Stone-coated pans: pros and cons, features of choice

Supporters of healthy eating try to avoid foods fried in butter. And it is no coincidence. It has long been known that food cooked in a pan in butter, causes irreparable harm to human health. Vessels, heart, and digestive organs suffer from excessive consumption of such products. Therefore, the appearance of a stone-coated frying pan has become a real gift for people who love to eat tasty and healthy.

The production process of such a frying pan consists of applying a stone coating to the workpiece obtained by casting or stamping. Cast varieties are considered more expensive due to the massive bottom, which improves the performance of the product. Before applying the stone layer, the blank itself is well processed, and only then it is covered with a stone coating of the desired thickness. Next, the products are thermally processed.

The stone coating is made of marble and granite chips, also used porcelain.

During the operation there is no need to use oil, as a modern stone coating will ensure the preparation of products in its own juice. This significantly reduces the calorie content of the dish, and also reduces the content of harmful carcinogens in it. Such food is characterized not only benefit, but also excellent taste and aroma. It retains most of the nutrients. For example, steamed vegetables save up to 90% of vitamins.

Many well-known cooks with extensive experience choose stone pans for the following reasons.

• it safe and eco-friendly vessel, the coating of which contains only natural elements, and during heating the surface does not emit hazardous substances.
• Stone coated pans are strong and durable products. They are resistant to scratches, do not react to elevated temperature, do not deform under the influence of severe operating conditions.
• The benefit of the dish increases due to the lack of oil in it.. The food is low-fat, low-calorie, in its composition there is no harmful cholesterol. This should include the issue of saving oil.
• During cooking foods retain most of the beneficial vitaminsAnd this is very important for diet or problems with the digestive tract.
• In such a pan, the dishes are very tasty due to its the ability to heat the entire contents quickly and evenly. Products come juicy, delicate, fragrant.
• These pans are versatile. They are quite suitable for cooking on a gas, electric, glass-ceramic or induction stove. They are also convenient in care, for example, they can be washed in a dishwasher.
• The cooking process itself is very convenient due to the fact that food does not stick to the surface.
• Most modern models has an aesthetic and attractive appearanceand this is very important for the emotional comfort of a young housewife.

Before buying a skillet with a stone coating, it is worth getting acquainted with its shortcomings. These products quite expensive, compared to their Teflon or ceramic "competitors".In addition, unscrupulous manufacturers now offer models with low-level sputtering or titanium coating mixed with teflon to imitate on the market, so there is a high risk of getting low-quality products. This product does not meet the requirements of stone utensils.

Another minus - large weight of products which is not always convenient when cooking. Sometimes in a new pan, you can notice flaws that were visually difficult to distinguish when buying.

Stone pans offered on the market can be classified into the following varieties:

• cast or stamped, usually aluminum, with the application of polymer with fused crumbs of natural stone;
• with a ceramic layer including stone inclusions;
• product made solid stone or mineral liner;
• pan, made in stone design without the actual inclusion of minerals.

Shops offer models that differ in design and style. You can also find pans of different price categories. These parameters depend on the manufacturing technology of a particular product.

Most of all appreciated the classic heavy stone chips pan. The thicker its bottom and walls, the better, since the heat in such specimens is distributed evenly, respectively, the dishes are more delicious. In addition, thick-walled versions have a longer life. Thickness may be limited to 4-7 mm.

The dimensions of the pans most commonly occur as follows:

• 20 cm;
• 22 cm;
• 24 cm;
• 26 cm;
• 28 cm

The choice depends on the purpose of the pan. For example, for frying pancakes, fritters or scrambled eggs, it is recommended to buy a frying pan with a minimum diameter, and for cooking dishes in large volumes, stewing vegetables, meat, fish - the widest. They even produce stone stewpots for those who cook for a large family. In such products it is possible, for example, to extinguish products in gravy, because high sides will not allow liquids to flow out. If the dishes are bought for cooking pancakes, it is better to take a sample with small sides, then the dough will be easier to roll over.

If a person resides in a frying pan, it is recommended to choose specimens with a diameter of 24 cm. A 26 cm version is suitable for a couple or a family of three, and a frying pan with a diameter of 28 cm is intended for a larger number of consumers.

The shape of the pan can be divided into round, rectangular and wok. Small pancake makers are popular among round ones - special products with low sides and a perfectly flat flat bottom for making pancakes. A wok is a vessel with high walls and a rather narrow bottom, these specimens are used for frying products and cooking soups and broths.

Stone pans are increasingly appearing in the kitchen of modern housewives, so their production is organized in various countries around the world. So, the most famous manufacturers in Germany are firms Stoneline, Gipfel, Fissler. In Denmark - Fissman, in Italy - Art granit, in Japan - Noryoku. In Korea - Ecoramic, in Russia - Tradition, SCOVO, Kukmara, Gevura. Let's try to stay a little more on the most popular models.

Universal pan suitable for cooking a variety of dishes. You can fry, stew, cook sauces in it. It has an attractive design. The stone coating has a small structure, due to which the aesthetics of the product is further enhanced.

Buyers are attracted by a wide range of products of the most diverse style and design.Pans are offered in a variety of colors, and among them you can easily choose the most suitable for a particular kitchen interior. The mass of products is small, since the body is made mainly of aluminum. Among the advantages noted the presence of removable handles, some of which can be washed in the dishwasher. Suitable for cooking on an induction cooker.

Standard round frying pan with high 5 cm sides. High walls provide comfortable cooking of liquid dishes, for example, gravy. Products have a noble appearance, depending on the series, customers are offered products with black, white or red matte finish. Of the minuses noted a lot of weight.

