As a professional chef, you know that cooking the perfect steak requires more than just good ingredients. You also need the right equipment. For that reason, it’s essential to have high-quality pans on hand when you cook steak dishes. We’ve got you covered with this comprehensive guide to the best pans for cooking steaks. So let's fire up those burners and get started!
The Best Pans For Cooking Steaks
Pans come in all shapes and sizes, each with advantages and disadvantages. When it comes to cooking steaks, four types of pans stand out above the rest:
Cast Iron Pan
Cast iron skillets are a classic choice for steak lovers. They retain heat very well, meaning that once the pan is preheated, it will stay hot enough to cook your steak perfectly. They also have a rough surface, which helps create a nice sear on the outside of the steak. One downside of cast iron skillets is that they can be quite heavy, making them a bit difficult to handle.
Stainless Steel Pan
Stainless steel pans are a popular option for cooking steaks due to their durability and ability to heat up quickly. They don’t retain heat quite as well as other pans, but they are much easier to handle. Stainless steel pans also have a smooth surface, which some people prefer when cooking steaks. However, add oil to the pan to prevent the steak from sticking to the surface.
Carbon Steel Pan
Carbon steel pans are a great addition to your steak pan collection due to their ability to retain heat very well. Keep in mind, carbon steel pans are more on the pricer end on pans. On a positive note, they are lighter and have a smoother surface than cast iron skillets. This makes them easier to handle while still creating a nice sear on the steak.
Non-Stick Pan
While you can clean non-stick pans with a breeze, you won’t get that lovely sear many look for when cooking steak. These pans are designed to provide an even, low-friction surface for cooking, allowing food to be cooked without sticking and with minimal need for added fat or oil. Non-stick pans are durable, spread heat evenly, and versatile to suit all cooking needs.
What To Consider When Purchasing Pans For Cooking Steak
Finding the right type of steak pan can be tough, especially when you don’t know what to look for. Below are three essential characteristics to consider when purchasing pans to cook steak with:
- Material - The material in steak pans is important because it allows heat to be evenly distributed across the surface of the pan, which prevents hot spots from forming. This ensures that the steak will cook perfectly and not stick to the pan. There are many materials to look out for when purchasing the best pan for cooking steaks - such as carbon steel, cast iron, or stainless steel.
- Size - The size of the pan relies on how the cuts you're cooking and the number of people you are feeding. The larger the pan means you can add more meat without overcrowding. Crowding a pan can lead your meat to steam instead of having the browning effect we all strive for.
- Cooking surface - The cooking surface in pans is crucial when choosing the right one to meet your steak cooking needs. It is vital for the cooking surface of the pan to reach high temperatures, and that will distribute heat evenly.
Should You Put A Glass Lid On The Pan When Cooking Steak?
Adding a glass lid to pans when cooking steak is a vital part of the process that can have significant benefits. Not only does a glass lid provide improved visibility during the cooking process, allowing cooks to keep a watchful eye on their steaks to ensure even cooking, but it can also seal in flavor and moisture.
Using a glass lid helps trap all the natural juices released during the cooking process, which adds flavor and texture to the steak. This trapping of moisture magnifies the flavors of the steak by reducing any unwanted evaporation, keeping more of its natural juices intact so that they are properly absorbed into the meat. The result is an incredibly juicy and flavorful steak.
A glass lid also helps keep all heat inside the pan, while preventing too much steam from escaping and cooling off the pan's surface temperature. This keeps temperatures consistent throughout the cooking process, ensuring each side gets cooked perfectly and at its optimal temperature, which is key for achieving a perfectly cooked steak every time.
With a clear top, cooks can easily see if their steaks are browning up properly or if they need more time to reach their desired doneness. The ease of visibility eliminates guesswork from cooking steak, providing cooks with greater confidence when it comes to getting their food just right without having to constantly remove lids for checking purposes or open windows for ventilation because of too much steam.
Cook Steak To Perfection
Whether grilling some burgers or going for a full steak dinner experience, pans are the way to go. With so many pans out there, picking out which suits you and your cooking preferences can be overwhelming. Understanding the different pan options available to cook steak with, you can find one that fits your needs perfectly and enjoy delicious steaks every time. And remember, grilling steaks is a juicy piece of art; it helps if the canvas is correct.
