How to choose a grill pan based on material, shape and other criteria

Updated: 03/02/2021 16:48:44

Expert: Evgeny Mikhailovich Obolensky

*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Is it possible to cook dishes at home like on a grill? Yes, if you do it on a grill pan. In addition to the amazing taste, the food will also be incredibly healthy. And the time spent on cooking will be less than in a simple frying pan.

How to choose the right grill pan

The main secret of the grill pan is its grooved bottom, so you can cook on it with a minimum amount of oil. At the same time, even the meat will turn out tender and aromatic. The fact is that the food here is fried in its own juice. All fat and water flows between the ribbed surface of the product. And during the cooking process, the dish comes into contact only with the upper part of the bottom, with the ribs themselves. Therefore, more vitamins are retained in such pans than in ordinary ones.

In order not to run into unpleasant surprises during the cooking process, you need to know a few rules of choice:

1. Thick bottom
   . You should choose a frying pan with thick walls and a bottom to heat the food evenly.
2. Height of sides.
   To cook meat, you need a model with higher sides. And for fish and vegetables, low ones are suitable.
3. Height of ribs
   . According to standards, they must be at least 0.5 cm in height. Otherwise, the point of grilling is lost.
4. Form.
   Previously, there were only round frying pans. Today, manufacturers produce square, rectangular and oval models. Which one is more convenient is up to the buyer to decide. The quality of the prepared food does not depend on this.
5. Spout for draining fat
   . It's good if the selected model has it. It happens that too much fat is released from the meat, then the excess must be drained. Without a spout, this is quite difficult to do.
6. Material.
   Cast iron is suitable for cooking meat, as it is resistant to scratches, and dishes can be removed from its surface easily and quickly. For vegetables and fish, you can use lightweight aluminum, but it tends to burn. You need a good non-stick coating here.
7. Diameter
   _ For a family of 3 or more people, a frying pan with a diameter of at least 28 cm is suitable, and for two people, 26 cm is enough. For one person, this parameter is no more than 24 cm.

Our experts have compiled a rating of the best grill pans. Based on consumer reviews and expert opinions.

Terms of use

Rules for using and caring for a grill pan:

1. It is recommended to turn on the hood during cooking.
2. Before frying, use a brush to grease the bottom and sometimes the product itself.
3. To cook vegetables or dry foods, pour a small amount of water into the bottom. It should cover no more than half the height of the recesses.
4. Before placing pieces of food in a frying pan, it must be heated to maximum temperature.
5. To achieve dark, fried stripes, pieces of meat or fish need to be turned over rarely, preferably once at a time. On a hot bottom, it is enough to fry pieces 1.5-2 cm thick for 3 minutes on each side. A suitable tool for turning is tongs.
6. Trick: If you have to turn the piece over twice, place it perpendicularly on the wire rack to create a square pattern.
7. To prevent the fish from falling apart, it should be placed diagonally on the grill.
8. It is better to remove food from the pan immediately after cooking so that it does not lose its appearance.
9. After use, the pan must first be completely cooled and then washed. Do not use hard sponges or abrasives: they can damage the non-stick coating. In order not to wash off the natural film from cast iron, you should not use “anti-grease” washing gels.
10. Before putting the pan away for storage, it is recommended to wipe it dry and grease it a little with vegetable oil. Dry storage is a prerequisite for cast iron products.

A grill pan is a necessary household item. The dishes are not only tastier and healthier, they look very aesthetically pleasing due to the fried stripes from the grill. Experimenting with such utensils is a pleasure!

Rating of the best grill pans

Nomination	place	Name of product	price
The Best Inexpensive Grill Pans	1	Berlinger Haus Rosegold Line 28 x 28 cm	1 987 ₽
2	Nadoba Marmia	2 299 ₽
3	Travola 26.5 x 26.5 cm	—
4	Polaris Energy Line 28 x 28 cm	1 949 ₽
5	Rondell Urban RDA-883 28x28 cm	1 605 ₽
The best grill pans in terms of price/quality ratio	1	AMT Gastroguss AMTI-E285G 28x28 cm	8 000 ₽
2	Scanpan Professional 27 x 27 cm	6 990 ₽
3	Tefal Expertise 26x26 cm	4 080 ₽
4	Fissler Special Grill 28x28 cm	17 960 ₽
5	Scanpan Pro IQ 68062700 27x27 cm	10 905 ₽
6	Risoli Dr Green Induction 0094BDRIN/26 26x26 cm	3 200 ₽
7	MarTiNa, 28 x 28 cm	3 220 ₽
Best Cast Iron Grill Pans	1	KitchenAid KCI10GPOB	14 990 ₽
2	Swiss Diamond Prestige Cast	6 530 ₽
3	Horwood Stellar Cast	9 899 ₽
4	Biol 1028С 28 cm	1 765 ₽

What you need to know about the pen

This component occupies a special position in kitchenware. There are different types of pens available in the market, designed for different types of products.

