Cast, forged or stamped aluminum pans? Which pans are the best on the market?

Not all pans are the same. They are pans, yes. And they serve the same purpose. True. But There is a big difference between a good frying pan and a normal frying pan.. And not only in terms of price, which is obvious in the store when we compare pans, but in terms of quality, and sometimes we don't know if a pan is good or bad until we use it at home. If you don't want to be disappointed again, the best thing to do is learn to distinguish them before buying them. And to choose a good frying pan you don't need to be an expert, just follow the guidelines we give you below.

The main factor that influences the quality of a pan is the material and the process used to make it. A pan can be made of many materials, there are iron and stainless steel ones, but most of the ones you will find in the store are made of aluminum and are distinguished by their manufacturing process. And although at first it may seem that the difference between one manufacturing process and another should not be much because after all they are all pans, the truth is that there is a difference. And a lot.

Below we are only going to talk about how to choose a good aluminum pan, but if you prefer them made of other materials such as stainless steel and cast iron.

Types of pans according to the manufacturing process

Almost all the pans you'll find in the store are made of cast aluminum, forged aluminum or stamped aluminum. Knowing the names is always good, and maybe one day it will help you win a game of Trivial, but the important thing is to distinguish between them and know what differences there are between them in order to choose the best ones. So let's get to it.

Stamped aluminum pans: the cheapest, but also the least reliable.

The stamped aluminum pans They are made from a flat, thin sheet of aluminium to which great pressure is applied using a press that is shaped like a pan. This manufacturing process is the simplest and also the cheapest, which is why stamping pans are also the most widely used. cheaper, which we can find for three euros or more in any store. Great, so I'll stick with this one, right? Yes, we can stick with this one, of course, but it has a problem: When aluminum is heated it tends to return to its original shape., in this case, to a flat sheet, that is why after using them for a short time we noticed that They are deformed and that the cooking surface bulgesThis factor, added to the fact that the non-stick coating they usually use is of poor quality, makes their life cycle very short.

Forged aluminum pans: good value for money, but not all work equally well

The forged aluminum pans They are made in a very similar way to stamped aluminum pans, but in this case heat is applied to the pressing. This allows two things: the aluminum sheet is thicker, and therefore more resistant than that used in stamped aluminum pans and minimize the deformation of the piece when cooking. And although these pans are more expensive, paying a little more really pays off, because practically They do not warp, last longer and cook much better than stamped aluminum pans..

You should make sure that they are thick enough and have a good non-stick coating, as these two factors greatly influence the final price. A forged aluminium pan made from a thin sheet of aluminium will also warp and bulge. And if the sheet is thin, it probably also has a poor non-stick coating.

Cast aluminum pans: the most expensive, but the best pans on the market by far

And finally we have the cast aluminum pansIn this case, liquid aluminum is used and poured into a mold that is shaped like a frying pan. In this way, the pan never deforms when cooking, because this is its original form. This process It is the more expensive, but also the one who provides better results in the kitchen, a fact that makes them the best pans on the market.

One might wonder what could be better than forged aluminum pans. If a forged aluminum pan is sturdy, durable, cooks well, and is reasonably priced, is more needed? Well, it depends on each person's needs.

Working with cast aluminum allows for different thicknesses to be given to the piece., a fact that helps distribute heat much better and to ensure that the food cooks evenly across the entire cooking surface. And of course there are other details, such as the finishes, which are better, or the possibilities that cast aluminium gives you in terms of design. In addition, cast aluminium pans usually have the best non-stick coatings, so it will be much more difficult for your omelette to stick again.

Okay, now how do I distinguish them in the store to choose the best ones?

Distinguish a stamped aluminum pan It's very easy to find one in the shop. The price will already give you a pretty clear clue that it's a stamping pan. But if you're one of those who are skeptical, you just need to pick it up and touch it a little. You'll see that It weighs almost nothing and is very thin.

Differentiate a Forged aluminum pan from a cast aluminum pan It is a little more complicated because the different thicknesses applied to the cast aluminum are not detected with the naked eye and the weight is quite similar. In this case, It is better that you look at the packaging, because at aluminum pans molten They know they are the best and they like to brag about it, so they always They have it written on the label in big letters. Yes, it is an unscientific detection system, but it is very effective.

From here, it's up to you. You may still prefer to have a stamped aluminum pan because, after all, you don't use it that much. But even if you don't like cooking much, we recommend spending a little more and opting for a cast aluminum pan. You'll see that the difference is really noticeable.