Don’t you know which pan to grab when it’s time to cook? Explains a dietitian

Don't you know which pan to grab when it's time to cook? | MyFitnessPal

Why the right pan matters something

If your chicken adheres to the pan, your vegetable vapor instead of crispy, or your eggs come out a mess, the problem may not be your cooking skills – it may be your pan.

If you use MyFitnessPal’s meal planner to make life easier or you just get your toes wet with MyFitnessPal’s recipes, it may be time to become familiar with how to use different pans. Using the right cookware is one of the simplest ways to improve your results and feel more confident in the kitchen.

I am a registered dietitian who makes most nights of the week, but I did not grow up cooking for myself. It has taken me countless meals (and some epic failures) to realize the right pan questions.

You don’t need a huge collection of pans, but it’s useful to have some well -chosen pieces that fit the way you cook. In this way, meals show the way you intend, which is a trust amplifier.

If you have ever wondered why you can never make your chicken look the way it does in photos, keep reading. I am leading you through some popular types of pans and when to use them so you can turn out consistently delicious meals.

No pans? Start with one

I reach for the same pot by repetition. You really don’t need a dozen pans to make good meals at home. In fact, if you have just started, a single, versatile pot is often all you need (1).

If I had to choose one I would go with a cast iron bucket. It keeps warm beautiful, works on the stove and in the oven and can handle a number of dishes (2). I use mine for a variety of meals, including salmon dishes (it gives a perfect SEAR), flatbread and fried eggs.

I also love that spicy cast iron is nonstick and easy to clean. It’s the kind of pot that gets better with age and can last life.

That said, the best starter pan really depends on what you like to cook. Then start with the pot that fits your cooking style and expand from there.

Nonstick pans are another great opportunity for your first purchase. They work well for new chefs and those who weigh on simple recipes.

A person who wears an apron is stirring a bowl of spiral paste with a wooden spoon in a kitchen. With meal planning, various tools and ingredients, such as baby corn and a glass bottle of oil, are arranged on the counter nearby. MyFitnessPal -Blog
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Nonstick pans: best for gentle cooking with low heat

When I make scrambled eggs or flip protein pancakes on a weekend morning, I reach out to a nonstick pan. Nonstick pans are ideal for delicate foods that are prone to adhere to. They are also a solid choice for cooking tofu or flassing fish without making a mess.

Benefits:

  • Food remains intact and releases lightly
  • Require less oil or butter that can help lower calories
  • Make cleanup quickly and easily
  • Great for beginner chefs

Disadvantages:

  • Not suitable for high heat – this can damage the nonstick -coating
  • Scratches easily if used with metal utensils
  • Coating wears out over time and eventually needs replacement

Care Tip:

  • Only hand washing – even if it is labeled dishwasher safe
  • Use silicone, wood or plastic implements to protect the coating
  • Avoid stacking with other pans unless you place a protective layer between them
  • Replace your pan if the surface is scratched or food starts to glue more often

Stainless steel pans: great for browning, burning and sauces

If you are looking for a pot that can handle high heat and give you the golden brown crust on chicken or steak, stainless steel is the way to go (2).

Benefits:

  • Great for burning, saute and stirring (2)
  • Ideal for building Panaucer (2)
  • Durable and often dishwasher SAFE (2)
  • Can handle high heat without damage (2)

Disadvantages:

  • MODESS If not preheated properly
  • Requires more technique than nonstick -settings
  • Can lead to extra cleanup if used incorrectly

Care Tip:

  • Preheat the pot before adding oil and food to prevent adhesive and improve browning
  • Consider Hand Wash to Expand Pan Life -Check Producer’s Guide (2)

About the experts

Samantha Cassetty, MS, RDis a nationally recognized food and nutritionist, media personality, nutrition consultant and author. Cassetty is a former nutrition director for good household and co -author of the book Sugar Shock.