However, each of them is designed for a certain weight of the pan.

• The removable handle is the most convenient option to purchase. If necessary, you can remove it to place the pan in the oven.
• Cast - a reliable option, but dangerous when heated. You cannot do without oven mitts, otherwise you will get a serious burn.
• The bakelite handle makes the pan easy to use, does not heat up and is comfortable in the hand. However, it does not fit in the oven.

Wooden handles look aesthetically pleasing and do not heat up. But they do not tolerate strong fire and require special regular care.

The Best Inexpensive Grill Pans

Berlinger Haus Rosegold Line 28 x 28 cm

Rating: 4.8

The Berlinger Haus Rosegold Line grill pan is an excellent choice for people who value simplicity and elegance. It is noteworthy that this frying pan comes with a glass lid. You won’t have to buy anything additional, as with other models. A grill pan is convenient for frying, as oil does not splatter from the pan.

Three-layer marble coating and forged aluminum ensure even heating of food. The food turns out juicy and flavorful. The ergonomically shaped soft touch handle provides convenience during the cooking process. It is covered with an elastic rubber-like material that does not heat up. The Berlinger Haus “Rosegold Line” grill pan is suitable for all types of hobs, including induction. According to reviews, cooking on it is convenient and fast.

Advantages

• the food turns out juicy and tasty;
• glass cover included;
• Suitable for all types of slabs.

Flaws

• According to some reviews, it may burn.

Advantages and disadvantages of grill pans

A grill pan is a fairly common culinary tool. It has its positive and negative sides. Let's start with the good.

• During cooking, food does not burn thanks to the grooved bottom. The accumulated liquid flows into the hollows, and the food retains its original taste. There are no unpleasant odors or smoke.
• There is no need to use oil.
• The heat is kept at the same level so nothing ever burns. High-quality roasting occurs throughout the entire cooking time.
• All foods can be fried at the same time. In this case, pleasant taste sensations are achieved in the same period of time.
• Ribs give a beautiful aesthetic appearance to food, which awakens the appetite.

Now it's time to talk about the shortcomings...

• The cast iron grill pan is very heavy, the products weigh 5 kg. Some chefs prefer aluminum products, their weight is up to two kilograms.
• The product requires careful care and regular oiling. Otherwise, rust will occur.
• The lid is often purchased separately.

The best grill pans in terms of price/quality ratio

AMT Gastroguss AMTI-E285G 28x28 cm

Rating: 4.9

A high-quality grill pan from the German manufacturer Gastroguss is made of cast aluminum. The thickness of the bottom is 9 mm, which ensures not only uniform heating of dishes, but also makes them the most delicious. AMT Lotan Titanium non-stick coating protects against burning.

The corrugated surface of the cookware allows you to prepare any dish of high taste and beneficial properties. And the titanium coating protects food from contact with metal, which makes food harmless to the body. The frying pan has a square shape and a removable ergonomic handle made of bakelite. This design solution allows you to use the grill pan in the oven. Suitable for all types of stoves. It is easy to wash not only by hand, but also in the dishwasher.

Advantages

• thick bottom;
• Designed for all types of stoves and ovens;
• food does not burn;
• Can be washed in the dishwasher.

Flaws

• no cover included.

Reviews

After purchasing grill pans, users share their impressions on many forums and official websites. Before purchasing a product, study them, learn about the pros and cons.

My husband and I purchased an AMT Gastroguss grill pan, got a special offer, and even managed to save money. Overall, I liked the device, it works well, heats up almost instantly. Children like ready-made meals, juicy, fried, tasty. So far no cons have been identified.

Irina, 36 years old.

I couldn’t help but share my review of the miracle device KitchenAid KC2T10NRST. I have never regretted my purchase yet. You won't be able to cook such delicious dishes in any simple frying pan. The only drawback is, of course, the price. But I want to say that it is worth it and completely justifies it.

Tatyana, 55 years old.

