Get Ready For Summer Indoors - Buy A Griddle Pan!

With the days finally beginning to warm up and the evenings getting longer, thoughts inevitably begin to turn to the summer and for many people up and down the country, that means BBQs. However, as the warm weather is yet to fully kick in, the chilly Northern European climate remains a little nippy for outdoor cooking, even for the hardiest chefs. So for those that still want the delicious taste of summer without the risk of hypothermia, a great alternative to BBQs is to invest in a griddle pan, giving you all of the flavour of the outdoors, without the grey clouds and drizzle.

What are griddle pans?

Griddle pans usually have a cast iron or monastic surface and in general are large, heavy pans, with horizontal, raised rows along their length. The heavy weight of the pans allows them to reach the same high temperatures that occur during outdoor cooking, allowing chefs to recreate the taste and smell of a delicious BBQ. The raised surface creates tantalising grill marks on any food cooked in the pan and helps to ensure that you get that classic char-grilled taste. The surface also allows any fat from the meat to drain away, giving you a healthier alternative to frying.

What can you cook on a griddle pan?

If you’re the kind of chef who likes to experiment in the kitchen, then a griddle pan will make the perfect investment as it allows for a variety of foods to be cooked in a range of ways. Anything from burgers, chicken breasts, whole fish and sausages to courgettes, aubergines, asparagus and halloumi cheese can be cooked on a griddle pan, giving you delicious results whether you’re cooking up a meat feast or a veggie bonanza.

Caring for your griddle pan

As griddle pans do get extremely hot when on the hob, food can burn onto the surface to it’s important to clean your pan as soon as possible after use. If you’ve invested in a cast iron griddle pan, follow standard cast iron care instructions to ensure your surface stays in great condition. Bringing the taste of summer straight into your kitchen, griddle pans are the ideal option for BBQ enthusiasts and keen chefs alike, allowing them to enjoy the taste of the outdoors no matter how bad the weather is outside.

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What Are Induction Pots And Pans?

As the basic principles behind cooking, taking some raw food and heating it over an electric or gas hob, are fairly basic and fairly effective, there haven’t been many advancements or innovations in the basic mechanics of cooking for some time. Until now that is. The invention that has got the culinary world a flutter is the induction cooker, a fantastic alternative to traditional gas and electric ovens that can cook your food safely and easily in moments.

What is induction cooking?

Induction cooking works by creating a magnetic field between the pot and the magnetic coils beneath the cooking surface. This causes heat to be inducted into the cooking vessel, heating the food quickly and efficiently. Though the food inside the pan will begin to heat up as soon as the induction cooker is turned on, the surface around the hob will remain cool, making induction cookers a much safer alternative to gas and electric cookers.

Will any frying pan or saucepan work with an induction cooker?

As induction cookers work by creating a magnetic field, only pots and pans that contain ferromagnetic materials will work with an Induction Cookware. This means that the pots and pans must contain cast iron, enamel cast iron or another type of magnetic material. Most stainless steel cookware will also be compatible with induction cookers. If you’re unsure whether or not your pot or pan is compatible, simply hold a magnet to the bottom of the pan to see if it has magnetic properties. Many manufacturers are now placing symbols on their induction pots and pans to let customers know if they are induction compatible, making it easier to work out which Pots And Pans you need.

Copper, glass and aluminium pots and pans aren’t compatible with induction cookers, but you should be able to use induction discs to heat the pan and its contents. These discs sit between the pan and the cooker, inducting the heat and warming your food. A big benefit of induction cookers is that, as the surface won’t heat up, the areas not being used to cook food can be used for preparation, giving you valuable extra surface space and a more flexible kitchen. By investing in Induction Pots And Pans today, you can ensure that your cookware will still be relevant and useful in the future, not matter what innovations or inventions come along.

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