For any housewife, a frying pan is an indispensable item in the kitchen. In Soviet times, many people used cast iron assistants. They are strong, durable, and the food tastes great. The only drawback is the heaviness of the container. Nowadays, many specialized cookware stores praise brands of ceramic frying pans with a non-stick coating, which have recently replaced cast iron ones. From commercials and on the radio you can only hear the positive aspects of the product. Is this really true? What are the prevailing advantages and disadvantages of ceramic frying pans?
Production technology
It’s no secret that cookware with a non-stick layer can cause irreparable harm to human health. Most manufacturers of ceramic frying pans assure their customers that the coating is safe.
The non-stick layer of the product consists of natural substances: water, clay, sand, stones. Manufacturers of non-stick coatings do not use perfluorooctane liquid and polytetrafluoroethylene because these substances are carcinogenic. Manufacturers use strengthened glass, which does not allow the dish to burn.
Advantages
Many women choose kitchen ceramic frying containers, which have many advantages:
- Thanks to its light weight, frying food is much easier, and your hands will never get tired.
- Ceramic frying pans can withstand high temperatures, the bottom will not crack, and the food will not burn.
- You can fry dishes without adding vegetable oil.
- Thorough care is not required; after each use, just wash the frying pan with an anti-grease agent. Some housewives use a dishwasher.
- A durable ceramic cover protects kitchen utensils from all kinds of mechanical damage. Using plastic or wooden spatulas, the service life will extend for several years.
- Products rarely stick to the surface. If the bottom is damaged or scratched, the risk of sticking increases.
- A wide range of models are presented, differing in appearance and color scheme.
Flaws
Ceramic frying pans can quickly become unusable if:
- use cleaning products that may scratch the bottom;
- the fire on the stove is turned on at maximum power;
- subject to sudden temperature changes and strong shocks;
- systematically soak in water;
- wash the surface with iron brushes;
- cook food on induction cookers.
How to choose a suitable ceramic frying pan
There are some things you need to know about this kitchen utensil:
- Non-stick utensils come with different bases: aluminum, cast iron, steel. To quickly fry cutlets, fish, pancakes, then aluminum and steel will be the best option. Because they heat up very quickly. These pans are inexpensive and lightweight. A cast iron base is much more expensive and is more suitable for long-term stewing of vegetables and meat dishes. As a rule, such dishes will serve the housewife for a long time.
- You should pay attention to the thickness of the product. If the bottom is too thin, you should refuse to purchase.Because such a product is made of low quality material. This product is not suitable for daily use and can quickly deteriorate. If the product has a thick bottom, namely 5–8 mm, then the food will be evenly fried. Of course, thick-walled pans have a high price, but they can be used for many years.
- A quality product depends on the method of applying the layer. Manufacturers use 2 methods: rolling, spraying. The rolled method of applying ceramic coating is mainly used by the Chinese. The product turns out to be very thin and releases chemicals when frying. Some parts of the dishes are noticeably deformed. Using spraying technology, the ceramic surface comes out without abrasions, roughness, or streaks. This method is considered the safest.
- The diameter of the bottom must match the size of the burner. If there is the slightest discrepancy, the food will burn or not cook through.
- The handle should be comfortable. If the product is high quality, the handles will be resistant to heat.
- The lid should completely cover the pan. The moving steam release valve allows you to regulate the cooking process.
- The seller will provide a guarantee for the selected product. If he doesn’t do this, then you should think about whether you need to overpay for a fake item.
Firms
Manufacturers of the brands Ballarini, Brener, TVS, Maestro have proven themselves on the positive side in the kitchenware market. Let's take a closer look at each company.
Ballarini
This is one of the most popular Italian brands of ceramic-coated frying pans. The unique non-stick base is difficult to damage or scratch.But cookware owners should avoid overheating it, because too high temperatures will negatively affect the polishing of the surface. Women who fry food in Ballarini products give only positive reviews:
- The food is fried quickly and efficiently, without sticking to the bottom.
- Easy to clean even in cold water using a sponge and detergent.
- Molded handles are made of heat-resistant plastic.
- Excellent appearance.
The high cost of the product does not stop the fair sex from choosing a product from the Ballarini series.
Brener
This is a reliable brand at affordable prices, which has many fans not only in Russia, but also in Europe. Brener kitchen utensils do not emit toxic compounds even when heated to high temperatures. The corrugated surface provides the dish with an appetizing, crispy crust, and the released fat flows into special grooves. The non-stick coating is resistant to cracks and chips. The product set includes a lid equipped with a special hole that allows excess moisture to escape. The Brener brand produces high-quality products that will last much longer than other brands of cookware.
TVS
This Italian company is a leader in the sale of kitchen utensils. The TVS brand produces more than 50 models of ceramic frying pans. The brand has released a unique series of frying pans with a white non-stick coating. The product has a concave shape, which ensures uniform frying of the dish. TVS cookware is light, high quality, durable, and can be quickly cleaned from food residues. The cost of the product will depend on the size, color, depth and material used.
Maestro
The Maestro brand produces products in various colors with removable or cast handles, with a flat or grooved bottom. Kitchen utensils of this brand have the ability to retain the heat of cooked food for a long time. The vegetable oil used will never damage the bottom of the Maestro frying pan, since the porous structure protects the non-stick coating from damage.
A safe, reliable and durable helper for frying treats will cost a lot of money. But whether it’s worth saving on your health depends on each of us.
