A frying pan is a handy pan that looks a lot like a frying pan, but has a higher, upright rim. This makes preparing a wide variety of dishes even easier. In addition, the non-stick coating ensures that food does not burn easily. A frying pan also exists in an electric version. Instead of on the stove, you use it in the wall socket. So the electric frying pan, also often called party pan, does not work on a heat source, but directly on electricity. Although you can do the same thing with both pans, there are some differences.
The heat modes
A regular frying pan, that is, the variety you place on the stove, works exactly the same as a frying pan. You indicate on the stove to what degree the food should be heated. On the pan itself, there is no function for that. It is different with an electric frying pan. It usually has an adjustable thermostat. That means you have several heat settings at your disposal. So with a turn of the knob you switch up or down. Usually an electric frying pan has 3 to 5 heat settings. A single model has only one.
The electric frying pan: for cooking and keeping warm
The regular frying pan that you place on the stove is used mainly for preparing dishes. Of course, you can also keep it warm, but that means leaving the pan on a switched-on heat source. This is not always convenient. An electric frying pan, as already mentioned, has different heat settings. With these, you can not only prepare food, but also keep it at the right temperature. As a result, the electric version can be used on many different occasions.
An additional division of the cooking surface
In some cases, an electric frying pan features a divided cooking surface. What we mean by that is that there are several compartments inside the pan itself, so you can cook or keep snacks or parts of a meal warm at the same time. Handy when you want to serve several things at once, or serve different appetizers during an occasion, for example. Although this extra division is not a strict difference between the regular and the electric frying pan, it is more common with the latter category.
Cleaning the frying pan
An ordinary frying pan is best cleaned by washing it by hand in warm water with dish soap. Ideally, you should use a dishwashing brush for this instead of a scouring pad. This is because the rough side of a sponge can easily cause scratches. Cleaning an electric frying pan requires a little more effort from you. Because you can’t disconnect the heating element, you can’t wash it in water. Instead, use a damp cloth or kitchen paper. It is best to do this immediately after using the pan, so food residue has less chance to stick.
An electric frying pan can be used in more places than just your kitchen
Are you organizing a garden party? Going camping? Unlike an ordinary frying pan, the electric version can also be used outdoors, provided you have electricity. If you keep the box of the device, transporting it by car or caravan also becomes a lot easier.