I gave my wife a Kelli KL-115 32 cm frying pan. We had been dreaming of making such a purchase for a long time, so on March 8 the dream came true. She couldn't be happier. It works well, heats up quickly, and you have to use minimal oil.

Dmitry, 29 years old.

I bought a new Mallony GPR-26C frying pan for my kitchen; now I almost never use simple saucepans and other utensils. In general, I like everything, I haven’t found any shortcomings yet, I hope that it will continue to be so.

Maria, 48 years old.

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Best Cast Iron Grill Pans

KitchenAid KCI10GPOB

Rating: 4.9

The next place in the ranking is given to the KitchenAid KCI10GPOB frying pan. The cookware is suitable for any stove. According to reviews, its high cost is quite justified. The quality of the food is excellent, and the KitchenAid KCI10GPOB is easy to clean. The kit includes a cast iron lid, so you don’t have to spend extra money. The handle is also made of cast iron, but does not heat up much during the cooking process. The inside surface is covered with enamel, although this does not prevent the product from being washed in the dishwasher.

The grill pan heats food evenly, forming delicious crusts on the surface. But the food doesn't come out too fried. Although, some users are even satisfied with this quality. It is believed that this option retains more benefits in the prepared dish.

Advantages

• the food turns out tender and aromatic;
• there is a cover included;
• suitable for any slabs;
• Can be washed in the dishwasher.

Flaws

• There is no browned crust on the dish after cooking.

Swiss Diamond Prestige Cast

Rating: 4.8

The next brand is from a Swiss manufacturer. Cast iron grill pan with two handles: one main and the second additional square shape. The inside has a non-stick coating that protects food from burning. The grill pan has sides 5 cm high, which allows you to cook any food in it.

The grill pan can be used in the oven and on any stovetop. Dishwasher safe. The handle is made of cast iron, non-removable. The Swiss Diamond “Prestige Cast” is designed with a special spout to drain liquid after cooking. The cover is not included in the kit.

Advantages

• suitable for preparing a variety of dishes;
• Can be washed in the dishwasher;
• food does not burn;
• It is allowed to cook on any stove.

Flaws

• the cover is missing;
• non-removable handle.

Differences between grill pans

Frying pans of different brands and models have a number of differences in some characteristics. Here is a list of them with a description of each item.

Form

There are 4 shapes for this cookware: square, rectangular, oval and round.

• The square shape is suitable for preparing all types of products, it is very spacious, which gives it an advantage over the round shape;

• The round shape is inferior in capacity to the square one, it is recommended for cooking meat and cutlets;

• Rectangular and oval shapes are the most suitable options for preparing fish and seafood.

Cover type

There are two types of caps on the market: regular cap and press cap. The first option is lightweight, while the weight of the second reaches up to 6 kg. However, this weight is justified by the advantage that the lid has - they have a ribbed surface, just like the bottom of the dish, and clog the air holes in the pan, which allows this method of cooking to make dishes especially juicy and tender.

Pen

There are three types of handles: molded, removable and fixed.

• Removable: will help reduce the area occupied by the frying pan and also avoid melting during cooking;
• Cast: the most reliable of all three options, but it is inconvenient because it gets very hot during use;
• Fixed: in contrast to the previous option, the most unreliable and cheapest option.

Handle material

Pens are also distinguished by the material from which they are made. There are silicone, wooden, a mixture of steel and bakelite, cast iron.

Inner surface

All pans are coated with a non-stick coating, of which there are several types:

• Teflon coating. You can cook on dishes with this type of coating without oil, but they are very short-lived, because they quickly crack from high temperatures. Lifespan – 1-2 years.
• Ceramic coating. Unlike its predecessor, it is strong, reliable and durable. True, you should be especially careful with it: no scratching sponges or spatulas, only soft, gentle materials. Lifespan – 2-3 years.
• Marble or stone covering. One of the advantages is a more relief surface due to stone chips. Caring for it should be as careful as described in the previous paragraph. Lifespan – 2-3 years.
• Titanium coating. It is also very strong and durable, but the prices for dishes with such a coating are quite high.

Dependence on the type of plate

• Gas stove. There are no special prohibitions or permits for this type of slab. It is only recommended to choose utensils with a thinner bottom for even distribution of heat and heat.
• Electric stove. When choosing utensils for this type of stove, it is worth making sure that the diameter of the utensil and the heating disk match in size.
• Glass ceramic hob. For glass-ceramic stoves, you should choose utensils with a smooth bottom, and, as in the previous paragraph, ensure that the sizes match.
• Induction cookers. For such stoves, you can only use frying pans with a special magnetic insert.

