Getting the Most Out of Your Appliance
English 17
•
the cook’s preference.
Cookware Selection Guide
Cookware Characteristics
Pan selection directly affects cooking speed and uniformity. For best results select
pans with flat bases. When a pan is hot, the base (pan bottom) should rest evenly
on the surface without wobbling (rocking). Flat, medium-to-heavy-weight pans are
best.
To Test the Flatness of Your Pans
Turn the pan upside down on the countertop and place a
ruler flat against the bottom of the pan. The bottom of the
pan and the straight edge of the ruler should be flush
against each other.
Another simple test to determine even heat distri-
bution across the cookware bottom is to place 1”
(25.4 mm) of water in the pan. Bring the water to a
boil and observe the location of the bubbles as the
water starts to boil. Good, flat cookware will have
an even distribution of bubbles over the bottom
surface area.
Match Pan Diameter to Flame Size
The flame should be the same size as the bottom of the pan or smaller. Do not
use small pans with high flame settings as the flames can lick up the sides of the
pan.
Place oversized pans that span two burners front to rear, not side to side.
Tight Fitting Lids
– A lid shortens cooking/boiling time by holding heat inside the
pot.
Cookware Tips
•
Use of pots and pans with rounded (either concave or convex) warped or
dented bottoms should be avoided. See drawings.
•
Make sure the bottom of the pot or pan being used is clean and dry.
•
Use pots and pans with thick, smooth metal bottoms.
Specialty Pans
Specialty pans such as griddles, roasters, pressure cookers, woks, water bath
canners and pressure canners must have the same features as described above.
Use only a flat-bottomed wok.
Table 3: Cooking Guide
Uses
Heat Settings
Bringing water to boil
9 - High
Pan frying, sautéing, browning meat, deep fat frying
6-8 - Med-High
Most frying, eggs, pancakes, slow boil
4-5 - Med
Simmering, finish cooking, covered foods, steaming
2-3 - Med Low
Melting butter and chocolate
1 - Low
