by Purusoth Reddy
May 06, 2024

Uses of Pans

Cooking is an art form that requires inspiration and adaptability to flourish. Every kitchen should include a variety of pans, each with a distinct function, in its center. Your cooking can turn out quite differently depending on the kind of pan you use. The types of pan changes depending on whether it's for delicate sauces or fiery stir-fries. This article talks about the uses of pans and the best pans to use, as presented by Stahl Kitchens. Whether you're a home cook with years of experience or a newbie, knowing the uses of pans can improve the quality of your food.

Different Types of Pans to Look for

Pans are versatile kitchen tools used for cooking a variety of dishes, from frying eggs and searing meats to sautéing vegetables and making sauces. With their flat bottoms and shallow sides, pans facilitate even heat distribution and efficient cooking, making them indispensable for everyday cooking tasks. Below are the types of pans that are mainly used in cooking are detailed below.

1. Grill Pan

The ridged surface of a grill pan is what gives it its distinctive appearance and creates the searing and grill marks of an outdoor grill. Usually, one end of it has a handle for simple handling.

2. Fry Pans

A fry pan, often called a skillet or frying pan, has low, slanted sides and a flat bottom. For ease of holding, it typically has a long handle. This is the best pan for everyday use.

3. Steel Fry Pan

Stainless steel, which is renowned for its strength and ability to withstand rust and corrosion, is used to make a steel frypan. It usually has a level bottom and could have a cover.

4. Non-Stick Fry Pan

Food won't stick to the surface of a non-stick frypan because of a unique coating like Teflon. Its bottom is level, and it might have a long handle for a comfortable grip.

Essential Uses of Pans in Cooking

The simple answer to the question, what is the use of a pan? is to cook. The following subsections highlight the main uses of pans depending on the types of pans.

● Grill Pan

A grill pan is for eye-catching grill lines. The ridges help remove extra fat for better cooking and give food a distinct charred flavour. The Grill-Pan Cast Iron Blacksmith Hybrid Series from Stahl is a good choice.

● Fry Pans

The uses of fry pan include a variety of cooking methods, such as sautéing, searing, and frying. Because of their versatility and range of sizes, frypans can be used for a variety of batch sizes. Two types of frypan that are best for everyday use are the Frypan - Cast Iron Blacksmith Hybrid Series and the Frypan - Triply Artisan Hybrid Series.

● Steel Fry Pan

Since they are resistant to high cooking temperatures, stainless steel frypans are great for getting a nice sear on meats. They also work well for deglazing and preparing pan sauces. You can check out the Steel Kitchen Fry pan (Without Lid) - Triply Artisan Series or the Steel Frypan - Triply Artisan Series from Stahl.

● Non-Stick Fry Pan

These are ideal for cooking delicate meals without using a lot of oil, such as eggs, pancakes, fish fillets, and vegetables.

Specialty Uses of Pans for Specific Dishes

There are some recipes that can only be made with pans. Some of the special uses of pans are:

Grilled Chicken and Veggies

Take a chicken breast and marinate it with the spices of your choice. Heat the grill pan and add some oil. Once it smokes, add the chicken and sear it. Once on the side is done, flip. Remove chicken when cooked. Grill the vegetables you want in the leftover oil and juices. Serve once done

Sauteed Vegetables

This is one of the best uses of frypan. Take a frypan and heat some oil. Add whole spices and temper. Add chopped vegetables and sautee on medium heat. You can also add chicken or tofu. Serve once cooked. The Artisan Mikro Frypan (Without Lid)- 12 cm (240 ml) is the best pan for these quick meals.

