Which pan is best for porridge: tips

What capacity is needed?

It is necessary to choose a pan for porridge taking into account the stove. If it is gas, then dishes with a thick bottom are more suitable, and if it is electric, then it is important that the bottom is even and smooth. A special magnetic bottom is needed for the container if the hob is induction. And if you have an adapter, this nuance can be ignored.

Shape is important. The height of the container should be sufficient to prevent milk and porridge from running away during cooking. But in this case, you need to take into account cereals and dishes. For example, to cook rice or buckwheat with vegetables, a stewpan is used - a container similar to a saucepan and frying pan. And for 1 serving of baby milk porridge you need a milk jug or ladle with a capacity of 1-1.5 liters.

You should not choose a thin-walled container; you can cook in it, but you need to control the cooking. It is important to ensure that the milk or water does not boil over. If the cereal is cooked for a long time, then the walls and bottom of the container should be thick.

When choosing a pan for porridge, you should pay attention to the material. The types of food being prepared and the cooking method must be taken into account. For porridges, it is advisable not to choose enamel dishes, since everything sticks to them. Glass can be used, but this container is more suitable for electric stoves and microwaves.

Lifehacks from experienced housewives

Of course, choosing the “right” utensils plays an important role, but besides this, there are many time-tested tricks that will help make the process of preparing milk porridge easier.

About milk

First, let's talk about how to boil milk without any problems.

Not everyone likes milk foam. To avoid their formation, milk should be stirred frequently during heating, and after boiling, cover with a lid and cool quickly.
To prevent the milk from burning and running away, it should be boiled over medium heat, not high.
Burning is easier to avoid when boiling in a thick-bottomed pan, additionally rinsing it with cold water.
A small amount of sugar will help speed up the boiling process of milk.

About porridge

Now let's talk about the nuances of cooking porridge from different cereals.

To prepare milk porridge, it is better to select a separate bowl.
To prevent the milk porridge from burning, you need to cook it over low heat, stirring slowly from bottom to top.
You can also cook it until almost done, turn off the heat, close the pan with a lid and let the porridge brew or “simmer.” Typically, the evaporation time is approximately equal to the cooking time. But the semolina porridge is cooked over medium heat, stirring, for 2 minutes, and left for 10-15 minutes.

Wheat and rice milk porridge is first boiled until half cooked in water, and then milk is poured in.
It is considered that the porridge is cooked if it begins to “gurgle”; buckwheat does not count. As soon as you hear the characteristic sounds, it’s time to turn off the heat, close the lid and let the porridge brew.

When cooking viscous, and especially liquid porridge, you should not be distracted; it is better to stir it constantly. Crumbly porridge does not require such close attention.

What to do if it still burns

Milk. Quickly pour the burnt product into another container and cover with a damp, clean cloth, after moistening it in a weak solution of vinegar.

The second method is more troublesome. You need to strain the burnt milk several times through clean, thick gauze - either take a clean piece each time, or thoroughly rinse one piece under running water. You can also add a little salt to the milk.

Porridge. The first thing to do, as soon as you notice the smell of burning, is to transfer the part that did not have time to stick into a clean bowl. After this, smell the porridge; if there is no strong smell, add warm milk and cook it over low heat.

You can also get rid of a slight burning smell by covering the pan with porridge with wet, damp gauze folded in several layers - it will absorb the unpleasant smell.

Aluminum

This type of porridge pan can only be used when the dish is cooked quickly and with enough water. It is allowed to prepare rolled oats, pearl barley, buckwheat or wheat groats. It is best not to use fruit during cooking as it produces acids that will attack the aluminum.

Aluminum ladles and milk jugs should not be used for children's porridges containing water and milk. Cooked food should not be stored in these containers. The finished dish must be divided into plates, and the rest must be transferred.

Cast aluminum cookware, which has thick walls, is ideal for long-term cooking and simmering. It heats up slowly and releases heat for a long time, so after turning off the stove, cooking will continue.

Aluminum cookware with a non-stick coating neutralizes the main disadvantage of metal - interaction with acids - and prevents burning. For cooking porridge, it is advisable to choose a pan with a stone or titanium coating. Ceramic containers do not like prolonged interaction with water.

Types of materials of pots for cooking porridge

Cookware stores offer pots made from a variety of materials: it directly affects the quality of prepared dishes, including porridge.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel cookware is loved by many chefs for its durability, resistance to temperature changes , scratches and mechanical damage.

Another clear advantage of stainless steel is its environmental friendliness . In addition, steel models are easy to care for.

When cooking porridge in a stainless steel pan, there is no need to cook the cereal until fully cooked . Thanks to the property of this cookware to retain heat for a long time, the dish will arrive on its own without fire.

The quality of cooking porridge in a stainless steel bowl depends on the thickness of its bottom. The more layers it has, the better . The thinnest aluminum, bronze or copper layers promote uniform heat distribution over the entire area of the pan.

Important! Utensils with a bottom thickness of 3 mm, walls more than 0.5 mm and marked 18/10 are considered ideal for preparing porridge. The latter means the ratio of chromium and nickel in the alloy.

