Grill pans: what they are and what they are needed for, their advantages and disadvantages

From the name alone it is clear why you need a grill pan: you can use it to cook steak, entrecote tenderloin and any grilled meat, as well as poultry, mushrooms, fish and vegetables. This is an opportunity to organize a barbecue at home in the kitchen.

In a grill pan, the meat is slightly raised above the bottom, which means it lies on its ribs. The fat flows to the bottom, evaporates and makes the meat or fish juicy with a minimum amount of cholesterol. It doesn't burn.

What is a grill pan

This frying pan has a ribbed bottom rather than a smooth one. Products are fried on it, like on a grate; it is also called a grooved frying pan.

Peculiarities

The peculiarity of such kitchen utensils is that when frying, the food does not come into contact with the entire surface of the bottom, but only with the convex parts. Only individual parts of the product are fried in a frying pan, forming an uneven crust.

During cooking on a grill pan, juice and fat flow into the space between the grooves and evaporate, making the dish aromatic. You can grill with virtually no oil.

Advantages and disadvantages

The grill pan is really good for many things:

It requires a minimum of oil. More precisely, it is almost not needed during cooking;
Meat and fish are fried evenly over the entire area;
You don’t have to wash it and cook vegetables immediately after pork;
If you remove the handle, you can place the pan in the oven;
The food turns out really healthy.

Minuses:

It is more expensive than regular ones;
The hood must work;
Do not leave the frying pan while cooking;
It is impossible to fry borscht or fry potatoes on it.

Technical characteristics of the grill pan

The convenience and service life of the cookware depend on the technical features of a frying pan with a ribbed bottom.

Pan material

The ideal material for such kitchen utensils is cast aluminum. Dishes made from this material have thick walls and a bottom of 5 mm or more. Cast aluminum is suitable for grilling - it heats up quickly and is easy to clean, but this coating is not durable. It is important to heat a cast aluminum pan before cooking.

Cast iron is also used for grilling. Despite the slow heating, it holds the heat for a long time and distributes it evenly over the entire surface. It is difficult to care for a cast iron frying pan; if the rules are not followed, it can rust, and the cooked food will have a metallic taste.

Important! Stamped aluminum is not suitable for grilling - it is too thin and not strong enough.

Types of caps

In the store you can find models with two types of lids: with a standard light lid and with a press lid. The second type weighs from 3 to 6 kg, but also has an advantage: by clogging the air passages, it allows dishes to cook in their own juices, the food turns out especially soft and tender. This lid is suitable for those who prepare diet food or dishes that require long stewing - for example, vegetable sauces.

Handle material and features

The most common type of grill pans on store shelves are pans with a plastic handle coated with silicone . For maximum convenience, it is recommended to choose heat-resistant handles made of wood, a mixture of steel and bakelite or cast iron.

The handles can be fixed or removable; the second option allows you to save space in the cabinet and cook grilled dishes in the oven. There are also frying pans that have handles on both sides. Such dishes are convenient to carry, especially when there is food in them.

Inner surface

During production, a non-stick coating is applied to the inner surface of the grill pan. The Teflon coating allows you to cook without oil, but it is short-lived and quickly cracks from high temperatures. You cannot cook in a frying pan with damaged Teflon - it releases substances harmful to the body. Associated with this is the short service life of such utensils - 1-2 years.

The ceramic and stone coating is strong and durable. It will last 2-3 years with proper care: if you do not rub it with a metal sponge, and mix food only with a silicone or wooden spatula.

How to choose

Do you want to forget forever about sausages or fatty cutlets sticking to the pan? Then it's time to buy a grill pan. But before you go to the store, think about which model and for what purposes you want to buy. To choose the right grill pan, consider four important points.

Material

On store shelves you will find a wide variety of frying pans. Therefore, initially determine which material you prefer: cast iron, aluminum, stainless steel or ceramics. All of them have both advantages and some disadvantages.

A professional grill pan is usually made of cast iron. It is quite strong and durable. Chefs who have to cook a lot prefer this material. At home, you can choose lighter aluminum or opt for stainless steel. Let's look at the features of each alloy in the table.