Innovative Uses of Pans in Modern Cooking

Some unique uses of pans in cooking are

One-Pan Meals
Griddling

One-Pan Meals

Another good answer to what is the use of pan is making One-pan meals which involves cooking a whole meal in a single pan, which simplifies preparation and reduces cleanup. Some popular recipes that can be made using this method are

Vegetable Panner Stir-Fry
One Pan Chicken Curry and Rice
Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta

Griddling

Griddling is one of the unique uses of pan in cooking. It is a technique that involves heating food directly over heat on a flat surface. It is, however, important to know how to use pan for griddling. Some tips are

Always preheat the entire surface to guarantee a constant cooking temperature.
Ensure that food is cooked evenly.
Check if it acquires a nice sear or char required.
Keep adjusting heat levels as necessary and timing the turning of food items.

Griddling is the preferred cooking technique for both indoor and outdoor cooks for a variety of dishes, such as steaks, burgers, veggies, pancakes, and even sandwiches.

Maintenance and Care Tips for Pans

To experience premium cooking pan uses, it is important to maintain them properly.

Regularly season your cast iron pans
Prefer Hand Washing
Dry Completely Cleaning and Storage

The uses of frypan, cast iron and steel pans are intense and need specific cleaning and storage techniques. It depends on the types of pans and usage extent.

Cleaning

Non-stick pans can be cleaned using a gentle sponge, warm water, and dish soap, avoiding hard cleaning tools and metal utensils to prevent scratches and damage.
Clean stainless steel cookware with warm, soapy water, baking soda, or a stainless steel cleanser. Avoid aggressive chemicals and abrasive cleaners.
Cast iron pans should be cleaned with hot water, a brush, and a sponge, then rinse and dry. Oil should be applied to prevent corrosion.
To learn more about the cleaning of cookware you can check How to remove stain from your cookware .

Storage

Always dry the pans to store them. You can stack pans one on top of the other to save space or hand them. In case of stacking, keep them in a clean, dry area and use paper towels in between each pan.

Longevity and Durability

The uses of pans can be experienced for long if the following things are kept in mind.

Maintain, clean, and store pans based on the types of pans.
Always clean pans with care and avoid abrasive soaps and materials.
Store pans in a proper place.
Don’t use ladles or spoons while cooking, as they have sharp ends and can cause scratches.
If at any time you use that the pan coating is coming off or there are dents and scratches, consider replacing the pans.

FAQs

Q1. How do I choose the right pan for a specific cooking task?

Assess the type of food you wish to cook and go to Stahl’s website, which details the different pans and their uses. You can check the Top 5 Kitchen Cookware section for more.

Q2. Can I use metal utensils with non-stick pans?

No. It can scratch the surface. It will remove the non-stick coating and damage the pan. You can check out some kitchen tools from Stahl’s.

Q3. What is the use of cooking pans?

Cooking pans are versatile kitchen tools used for various cooking methods such as frying, sautéing, searing, and making sauces. They facilitate even heat distribution and efficient cooking, making them essential for preparing a wide range of dishes.

Q4. How can I prevent food from sticking to pans during cooking?

Heat the pan properly before adding the ingredients. Also, you can use non-stick pans

Q5. What are some common mistakes to avoid when using pans?

Some common mistakes are not washing the pans properly, not maintaining temperature, and using metal utensils and scrubbers

Q6. What are some creative ways to use pans beyond traditional cooking methods?

Some creative uses of pans are for deglazing, cooking one-pan meals, and even sometimes covering something.

Q7. Can I use pans on different types of stovetops, including gas, electric, and induction?

It depends on what pan you have. Check for details when you purchase the pan. On an induction cooktop, the cookware will function if the magnet adheres to the underside.

Q8. What is the best way to clean burnt-on residue from pans?

Boil equal parts water and vinegar. Add 2 tbsps of baking soda. Apply on the burnt area and let it soak. Wash it with mild soap and a sponge after 15mins.

Q9. How do I prevent my pans from becoming discolored or stained?

Use vinegar mixed with water while cleaning to remove any oxidisation.

Q10. How do I choose the right size pan for my recipe?

There is no set answer for this. Measure the pan volume and the amount you usually cook for. Having a larger pan will be beneficial.