The grill pan allows you to bake ribs, cook steaks and other dishes that will be no worse than in a restaurant. The special thing is that you can cook with it without oil. Thanks to the non-stick coating, food will not stick to the surface. It can completely replace a barbecue, grill and toaster. In this article, we have ranked the best grill pans for 2021 according to experts and buyers.
Huge selection of pans
How are they different from regular ones?
A grill pan is significantly different from a regular one. The main difference is the thickened corrugated bottom. On the ribbed surface, the steaks are covered with an incompletely crispy crust. The juice flows into small depressions, due to which the meat and any other food turns out juicy, and in addition to frying, it is also stewed.
In a regular one, the juice that is released with the food begins to burn, which is why smoke appears during cooking. Especially the grill will be an excellent choice for those who are on a diet. After all, cooking does not require the use of oil.
Products are not only round in shape. They can also be square or rectangular. The bottom thickness starts from 5 mm.
What to look for when choosing
The grill can be easily distinguished from any other frying pan by the characteristic ribs on the bottom. There are some signs by which you can choose a quality grill pan for your home.
- The ribs on the bottom should be high. A small relief is intended only for beauty. There will be beautiful stripes on the cutlets or vegetables after cooking. But low ribs are not suitable for cooking meat steaks. To ensure that the cooked meat is truly juicy and tasty, you should choose a frying pan with high ribs.
- The material used to make the frying pan is of great importance when choosing. Cast iron grill pans are considered the best. This is a durable material that can heat up evenly and retain heat for a long time. Some aluminum grill pans may be a good option.
- Any frying pan intended for grilling must have a non-stick effect. Aluminum used to be coated only with Teflon. Now there are better options, such as marble, ceramic, titanium, granite, etc. Cast iron products have their own non-stick property.
- Preference should be given to products that have a special groove for draining excess oil. This is very convenient at the time of preparation. The remaining oil will not burn during cooking and will not remain on the walls.
- Another important point when choosing is the handle. It is advisable to purchase solid models. It should have a special heat-resistant surface that will prevent your hands from burning during use. You can find frying pans with removable holders on sale. This option is suitable for those who have limited space in the kitchen.
Which material is better - cast iron or aluminum?
Cast iron grill pans
Cast iron grill pans are strong, durable, and cook well. The material is not afraid of open fire, and does not deform over time. They have a natural non-stick coating. After several times of use, an oily film forms on the surface. It is not recommended to wash it off. And after washing, the pan should be wiped dry with a rag to prevent rust from appearing.
It is better to choose a product with solid cast handles. The weight of the material is heavy, and they can simply break over time. Also, the disadvantages include the high cost.
Advantages:
You can use metal spatulas; Cannot be deformed; Resistant to mechanical damage; Does not emit toxic substances; Can withstand temperatures up to 400 degrees.
Flaws:
Heavy weight from 3 kg; High price.
Aluminum grill pans
They have a lower cost than cast iron and are also lightweight. Without a coating, food will stick to the aluminum during cooking. Therefore, it is necessary to purchase a product with high-quality non-stick coating.
In addition, uncoated pans are not safe for health. When heated, aluminum releases toxic substances. They heat up quickly and food is cooked on them in a short period of time. Grill pans made of aluminum with a thin bottom should absolutely not be chosen. Such a product will quickly deform and become unusable.
Advantages:
Light weight, no more than 2 kg; Low price; Fast heating.
Flaws:
When heated for a long time, it becomes deformed; The non-stick coating can quickly become unusable; Only wooden or silicone spatulas can be used.
How to choose a grill pan for a gas or electric stove
When choosing the best grill pan, you should consider the type of stovetop. After all, it depends on what bottom diameter and manufacturing material to choose.
For gas, you can choose a product of any diameter and from any material. It is important that the walls are thick, heat up quickly, and do not deform during use. The design of the frying pan is chosen at your discretion.