Emily Sullivan, Rd, is a food data curator at MyFitnessPal. She won her bachelor’s degree and completed her dietary internship at Ohio State University and got her culinary art degree from Johnson and Wales University.


Cast iron: the crispy, flavor -building workhorse

“I use my cast iron bucket for 99% of things that I cook on a daily basis,” says MyFitnessPal registered dietitian Emily Sullivan. Here’s what makes this a good choice.

Benefits:

  • Superior heat storage for even cooking with high heat (2)
  • Great for Searing, Roasting, Baking and One-Panor Meals, Like FritTatas
  • Ovns safe and stove friendly (2)
  • Naturally nonstick and get better with age (2)

Disadvantages:

  • Heavier than most pans, which can make it harder to deal with
  • Requires continuous maintenance to preserve nonstick -qualities (2)
  • Cannot walk in the dishwasher and should not be softened (2)

Care Tip:

  • Wipe or rinse with hot water (2)
  • Dry thoroughly and rub with a thin layer of oil to maintain spices (2)

As Sullivan points out, cast iron is especially good for recipes such as spatchcocked chicken. “A cast iron bucket is excellent for this because it preserves and distributes heat evenly, which helps the chicken to cook evenly (2). Its heavy construction allows for a high hot initial sear, giving the chicken shin a beautiful, crispy, golden-brown crust (2). Plus you can start by hovering the chicken on the oven and finishing it in the oven-even in the same pot.

Dutch Ovens: Ideal for one-pot, slowly cooked meals

Dutch ovens are superstars for cooking comforting meals. If you are someone who likes to prepare meals or cook once and eat several times, a Dutch oven is a useful addition to your kitchen.

Benefits:

  • Excellent heat storage and even cooking (2)
  • Ideal for simmering soups, casseroles and chili, slowly prone bread meat, boiling pasta and even baking
  • Can go from stove to oven (2)
  • Great for one-pot meals and batch cooking

Disadvantages:

  • Heavier and bulker than many other pots
  • Traditional cast iron versions require spices to maintain nonstick -properties

Care Tip:

  • Select enameled versions for easier maintenance as these do not require spices (2)
  • For cast iron, dry thoroughly and spice up regularly with a thin layer of oil (2)

If you are great with preparing for a weekend meal, you can invest in a Dutch oven. Sullivan uses her to produce beef. “The heavy lid helps catch moisture that keeps the meat and vegetables tender in long cooking times,” she says. “Probably an even bigger bonus for something like a beef tuing is that you can start it on the stove and transfer it to the oven to cook for hours while doing other things.”

If you love the idea of ​​tasty, make-ah meals that cook yourself while relaxing or checking things from your to-do list is a Dutch oven the pot for you.

Frequently asked questions (frequently asked questions)

Do I need more than one type of pot?

Not necessarily. You can prepare lots of meals with only one or two pans – start with what suits your cooking and build from there (1).

Can I use a nonstick -pan for everything?

Not quite. It’s great for delicate foods, but it can’t handle high heat, so it’s not ideal for browning or sising (2).

What is the most versatile pot?

My voice goes to a well -spicy cast iron bucket as it goes from stove to oven and can handle a variety of meals (2).

Is cast iron hard to maintain?

It takes some care, but it’s not hard. Just clean, dry and rub with oil after use – it actually gets better over time (2).

When should I replace a pot?

If the paving is scratched, food sticks more than it used to do, or it is heated uneven, it is probably time for a new one (2).

The lower line

You don’t need a fully equipped kitchen to make delicious, satisfying meals – just a few reliable pans that match your cooking style. With the right cookware, cooking becomes a little more accessible and less frustrating, so you can prepare your meals with greater confidence. With more skill and confidence, you will be able to prepare a wider range of foods and dishes, and the variety can make it easier to maintain healthy eating habits and achieve your goals (3).

The post doesn’t know which pan to grab when it’s time to cook? A dietitian explains first appeared on the MyFitnessPal blog.

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