How to choose the best pan for pancakes?

Our grandmothers were able to cook delicious pancakes, and the choice of frying pans was not in front of them, because the industry did not indulge in an abundance of goods. Our contemporaries more difficult. Shops are full of products from different materials with all kinds of coatings, which have different thickness and diameter. How do they differ and which model is better to choose, let's talk about this in the article.

Cooking pancakes is a delicate matter that requires a certain skill and a reliable pan. Therefore, the industry produces a special kitchen utensils for frying pancakes. It has a thick bottom, small sides and a long handle. She needs to meet the following requirements:

• the dough in the pan must be distributed evenly;
• in any case not to burn;
• pancakes should be fried quickly, have a uniform structure;
• it is important that they are easily turned over and removed without creating problems;
• in the pan equally well should be thin fishnet and thick fluffy pancakes.

In order to meet the above requirements, the product must have several parameters.

• The optimal height of the sides should be no more than 1 centimeter, then the pancakes are easily turned over. On sale you can find models with sides from 2 to 10 millimeters, if offered above, then the pan is intended not only for pancakes.
• The thickness of the bottom of the product for frying pancakes is 4–10 mm. With inflated parameters, the pan will warm up for a long time and fry slowly. A small thickness of the bottom will lead to burning.
• To make the process of cooking pancakes safely, the handle must be long, convenient in shape and not be heated during frying. The length of the handle is important if oil is used during cooking, splashes of which can cause burns. For pans that do not require grease, the size of the holder is not fundamental.
• The industry offers different forms of frying pans. Round is considered a classic, pancakes in it are universal. They can be served with and without filling. Square shape can be used to make stuffed pancakes. If there are children in the house, they will like curly pancakes. Special pans are produced for their manufacture, but it will be more difficult to control them - in order to turn such a pancake, you will need certain skills.

To make pancakes, high demands are placed on the material from which the pans are made. The amount of oil consumed during the frying process will depend on it. Some coatings do not require grease at all. In the past, pancakes were roasted in universal cast iron pans. The process was uncomfortable, but the dish was excellent.

Today, less and less manufacturers use cast iron for their products. Emphasis is placed on light materials with a non-stick layer, using coatings of marble chips or ceramic composition. Body material can be found from various types of metals and ceramics.

This material in use has its pros and cons. The advantages include the following indicators:

• despite the presence of a thick bottom, the pan is rather light; it is simple to work with it, and the compacted bottom ensures stable uniform baking;
• the presence of a non-stick layer makes it possible to fry the product without oil;
• pancakes are easily turned and removed;
• the frying pan is cleaned with an ordinary sponge, but it cannot be scratched with hard brushes and other abrasives.

The disadvantages include the following points:

• pancake maker should not be heated to a temperature of +220 degrees; over a large fire, over time, the surface is deformed, cracks may appear, the protective layer is broken, the product will release toxic substances;
• To work with this type of pan, you will need special paddles made of wood or silicone;
• Teflon coating is afraid of mechanical impact - shock, scratches, chips.

Ceramics in the manufacture of pans are used in two ways: they make the product completely from ekolon or thermolon or cover the metal with nanocomposite material. The first products are lighter in weight than the second. The advantages include the following:

• environmental component that does not harm health, while the taste of the product remains unchanged;
• fry pancakes can be without the use of grease;
• ceramics are more scratch resistant than Teflon coating;
• does not create thermal distortion of the product;
• the pan heats up quickly and retains heat for a long time;
• the dough does not stick to the bottom, does not form carbon;
• when used carefully, the product has a long service life.

The disadvantages are as follows:

• ceramic products can not be washed in the dishwasher, they are afraid of alkaline environment;
• have heavy weight;
• are expensive.

This coating is similar to ceramic. It is made of marble and granite crumbs. The basis of the product is cast aluminum. The advantages are as follows:

• marble layer withstands mechanical stress;
• crepe maids look beautiful, decorate any kitchen;
• optimal bottom thickness promotes uniform baking;
• pancakes do not burn, easily removed from the pan;
• the product is durable and universal, you can fry other types of food on it.

This is a budget view of kitchen utensils. Steel has poor thermal conductivity and contributes to the burning of products. To improve the situation, pans are made with a bottom consisting of five layers. But this does not always save. It is better to choose products that have a combined bottom, in which steel layers alternate with aluminum. The advantages of such products include the following:

• the ability to leave dishes in a frying pan for storage, their taste does not change over time;
• suitable for dishwasher;
• has no high cost.

Aluminum is most often used for body applications, products made of it are stamped or cast. The former have a bottom thickness of 2.7 millimeters, they are less reliable and the product can burn, even if you use high-quality pancake flour. Cast pans are produced with thick walls and a bottom thickness of 5-7 mm. They are heavier than stamped ones, but are more adapted for cooking. The advantages of aluminum include the following:

• fast heating;
• a light weight;
• Can be washed in the dishwasher;
• budget cost.

