Pans for Cooking
- Saucepans come in a variety of sizes and typically feature straight sides of a height roughly equal to the diameter of the base. They usually have one long straight handle, although in larger sizes, which can get heavier when full, they will more likely have two loop handles directly opposite each other. Saucepans are versatile cookware pieces. Their uses can include boiling and simmering food, preparing sauces and reheating previously cooked food.
- A frying pan can also have the name skillet or omelet pan and typically features a larger diameter base with short sloping sides. It generally has one long handle. Its common uses include shallow frying. Using this cooking method generally requires turning of the food, with the low sides of the pan allowing easy access.
- A typical saute pan has a wide, flat base with shallow, straight sides. Sauteing involves cooking food rapidly over a high heat. Keeping the food moving ensures it cooks without burning. The shape of a saute pan helps with this, as the short sides more easily allow the food to be moved and tossed without spilling it. Saute pans generally have one long handle to control the pan during cooking, although in some cases a short loop handle can be placed directly opposite this.
- Most roasting pans come in a rectangular shape, with the pan having a flat bottom and straight, shallow sides. They also generally have two loop handles to make the pan easier to pick up. This style of cooking equipment is intended for oven use and can do a few cooking jobs. This includes roasting joints of meat, poultry and vegetables, as well as making gravy and sauces. It can also have a use in baking food such as shepherds pie and lasagna.
- A deep-frying pan has a similar style to a saucepan, with the height of the sides roughly matching the diameter of the base. Also known as chip pans, they come with a basket which fits inside. This style of cookware is used for deep fat frying, with the basket enabling the food to be more easily and safely lowered into and raised out of the fat. Exercise caution when using this type of cookware, as the fat can ignite if it gets too hot and chip pan fires can be dangerous,
