How To Choose The Best Pan For Steak

Are you a steak lover? Isn’t it frustrating if you are unable to grill your steak on your yard because the weather isn’t quite helpful? Or maybe you want to get that steak and don’t want to waste time in preparing, cleaning, and heating your grill machine. What do you do? Well, you can make use of the pan searing method of cooking steaks. All you need to have is the best pan for steak to get the job done.

In this article, you will learn the effective method to pan sear your steak. I will also share with you the list of the best pan for cooking steak.

TOP 5 BEST PAN FOR COOKING STEAK OF 2018

Now that you have some background information on choosing the right pans for cooking steaks, it is time to introduce to you the five best griddle pans in the market today.

BEST PAN FOR STEAK: THE TOP 5 REVIEWS

1) Lodge Reversible Grill/Griddle Pan

This might be one of the best cast-iron griddle pans today. If you are having a difficult time to choose between a flat surface and a ridge one, then this pan got you covered. It is a rectangular-shaped pan with the reversible cooking surface. It is easy to maintain and clean. It is also large enough to fit into two burners.

2) Lodge Cast Iron Square Grill Pan

The next product on this list is another one from Lodge. This 10.5 square inch cast-iron grill pan is pre-seasoned and can be used immediately. It has a ridged bottom that gives those wonderful sear marks and also keeps your steak meat from being dipped into the fatty drippings. It has great retention ability that enables your steak to stay warm for a longer period of time. Being made of cast-iron, it is certainly durable.

3) Cuisinart GG30-20 GreenGourmet Hard-Anodized Nonstick 11-Inch Square Grill Pan

If you are looking for a lightweight grill pan then this pan from Cuisinart might be a good option. It is made from hard anodized aluminum and is coated with a ceramic-based coating. It is safe and free of harmful chemicals like PTFE and PFOA. The coating also helps conserve oil consumption. The best thing about this product is that it can get hot with less energy.

4) Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick Grill Pan

The next grill pan is made of heavy-gauge aluminum. It has three layers of nonstick coating that gives durability and quick release capacity. It has a long brushed stainless handle for easy maneuverability. It has a ridged surface that helps drain fat and gives that amazing sear mark.

5) Rachael Ray Hard Anodized Grill Pan

This is an exceptionally durable cookware that is suitable for frying steaks. It has a hard-anodized aluminum construction with non-stick interiors. It is equipped with easy to grip handles and can resist heat up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. It can heat quickly and evenly. It is convenient to clean as it is dishwasher safe.

Best Pan For Steak Buyer’s Guide

I have written a guide about the best grill for steaks and in that article, you will learn that what most serious steak lovers are after in grilling steaks is achieving that perfect sear. Spending extra effort and time to sear your meat will give it an amazing depth of flavor and texture. A well-seared meat is also appetizing to look and it most bacteria hanging out on the meat’s surface are killed off during searing.

Searing is achieved by exposing your meat to extremely high heat to allow the steak’s crust and spices to caramelize in effect giving you the mouthful flavor that one experiences in eating steak. It is crucial that you have the best pan for cooking steak on a stove if you want a perfectly cooked steak – this is where a griddle pan comes in.

A griddle or grill pan is a type of cooking pan. You can put it on top of your stovetop where it utilizes the gas stove’s heat to cook food. Griddle pans are the best pan for frying steak because its form allows it to spread heat evenly. By spreading heat evenly, it gives you the benefit of getting a well-seared surface of your meat.

THE TYPES OF GRIDDLE PAN

There are basically two types of griddle pan. You can choose between a ridged griddle pan and a flat surface. Both types can cook and sear steak effectively. The main difference between these two types is that the ridged griddle pan can emulate the searing lines of outdoor grilling equipment. Other than this difference, both are on the same level when frying a steak on a pan.

WHY DO YOU NEED TO GET GRIDDLE PAN

You might be asking yourself why you would need to get a griddle pan when you have a skillet that is sitting in your kitchen. Yes, a normal skillet is totally adequate when you want to fry regular food items, but a griddle pan has really an edge when frying a steak. It is the best pan for frying steak because it’s designed to withstand extreme heat and give you a steak finish that can be comparable to the best outdoor grills. It is made of materials that allow its base to heat rapidly and retain this heat effectively. Ridged griddle pans give you sear marks that are often sought by steak lovers. The raised edges prevent it from being cooked in its own liquid to give you a crusty well-browned surface.

