Along with the ingredients, flavours, cooking method and recipe, the right pan can provide the best cooking experience. These days a controversy has arisen; does pan size & shape matter? When it comes to baking a casserole, cookies or cakes, the significant type of pan plays an important role. However, there are different sizes and shapes of pans are available if you want to experiment with each dish. It is advisable to users, instead of filling your kitchen rack with several pans, just go with a selective one of the right shape and size. The commonly used pans shapes include square and round.
But, the question is, which one is better: a square pan or a round pan.Talking about round pans, they come with multiple features which are compatible with stovetops, oven temperature, even induction tops. For most baking tasks, square pans are a perfect choice since they help prepare an aesthetic-looking pleasure. If you are completely dependent on induction cooktops, you can go with round pans.Both square pan and round pans have a lot to offer! Let’s differentiate them and understand how they are different from one another.
Does a Pan Shape actual matter? – Square Vs Round Pans
You will find a wide range of options available in terms of size, thickness, metal, price while buying a pan.These are some of the common factors excluding the size of the pan that will take into consideration. Each pan has its purpose and benefit, as small round pans are ideal for cooking and serving dishes such as vegetables, fish, egg fry.
On the other hand, larger pans with a square shape are more suitable for relishing savoury liquids.Regardless of size, the size of the pan affects your cooking function. The size of your Pan relies on a few questions that you should ask yourself.
These include how juicy and moist the food is?How best is it to turn or stir your food? How much cooking room is available? These are some of the questions you should keep in mind when choosing between a square or round pan for baking and cooking.
About Square Pans
Square pans come in various types of sizes options. Used mostly for baking purposes, they are a good utensil for deep dish foods items. Depending on how proportional you cook or buy this pan for commercial or regular use, you can choose either a large square pan or a small square pan.But, they require additional work to finish as compared to round pans.
A small square pan is ideal for cooking veggies, meat, and sauces. Some larger pans can be broken down into smaller pieces that are used to prepare the best brownie squares restaurant style. Some other popular dishes that will be prepared in it are Casserole, Steam Chicken Thighs and Mac n Cheese.The best thing about a square pan is it has been available in different metals. These include stainless steel, copper, cast iron, aluminium, etc.
- Stainless Steel Pans
Stainless steel is considered one of the perfect options in terms of durability, heat retention and heat distribution. They offer outstanding cooking performance. The glossy finish of the steel complements both the western and traditional kitchen interiors.
It is highly durable and easy to clean.Square pans made of stainless steel are usually equipped with gripped handles and have more depth. Undoubtedly, they are dishwasher safe, as well oven-friendly. It can be used to bake cakes and brownies in good quantity.
- Cast Iron Pans
Square pans made up of cast iron are perfect for crunching up veggies, sausages, and omelettes. Also, they are best for baking cakes & cookies since cast iron skillets produce warm, help cook cakes evenly. Interestingly, it doesn’t burn any sugary coating, so you can enjoy the pulpy chocolate cookies you’ve been looking for.
- Copper Pans
Copper square pan distributes heat evenly since copper is a good source of thermal. It is designed in such a way so that you can accommodate a large batch of food at once. Besides heat conductivity, it is placed securely on the stovetop without the risk of flipping or sliding. Copper square pans are one of the lighter options when compared to stainless steel.
Take heed, you do not need to keep it on the flame for a long time as it is a volatile metal with low melting characteristics. Anyway, it is suitable for simmering sauces & curries or steaming chickens thighs.
- Aluminium Pans
Like stainless steel, an aluminium square pan heats up quickly since it retains heat well. These pans are ideal for preparing snacks even faster. However, they require a minimal amount of energy but it is advisable not to use sour food and vinegar for cooking as they can get absorbed into the surface. Generally, most aluminium square pans are non-stick, anodized and highly durable. The thick layers coating used to produce an aluminium square pan is non-stick, non-reactive, and durable.
What are the advantages of using a square pan?
The square-shaped pan with long corners provides ample cooking space, so large batches of food can be prepared at a time. The roomy interior of this pan is up to 25% greater than round pans. These pans are designed to keep your food like veggies and the meat moist. It also offers an extra depth to hold juices and flavours.
The heat flows inside the roomy interiors, which prevents the food from drying out. These skillets are ideal for stewing or steaming delicate protein cuts and beef tenderloin. Unlike the traditional round pan, a square pan helps to flip the delicate omelette easily. The edges provide space to steer the cooking utensils and execute the flips to perfection.
About Round Pans
The commonly used round pans are easier to handle on the stovetop and induction. Their circular and simple shape makes blending food about in the base of a pan whereas square pans don’t have this suitability. Due to the round shape, the pan prevents sauces or juices from slipping easily into the pan.Most round pans don’t have enough surface space, but they are the most common type, you’ll find a wider range of pans than square ones.In addition, they are highly durable as compared to square pans.
A round pan or skillet provides accommodation for all your favourite recipes. Just like square pans, round pans come in different sizes, varieties and sizes. The round material pans include cast iron, stainless steel, carbon steel, anodized aluminium, and copper.
What are the advantages of using a round pan?
Like square pans, rounds have their pros and cons. Their round shape makes it more convenient and easier to move and slide food around in the pan. If you don’t want to scorch or you’re afraid your food will burn, use a round pan to twirl the liquids around. It will keep your food wet and help deodorize the pan. Traditionally used round pans come with a lot of handy features since they are popular widely. Typically, most round pans come with a protective non-stick coating and easy-to-grip dual handles. These pans are generally used for baking and help prevent the liquid from running over. It also enables for even cooking over the stovetop and in the oven.
Difference Between a Square Pan and a Round Pan
The fact is that baking in the oven or cooking on the stove is completely different. For cooking, the majority is with a round pan while the square is best suited for baking cakes and cookies. The weight, size and shape of the pan specifically affect the result. A baking pan includes a square or round pan that cook both sweet and savoury dishes. There are several aspects to keep in mind when choosing between a square or round pan. Let’s take a look:
- Use of Metal
Most bakeware includes a square pan or round pan is available in anodized aluminium, silicone, stainless steel, and glassware. Interestingly, almost every metal pan cook down and heat up steadily. Among all, aluminium is the most excellent option for baking sweet pleasures, pasta and casseroles as it is a good conductor of heat. Especially, square aluminium pans are a great choice for cooking plenty of people or baking in batches as it offers greater depth and cooking space.
- Non-stick coating
Pans with a non-stick coated offer even cooking, helps to bakes smooth and soft cakes slices. Steel round pans are deep enough to prevent the cake’s surface from sticking or burning. In addition, it helps make softer sides. For most baking tasks, square pans are popularly has been used as they offer even heat distribution. Both pans shapes have their benefits and drawbacks depending on the recipe type and cooking method.
- Dimension
Square baking pans is wider and deeper enough than round ones. By the way, baking can be possible in both stainless steel square and round pans.
Final Words:
In terms of durability and cooking capacity, these two types of pans are different.Decide between a round pan and a square pan depending on where and what you’re cooking using them.
Other Pans Comparison:
Hi, my name is Ashley Robinson. I’m a food blogger and a part time chef in Food & Drink Junction, Denver. With my blog I’m sharing information & tutorials about different kinds of cooking pans.
