Types and criteria for the choice of covers for pans

During cooking, you can not do without a lid that will cover the heat-resistant dishes. It will not allow the contents to be sprayed, and will also contribute to uniform heating of the ingredients. The lid will be needed during any type of cooking: frying, boiling, stewing, baking. Most pots and pans are sold with lids in advance, but if this dish is purchased separately, then it is important to take a responsible approach to the choice of a suitable closing product.

Products that are cooked under the lid, always retain their juiciness and flavor. In addition, this accessory reduces the chance of burning food. For example, the moisture of vegetables does not evaporate from the pan so quickly, but remains permanently under the lid and allows the vegetables to stew in their own juice. The same can be said about meat. So, supporters of healthy food prefer to cook it in a pan without oil - it is stewed in broth or juice of vegetables and does not burn due to a sealed lid.

The product ensures the preservation of high temperature, due to which all the ingredients are well baked. Besides, the dish is cooked faster, that is, the lid significantly saves the time of the hostess.

Lids for pots and pans may vary in manufacturing material.

The most popular option. It can be equipped with a plastic handle or holder from another material. This is a convenient instance that allows you to observe through the transparent coating the cooking process. The products under it are languishing in quality, that is, the temperature regime that is suitable for this process is observed in the pot.

Such models can be used even when cooking in the oven or microwave, as they are made of heat resistant glass. It will not be scary to drop such a product, because shock-resistant materials are used in the production. Another advantage of the glass cover - ease of care.

Currently, young housewives are just beginning to master modern silicone models, but their merits have already been noticed. This product is easy to clean with any detergent, and it does not heat up during cooking. The accessory is tightly worn on the dishes, ensuring complete tightness. Use in an oven is possible. In addition, under the silicone coating is allowed to store food in the refrigerator. The material from which the cover is made, is a food grade silicone and does not harm products.

Reliable durable instance, the quality of which is time-tested. Cast iron lids could often be found in Soviet kitchens. And so far this variety has not lost its relevance. Perhaps, it is possible to attribute the iron product to the most expensive options, but the price is explained by the almost eternal service life, resistance to damage, functionality.

The cover made of stainless steel, has a high strength, resistance to drops and impacts. However, this is not the preferred option.The fact is that such a sample retains heat poorly, and it cannot be used when cooking in a microwave oven.

Before choosing a cover, listen to important recommendations that relate to size.

• If a lid is needed for a specific pan, then it is worth examining the information about the manufacturer of the vessel and find out if it makes covers for this product. A product made specifically for a specific model of the pan, always fit more than the other cover.
• To the cover was in the kitchen universal, then select the diameter equal to the diameter of most pans in the house. Ideally, take a pot with you to try on the lid on the spot before purchase, as the diameter of some products does not always correspond to the parameters indicated on the lid.
• If you don’t want to go shopping with a frying pan, you can measure the diameter of the pan in advance. To do this, attach a ruler through the center and record the resulting size from edge to edge. On average, this parameter of dishes is usually limited to 16-32 cm in steps of 2 cm, that is, the economic departments offer models with a diameter of 18, 20, 24, 26, 30 cm. pick up covers or caps with odd parameters, for example, 23 or 25 cm.

Particular attention should be paid to the shape of the product. In the arsenal of the hostess should be round, square and rectangular covers. Obviously, each species is selected to the vessel of a certain shape. Square options designed to retain liquid when using square utensils. These are usually specimens of heat-resistant glass, models with a diameter of 28 cm for a square grill pan are also often offered, in this case the lid can be made of cast iron.

A more popular and versatile variety is round cap. As a rule, it is this form that most pots and pans in the kitchen have. The diameter can be selected by the above methods.

Rectangular products used in the preparation of large portions of fish or meat. When choosing a rectangular lid for a particular pot, it is important to know the exact length and width, as well as to try to select a copy of the same manufacturer as the pan. Only such a model will ensure maximum tightness. Rectangular varieties can be used to store food or to keep the heat of the finished dish.

Another important criterion when choosing a cover - handle material. Usually holders are plastic or metal. Most housewives choose products with plastic handles. This option has more pleasant tactile properties, it does not heat up, which means that the hostess will not have to grab the towel every time to lift the lid. Now most models are made with handles of heat-resistant and environmentally friendly plastic.

Metal pen - more stable and durable specimen, but it has its drawbacks. Such a holder heats up quickly, and due to the large mass of such a lid is greater than the mass of a model with a plastic handle. However, now many manufacturers equip products heat resistant gaskets in the holder areato prevent overheating.

There are some additional optional tips that you should also pay attention to.

• Try to give preference to products with a rubberized rim around the perimeter. This will ensure maximum tightness of the cover and reduce the likelihood of accidental steam burns and the formation of greasy stains on the stove. Especially the bezel is relevant in the case of choosing a metal cover, as over time, the relief of the coating of this sample may deteriorate, creating a sloppy look.
• If under the lid you plan to stew vegetables often, then choose models with steam holes. In the process of stewing vegetables emit a lot of juice (this is not appropriate for each dish), and in the case of using such an accessory, the steam will be discharged through special holes. If the chosen lid should be universal in the kitchen, then choose a product with steam holes that have closing mechanisms.
• If the lid is needed for cooking at an accelerated pace, it is recommended to choose a large instance of height. Such models are capable of creating a volumetric thermal cushion, which ensures fast preparation.
• Check how convenient it is to use the copy you like. Make sure that it is not too heavy for daily cooking. If the lid is glass, then make sure that it has an icon confirming the manufacture of refractory glass.

Modern models are offered with additional accessories that facilitate cooking. For example, some manufacturers have equipped the lids with special thermal sensors that allow you to control the cooking process and monitor the temperature. However, judging by the reviews of customers, these sensors quickly break down and become clogged, becoming as a result collectors of fat and dirt, so it is recommended not to spend money on such models.

Another novelty is spray screen. It may look like a regular cap, but from a fine-meshed mesh. The accessory can be used in cases when the dish does not need to create strong steam, for example, when it is strongly roasted meat. Under the classic cover, a ruddy crust will not work, and if you do not use the cover, then the whole cooker, walls and apron of the hostess will be splattered with sizzling oil. Just for such cases and designed a special spray cap.

On how to properly clean the lid of the pan, you can find out further.