Stone Age: pros and cons of stone frying pans
Content:
Almost every housewife has thought at least once about whether she needs a stone frying pan in her kitchen. Manufacturers attribute unique properties to stone-coated cookware. But many buyers are put off by the price of products, especially in comparison with stainless steel, Teflon and ceramics. We will tell you what real advantages stone-coated frying pans have, how to choose them and not run into fakes.
Stone frying pans: main pros and cons
So far, dishes made of stone are not as popular as those made of Teflon or ceramics. This is due to the high price - from 1300 rubles. for a small diameter frying pan (18–20 cm). However, stone-coated products have many more advantages than disadvantages.
Types of stone-coated frying pans according to production technology
The phrase “frying pan made of stone” should not be taken literally. In fact, in the manufacture of dishes they use not only stone chips, but also other materials: metals and polymers. The bottom is made of stainless steel or aluminum.
Depending on the coating production technology, there are three types of frying pans.
Classic coating with stone chips
Middle price segment. The metal bottom is covered with a mixture of polymers and stone chips: granite, marble or quartz. Sometimes, to increase strength, particles of steel, copper, and titanium are added to the product. It’s not bad if the coating contains enamel - it protects the bottom metal from oxidation.
Then the top layer is carefully sanded.The higher the content of stone components, the stronger and more durable the dishes.
Unfortunately, there are now many fakes on the market. Manufacturers sell frying pans with a Teflon coating for a high price, in which granite chips are added only for appearance.
Stone pottery
A more expensive option for cookware. Its main advantage is 100% environmental friendliness and safety for health.
The bottom of the product is made of ceramics. Then comes granite or marble chips, and at the top is a protective layer (usually a mixture of quartz, kaolin, feldspar and fireclay).
A stone ceramic frying pan is ideal for stewing as it is highly fire resistant.
Solid stone
Highest price segment of the market. The main part in the composition of such a frying pan is occupied by the natural mineral soapstone (steatite or soapstone). The material also contains metal particles.
The product is very durable and resistant to mechanical stress. Looks like it was cast from stone.
Stone, stainless steel, Teflon or ceramics – which is better?
Currently, stone coating is considered the most technologically advanced on the frying pan market. In terms of its qualities, it surpasses all other types of materials for utensils.
- Stainless steel vs stone
Stainless steel is a healthy and very durable material. However, unlike stone coating, it does not have good non-stick properties.
- Teflon vs stone
Teflon is an excellent non-stick coating. Until the first scratch. And then the material begins to release toxic compounds that have carcinogenic properties (that is, they can cause cancer). Food loses vitamins, burns and dries out.
The average service life of Teflon cookware is 2 years.And this is subject to careful handling, careful manual cleaning and the use of silicone spatulas. The service life of stone-coated products is 2–3 times longer.
- Ceramics vs stone
The common features of ceramics and stone coating are good non-stick properties and environmental friendliness. But a stone frying pan is more resistant to mechanical damage and lasts longer.
How to choose a good stone coated frying pan?
When choosing a frying pan in a store, you need to focus not only on the price. Sometimes Russian manufacturers can offer options no worse than European brands.
To distinguish a real stone-coated product from a fake and make a successful purchase, try not to skip any of the 7 steps:
- Hold the frying pan in your hands. The heavier it is, the more stone chips it contains and the higher the quality of the coating.
- Evaluate the product parameters. The thickness of the bottom should be at least 0.6 cm, and the walls - 0.35 cm.
- Ask the seller to show information about the composition of the material. There should be no PTFE/PTFE component.
- Select the appropriate diameter. So, if you are going to cook for 2 people, 24 cm is enough. For cooking pancakes or scrambled eggs, it is better to buy a frying pan with a smaller diameter and low sides.
- Do not take a product with bright colored chips, as its production involved chemical dyes.
- If you plan to wash the frying pan in the dishwasher, choose a model with a removable handle.
- Don't forget the lid. It is advisable to choose a transparent one so that it is convenient to monitor the cooking process. The lid should have a small hole and be easy to turn.
Please note that frying pans with the classic “crumbs + polymers” coating are more suitable for frying.And for stewing it is better to buy stone ceramics or dishes made of soapstone.
3 Most Popular Stone Coated Frying Pans
The descriptions were compiled based on an analysis of the composition of the coating and customer reviews. You can use them when choosing a frying pan in the store.
1.TIMA/TVS Art Granite
Country of origin: Italy. Price – from 2,800 rubles. for a product with a diameter of 18 cm. The frying pan has a very strong and thick bottom (0.67 cm), and the top layer is slightly rough.
Products are fried evenly and do not stick to the bottom. The material does not contain harmful Teflon. The handle is equipped with a comfortable rubber coating.
More than 70% of reviews on the Internet about the TIMA/TVS Art Granit frying pan are positive.
2. Delimano “The power of luxury stone”
The “Power of Stone” frying pan is produced by a Spanish company. A product with a diameter of 28 cm costs about 3,000 rubles. Bottom material – steel. Next comes a protective layer of enamel and a coating of stone chips and copper. There is no Teflon in the composition.
The cookware is suitable for induction cookers. However, the thickness of the bottom is only 1.5 mm, which may affect the quality of the cooked food. The number of positive and negative reviews about the “Power of Stone” frying pan is 50/50.
3. KUKMARA “Marble”
The dishes are made in Russia. Cost – from 1400 rubles. for a product with a diameter of 24 cm.
The bottom is cast aluminum. Next come 5 durable layers of marble chips, reinforced with ceramics.The bottom is thick (0.6 cm), so the food is fried evenly. The model is equipped with a removable handle.
About 80% of reviews about KUKMARA “Marble” are positive.
So, stone-coated frying pans can truly be called the most technologically advanced. They allow you to prepare healthy and tasty food without excess fat and foreign particles. Stone cookware is easy to care for: just wash it regularly with a soft sponge and soap. The high price is compensated by a long service life. Moreover, you can find good frying pans from Russian manufacturers on the market.