Table - Types of grill pans, their pros and cons

Material	Benefits of a frying pan	Flaws
Cast iron	— Strength; — durability; — high thermal conductivity; - safety; - oven effect	— Solid weight; — long warm-up; - slight metallic smell; - need for careful care
Aluminum	— Low weight; — maximum thermal conductivity; - non-stick coating; - fast heating	— Instability to high temperatures; — destruction of the non-stick layer due to overheating
Stainless steel	— Strength; - light weight; — protection against rust; - exception of reaction with acids, products	— Inability to use metal tools; - the need for careful and careful care

Which grill pan is better is up to everyone to decide for themselves. Cast iron is popular among housewives, but such kitchen utensils require careful care. It must be washed immediately after preparing food. Moreover, the material does not accept detergents and abrasive sponges at all. Aluminum is much easier to maintain. But cooking in such a frying pan will take longer.

Coating

Pay attention not only to the material from which the frying pan is made. Be sure to consider the coating applied to the grill. It is this that gives aluminum or steel non-stick properties. Two types of coatings are common.

Ceramic. Modern ceramics are safe for health and highly durable. It is not afraid of scratches and can easily withstand high temperatures. A frying pan with a ceramic coating has non-stick properties, allows you to heat food evenly and is able to maintain temperature. But these dishes are not protected from chips, and their occurrence leads to the destruction of the protective properties.
Teflon. This is a non-stick coating that manufacturers apply to aluminum and steel. It provides resistance to aggressive components and can withstand temperatures up to 200 ºС. Using a grill pan with a non-stick coating is very convenient. Nothing ever burns or sticks on it. But at high temperatures, Teflon begins to deteriorate and releases harmful components. Do not use metal tools when working with this coating, and avoid cleaning with abrasive sponges.

Form

Frying pans can be of the usual round shape. There are square or rectangular ones. When choosing a grill, consider the size of the stove and burners. And to determine which form is right for you, consider the advantages of each of them:

Round. A familiar looking frying pan. It heats up evenly. Designed for preparing simple dishes such as scrambled eggs, grilled vegetables, and meat.
Square. Another popular type of grill. The frying pan is more spacious, so it is used for preparing dishes for a large company. It is convenient to cook steaks, vegetables, and meat on a square grill.
Oval. This is not the most common type of kitchen utensil. It is purchased by those who like to cook grilled fish and pork schnitzels.
Rectangular. This form is suitable for cooking in the oven. A large frying pan will allow food to cook evenly.

Slab matching

When choosing the right grill, the compatibility of the pan and your stovetop plays an important role. You should take into account not only its type, but also the size of the burners. Experts advise adhering to the following recommendations for three types of slabs.

For gas stove. Any grill pan will do, but give preference to pans with a thick bottom. This will allow the heat emitted by the burner to be evenly distributed.
For induction cooker. Electric ovens place special demands on all cookware. The frying pan, regardless of the material, must have a special metal insert at the bottom. Without it, the grill will not heat up.
For glass ceramic hob. Owners of such a stove know that you need to choose dishes with a perfectly smooth bottom, preferably not heavy. Therefore, abandon the impressive cast iron in favor of aluminum or lightweight stainless steel.

Gently tap the pan before purchasing. Listen to the sound. Deaf - indicates high-quality material and the presence of a thick bottom. A loud sound is a signal of a low-quality grill.

6 additional options

The frying pan has many parameters. Try to take them into account when purchasing a grill. This way you can greatly simplify your cooking and make the process easy and enjoyable. Pay attention to the following six features.

Bottom thickness. Thick-bottomed pans ensure even heat distribution. Food is cooked better. Therefore, give preference to thick-walled models.
Size. Consider how much food you will be cooking in the pan. So, for one person a grill with a diameter of 20-24 cm is suitable. And if there are three or four people in the family, then choose a larger frying pan (28 cm).
Side height. It is convenient to cook in a frying pan with high walls. They allow you to mix in more products and reliably protect adjacent surfaces from splashing fat. And it is better that they are slightly rounded. A grill with sloping sides makes it much easier to use a spatula.
Pen. If you purchase a heavy cast-iron frying pan, it most often has a solid handle. Only she is able to hold an impressive weight. Some heavy models are equipped with a second handle for convenience. Lightweight frying pans are complemented with heat-resistant wooden, plastic or silicone holders. Those who like to cook in the oven will benefit from an option with removable handles.
Corrugation height. An important parameter due to which the food being fried on the grill does not touch the bottom. The higher the grooves, the less likely it is that food will come into contact with fats. The food turns out healthy and wholesome. Therefore, choose a grill with high flutes.
Groove. Housewives who love cooking on a grill pan recommend taking into account the presence of a groove. Such a spout is made on the side sides. It is designed to drain excess fat and juice released from meat, fish products, even vegetables.

