Which pan is better for pancakes - types of material and shape

January 12, 2021

A separate pancake pan should be in every kitchen, even if you only need it once a month. A pancake pan differs from other types of pans: it has high sides, a flat and smooth bottom, high non-stick properties, and a comfortable handle.

It is not recommended to use this pan for frying meat, fish, or eggs. Pancakes "do not like" mixing different foods and flavors.

Features of the pancake pan

There are different ways to prepare delicious pancakes . First, pour the batter into the pan and rotate it. To prepare it, you need minimally high sides, as high ones interfere with the cooking process. The maximum height is 1-1.5 cm.

There are models that have virtually no sides and are ideal for the rolling method of cooking. That is, if you pour the dough in the traditional way, then the sides are still needed.

The diameter of the bottom of a pan for baking pancakes varies from 20 to 28 cm, with 24-25 cm being the most popular. A pan that is too small will delay the cooking process, while a large one is not suitable for all stoves, and the pancakes do not come out in a universal size.

The thickness of the body is an important parameter. The thin bottom layer instantly heats up and cools down, and then quickly cools down. All this leads to uneven baking or burning of pancakes. Thin pans quickly break, because the metal is subjected to constant temperature changes: hot plate - cold dough.

The thicker the body, the longer the surface of the cookware heats up, but the less risk of sticking, which is especially important for novice housewives.

Is it worth buying a cast iron pan?

Cast iron is an alloy of iron and carbon and is unique in that it has natural, non-stick properties. To get a smooth, non-stick surface, new cookware should be oiled.

Cast iron pancake pans are often sold already greased with natural oil. In this case, the pans are made in a special factory oven and no additional processing is required.

Advantages of cast iron pancake pans :

Heats quickly and evenly due to the structure;
Retains heat for a long time;
The surface does not burn and will serve you for a long time;
Withstands scratches and contact with metal devices

What should an aluminum pan be like?

Thin aluminum pans have only one attractive side compared to pancake machines - the price. In addition, aluminum is much lighter than cast iron, so your hands will not get tired during cooking. However, the non-stick properties in this case are much lower. Therefore, it is better to buy pans with a non-stick coating .

Popular models