From soups and broths to gravies and, of course, the famous Australian sweet chilli sauce, all are bubbled and boiled on a saucepan. Some even use it for deep frying our nuggets and seasoning our salads. Knowing your saucepans is essential. Each of them comes with different care and usage instructions. When armed with this knowledge, it helps you pick the right vessel for the right dish.
Material Matters
Saucepans come in a range of materials, each with its own features.
Cast Iron
These are probably the most well-known ones. Cast iron saucepans heat up pretty quickly and spread the heat evenly over its surface, ensuring there are no burn spots. But they can be pretty heavy and require a steady hand. They also have heat retention, making them perfect for making that creamy pumpkin soup.
Stainless Steel
These ones are gaining popularity for their ease of cleaning. Stainless steel is resistant to stains. They are also dishwasher safe. They too heat up quickly and spread the heat evenly, ensuring your sauce or gravy is cooked to perfection. These are also very budget-friendly.
Porcelain and Ceramic
Probably the most sought saucepans, these come in bright colours and designs that can complement your kitchen decor. Its interior is smooth and resistant to most stains. They also distribute heat evenly, cooking all the ingredients in the pan.
Copper
Copper saucepans are a substantial hit in Australia because of the many features it provides. Their rose gold colour makes them very appealing. They also have even heat distribution, and additionally are very reactive to heat. They react instantly to heat when increasing or reducing the stove flame for instant boil or simmer. Copper also has antimicrobial properties, also ensuring that your food stays germ-free.
Carbon Steel
This carbon has more iron than steel in its base, making it less brittle. The carbon reacts well to heat and evenly cooks your broth or chilli without any hot or cold spots.
Other Features
Saucepans also come with additional features. The primary feature you will want to look out for is the lid and a pouring spout. Not all of them come with lids, so make sure you don’t have to buy it separately. Another handy feature would be the helper’s handle, which comes on the opposite side of the main handle, allowing a better grip without burnt fingers. If using an induction stove, saucepans with induction bases will have to be bought separately.
Non-stick saucepans are also available, that can be used for deep frying or baking as well, but make sure it is oven-safe first. They come with extra attachments as well like a deep frying basket or an additional bowl to make it a double boiler.
Sizes
They come in a wide range of sizes that are measured in quarts. The minimum size is 1 quart that measures 5.5 inches in diameter, usually used to melt butter. The biggest being around 10 quarts which measure approximately 14 to 16 inches in diameter, used when cooking for large groups. For the average household, cooking for a family of four or five, 4 to 8 quarts is ideal. A range of recipes can be cooked in it, without worrying about quantity.
Saucepans are a must-have in every household and a requisite for most recipes. With there being so many different styles on the market, it can be quite confusing to buy the right one for our needs. But with this information in mind, it is an easy choice to make based on your requirements.
Author Bio: Hannah Gilbert is a freelance writer who offers ghostwriting, copywriting, and blogging services. She works closely with B2C and B2B businesses providing digital marketing content that gains social media attention and increases their search engine visibility.