The disadvantages of stainless steel cookware include its cost . High-quality models are not cheap. Stainless steel pans require proper care. When cleaning the surface with abrasive substances, scratches remain on it, which further provokes the burning of food.

Cast iron

Thanks to the excellent thermal conductivity of cast iron, porridge in pans made from this material turns out tasty and crumbly . The dish is simmered over low heat, and the flavor of the grains is revealed.

If the cast iron is of high quality, it will last for more than one generation of the family. When choosing such a pan, it is recommended to give preference to dark, heavy, porous models.

Important! A high-quality 3-liter cast iron pan should weigh at least 4 kg.

Porridge in a cast iron pan will not burn if you use the pan correctly . To restore the non-stick properties, the cast iron pan is calcined in the oven.

To wash cast iron cookware, you can use various detergents. It is important to dry them thoroughly after cleaning. Even the slightest traces of moisture on the surface can lead to rust.

Attention! Cast iron cookware is not suitable for use on glass ceramic hobs.

Aluminum

Aluminum cookware is not suitable for preparing porridge . The material heats up quickly and gives off heat just as quickly. For this reason, some types of cereals (rice, buckwheat, wheat) do not have time to steam sufficiently.

Aluminum is capable of interacting with acids and alkalis, so cookware made from this metal is not suitable for preparing dietary and children's dishes.

Important! Leaving food in an aluminum pan for a long time is hazardous to health.

When choosing aluminum cookware, pay attention to the thickness of its walls . Too thin models practically do not retain heat and can become deformed under the influence of extreme heat.

Advice! When cleaning an aluminum pan, do not use sharp objects. Scratches lead to disruption of the oxide film and further penetration of harmful aluminum particles into food.

Stainless steel

The stainless steel pan is suitable for preparing milk porridges for children. In this case, the dish does not stick to the container. The best option is considered to be a capsule bottom, which includes several layers of different metals.

The multi-layer heat-distributing bottom heats up quickly and cools down for a long time, so the cereal cooks quickly, and cooking lasts several minutes after turning off the stove. As a result, the porridge is tasty and does not burn, and energy or gas consumption is reduced.

A thin stainless steel pan is ideal only for cooking quick and liquid porridges that should not simmer. If there is not enough water, the cereal may stick to the surface.

Modern multi-layer pans

Such pans are characterized by a 5-6 layer bottom and compacted walls, which include non-stick, aluminum and other coatings.
The density of the bottom and walls reduces the risk of foam (in milk) and lumps in porridge due to the rapid heating of the dishes.
Convenience and practicality: such pans can be used not only for cooking milk porridges.
Disadvantage: when purchasing a low-quality pan, its surface may react with food (for example, oxidize) and negatively affect human health. Nickel metals are considered one of the most harmful.

Cast iron

This porridge pan is suitable for simmering and cooking dishes with meat, mushrooms and vegetables. You can fry food in a cast iron, and then cook and simmer for a long time in a small amount of liquid. Finally, the pan can be placed in the oven. Some cereal dishes are placed there immediately.

But a cast iron container is not suitable for preparing milk porridges. The micropores of cast iron absorb fats, and when water or milk is boiled, these fats penetrate into the food. Cast iron pots are suitable for cooking porridges with mushrooms, meat, fried onions, which are prepared like pilaf or risotto, but for cooking based on water or milk, it is better to choose a different container.

Multicooker

Multifunctional development that allows you to prepare soups, cereals and other dishes without wasting time. But, despite all its modernity and practicality, user reviews are not always positive.
This is due to the choice of bowl: it is best to purchase one with a ceramic coating, because ceramics are neutral to products, can withstand high temperatures, and have a smooth surface.

And yet, given all the variety of kitchen utensils, “methods of grandmothers and mothers,” it is better to cook porridge in a milk cooker or multicooker. They are the ones who can guarantee trouble-free preparation of dairy products, preserving all the taste and benefits of the products.

Ceramics

This is a suitable pan for cooking porridge in the oven. Ceramics can be glazed or not. The first option is more practical because it is not able to absorb odors and fats. The containers are easy to clean and inert when in contact with food. But in this case there is no humidity control, as there is in clay and ceramics.

Cooking is conveniently done in ceramic portioned pots; you can add various fillers and spices to each pot in doses. New ceramic pans for different types of stoves have a reinforced bottom that can be safely installed on a gas stove without a divider. The line includes beautiful models in the form of vegetables and fruits.

What does a thick-bottomed pan mean?

Capsule or in other words multilayer bottom

- These are compressed metal plates that form
a thick bottom of the pan
. When making a three-layer capsule bottom, the first layer is stainless steel, then a thick layer of aluminum and under that another layer of stainless steel.

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Enameled

Enameled containers for cooking cereals are more suitable than aluminum ones, since their thermal conductivity is lower. Therefore, they heat up slowly and retain heat for a long time. Milk porridge in an enamel container usually burns even when stirred and cooked over low heat.

