Kitchen Essentials: Two Pans and One Cover
By: Chef David
How many pans does the average cook need? Well, if you have a kosher kitchen, the numbers just went up by a factor of three (meat, dairy, and pareve) and of course, there is the set for Passover. Many people have favorite pans some were inherited and bring memories, and others are just perfect for specific recipes.
A cast iron skillet makes crisp, golden-brown crusts (think latkes), but use a nonstick skillet when you absolutely don’t want any sticking (like eggs). A sauté pan is similar to a skillet with tall sides at right angles giving it a larger surface area and volume. A wok is a high-walled metal bowl with sloped sides for stir-frying, and a three-quart saucier is like a saucepan but with rounded edges so there are no angles. While each pan has a purpose, you don’t need all of them. The number of pans you have depends on the amount of storage space you have (pans take up room).
There are a few essential qualities to consider. Your pans must be safe, durable, and substantial, able to handle the quantity of food you are preparing.
Built to Last
Cast iron and carbon steel can last a lifetime, often improving with time, the more you cook with them the better they get. Carbon steel is made from a mixture of carbon and iron, but it is thinner, lighter, and more responsive to changes in temperature than cast iron. Both need to be seasoned before use to develop their natural non-stick properties. They can be used on any cooking surface, gas, electric, induction or even placed directly in the fire.
Interesting Choices Available from Brands We Trust
We tested a nonstick ceramic coated pan from Kyocera made from their proprietary ceramics. It is long-lasting and developed to be corrosion-free. This same material is used in satellites, and racecar brake pads because they need to be wear-resistant, strong, and light. We also tested the Yosuka black carbon steel pan. It is lighter than cast iron but needs to be properly seasoned to get a natural non-stick surface.
Kyocera Non-Stick Ceramic
Kyocera makes cookware that is lightweight and durable. We tested their 10-inch ceramic nonstick fry pan constructed with stainless-steel handles riveted on an all-aluminum body weighing 1.96 pounds. The pan is coated with their proprietary nonstick ceramic which is 50% harder than steel and close to diamond in hardness. The smooth, polished surface resists germs and is impervious to acids, oils, and salt so cleaning up is easy and it will not be damaged by cooking. It is free of PTFE, PFOA, lead, cadmium, fluorine, and heavy metals. Kyocera is oven-safe up to 400°F. While the ceramic is tough and durable we recommend using silicone or wooden utensils to avoid scratching and wearing out the pan.
We were initially skeptical but found that this pan was a powerhouse. Nothing stuck even reducing our oil usage. The only downside is that it is not dishwasher safe, but since it is easy to wash it was not a concern.
Kyocera makes a wide range of pans, including a wok, all using their non-stick ceramic coating.
Kyocera products are available online.
Yosuka Carbon Steel
The Yosuka Pre-Seasoned Black carbon steel skillet is made of 14-gauge black carbon steel, with a removable beechwood handle. The pan heats up quickly and evenly. It weighs 2.5 pounds and has a 10.25-inch diameter, 2-inch height, and 1.8-quart capacity. There is no added nonstick coating, and it is PFAO- and PTFE-free. Because the handle is removable the pan can be put directly into the oven. Carbon steel is structurally tough and conducts heat well. It is great for high-heat cooking methods, as well as traditional cooking.
Yosuka pan is beautifully designed, with a stylish beechwood handle, and wonderful craftsmanship including three rivets attaching the handle to the base.
Some Maintenance is Required
Like their wok, the Yosuka carbon steel skillet needs to be seasoned to get its non-stick properties. Seasoning prevents food from sticking by creating a layer of oil, called patina which creates its nonstick quality (the heat breaks down into polymers that fill the microscopic pores in the metal’s surface making it nonstick).
Carbon steel needs to be cared for to prevent rusting. After use, it needs to be washed and dried. Food residue, especially acidic sauces, can ruin the nonstick coating. (It is safe to cook with acidic ingredients but do not store the leftovers in the pan.) If rust appears, remove the spot and re-season your skillet.
Your pan will be restored and ready to cook. Like the Yosuka wok, this pan is built to last. It can be ordered online.
Either or Both
We recommend either or both pans as a compliment to your kitchen, Yosuka is more traditional, while Kyocera uses an innovative new nonstick-ceramic coating. If you absolutely want a guaranteed non-stick pan, Kyocera would be our recommendation. If you are looking for a pan that can sear on high heat, consider Yosuka. You can’t go wrong with either of these relatively lightweight and durable pans, and although neither comes with a cover, Kyocera has the answer, a universal adjustable cover.
Adjustable Cover
Kyocera makes an adjustable cover that works with both these pans and fits any pot or pan with up to 11-inch diameter. It is lightweight, and rust-resistant, made of aluminum. It is easy to clean, using a high-performance fluororesin coating to prevent grease from sticking.
What we liked best were the functional design considerations, and that there are no moving parts. The handle is key, covering a small lid vent that releases steam and avoids any boiling over. Made of polyurethane resin, the handle is non-slip and remains cool to the touch. The cover includes a glass window that allows visibility into the pan during cooking. They designed the handle to allow the lid to stand on a countertop resting on the arms of the handle. There is also a hole to hook onto a storage rack.
This simple design is fully functional, using concentric circular indents, and lips that fit the lid to different-sized openings, giving it an additional level of stability. Without the indents, the lid would slip. Another clever design feature is the handle is skewed to one side rather than being placed dead center, giving you easier access for grasping, and balance.
Kyocera thought of everything, creating a universal lid for pans under 11 inches. Measuring 12.6″ in length x 12″ in width x 3.1″ in height and weighing .99 pounds. This may become the only cover you will ever need for your pans. Our only concern with the cover is longevity and wear.
Available for purchase online
Properly Outfitting Your Kitchen
Once you find the right brands, with high-quality workmanship, it makes sense to try their other products. Sometimes you don’t know what you need until you try it.
That was the case with Kyocera and Yosuka, these durable, and almost indestructible pans might make you sideline some of your chipped or damaged but well-used and loved pans. The Universal Adjustable lid might become the most reached-for lid in your kitchen.