Aluminum round pans with fixed handles. The height of the sides - from 5 cm, which allows you to cook a variety of dishes. This manufacturer offers not only universal products, but also narrowly-faced crepe makers. This product is also suitable for use on an induction cooker and dishwasher safe.

Another option with high walls. The manufacturer offers nice comfortable items, stone chips - granite. It is suitable for any dishes that are usually taken in a saucepan.

The Italian company offers a whole line of kitchen utensils with a stone coating. These are universal pans, grill pans, crepe makers, stew pans. All copies have removable handles, and therefore they can be used when cooking dishes in the oven. Dishwasher safe. These models are also good because they have a thick seven-layer sputtering, which makes it possible to use metal blades. Removable handles treated with anti-slip agent.

This dish has a three-layer coating, and its advantage is the presence of nozzles for serving sauces. By production the marble crumb is used. Especially in this product, buyers are attracted by handles, they are square in shape and are made in a beautiful wood-like style, the products are removable and treated with an anti-slip compound.

Frying pan deserving great attention. It has stable non-stick qualities, the height of the sides is from 6 cm. The handle is removable, solid-cast. Suitable option for the preparation of semi-liquid dishes.

The products of Korean-made consumers are attracted by an aesthetic design that allows them to choose a product that fits perfectly into the interior. Also among the advantages there are worthy non-stick qualities and the ability to quickly distribute the heat over the entire surface.

According to buyers, this is one of the most deserving Russian manufacturers. The product is well-washed, makes it possible to use metal shovels, the food in this pan does not stick, but roasts well. Of the minuses, poor-quality material of the handles is noted - they begin to melt after a short time after purchase.

It is believed that it is better to choose pans with a thick coating, however, according to reviews of other users, a thick layer is destroyed faster, so it is recommended to buy a product with a multilayer coating.

If you buy a product with enamel, it is worth remembering that the care of such a frying pan will be more difficult.

Before buying, carefully review the product. The bottom should be thicker than the walls, well, if it is not less than 6 cm, then the products will not burn, and the heat will be distributed evenly. Check that the thickness is the same over the entire diameter. If the dishes will be used for cooking on a glass-ceramic stove, then choose a model with a completely flat bottom so that the surfaces are clearly adjacent to each other. In the case of gas stoves fit any dishes. If the pan is needed to extinguish and frying dishes, then take thick-walled products with a slight inclination of the sides.

Cast specimen with marble or granite coating heavier in weightHowever, the thickness of the pressed pan is rarely large, and therefore it is not suitable for cooking dishes that require prolonged heat treatment. In addition, the life of the stamped variety is several times less, and it cannot be used for frying at maximum heat.

Pay attention to the uniformity of coverage. A layer that is non-uniform in structure after a couple of minutes after installation on the gas will begin to deform, cracks and swelling may form on the surface. All this negatively affects the operation of products and reduces its service life. When buying, ask the seller for a certificate. This document has the highest quality models, which, however, are significantly higher in price.

Still, most products have standard sizes, and suitable covers are already in the kitchen. If there is no cover of the required diameter in the house, then it is better to buy it in a set with a frying pan, and not to waste time searching for a separate suitable model. If the pan is needed for a specific purpose, for example, for making pancakes, then choose a model of a narrow directivity (in this case a crepe maker). If you take a universal pan, then its service life will be reduced due to frequent cooking.

When fake, the enamel is usually applied on a steel base. If the product is made of aluminum or stainless steel, then the magnet will not react. Also about the fake say such visual signs as chips, stains, cracks. Another interesting test is sometimes carried out in the laboratory. Here in the pans milk is calcined. If this is a quality product, the burnt milk will not stick.

Immediately after purchase, the product is recommended to rinse well with detergent to remove all the dust accumulated during transportation and sale. Before you begin to use, you need to lubricate the pan with oil or grease. Observe the following operating guidelines.

• If there is no need to cook over high heat, then try to avoid it. Overheating shortens the life of the product. Do not leave the pan on the fire if nothing is cooked in it so as not to damage the non-stick layer.
• If the pan is still hot, do not fill it with cold water. The same applies to dishes that are removed from the refrigerator - do not put it under hot water. Let the surface reach room temperature. The sharp fluctuations in temperature can cause the formation of microcracks, and worsen the non-stick properties.
• Use blades made of plastic, silicone or wood. Even if the model allows for the use of a metal spatula, if possible, this should be avoided so as not to damage the non-stick coating.
• Rinse the dishes well after each use so that no carbon is formed on the surface.
• Avoid aggressive chemicals and hard sponges during the care; these products can completely destroy the stone coating.
• Even if the pan can be washed in a dishwasher, it is recommended to do it as rarely as possible. When hand washing the product will last longer.

In general, reviews of stone-coated pans are positive. The product is especially valued by supporters of healthy eating, and by those who, during the diet, missed the ruddy crispy crust. According to customers, the dishes are quite tasty, juicy, evenly roasted on all sides and well soaked with juice of other ingredients and seasonings. Like consumers, the opportunity to choose a product of a suitable design, although in general even a standard frying pan looks very aesthetically pleasing because of an elegant “crumb”.

Of the minuses noted large weight pansThis is especially inconvenient when cooking pancakes, so here It is recommended to buy light crepe makers, they work easier and more convenient. Also disadvantages include high priceHowever, according to buyers, it is fully justified by good quality products.

In the next video you will learn the benefits of stone utensils and its distinctive features.