Guide to all types of cooking pans

How many frying pans do we have in the kitchen and which ones, among the ones present, do we really know which type they belong to? Often we get requests on what kind of pan is needed to cook a good fish or to make a roast with flakes without technical limitations by the pan in use.

If you too have doubts about which frying pan to use or want to brush up on all the types of frying pans that exist, all you have to do is give a quick read to this guide, made especially for all those who dabble in the kitchen or out of daily necessity!

Types of pans and how to use them

Among all the tools that are usually used for cooking, frying pans are surely the most common ones to be used, so much so that the choice of their shape will depend not only on their functionality but also on the final result of the recipe. Let's discover all the pans and their characteristics.

Oval frying pan

Let's start from the most renowned and used in Italy: the oval frying pan. Equipped with a single handle, the frying pan is characterized by the existence of various measures of diameter and is suitable for cooking different dishes, from scrambled eggs to vegetables, from meat to fish.

In fact, this type of frying pan has an extreme versatility of use. It is made of metal with a round shape and low edges, the length of the handle is often equal to the length of the bottom. Some frying pans may have a removable handle, such as Lagostina's Ingenio Mineralis frying pan.

It is actually possible to use it in many ways and with many different foods, but that does not mean it is ideal for certain types of foods. For example, it is not recommended to use the oval frying pan for frying foods with high amounts of oil and you can easily guess from the height of the edges, too low to fry inches of oil! In addition you are exposed to high risk of splattering and possibility of burning.

If you love frying in an oval frying pan always opt for frying with very little oil, just enough to lubricate the pan, turning the food several times to make sure all sides are cooked.

Themost popular and sold on our store remains the non-stick frying pan Tempra with steel bottom non-deformable!

Straight frying pan

Continuing our guide, we then find the straight frying pan (or high frying pan): a single handle, high and straight edges with a wide and flat bottom. This type of frying pan is ideal for frying, thanks to its ability to better contain splashes of oil and the uniformity of the bottom with the edge. You can also braise and caramelize meats or vegetables!

Among the best, Lagostina certainly stands out with its high frying pan with removable handle Ingenio, available in both 26 cm and 28 cm.

Wok

The Wok pan, or simply Wok, is the traditional utensil of oriental cuisine, very popular in recent years and of which we have also dedicated an entire article.

The Wok has a hemispherical shape with flared edges that allows an enormous versatility in the kitchen, with almost infinite possibilities, whether it is a cooking on high heat or a slow cooking! The most common ones on the market are cast iron woks, but it is also possible to find them in aluminum, steel or transparent plexiglass.

The main advantage of the Wok is to easily allow, thanks to the flared edges and to its particular shape, the stirring of food towards the central area where the temperature is higher, this makes it perfect for steam cooking with baskets or for frying.

Also the Wok can be sold with a removable handle, such as the Wok 28 cm Ingenio, which also has the Thermosignal, a stamp placed in the center which changes color at 180°C providing a useful indication during cooking. Alternatively, we recommend the Wok 28 cm Tempra by Lagostina.

Also remember: the Wok will always be non-stick! Some may require treatment when first used.

Chafing pan

The mantecare pan is used, as the word suggests, for the mantecatura phase of food. Perfect for stirring rice or pasta, the mantecare pan is usually made of aluminum, with a thickness of 3 to 5 mm and a height of the edges that can reach up to 11 cm.

It looks like a mixture between a wok and a tall frying pan, but thanks to its depth and lightness, it allows air to be easily incorporated during the tossing of the food, so as to obtain a perfect mantecatura without spilling from the edges.

Sauté pan

Ideal for sautéing vegetables, the sauté pan is halfway between an oval pan and a casserole, making it a perfect tool for sautéing, boiling, stewing, frying, braising or roasting.

The bottom is narrow and the angle wide, it is often used for opening mussels and clams by spreading a little oil on the bottom and heating over low heat. Mostly used in aluminum because of the lightness of the material.

Pan for crepes and pancakes

Baking a crepe in any pan is not easy, especially when it comes to spreading a thin layer of batter and turning it quickly and easily. That's why the crêpe (or crepe) pan makes it so much easier.

The smooth surface and low edges make the crepe pan simple and easy to use! Among the best crepe pans we find the Ballarini Cuocitutto Plate, which is extremely versatile for different types of cooking.

Two-handled pan

Among the most characteristic types of pan is definitely the two-handled pan. Characterized by a rounded edge and a very thick bottom, it is suitable for cooking large foods, such as roasted, braised or stewed meat.

The pan with two handles can be used both on the classic hob and in the oven. The lid in these cases is essential to retain the moisture of the dish being cooked and thus make the meat (or fish) as soft as possible. On sale you can find bundles with pan and lid, such as the Pan with Lid 26 Tempra Acciaio by Lagostina.

Practical recommendations

Always use the pan you prefer in any way you want, the guide is only an indication of the types of pans that exist, so if you are missing some type of pan do not panic!

Remember that the important thing in cooking is the love you put into your dish, even a pot roast could be cooked in a Wok. After you've cooked, devote yourself to plating, it will make your meal that much more important and a source of pride. Having a good dinnerware set at home like the 18 pc Cottage Ivory Set by Weissestal is indispensable these days.

Also always use the right cutlery, best to avoid poor quality cutlery that could bend or release dangerous metals with too much heat.

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