When you pick cooking utensils for your house, it’s best to choose something that suits your requirements. One of the most common dilemmas you may face while choosing cooking utensils is buying a frying pan or a griddle pan. Both the pans come with respective pros and cons and cater to different kitchen needs. But you need to decide which advantages suit your cooking style.
Things to know about a griddle pan
A griddle pan is a big cast-iron plate available in a square shape. You can use a griddle pan to fry eggs, bacon, and various other things. There are two types of griddle pans that you will find in the market: the traditional skillets that are ideal for camping or cooking in the backyard, and second, the ones that allow you to fry and grill.
Why use a griddle pan?
1. Fresh air
Most people use griddle pans for cooking meat. They are the go-to pan for making phenomenal burgers. But if you are one of those who like to cook outside, the griddle pan offers the advantage of cooking in the fresh air. This means the meat is not trapped inside a skillet that usually gets hotter because of the small space. Griddle pans allow you to walk around as you cook. You don’t have to worry about regulating the temperature frequently to cook the perfect meal.
2. Temperature control
A griddle pan allows you to precisely control the temperature according to the food you want to cook. This makes it ideal for cooking different types of dishes. All you need to do is set the temperature according to the food you are cooking and let the griddle pan preserve its flavour. It means you can cook almost anything from meat to eggs on a griddle pan.
3. Drip tray
The griddle pans meant for indoor usage come with a drip tray. This would prevent the spillage of oil from the food on the floor as you cook. That means it significantly reduces clean-up time. Some griddle pan manufacturers are also coming up with outdoor griddle models that have similar construction.
Things to know about a frying pan
A frying pan has a round construction with high edges. It is usually made of wrought iron or cast iron. As the name suggests, you can use a frying pan to fry various items.
Why use a frying pan?
1. Long-lasting
Cast iron is one of the most durable materials around, thus making frying pans long-lasting. They allow the food to cook evenly. Its huge frame and sturdy construction give it an edge over griddle pans. Many people say that they are using frying pans that their grandparents had left for them. That shows their durability.
2. Chemical-free
A big reason why chefs recommend using frying pans is they are chemical-free. They are the best alternatives for non-stick pans. These pans help to avoid various health problems associated with chemicals usually used in making non-stick pans. They reduce the risks of developing cancer, liver damages, or a few other health problems.
3. Non-stick
Cast iron frying pans have the benefits of a non-stick pan without its side effects. For example, it doesn’t allow food to stick to the pan. But it doesn’t use harmful chemicals to achieve this feature. That’s what non-stick frying pans like this one do, and that’s why they are not the best for cooking. Only a small quantity of oil is enough to fry the food you want to eat.
Frying pan vs. griddle pan
Now that you know the advantages of both types of pans, which one do you think is suitable for your cooking style? A griddle pan gives breathing room to your food, thus enhancing its flavour profile.
On the other hand, you can use a frying pan for various purposes, such as searing, browning, or frying different foods. These pans have elevated sides that flare outwards to provide a higher cooking capacity. They also come with long handles that make them safer to handle.
Both the pans have their own pros and cons. It’s up to you to decide whether you want to invest in a durable pan or one that preserves the taste of your food for a longer period.