High-quality enamel cookware will not be light in weight. The lungs are made of thin metal, and the porridge burns in them. The wall thickness should not be less than 1 mm. Good pans are coated with enamel not by spraying, but by immersing it entirely in the enamel. It is easy to determine the method of applying enamel: dark dots are noticeable on the outside of the dish - these are areas of fasteners by which the pan was held when immersed. The dipping method provides a thick layer of enamel.

If you notice any wear on the inside of the pan, it should not be used. This cookware can be toxic - exposed metal forms harmful components. The enamel layer should be even, without bulges or layers.

It is important that the rim of the pan is not subject to corrosion. Therefore, it is desirable that it be made of stainless steel. When choosing an enamel pan, you should pay attention to its inside: the walls and bottom should only be black, white or blue. Other colors are toxic.

You must use enamel cookware with care, as the enamel chips when hit. If it is cracked or chipped, the container should not be used. Such dishes are afraid of sudden temperature changes. To preserve enamel, do not use products with acids or rough abrasives.

From liver to baked goods

When preparing liver, any housewife can make mistakes. For example, dry it out. In this case, this will help: add a little cream sauce to a saucepan with dry liver, bring it to a boil and simmer for fifteen or even twenty minutes.

Even when making regular mashed potatoes, you can overdo it and make it too runny. But what to do if not everyone at home likes this version of the dish? Regular potato starch will come to the rescue, which should be dissolved in milk or chicken broth. Excess liquid evaporates over low heat in a non-stick pan.

It’s not always possible to guess with baking either. It happens that even for those housewives who often bake pies and cakes, the delicacies stick to the pan. How to save dessert without damaging it? Perhaps this is absolutely impossible.

It turns out that this is not the case. You need to lower the form into warm water. And then wrap it in a cold towel. Different temperatures will have a positive effect on baked goods.

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Preparation

How to cook porridge in a saucepan? It all depends on the type of cereal used:

Rice. Place the pan with milk on the stove, add salt and sugar. Bring the milk to a boil and add the cereal. Boils for 2-5 minutes. Remove the dish from the heat, add oil and cover with a lid. Cover the dishes with a towel and leave for 20 minutes. The cereal will swell and you will get a thick porridge. It is advisable to take round rice - 1 glass of cereal per 1 liter of milk. Rice porridge in a saucepan turns out tasty and nutritious.
Buckwheat. Cereals (1 cup) are added to milk (1 liter) and boiled for 5 minutes. Let the container sit for a while, after which the porridge is ready to eat.
Oats. For 1 liter you will need 8-10 tbsp. l. cereal. In the evening you need to boil the milk, remove from the stove, add oats, cover with a lid. In the morning, delicious porridge will be ready. You just need to warm it up.
Semolina. Add 4 tbsp to 1 liter of milk. l. cereals You need to cook for 2-3 minutes, after which the pan is left for 20 minutes.

If you choose a suitable pan for milk porridge, then cooking will be very simple. The dish is complemented with berries and fruits. This food is great for breakfast to saturate the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals.

Rice

Rice cereal contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, iron, phosphorus, sodium, as well as vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, E, H, PP and choline.

Here's how to prepare crumbly rice porridge:

Pour a glass of rice into a deep container.
Rinse with water until it becomes clear. The worse the grains are washed, the more they stick together.
Pour 1 tablespoon into a washed cereal pan and add 2 tablespoons of water. The proportion should always be 1-2, unless the cereal manufacturer indicates otherwise on the packaging.
Place on the fire, cover with a lid, and bring to a boil.
Add salt and immediately add butter so as not to stir the boiled rice at the end of cooking, otherwise it will stick.
Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes. The main thing is to catch the moment when all the water is absorbed into the rice and turn off the heat, otherwise the porridge will burn to the ground.
Remove the pan from the heat, do not open the lid, leave the cereal to sweat for another 5-10 minutes.

Milk boiler

This pan is ideal for the brand of milk porridge. This is a dish that includes 2 containers. There is air space between them. The milk maker works as follows:

Before cooking, water is poured into this space through a special hole. It is covered with a lid. Some models of this cookware have a whistle in the lid that notifies you when it is boiling.
Milk or water is poured into the inner container and placed on the stove. The water between the walls will boil and heat the inner bowl.
As it boils, the heat decreases.
It turns out that the dish is cooked in a water bath. As a result, the milk does not burn.
The porridge cooks slowly and turns out delicious.

Nowadays there are many double pans on sale for preparing porridges of different volumes and shapes. The smallest ones in the form of buckets are convenient for children. You can cook 1-2 servings in them and boil milk. Larger cookers are also sold, for the whole family.

What to consider when choosing?

To choose the right cookware, you should pay attention to the following nuances:

Availability of a cover. Some kits do not have it, then you will need to purchase this product. The lid should have a comfortable handle with heat protection.
Handle on the body. It shouldn't get hot. Heat-resistant plastic or a combination of different metals is suitable. All-metal ones are not afraid of direct flame, but can get hot from the adjacent burner.
Measuring scale. Significantly simplifies the preparation of recipes; you don’t have to use additional equipment.

Some pans are dishwasher safe. This is usually indicated in the instructions. In a properly selected pan, porridge will turn out tasty and healthy.