Fried potatoes are a staple in many cultures. They are delicious, filling and versatile—perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner or anytime in between. But frying potatoes at home can be tricky. Finding the right pan can make a huge difference in the taste and texture of your food. The problem is, there are many types of pots and pans that can all claim to be the best pan for frying potatoes. It’s almost impossible to pick the right one without consulting a pro. A good frying pan is crucial for producing potatoes that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. But what kind of frying pan is best? And how do you make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck?
What is a Potato Frying Pan?
A frying pan for potatoes is a piece of cookware designed specifically for cooking potatoes with heat. It has at least one long-handled handle and a flat bottom with sloped sides. There are also some added features such as a lid and a non-stick surface that helps the food slide off the pan easily when it’s done cooking. You can also find pans with one long handle and several angled handles for better maneuverability when you’re frying multiple items at once.
Features To Consider When Looking For A Pan to Fry Potatoes
Deep Sides
Potatoes are often deep-fried, so you need a pan that has at least 2″ of space between the food and the edge of the bottom. This ensures that your potatoes or other fried foods don’t burn. Some potato pans have sloping sides that are much deeper than others. The sloped sides help transfer heat evenly to all parts of the food. A good way to tell if a pan has good sloped sides is by looking at its bottom surface. If it’s two separate pieces, the pan will heat up faster and maintain a consistent temp. That means you can fry more food with less oil, because your food won’t cool down as quickly. Deep-sided pans also tend to be heavier than other options.
A Non-Stick Surface
Ever wondered why you can’t fry potatoes or other fried foods without using some kind of cooking spray or oil? The reason is that potatoes are very prone to sticking. If they do stick, they can burn quickly and become undercooked, making them soggy. If your pan’s non-stick surface is good enough, you won’t need to use any special cooking oils or sprays. While it may cost more, the benefit will far outweigh the extra cost.
Saucepan Handle
If you’re going to be cooking a lot of potatoes, you’ll want a pan that allows you to move the food around as needed. A saucepan handle will make it easy for you to pick up individual potatoes with the spatula and place them back in the pot as needed. If your pan doesn’t have a saucepan handle, make sure it gives you enough leverage so that you can easily flip food over with ease.
Oven Compatibility
If you’re going to be cooking a lot of fried food, you’ll need a pan that’s oven safe. While you won’t be frequently cooking in the oven, it will come in handy when you need to reheat your food or if your pan gets dirty and needs to be cleaned. Oven-safe pans are also typically made with materials such as die cast aluminum and hard anodized aluminum. These materials tend to be more durable than other options such as stainless steel and copper.
High Heat Compatibility
This is one of the most important things to look for when buying a frying pan. Most frying pans are designed for stovetop use only, so you won’t want to buy one that isn’t compatible with high heat. If you want your food to cook more quickly, you’ll need a pan that can handle high heat. This is especially important when you’re frying something like an onion or potato, which takes longer to cook than other foods do.
Butterfly-Style Handle
This is another feature that’s not too common in non-stick pans. When you hold the pan, the handle should provide enough leverage so that you can flip food within the pan without burning or dropping it. The handle should also be comfortable to hold, as it’s an important part of your cooking environment.
Metal Utensil Friendly
While it’s not a deal breaker, this is another feature that you’ll need to consider. If you’re preparing fried food for a large group of people, it can be difficult to find a pan that’s utensil friendly. You don’t want to have to bring extra utensils because they get stuck in the pan. While some of these pans will come with utensil holders, there are others that you’ll have to purchase separately.
Best 5 Pans For Frying Potatoes
- Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron 8-Inch Skillet
Why This One
This is one of the best pans for frying potatoes. It’s made of hard anodized durable aluminum, so it’s also oven safe. It has a long-handled handle and sloped sides so your food will stay warm for a longer period of time. It’s Deep side bases provide the ideal amount of heat for frying potatoes. It has a non-stick surface that will help your food slide right off once it’s done cooking. It’s also quite affordable, so you won’t have to worry about breaking the bank by buying this product.
- Lodge Cast Iron Dual Handle Pan
This is another great option if you’re looking for a frying pan to cook potatoes in. It has a thick cast iron base and body with two built-in handles. It also weighs more than 10 pounds, so it’s got a lot of weight to it. It’s made of die cast aluminum, which is basically just as durable as stainless steel but without the price tag. The lip around the pan provides you with plenty of space to rest the handle on when you’re frying larger batches of food. This pan is also oven safe, so you can put it in the oven if you ever want to reheat your food without having to use oil.
- Culinaire Kitchen Stainless Steel Frying Pan
With this pan, you get the best of both worlds. It’s made of two pieces: a 12-inch and an 8-inch pan combined into one. The handles are extra long and comfortable to use while you’re frying food. They’re high quality and made of stainless steel, so they’ll last you a while without getting rusty or damaged while they’re in your kitchen. This pan also has a non-stick surface that allows you to remove your food from the pan quickly when it’s done cooking.
- Lodge Cast Iron Enamel Dutch Oven
This is another variety of Lodge that comes with a saucepan handle. It has a porcelain enamel finish that’s oven-safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.It also works great on all types of stovetops, including induction ones. The lid is interchangeable with many other types of brands so you can use it with your favorite pans as well.
- Ozeri stone earth 12-inch frying pan with non-stick coating
This one is unique because it comes with a stick. It’s actually made of stone grey ceramic, so it’s dishwasher safe and easy to clean.It also has a deep side base for more efficient heat distribution. The handles are riveted for extra strength and durability, which you’re going to need if you’re going to use them often enough. Finally, it has a non-stick surface that can be removed and cleaned with a damp cloth or sponge.
Conclusion
While there’s no one perfect pan for cooking anything, there are also no bad pans. With the right options, you’ll never have to worry about cooking on bad equipment again. It’s important to pick out the right one for each type of food so that you can get the best results every time.
You also want to make sure your pan can handle high heat, as that’s how you’ll be able to cook your food quickly and evenly. And of course, it doesn’t hurt if you can find a pan that’s affordable and easy to clean. You’ve already wasted enough time staring at the same old frying pans in your kitchen. Now it’s time for you to get working on finding a great new frying pan so you can start cooking delicious meals for everyone.