating is not sufficiently wear-resistant, it will adversely affect the condition of the device as a whole;
• good coverage allows you to heat such pans right up to +400 degrees, they can cook any dishes on the stove or in the oven;
• the appearance of rust on such dishes is completely excluded, which explains the special properties of this metal when interacting with oxygen;
• Aluminum does not belong to porous materials, therefore it is quite easy to remove various kinds of pollution from it; in combination with some coatings such pans can even be washed in a dishwasher;
• cast aluminum products can be used on all types of stoves - gas, induction or electric.

The disadvantages of such dishes for cooking are much smaller, but still you need to pay attention to them before buying, namely:

• prices for products with a thick bottom and dense walls are quite high when compared with the cost of pans made from other materials;
• the need to wash some products by hand;
• such dishes are harmful to food storage; There is an opinion that during such storage oxidative processes start to occur in the products due to the reaction with the metal, which subsequently may adversely affect the taste and benefits of the dish.

It is worth more to dwell on various types of aluminum pans. Their characteristics are determined mainly by the type of coating that is used as the second element of the product.

Each coating gives a particular species specific properties.

• Uncoated products are the cheapest, but also the most short-lived. To operate such frying pan is extremely inconvenient. Food easily burns to its surface, and some products, such as lemon juice, are generally not recommended to be added to the surface due to the negative effect of acid on the metal.
• Aluminum pans with ceramic coating according to their characteristics, European standards. They have not only a very aesthetic appearance, but are also able to heat up fairly quickly and evenly, presenting a particular ease of use due to the fact that the temperature of the handle does not change. It is also worth noting that the ceramic surface is quite difficult to scratch during operation, therefore durability is inherent in the material. Using such a frying pan will also help you save oil in the cooking process.

However, among the drawbacks of combining aluminum with ceramics, it is worth noting the poor tolerance of the latter material to temperature differences in the washing process. And also products cannot be washed in the dishwasher, the risk of formation of the microcracks, capable to destroy all covering over time increases. Cooking in such a frying pan using ultra-thin hobs should not be due to the lack of a magnetic bottom, so the range of use is limited only by gas and electric cookers.

• Wrought Aluminum Models made under a special press. They are of particular strength and density of the bottom. Such products are durable and resistant to fairly high temperatures. However, steel plates are often welded into the bottoms of these pans, so they are intended mainly for induction plates.

• Cast aluminum pan with non-stick teflon coating is in great demand and belongs to products of an average price category. The term of its operation with careful use ranges from two to three years. The coating consists of neutral polymers, it does not tolerate exposure to high temperatures (more than +260 degrees), and such a frying pan should not be washed in a dishwasher. On such a product, you can cook meat, fish and other common hot dishes, but you must use a plastic spatula instead of metal, because any contact of a sharp object can cause damage to the surface.The same applies to the use of a metal sponge in the washing process.

• There is a special kind of teflon coating with marble chips in the composition. The number of layers of such a coating is directly proportional to its durability, some particularly multi-layered models can last for even more than a decade. Unlike classic teflon, this coating is less susceptible to the effects of sharp objects, it is able to keep the temperature of a cooked dish hot for a long time, and you can cook it using a minimal amount of oil (just wiping the surface slightly).

• In addition to marble chips, Teflon coating can also include diamond dust. Such products are no longer necessary to wash only by hand. They are not so susceptible to mechanical damage. The average lifetime of these models is 10 years.

• The most expensive and high-quality type of aluminum frying pan are titanium coated modelswhose service life reaches 25 years. Absolutely neutral metal, which calmly tolerates exposure to high temperatures and is not afraid of their drops, is also characterized by the highest strength and harmlessness. Titanium pans minimize the amount of oil when frying.

It is also worth remembering that the types of aluminum pans differ not only in the type of coating, but also in the way it is applied to the main body of the product.

• Rolling is carried out before the start of the stamping procedure. When the material is subsequently bent, the coating may be damaged, which affects its durability. However, this method of application provides products with additional lightness.
• Spray application is carried out after the manufacture of the basic form of aluminum. It is covered with a special solution to increase the level of adhesion of the metal to the sputtering material, and then spray it with a spray gun. This coating is distributed evenly over the surface of the pan, and then it is sintered under the influence of high temperatures.

In order not to be mistaken with the choice of an aluminum pan, it is necessary to know a number of nuances, allow you to better focus on the current market for such products, as well as to take into account the peculiarities of personal needs.

• Pay attention to the thickness of the walls and the bottom of the pan. Remember that the thicker they are, the more durable the product will be.
• Consider parameters such as the size of the stove and burner. The inconsistency of these indicators with the size of the pan may affect the process and the result of cooking.
• Pay attention to how the handle is attached to the body of the pan. It should be fastened securely, while not letting the hot temperature away from the body, so that it is more convenient to cook.
• Price is the most important factor, which is determined individually. Most often, the cost of the product is proportional to its quality and sometimes it is better to pay more. But if your budget is limited, then you should pay attention to products with affordable prices, which belongs to proven brands. Usually the quality of branded products, even the middle price segment is quite high.

One of the important stages in the use of an aluminum pan is its preparation for operation and special treatment after purchase. If you purchased an uncoated aluminum frying pan, the first step will be washing it under hot water using the product. After you wipe the pan dry, it will need to be ignited so that a protective layer appears on the surface. To do this, put the pan on the fire and pour vegetable oil so that it completely covers the bottom, then add a tablespoon of salt and keep on the fire until the specific smell of burning oil appears. You can also treat the product before use with water. Boil water in it, then drain it and dry the dishes. Wipe the pan with vegetable oil and leave for a couple of days.

For information on how to prepare an aluminum pan for use, see the following video.