The differences between the coatings of frying pans
Comparison ceramic, cast-iron, stainless steel, and non-stick
| Ceramic | Cast iron | Stainless steel | Non-stick | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preparations | Vegetables, meat, pancakes, crepes | Meat, stews | Red meat, poultry | Fish, vegetables, eggs |
| Suitable for higher temperatures | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Scratch-resistant | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Weight material | Heavy | Heavy | Light | Light |
| Dishwasher-safe | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Ceramic and cast-iron frying pans
Ceramic frying pan: cook healthier
With a ceramic frying pan, you can cook more healthy. The material of the pan doesn't contain toxic substances, and you only need little oil or butter when you cook. This pan is suitable for pancakes or crepes, thanks to the smooth non-stick coating. This way, your ingredients won't stick to the bottom and the washing up doesn't take as long.
Cast-iron frying pan: make stews and roast meat
A cast-iron frying pan is suitable for stews and roasting meat. Cast iron is a durable material that lasts a lifetime if you maintain the pan well. The enameled layer makes sure the pan doesn't rust and your ingredients don't burn. It takes a while for the pan to heat up, but cast iron holds the heat a lot better than an aluminum pan.
Stainless-steel and non-stick frying pans
Stainless-steel frying pan: searing meat
To roast red meat or poultry, you can choose a stainless steel frying pan. Stainless steel distributes the heat quickly and evenly over the bottom of the pan. The pan has a non-stick coating. This makes it very suitable to roast a tender steak. The pan is dishwasher-safe, but it's best to wash it by hand to extend the lifespan of your pan.
Non-stick frying pan: fish, vegetables, or an egg
A pan with a standard non-stick coating is suitable for different dishes. For example, you can fry an egg on Sunday morning or cook salmon for dinner. Just like the ceramic frying pan, you only need a bit of oil or grease. Keep in mind that the coating is fragile. Your pan isn't scratch-resistant, and the coating gets damaged more easily. Make sure you clean the pan gently with a brush.
Conclusion
Ask yourself what you want to make when you choose a frying pan. Choose a ceramic pan to bake pancakes or crepes, thanks to the smooth coating. You can also prepare vegetables and meat in this pan, because you only need a bit of oil or grease. Do you want to make a stew? Choose a cast-iron pan. A stainless-steel pan is most suitable to sear red meat. A pan with a non-stick coating is suitable for frying an egg or cooking vegetables.