The grill pan does not come with a lid, as it was originally designed for cooking over an open fire. In apartment conditions, it is advisable to think about a lid or purchase a grill with a press.

What is the difference between a grill pan and a regular frying pan?

A grill pan is significantly different from a regular frying pan. First of all, the thickness of the bottom; for a grill it starts from 5 mm. Fluted frying pans also have a chute to drain hot oil. The grill is produced not only in round, but also in square and rectangular shapes.

What are the pros and cons of a grill pan

The advantage of a grooved frying pan is its ribbed bottom. Thanks to it, the food is not covered with an even crispy crust. Due to the recesses in which the juice accumulates, additional stewing of the food occurs. The downside of the grill is the high price.

Electric

Electric frying pan models are compact and can be easily transported to any place. You don’t need any special steps to care for them – you just need to wash them thoroughly. On an electric grill, you can set the frying mode without worrying about cooking food. The most popular products are:

Model name: ENIGMA IEG-350.
Price: 10398 rubles.
Characteristics: the tabletop electric frying pan is equipped with a smooth working surface with two heating zones, a rim on three sides, and a retractable grease collector.
Pros: uniform heating of the surface helps ensure high-quality processing of products. Equipped with electromechanical control.
Cons: high cost.

A convenient, versatile electric device from Rotel will help you throw a real party in any weather. It can be used in the country house, in the yard or at home in the kitchen:

Model name: Raclette for 6 persons.
Price: 4451 rubles
Characteristics: The frying plate is made of natural natural stone.
Pros: thanks to good heating and heat-intensive properties, products are fried deeply and evenly. The device comes with wooden spatulas.
Cons: high price.

Choice depending on the type of slab

When choosing a grill, it is important to focus on the type of stove for which you are purchasing the utensils. The diameter of the bottom and some features will depend on this.

For gas stove

Cookware for gas can be of any diameter, but it must have ray-shaped recesses that properly distribute the heat from the burner.

For electric stove

For an electric stove, it is important that the diameter of the bottom of the frying pan matches the diameter of the burner. If you buy a frying pan that is too large, it will not fully fulfill its purpose - food placed around the edges will remain uncooked.

For induction cooker

A special multilayer bottom with magnetic properties has been developed for induction cookers. When purchasing such a grill pan, it is advised to look for the induction cooker icon on the cookware packaging.

Aluminum

The budget material from which cookware is made is aluminum. It is lightweight and wear-resistant, heats up quickly. The only drawback is that the material is not scratched by sharp objects, so it is better to use Teflon or wooden spatulas for frying. Popular products are presented in the online store:

Model name: BERLINGER HAUS 26 cm with temperature indicator, black.
Price: 2390 rubles.
Characteristics: aluminum cookware with three-layer marble coating. There is a temperature indicator that lights up when the temperature reaches the level where frying begins.
Pros: Suitable for use on induction hobs, dishwasher safe.
Cons: You cannot use metal spatulas.

Aluminum frying pans from Mayer and Boch have a thick bottom that prevents food from burning. At the same time, the products themselves are light and high quality:

Model name: aluminum marble chips frying pan 24 cm Mayer and Boch 26750.
Price: 1008 rubles.
Characteristics: the corrugated surface imitates a grill grate and forms a golden brown crust on the food. Side height 4 cm. Internal coating: non-stick.
Pros: Distributes heat evenly. There is a spout on both sides of the grill. Suitable for use on all types of slabs.
Cons: the coating deteriorates quickly.

How to properly cook on a grill pan

Cooking in a grooved frying pan is somewhat different from frying in a regular frying pan. We'll tell you how to reduce the calorie content of a dish while improving its taste.

What can you cook on a grill pan to make it delicious?

You can cook anything, but the main foods suitable for grilling are meat, fish and vegetables.

How to cook meat

The meat is cut into thin slices, beaten, and rubbed with spices. It can be marinated in advance. Lubricate the bottom with vegetable oil. Heat the pan until the oil begins to smoke and reduce the heat to medium.

Lay out the meat and turn it with tongs every minute for 5 minutes.

How to cook fish

Gutted fish is rubbed with spices and marinated. Lubricate the bottom with vegetable oil. Heat the dishes until smoke forms from the boiling oil and reduce the heat to medium.

Place the fish on a grooved surface and fry for 4-5 minutes on each side, turning once.