If the frying pan is selected for an electric stove, then its diameter must correspond to the size of the heating disk. Aluminum frying pans are ideal for this type, as they heat up quickly. Products with magnetic inserts cannot be used.
You can cook in the oven using cast iron. Only models with removable handles are suitable for this. Thick walls and bottom are not afraid of high temperatures. As for aluminum, not every model may be suitable. It is better to choose a product with a bottom thickness of more than 2.5 mm. In addition, not every non-stick surface can withstand high temperatures.
Features of choice for different types of slabs
We have already talked above about the bottom diameter for different types of kitchen stoves, but other points must be taken into account.
- Almost all types of frying pans are suitable for home gas stoves, but there are also specialized models. At the bottom of the gas cookware there are small ray-shaped recesses that distribute the heat.
- For old-style electric stoves, it is important that the diameter of the bottom matches the diameter of the burner . If it is larger, cooking around the edges will be ineffective. A flat bottom is the key to saving energy.
- For a glass-ceramic hob, choose a grill pan with a perfectly smooth bottom to get the tightest possible seal. Ditch heavy cast iron cookware in favor of lighter aluminum cookware.
- The bottom of an induction grill pan must be magnetic. Since aluminum does not tend to be magnetic, manufacturers have developed a special multi-layer bottom. Look for the induction hob compatibility symbol on the packaging. In extreme cases, an adapter - an adapter disk - will help out.
Which coating is better?
| Ceramic | Is one of the best. Able to withstand temperatures up to 450 degrees. Has a flawless smooth surface. Can be colored or white. These pans require special care and should not be filled with water. |
| Titanium | It is considered the most expensive, but at the same time strong and durable. You can wash the product using any means, and you can also use metal spatulas. |
| Teflon | Sometimes used on budget pans. But it is highly not recommended to purchase such models. Teflon begins to deteriorate when heated above 220 degrees. You can't cook without oil. |
Material selection
One of the main criteria for choosing a grill pan is the material. Ease of use and service life depend on it.
Most of the stores sell cast iron grill pans; you can also find ceramic and aluminum ones. They all have their advantages and disadvantages.
Cast iron
Cast iron pans are the most durable and strong. They heat up evenly and cool down slowly; these qualities are best suited for grilling.
TOP 5 best cast iron grill pans
The rating of cast iron grill pans includes only the best models that have positive reviews and are ideal for preparing various dishes.
Lodge L8SGP3
Made from solid cast iron, with a permanent cast iron handle. The product is universal and suitable for different types of stoves, including induction, as well as ovens.
It has a square shape and high ribs, which will allow you to perfectly fry meat steaks.
The only downside is the heavy weight. The holder gets very hot, so to avoid getting burned, you need to use an oven mitt.
Advantages:
Durable; Food does not burn; Can be used on any stove; Thick bottom.
Flaws:
Heavy weight.
Biol 10241
Suitable for cooking on induction and gas stoves. Use in the oven is allowed.
There is a spout on both sides that allows you to drain excess oil. It warms up quickly, and the thick 4 mm bottom and walls retain heat for a long time.
Advantages:
Food does not burn without oil; Cast iron retains heat for a long time; Removable wooden handles.
Flaw:
Requires special care.
SITON CHG282840
Supplied complete with a tight cast iron lid. Due to this, the meat is fried quickly and remains juicy. Can be used not only on the stove, but also in the oven.
The handles are small and also made of cast iron. To avoid getting burned while cooking, you should use an oven mitt.
Advantages:
Strong and durable; Environmentally friendly; The meat is fried evenly.
Flaws:
Heavy weight 7.4 kg.
MAYER & BOCH MB-26024
Can be used on gas and electric stoves. Use in the oven is prohibited, as the body has a non-removable folding wooden handle. On the opposite side there is a small cast iron handle.
It is best used for cooking fish or vegetables, as the sides are too low for roasting meat.
Advantages:
Suitable for electric stoves; Suitable for frying vegetables.
Flaws:
The handle does not come off.
