In today’s world, if you open most people’s kitchen cabinets, you are sure to find a non stick pan or kadhai. One of the most useful cookware that makes cooking convenient even for newbies, non stick pans are quite versatile and lightweight. The best part? They are not too costly, making them accessible for anyone looking to upgrade their kitchen or make cooking simpler, be it a college student, a busy parent, or a professional chef.
Now, we know that some food enthusiasts do not appreciate a non-stick pan as much and still resort to old-age cookware. But not using them is almost a disservice to yourself and your kitchen. It does not matter if you have recently started cooking or have years of expertise in cooking delicious meals, you must buy a non stick pan if you don’t have one already. It helps prevent food, especially the thin-layered dishes, from sticking to the pan’s surface, making your cooking and cleaning an easy-peasy task. Love cheesy omelets, sauteed vegetables, or delicate pancakes? All you need is a non stick cookware.
Wondering how to choose the right non stick pan for your cooking needs? Let’s find out.
Types of Cooking Pans
Before we delve into what factors you need to consider when buying a non stick pan, first let’s take a step back to understand the different types of cooking pans you will come across.
Non Stick Pans
Most non stick cookware pans are coated with a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), also known as Teflon. The material helps prevent food from sticking to the surface of the pan. This makes them perfect for low-oil cooking and allows easy cleanup. These pans are ideal for Indian households where we generally use a lot of oil, ghee, or butter to cook our dosas, uttapams, parathas, and omelettes. However, non stick pans may not be the best cookware for high-heat cooking since the Teflon coating could degrade at higher temperatures.
Stainless Steel Pans
Stainless steel (SS) pans are popular due to their durability and versatility. They are best used for searing and browning food since they allow even cooking across the ingredients. SS pans are ideal for high-heat cooking, such as searing paneer, frying spices, or browning garlic, onions, and tomatoes for rich masala gravies.
Cast Iron Pans
Cast iron pans are every mom’s favourite cookware because of their incredible heat retention and even heat distribution properties. After several uses, they naturally develop a nonstick coating. They are ideal for making crispy parathas, fried aloo tikki, or delicious bhindi fry. However, you must note that they are heavy in weight and require proper cleaning and maintenance to prevent rusting. Their surface also becomes very hot from the outside, so they must be handled with care.
Things to Look for in A Good Non Stick Pan
Consider these factors when you a buy a non stick pan:
1.Safety assurance
When you buy a non stick pan, always check whether the pan is safe for cooking food. Your health comes first, and you should never compromise on it when choosing cookware. Check thoroughly at the labels to ensure the surface of the pan is not made of Perfluorinated Carboxylic Acid (PFOA), a harmful chemical many manufacturers use to coat this kitchen appliance and cut down their costs. Only purchase a not stick pan which is 100 % PFOA-free.
2.Metal construction
Once you check the surface material to ensure safety, check what material has been used to make the non-stick pan. Did you know that not just the materials but also the process by which the nonstick pan is manufactured affects its quality? Again the labels to see if the pan is made of a minimum of 5 ply of metal coating so its performance is always top-notch. Poor-quality non stick pans may be cheaper but will not be effective during cooking and will require frequent replacement, so eventually, you will end up paying more.
3.Functionality
The next two things you need to consider the efficiency of the non stick pan is to determine its ability for even heat distribution when you cook food. You do not want your food to be half-cooked or burnt on a few ends. Additionally, check if the pan is safe to use inside an oven, how easy it is to clean its surface, and if the brand offers a warranty. Based on your lifestyle, cooking needs, family size, and frequency of cooking, choose a non stick or maybe two or three with different capacities that serve your requirements. For additional features like compatibility with induction, look into its structural details.
4.Excellent durability
If you want to spend less in the long run, opt for a non stick pan that you know is durable enough to last over the next few years. Choose a robust and durable pan that is made with high-quality materials and can be used frequently without damage for years.
5.Teflon coating
Though manufacturers use either Teflon (PTFE) or ceramic coatings in non stick pans, try to choose the one with Teflon as they will last longer than ceramic ones. However, this does not mean that Teflon pans won’t require any effort in maintenance. You need to always follow the usage guidelines and not scratch its surface during cleaning to keep it in proper condition.
Conclusion
A non stick pan is one of the best cookware to have in your kitchen for a variety of your cooking needs. It combines durability, health, convenience, and value for money, making it widely popular in every household. While unlike cast iron pans that could last for decades, non stick pans can easily last for 7-10 years when used as per the right instructions and cleaned properly. You can use these pans to cook low-fat food, saute vegetables, and make dosas and pancakes without them sticking to the pan’s surface, making your life easier. Just make sure you choose a Teflon-based pan built with robust materials so it does its job well.