How to cook vegetables

Bell peppers, zucchini, eggplants, tomatoes are cut very thin. Heat the dishes with vegetable oil and reduce the heat.

Lay out the vegetables and fry over medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side, turning once. Readiness is determined by the formation of dark stripes on the vegetables.

How to “register” a device in the kitchen and use it correctly

When the choice is made, and a grill pan appears in the kitchen, sparkling with its novelty, new questions arise. Where to start, how to use a grill pan, how to care for it? Read the instructions carefully. It gives strict instructions for use and care.

Calcination with salt

Before using the frying pan for the first time, if you have chosen a cast iron one, you need to heat it. This event will create a protective oil layer. In the future, it will serve as a non-stick coating. The hardening algorithm includes ten steps.

Be sure to turn on the hood at full power or open the window.
Heat a cast iron skillet.
Pour salt into it.
Season your grill by constantly stirring the salt.
When the latter changes color, the procedure can be completed.
Discard the salt and rinse the surface of the pan under running water.
Put the grill back on the fire, pour in a little vegetable oil (40-50 ml).
Using a napkin, spread it over the entire surface, including the sides.
Heat the pan over high heat for ten minutes until all the oil has disappeared.
Repeat the oil hardening procedure again.

Provide decent care to your “helper”. She absolutely does not like hard abrasive sponges, scrapers, and does not accept detergents. And no matter how great the temptation, do not put it in the dishwasher. The unit will completely destroy the non-stick layer.

6 secrets of proper cooking

Do you want your dishes to always be appetizing, juicy and tasty? Then be sure to take advantage of six secrets revealed by experienced professional chefs.

Minimum fat. Grilled food is considered wholesome and healthy due to the low addition of fat. Stick to this rule. All you need to do is coat the ribs a little to ensure proper cooking. You can bake without any oil at all.
Hot surface. Place food only on a hot frying pan. This will provide the dishes, especially if you are cooking meat, with an appetizing crust and prevent sticking to the bottom.
Speed up cooking. If you add a little water to the pan (the liquid level should not be higher than the grill ribs), the food will cook much faster. And during the frying process it will become soft and juicy.
Roasting meat. To ensure your steaks are cooked through, cut them into pieces no thicker than 2 cm. If you carefully pound the fillet, grilling will take only four minutes.
Frying fish. It will take three minutes to fry dense fish. You should not keep fatty varieties on the grill for a long time, otherwise the fish will simply fall apart.
Roasting vegetables. If you decide to bake vegetables, first salt them and then fry them. Potatoes require a special approach. It is boiled until half cooked, only then put on the grill.

Double-sided grill pans

This kitchen utensil consists of two combined frying pans, one of which is closed by the other like a lid. Food in such dishes is fried as evenly as possible. Typically, these pans have magnetic locks on the edges to prevent juice and oil from leaking out while turning. The grooves of this pan are deeper to effectively drain excess juice.

The model is collapsible: the pans can be separated from each other and used separately. To expand functionality, two frying pans have different bottom surfaces - one works as a grill, the other as a regular one.

Non-stick coating

One of the most popular and advertised products is a frying pan with a special non-stick coating. Such products can be aluminum, cast iron or steel. As a rule, aluminum is used more often because... it heats up faster. The leaders of the Russian market of tools and equipment for grilling are Forester, Tefal and BEKA. Brands such as Rondell, Kukmara, Pensofal are also widely known. You can choose devices with non-stick coating from other companies:

Model name: TITANIUM 26 cm.
Price: 3250 rubles.
Characteristics: five-layer non-stick coating, material: aluminum-silicon alloy, cast body is not subject to deformation, there is a special rubber-coated handle.
Pros: the ribbed surface helps cook food in its own juices, the high-quality bottom makes the pan ideal for use on induction cooktops.
Cons: high price.

Modern cookware with non-stick material is comfortable to use. The coating just does not tolerate high temperatures. Average service life is 4 years. Another popular product is:

Model name: aluminum frying pan BergHOFF.
Price: 4800 rubles.
Features: Multi-layer, reinforced non-stick coating helps with fast food release and easy cleanup. Material: Belgian aluminum, size 24 cm. Color orange and red.
Pros: Does not contain lead or cadmium. Has a long removable bakelite handle. Suitable for all stoves.
Cons: high cost.

Which is better - a grill pan or an electric grill?

Both kitchen appliances have similar properties, they allow you to cook with virtually no oil and give dishes a special taste and aroma. The choice is made depending on the purpose for which they are purchased.

