Types of Saute Pan
- Sautoir : A saute pan with straight sides.
Straight sides make it easier for lightly frying greater amounts of
food with lower levels of oil. It also permits easy turning and
browning of contents.
- Sauteuse : A saute pan with sloping sides.
Sloping sides are great for tossing foods including small cuts of
meat, seafood or vegetables.
Features of Saute Pan
- Straight or rounded sides
- Long handle on one side for easy grip
- Heavy pans have a loop handle on the other side to easily lift
the pan
- Covered with a lid to assure proper cooking
- Generally made of metal with a thick ground base
Choosing a Saute Pan
There are several important features to look for when buying a saute
pan.
- Design : A saute pan should be designed with a
wide flat bottom so there is enough room in the pan. A flat bottom
pan is a lot easier to slide back and forth. Straight sides pans are
more beneficial.
- Heavy bottomed : It should be made of heavy
gauge, highly conductive material. The most popular materials are
copper, stainless steel, anodized aluminum, cast iron, enamel.
- Handle : The pan should have a long sturdy
handle for ease of lifting the pan and preventing your hands from
heat.
- Lid : The pan should have a tightly fitted lid
for proper cooking.
- Overall conductivity : The pan as a whole
should have good thermal conductivity. It should ensure quick and
even distribution of heat.
- Size : A medium sized pan is ideal because
large pans will allow evaporation of released juices and in very
small pans the ingredients will become crowded.
- Oven proof : Choose a pan that can easily be
used in the oven also for pan roasting.
