Some kitchen items have names that sound the same such as saucepans and sauté pans. You are probably not the only one who jumbles up these two. Others do not even know what a saucepan is. It is best to familiarize the physical features and uses of the different cookware to avoid confusion. Hence, even when chaos happens in the kitchen, you know which cookware does which job. Let us figure out what does a saucepan looks like and what sets it apart from other cookware.
Everything You Need to Know About Saucepans
Saucepans, with its flexible use, are one of the essential cookware every kitchen should have. Its name does not give justice to its usage because while it hints at cooking sauce, you can use a saucepan for many recipes, especially liquids.
A saucepan can be made from various materials. You can choose between stainless steel, copper, or cast iron, among many others. To know what does a saucepan looks like, let’s paint a clearer picture of this cooking tool and compare it with other similar-looking pans.
Saucepans and Other Cookware at a Glance
Comparing the features of saucepans with other cookware will help you familiarize its look and usage. Therefore, what does a saucepan look like, and how does it differ from other cooking pans? Let us find out.
Saucepan and Saucier
Saucepans are considered saucier’s close relative in the cookware family due to their near similarities. Their features are alike, except for the bottom being rounder in the case of saucier. Both saucepans and saucier can be used for cooking various dishes.
Saucepan and Sauté Pan
It is unlikely to mistake a saucepan for a sauté pan basing on physical features, but for the benefit of those who do, let us get to know how they differ.
A saucepan has deeper sides with straight edges, a long handle, and a matching lid. Its surface is somewhat small for its height, which allows heat to distribute evenly.
A sauté pan, on the other hand, looks like a cross between a frying pan and a saucepan. It has a broader base suitable for sautéing and searing. It is shallower and much wider than the sauté pans.
Saucepan and Stock Pot
Where saucepans have higher walls than widths, stockpots have bigger breadths than saucepans. It is because stockpots are designed for simmering dishes where the uniformity of heating is not essential. With that, a stockpot is best for pasta, while the saucepan is best for sauce-based recipes. The saucepan is also relatively smaller than stockpots, making the latter a better choice for large volume cooking.
Saucepan in Focus
Saucepans deserve fair attention among the many cookware types owing to its flexibility as a kitchen tool. The following are other things you need to know about saucepans.
- Depending on the brand, saucepans are available in measurement sizes of 1-4 quarts, where quart quantifies the amount of liquid the pan can contain. However, one should be circumspect with the measurements because they represent top to bottom capacity. If you are looking to cook 4 quarts of liquid, you should use a pan with more than 4 quarts capacity for allowance.
- The saucepan’s height is its primary asset and critical selling point. The high walls prevent spillage that is common when using other types of pans. It is also less likely to cause a mess around the stovetop when cooking. Its height and width ratio allows a large volume of liquid to be enclosed in a small space. With limited contact surface, heat distributes better, which is great for dishes that require prolonged cooking.
- It is safe to use. Its long handle allows you to hold farther from the body to prevent scalding. However, give it a good grip, especially when carrying a full pan, due to balance concerns as the handle is located to only one side.
- This type of pan has quite many uses. Whether you are going to stew, simmer, or prepare soup and sauces, a saucepan is handy for the job. You can also boil potatoes, lentils, eggs, and many other food varieties in a saucepan. It can even be used in boiling pasta for a small serving.
- Some saucepans are oven-safe, especially those with non-stick coating. It may not be the ideal cookware for the task, but you will never know when you can take advantage of this feature.
Limitations
Saucepans have their limits, too, which makes other cookware also essential in the kitchen. After learning what does a saucepan looks like and its uses, it’s time to get to know its flaws. The following are things you should consider when choosing a saucepan.
- Saucepans belong to small or average-sized cookware and are not ideal for large quantity cooking. If you are looking to prepare dishes for large revelries, use pots instead as they have larger versions.
- Cooking pasta in a saucepan may cause it to stick on the sides due to its straight edges; hence, attention should be given to prevent messing up your pasta.
- Whisking cannot be done perfectly in a saucepan, as chances are you will be missing the liquids in the corner. This leads some to tilt the pan to concentrate the center’s fluids instead of spreading out to the sides.
- Saucepans can be cumbersome to clean, especially when food particles are stuck on their side.
Although saucepans have drawbacks, its versatility makes it an MVP and something worth keeping in the kitchen. Find out more about kitchen utensils.
Conclusion
Saucepans are very useful in the kitchen, and having one around can facilitate ease in cooking various meals. Before heading to the store to buy one, make sure you know what does a saucepan looks like to avoid getting the wrong product.