The following drawbacks should be noted:

• when frying it is necessary to use butter;
• over time, the metal is deformed from high temperatures, creating the effect of a “crushed bottom”, which leads to uneven baking of pancakes;
• sometimes the appearance of oxide can be observed on the product.

In cast iron pans, any food is prepared in a special way, it languishes, concentrating its taste. In addition to pancakes, you can fry fish and meat products on it, simmer vegetables. If you need a universal product, you should choose a model with high sides, but its weight will be too heavy. The pan, designed only for cooking pancakes, should be small, with low walls and a long holder. The advantages are as follows:

• heats up slowly, holds heat evenly for a long time;
• the dishes on this crepe maker are very tasty;
• environmentally friendly material;
• resistant to mechanical stress;
• durable, no shelf life.

It should be noted such disadvantages as:

• the product has great weight;
• the cast iron has a porous structure and the first time in the frying process there is a high oil consumption, but gradually the frying pan acquires a natural non-stick layer, while reducing fat consumption;
• cast iron reacts to an acidic environment and can change the taste of food, if using tomatoes or lemon juice during cooking;
• cooked dish should not be left in the pan, it is better to immediately decompose into containers.

Copper pans can be used to decorate country style kitchens, Provence, rustic or chalets. It is an expensive metal, but it has such advantages as:

• products from it are beautiful and bright;
• durable, they can be inherited;
• environmentally friendly;
• warm up evenly and quickly, keeping heat for a long time;
• frying pancakes is perfect;
• the taste of food cooked in a copper pan is highly appreciated by gourmets.

In the manufacture of such pans, titanium oxide is added to the ceramic coating, the product acquires ultrahigh non-stick properties. Cast aluminum is used for the base frame. The following advantages should be noted:

• the product is safe for health;
• has a small weight;
• resistant to mechanical stress;
• material is durable, can serve more than 20 years;
• heats up quickly, gives off heat for a long time;
• suitable for different types of plates;
• suitable for use in the oven;
• pancakes can be fried without adding butter.

The diameter of the pan can be measured at the bottom and top of the product. If the emphasis is on the size of pancakes, the bottom parameters are important. If you need to fit the crepe maker on the shelf assigned to it, the capacity is measured at the top. When buying, consider the size of the burners. This does not apply to gas stoves, but for ceramic, induction. The standard sizes of the burners are 14.5, 18 and 22.5 cm. When choosing a pan, family preferences are taken into account: for small fluffy pancakes, the product diameter should not exceed 15 cm, for stuffed pancakes, the optimum size will be 25 or 26 cm.

The rating of the crepe maker models is based on consumer reviews, those who bought and tried the pan in practice. We offer top most popular models.

• "Biol" - this pancake pan is made in Ukraine. It has a diameter of 24 cm, bottom thickness - 4 mm, removable type wooden handle. Cast iron product ensures uniform heating. The model has a budget cost. It is not provided with a non-stick coating, it requires pre-heating.

• Pancake Pan Nadoba - This is a modern type of kitchen utensils that do not require oil for cooking. It is endowed with a comfortable silicone handle.

• Tefal - frying pan made in France with a teflon coating. The diameter of the product - 20 cm, endowed with an indicator that determines the degree of heating.Presence of oil is not required during cooking, the bottom warms up evenly, ensures uniformity of pancake roasting.

• Kukmara "Tradition" - Russian-made frying pan (Tatarstan). It belongs to the aluminum models protected by a ceramic coating. The bottom thickness is optimally balanced for frying perfect pancakes. The frying pan has high sides (6 millimeters), which makes it possible to use it for cooking different dishes. The amount of oil used in frying is slightly used; the bottom diameter is 26 cm. The model is equipped with a transparent lid and a pair of removable holders.

• Rondell mocco - it is a product of German quality with a beautiful design. It has a heavy-duty non-stick titanium coating on an aluminum base. The diameter of the pan is 22 cm, the bottom thickness is 4.5 millimeters. Comfortable shaped handle endowed with anti-slip silicone parts. The disadvantage can only be the high cost of the goods.

Judging by the reviews, pancake pans are very popular, people share their impressions and advice. After analyzing them, we can conclude that for many, the best products are still cast iron models, on which our grandmothers fried pancakes. They are heavy, but baked well. There were several negative reviews about corrosion, which sometimes occurs on such crepe makers.

Frying pans were highly appreciated Tefal, and also expensive products with a ceramic and marble covering. They satisfy literally everyone, with the exception of a few users with excessive demands. For example, they were looking for a frying pan, in which the minimum amount of dough can instantly spread in a thin layer across the pan and fry as fast. Bought Tefal, the product did not cope with the task.

Judging by the reviews an ideal pan does not have to be expensive. If you care properly, any product will last a long time.

On what pancake pan is better to buy, see below.