An electric grill is a small cooking cabinet that makes it possible to cook several dishes at once outdoors. There is no need to monitor the cooking process in the electric grill - just turn on the desired mode. But unlike a frying pan, the cabinet is practically inseparable and washing it is not easy.

When choosing a grill for a country house for a large family, you should give preference to an electric grill. It is better to buy a grooved frying pan for your apartment, as it is more compact.

Why is it needed?

It will be useful for many to find out exactly what a similar grill pan with protrusions and a textured surface is needed for.

There are a number of people who believe that the meaning of this tableware is purely to give a special design to the product. This is wrong. The grill pan is used for preparing healthy food.

Imagine a pork steak. It is laid on a heated surface, but is located on a hill due to the ribs. Fat flows into these spaces. It begins to evaporate there and imbues the dish with a special aroma.

But the meat is not in a layer of its own fat. This protects against excess carcinogen cholesterol. It also prevents the dish from burning. Some of the harmful fat disappears, but the piece remains as juicy as possible.

And yes, the ribbed surface creates a beautiful pattern. It was as if the dish had been cooked on a grill.

Rating of the best manufacturers

There are a huge number of manufacturers on the market, not all of which are conscientious. To purchase a model that will fully meet your expectations, you should turn to trusted manufacturers who have been on the market for a long time and have proven themselves to be the best.

Top companies

We offer a description of the top 5 companies that have excellent customer reviews:

Grill pan from the Biol company is square-shaped, made of high-strength cast iron. It has a durable non-stick coating and a set of additional accessories: a standard lid and a press lid, a set of removable handles, metal tongs for turning food and a brush for lubricating the bottom with oil. Bottom thickness – 4 mm, wall thickness – 3.5 mm, diameter – 26 cm. Suitable for all types of slabs.
Aluminum square frying pan “Dream” with a stone non-stick coating, solid handle and high sides. Bottom thickness – 6 mm, wall thickness – 5 mm, wall height – 5 cm. Suitable for gas stoves.
Round cast aluminum frying pan “Marusya”. Non-separable. Equipped with expensive marble covering. Diameter – 24 cm, bottom thickness – 6 mm, wall height – 6.2 mm. Suitable for all types of hobs except induction.
POLARIS for induction hob. Square cast aluminum frying pan with removable bakelite handles and two drainage funnels on the sides. Wall thickness – 2 mm, wall height – 5 cm, bottom thickness – 4.5 mm. Suitable for all types of slabs.
“Tradition” from Kukmara – round in shape, made of cast iron. Ceramic non-stick coating. Wall height – 6 cm, wall thickness – 4 mm, bottom thickness – 5 mm, diameter – 26 cm. Suitable for all types of hobs, except induction.

Cast iron

One of the best materials is strong, heavy, durable cast iron. It heats up perfectly and cooks the meat well. High-quality and finely porous cast iron practically does not stick. Such a device cannot be cheap. The average cost of dishes varies from 1,500 to 5,000 rubles. Today you can buy a cast iron grill pan in Moscow or St. Petersburg in an online store. The most popular models are:

Model name: 1028, cast iron frying pan 28 x 28 cm Biol.
Price: 1820 rubles.
Characteristics: square shape with rounded edges. There are high protectors that protect food from contact with oil.
Pros: there is a removable handle, a thick bottom ensures uniform heating, high resistance to mechanical damage.
Cons: heavy weight.

You can cook on high quality cast iron cookware without oil. A steak frying pan from Lodge has good reviews:

Model name: square Lodge 30 cm.
Price: 4270 rubles.
Features: Ideal cookware for cooking vegetables and juicy steaks. The deep bottom and strong handle ensure comfortable use.
Pros: uniform temperature distribution over the entire surface, which is important for stewing vegetables and frying meat. The dishes are not coated, so they can be used in the oven.
Cons: high cost.

Cooking modes

Make the most of your purchased gas grill pan. By experimenting with “improvised” means, you can make dishes varied. For example, if you place pots on a wire rack or wrap vegetables in foil, you can easily bake main courses.

To quickly cope with baked goods, be sure to pour water into the lower part and open the lid as little as possible. To retain heat, more expensive models are equipped with special inserts that cover extra holes and make the frying pan an airtight oven. For utensils, you can safely use wax paper and silicone baking molds.

You can also place it on a tray on foil - this way the food will come out with a crispy crust. If you cover the hole with foil and line the bottom in this way, the food will be cooked as if it were steamed.