BRIZOLL Optima
The rating of the best grill pans is completed by a round model with a wooden handle, suitable for cooking on any stove except the oven. The ribs on the bottom are quite high, so the cooked dishes will be juicy and flavorful. It has high strength and does not deform over time.
Advantages:
High strength; The meat is fried quickly and evenly; Products do not burn.
Flaws:
Cannot be used in the oven.
Buy a BRIZOLL frying pan
Comparison table of characteristics
| Model name | Material | Diameter(cm) | Non-stick coating | Cost, rub.) |
| MAYER & BOCH MB-26024 | forged aluminum | 24 | marble | 800 – 1 200 |
| AMT GASTROGUSS AMT 285G | cast aluminum | 25 | titanium | 2 000 – 3 900 |
| RONDELL ESCURION RDA-869 | cast aluminum | 28 | teflon | 1 500 – 2 700 |
| DREAM GRANITE | cast aluminum | 24 | – | 1 500 – 2 900 |
| TEFAL EXPERTISE | extruded aluminum | 24 | titanium | 3 000 – 3 900 |
| BIOL 10241 | cast iron | 24 | – | 1 000 – 1 600 |
| LODGE L8SGP3 | cast iron | 26 | – | 3 000 – 4 2 000 |
TOP 5 best aluminum grill pans
Among the frying pans made of aluminum, there are also decent models in which you can fry meat steaks and other products.
Neva Metal Cookware Ferra Induction 54026
The aluminum round model has a particularly durable titanium coating. For washing, you can use various means, and even dishwashers.
The removable bakelite handle can be detached and cooked using the oven. You can also cook over an open fire and on induction cookers.
Advantages:
Titanium coating; Dishwasher safe;
Flaws:
The ribs on the bottom are not too high.
Tefal Expertise C6204072
A convenient model with deep relief on the bottom can easily top the rating of the best grill pans. There is a heating indicator in the center. Suitable for use on any stovetop except ovens. The bakelite handle does not detach from the body.
After use it is easy to clean from dirt. The surface is not damaged during use as it is coated with titanium. The only drawback is the high cost, otherwise it is ideal.
Advantages:
Heating indicator; Titanium coating.
Flaws:
High price.
Dream Granite
The grill is square in shape, with two spouts for draining excess oil and liquid. The thickness of the bottom is 6 mm, the inside is marbled. Meat and other products do not burn and remain juicy. Can be used on a gas stove. Cooking on induction hobs and ovens is prohibited.
Advantages:
High quality aluminum; Spout for draining fat; Thick bottom; Can be cooked without oil.
Flaws:
No cover included. Cannot be used on induction hobs
AMT 28x28
High quality model from a German manufacturer. Food does not burn thanks to the titanium coating. Even a thick steak will be cooked through, as the bottom thickness is 9 mm. Warming up occurs evenly. The convenient handle easily detaches from the body, allowing you to bake dishes in the oven.
Advantages:
Thick bottom and walls; Non-stick titanium coating; Oven safe.
Flaws:
No.
Buy an AMT frying pan
Manufacturers of frying pans - grill
Many manufacturers produce a line of grill pans, but you should give preference to trusted companies that have been on the market for a long time. Among the manufacturers of grill pans are the following:
- Tefal - the advantage is an extensive line of shapes of grill pans; most often they use aluminum in their production; the price of a pan from this manufacturer is about 3.5 thousand rubles.
- Biol - this manufacturer prefers cast iron in its production; most models are also equipped with a handle, and the cost of the frying pan is about 1.5 thousand rubles.
- GIPFEL - the material for frying pans is aluminum and cast iron, all models are equipped with handles, and the price is about 3.5 thousand rubles.
- AMT Gastroguss - the material is high quality aluminum, as well as a coating that prolongs the life of the pan. The frying pans are equipped with heat-resistant handles, and some models are made by hand. The cost of the frying pan is about 7 thousand rubles.
