Bottom thickness
In general, a thick bottom is considered more preferable than a thin one: the thicker the bottom, the more evenly the heat is distributed over it, the higher the quality of cooking and the lower the likelihood that the product will burn in some places. In addition, thick material is less prone to deformation from strong heat and temperature changes. True, the massive bottom also affects the weight of the product, but in most cases this moment is not significant - on the contrary, it contributes to the stability of the pan and reduces the risk of tipping it over by negligence. Of the unequivocal disadvantages, only the high cost
of thick pans can be noted, but it is usually justified taking into account performance.
It is believed that for most cases a bottom thickness of at least 5 mm is desirable. However, in pans for pancakes (see "Type") and other "quick" fried foods, smaller indicators are also allowed - from 3 mm. As a rule, the bottom thickness corresponds to the wall thickness (see below), but exceptions are possible.
Wall thickness
The thickness of the walls of the pan.
Thick material weighs more and costs more, but these disadvantages are outweighed by a number of advantages. Firstly,
thicker walls distribute and retain heat more evenly, and also reduce the likelihood of overheating; all this is especially important when stewing, simmering and other similar cooking methods. Secondly, a large weight reduces the likelihood of overturning the pan, inadvertently hitting it. Thirdly, thick material better resists strong heat and temperature changes.
The minimum indicator for a quality pan is a wall thickness of 3 mm, and ideally it should be 5 mm or more.
Handle material
— Metal.
Metal handles, usually, are made of the same material as the pan — steel or aluminium (see above). Their main advantages are high strength and resistance to heat — in fact, the handle can withstand the same temperature as a frying pan. This ensures maximum fire safety: if you unsuccessfully leave the pan with the handle over the fire, the metal will only heat up, but will not catch fire, and you can put such a pan in the oven without problems. At the same time, this material is characterized by high thermal conductivity — in other words, the handle heats up very much along with the pan itself. Because of this, it is possible to remove the dishes from the fire only with the help of special devices (for example, rags — "grabbers" made of thick fabric) — holding the handle with bare hands, you can get burned.
—
Cast iron. The material used for the handles in cast iron pans (see "Pan Material"). It has all the characteristic advantages and disadvantages of metal handles (see above).
—
Bakelite. A kind of plastic; was created a long time ago, but is still widely used due to a number of advantages. In the case of frying pans, the main one is low thermal conductivity: Bakelite handles heat up so little that they can be fearlessly taken with bare hands when the pan is hot. In addition, this material is fireproof: even if you accidentally leave t
...he pen over an open fire, it will not catch fire, at most it will char. For added safety, many handles of this type have a combined design: a small part, directly at the pan, is made of metal, the rest is Bakelite. In terms of strength and brittleness, this material is somewhat weaker than metals, but it can withstand most shocks and shocks without problems, and is insensitive to scratches, moisture and chemicals. As a consequence, handles of this type have become widespread in modern frying pans. The most striking disadvantage of bakelite can be called poor suitability for use in the oven; however, dishes with removable handles can correct the situation (for both points, see "Additionally").
— Wood. The wooden handles have a nice "classic" look, but they conduct almost no heat, which allows them to be handled with bare hands. At the same time, this material is quite sensitive to moisture, dirt, prone to cracking and relatively short-lived; and its fire safety is very low — a handle carelessly placed over a fire can easily be charred, or even catch fire. In addition, such handles are not suitable for ovens, they must be removed (if such a possibility is provided, see "Additional") or other dishes should be used in the oven. As a result, wood is quite rare in modern frying pans and is a kind of image material intended for lovers of traditional design.
— Silicone. By itself, this material is too soft for use in the handles of pans in its pure form; therefore, in this case, a metal handle with a silicone overlay is usually meant. Silicone provides good thermal insulation, such handles, usually, can be safely taken even when the pan is heated; besides, they are softer and more pleasant to the touch than, for example, bakelite. Among the shortcomings, it is worth noting the sensitivity to strong heat, which is why in pans compatible with ovens, silicone handles have to be made removable.
