Which type of pan do you need when necessary?
There are many different types of pans to choose from. Most people therefore have a comprehensive pan set in their kitchen cupboard. But what exactly is a wok pan and what is a sauté pan? And what is the difference between a sauté pan and a frying pan? And above all, which pans do you need in your kitchen? Sola provides advice, so you will know which pan to take out of the cupboard in the future.
Is there such a thing as the right pan?
There are many different types of pans, and for good reason. Depending on the dish you are preparing and the heat source you use, you choose a suitable pan. For example, there are special induction pans that make cooking on induction extra efficient and easy. But there are also pans that are specially suited for preparing dishes such as paella, grilled dishes or pancakes.
The different types of pans at a glance
Frying pan
A frying pan is a flat round pan with a long handle. The pan is made for frying various ingredients. Potatoes, vegetables and meat, among others, can be prepared well in a frying pan.
Cooking pot
Of all the types of pans, a cooking pot should certainly not be missing from your kitchen cupboard. Cooking pots are somewhat taller round pans with a lid. They have a handle on both sides of the pan. This type of pan is used for cooking potatoes, vegetables, pasta and rice. You can also make larger quantities of sauce in it.
Sauté pan
A sauté pan looks like a frying pan but has a higher rim. Because of this difference between a sauté pan and a frying pan, a sauté pan is more suitable for preparing dishes with sauce. Because of the high rim, it is easy to stir the dish in the sauté pan. This makes this type of pan very suitable for stir-fried dishes and pasta sauces, among others.
Wok pan
Due to the special semi-circular shape and high rims, a wok pan is specially made for stir-frying dishes. The wok pan can be used at very high temperatures, allowing ingredients to cook quickly. Stir-fried dishes consist of small pieces of vegetables and/or meat that are fried briefly.
Roasting pan
A roasting pan is made for slowly cooking ingredients. The pans are often made of cast iron, because that material retains heat well. Roasting pans can be used both on the stove/hob and in the oven.
Grill pan
In a grill pan, you prepare the tastiest grilled dishes. Due to the special lines in the pan, the ingredients get the recognizable grill marks. Both vegetables and meat and fish can be prepared in a grill pan. Unlike many other types of pans, a grill pan is usually not round, but rather square.
Saucepan
A saucepan is a small cooking pot with a long handle as a handle. In the small, deep pan, you can easily prepare small quantities of sauce and gravy. A saucepan is also useful for boiling eggs.
Soup pan
As the name suggests, a soup pan is ideal for preparing soup. This type of pan looks like a tall, deep cooking pot. The depth is what makes this type of pan very suitable for making soup, but also for preparing sauces.
Paella pan
Although the name suggests that a paella pan is specifically suited for preparing paella, other dishes can certainly be made in this type of pan. A paella pan is a low, round pan with a handle on both sides. You can, of course, make paella in it, but other rice dishes and stir-fried dishes can also be excellently made in this pan.
Pancake pan
A pancake pan looks a lot like a frying pan, but has a lower rim. This makes it easier to flip the pancake. This way, you can easily fry the tastiest pancakes in a pancake pan.
Tips for choosing the right pan
So there are many different types of pans, but which pans do you really need? This depends on the dishes you like to prepare. A good pan set with cooking pots should actually not be missing from any kitchen. A frying pan and sauté pan will also come in handy for everyone. Whether you use the other types of pans depends on your preferences in the kitchen.
In addition, other aspects play a role in determining which pans you buy. The heat source naturally plays a role, just like your budget. You can also look at the dishwasher-safe nature of the pans, the material the pans are made of and the size of the pans. This way you choose the right pans for your kitchen.