HOW TO COOK A STEAK IN A PAN

Cooking steak in a frying pan is relatively easy. You will only need to remember and follow a few steps to be able to cook that perfect steak on a pan.The first thing you will need to do is to make sure that the pan is nice and hot. I am assuming of course that you have already prepared and seasoned your steak pieces. If you have not yet then you can prepare and season it depending on your preference or you can check out some recipes on how to prepare a steak.

A hot pan is important so that you can sear and put color on your steak. If heat is not enough, there is no color. When there is no color, there will be no flavor. Also, make sure that your steak is in room temperature so that it will cook faster and it will not be very cold in the center.

Once the pan is hot, pour some oil into it. As the oil starts to smoke, put your steak in the center and let it rest there for a few minutes. Leave it till you get the doneness that you desire. There are different ways to measure doneness. You can use thermometer probes or you can compare doneness through a finger test.

You can also watch this easy to follow video on how to cook a steak on a pan.

WHAT GRIDDLE PAN SHOULD YOU BUY?

Like outdoor grills, there are also a lot of griddle pans available in the market. There are a lot of brands and companies competing. Choosing among the variety of choices can be daunting. I have compiled some factors that you need to consider when buying a grill pan. These factors are being considered because they are important not only in achieving a perfect sear but also gives you the flexibility when preparing your steaks.

1) Size

Size is an important factor when deciding to buy a grill pan. If you are living alone and do not host steaks parties often then small-sized pans are totally adequate. If you have a bigger family then you will need pans that allow you to fry steaks in one go.

2) Weight

Weight of the pan is often an overlooked factor. It is usually considered depending on personal preference. However, you should consider weight as a significant factor because most heavy pans are durable. It is able to withstand constant use under extreme heat. It can also withstand occasional knocks, scrapes, bumps and even accidental falls. Not all people have the strength to handle and manipulate too heavy pans too. Lightweight pans that are durable will be awesome choices.

3) Heat conduction and retention

Heat is an important element in frying steaks. Without sufficient heat you will not be getting the flavors that you want to get out of a steak. You will not experience the Maillard reaction. Choosing the pan that can quickly conduct heat is not enough though. It is also essential to choose something that can retain heat as you are cooking especially when you have to cook a lot of meat. A pan that loses its heat as you cook will not be effective in cooking the perfect steak as well.

4) Cooking surface

Whether you choose a grill pan with a ridge or flat surface choose something that is coated or seasoned. Coated pans give better heat release, and they are also easier to clean. If you opt for something that has a ridge, make sure that it has slightly pointed ridges. This helps raise the meat effectively preventing it from being stewed and gives that familiar searing mark.

For flat surfaces, check for drainage channel or sloped sides where the liquid can flow. This helps prevent the meat from being cooked in its own liquid if you have a flat surfaced grill pan.

5) Shape of pan

You will notice when you check out for grill pans that they have square shapes. Though there are round-shaped pans, square-shaped griddle pans will be better because they provide more surface area for cooking.

6) Handle

Choosing a pan with a long or heat resistant handles is also necessary. Frying and searing steaks require extreme heat, and if you have handles that will heat similar to the cooking surface, then it will be difficult to manipulate the pan. Look for pans with longer handles or equipped with heat resistant handles so that you can maneuver your pan while being exposed to high temperature.

FAQ

WRAPPING IT UP: THE CHOICE

All of the products on this list are great. However, I think Calphalon Contemporary Nonstick Grill Pan is the best pan for steak. In terms of size, its 11 square inch surface is perfect for cooking steaks and other food items. It is durable and safe to use with its hard anodized aluminum construction. Furthermore, it can give you the perfect sear on your steak because it has great heat conduction and can spread this heat evenly. Its handles are heat resistant, so you can freely lift or move it as need. The best part is it easy to clean because it is dishwasher safe.

Did you enjoy reading this article? Do you have a griddle pan suggestion in mind? Share your thoughts and suggestions in the comment section and don’t forget to share this article with your family and friends.