Material

These pans are mainly made of cast iron, aluminum or steel. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each material?

Aluminum.

Fish and chicken dishes are most successful on such dishes; it is suitable for steaks. Advantages:

• Low cost. Kitchen utensils made of aluminum are quite inexpensive; their cost can only increase due to the expensive non-stick coating.
• The cookware heats up quickly due to the good thermal conductivity of aluminum.

Flaws:

• Aluminum cannot withstand high temperatures; moreover, when the temperature rises above the required level, it becomes toxic.

Cast iron

This material is a kind of unchanging classic in the gastronomic world; it is what highly qualified chefs prefer to use.

Advantages:

• Retains the “oven” effect for a long time;
• Uniform heating of the entire surface of the pan;
• It is universal in the choice of cooking appliances, as it is resistant to mechanical damage.

Flaws:

• Careful care is required, in the absence of which the surface quickly rusts and spoils the taste of the products;
• The dishes take a long time to heat up;
• Cast iron kitchen utensils are heavy;
• Not suitable for all types of slabs.

Steel

“Average”, according to buyers.

Advantages:

• Just like cast iron, it is resistant to mechanical damage;
• Steel frying pans belong to the middle price segment;
• Heats up quickly.

Flaws:

• They cool down as quickly as they heat up.

Interesting and useful additions

Some frying pans have additional accessories that can be very useful in the cooking process.

Double-sided grill pans

This type of cookware is very similar in operating principle to a regular waffle iron. An undeniable advantage is the convenience of not having to turn the dish over; this can be achieved by simply turning the pan over. In addition, its parts can be used separately.

Grill pans with several compartments.

Such dishes have dividers, and in some compartments the bottom is ribbed, in others it is smooth, which allows you to prepare all dishes using only one container.

Steel products

Stainless steel is durable, easy to maintain and can be used on all types of cooking surfaces. Stainless steel pans do not spoil the taste of ingredients with unwanted odors, are not subject to corrosion and heat up quickly, which affects the speed of frying. One way or another, when preparing food you need to be careful and turn, for example, pieces of meat in a timely manner to avoid burning.

BAF Galaxy induction line 4002 16 28

This round stainless steel frying pan from a German manufacturer has a diameter of 280 mm. The three-layer non-stick coating, consisting of ceramic and titanium, withstands contact even with metal blades. The thickness is 7 mm. The height of the sides is 60 mm. This prevents fat from splattering during cooking. The plastic handle can withstand heating up to 280 degrees, which does not prevent use in the oven.

grill pan BAF Galaxy induction line 4002 16 28

Advantages:

• beautiful shape;
• high-quality stainless steel base;
• high quality non-stick coating.

Flaws:

• high price.

KitchenAid KC2T10NRST

This chic grill, made of high-quality stainless steel, has a Teflon coating. The thickness of the model is 3 mm excluding the corrugated surface. Standard dimensions are 26x26 cm. The presence of such a frying pan in the kitchen guarantees a very high speed of cooking. A coating of up to 35 microns ensures high non-stick properties.

grill pan KitchenAid KC2T10NRST

Advantages:

• impeccable preparation of food;
• made of high quality stainless steel.

Flaws:

• use on gas burners is undesirable (stains remain on the surfaces);
• high price.

Comparison table

Model	Material	Diameter(cm)	Presence of non-stick coating	Price, rub.)
MAYER & BOCH MB-26024	forged aluminum	24	marble	800-1200
AMT GASTROGUSS AMT 285G	cast aluminum	25	titanium	2000—3900
RONDELL ESCURION RDA-869	cast aluminum	28	Teflon	1500—2700
DREAM GRANITE	cast aluminum	24	No	1500—2900
TEFAL EXPERTISE	extruded aluminum	24	titanium	3000—3900
BIOL 10241	cast iron	24	No	1000—1600
LODGE L8SGP3	cast iron	26	No	3000—4200

How to use

Grill pans have a specific design, so their operation must be carried out according to certain rules.

Before first use:

• The cast iron product is calcined and processed. Oil and salt are used. The process lasts up to 15 minutes.
• The aluminum device is half filled with water and lemon juice and boiled for 20 minutes. Unpleasant odors and germs are killed.
• You can calcinate with salt alone for 20 minutes. After cooling, discard the salt and wipe the surface with oil.
• Coated pans are not calcined, but rather washed and wiped with oil after drying.