Of all the kitchen cookware, saucepans might have the most undistinguishable use. It might have earned its name among the plethora of cookware in your home, but it is far from being a skillet or a cooking pan.
And more perplexing is its name, which does not fit its purpose. Saucepans are not just made for sauces, although they are mostly used for cooking liquids, syrupy or creamy sauces, and salsas.
But what are saucepans, and when is it intended for use?
A Saucepan is a Kitchen Cookware with a Deeper Body
Saucepans are more likely any cookware in your kitchen with a deeper body. It can be made of various materials, including stainless steel, nonstick, copper, cast iron, and many more. The main purpose of its deep-body construction is to hold more liquid capacity.
Thus, the saucepan is distinct in shape with high sides, straight edges, a lid, and more often comes with longer handles. The cookware also has a smaller surface area compared to its height. Such design allows even heat distribution, so liquid heats up easily and cooks evenly.
Saucepans also come in various sizes, with the usual design you see in most stores being the 3 quarts saucepans. These types of cookware are smaller than stock pots but deeper and less wide than frying pans. A saucepan is also a little taller than a sauté pan and narrower in dimensions.
One of the selling points of saucepans is its height, which makes heating more effective. A volume of liquid can be contained in its limited space, which keeps heat within its body. Additionally, the height of a saucepan is also an advantage because it prevents spillage.
Some Techniques on How to Use a Saucepan Effectively
Improving your cooking comes from knowing how to use your kitchen tool more effectively. Although pots and pans are simple to use, there are some proven techniques to use and store them more productively.
Organising saucepans. Pots, pans, and their lids are hard to handle because of their sizes and bulk. They use up more space when not properly stored, and you need to find a place where they can be easily accessed. One of the best ways to keep your saucepans is to hang them on a rack or have a slide-out hanging rack, divide deep drawers, or reclaim corner cabinets.
Stopping your Saucepans from Overflowing. There has been an ongoing debate online whether this technique is effective in stopping boiling water from overflowing. The truth is, it can be effective if you are boiling water and not syrupy substances. Putting a ladle or a wooden spoon stops searing water from going over the top because of its hydrophobic properties, puncturing and destabilising bubbles as they arise.
Caring for Your Kitchen Tool. Care for saucepans depends on its make and outer covering. One common denominator when caring for your pan is to use non-abrasive cooking pan cleaners like baking soda.
Conclusion
A saucepan is one of the armaments you need to have. These cooking vessels help you prepare delicious meals in less time and provide the right tools for the job needed.
Saucepans are used to hold most of your liquid cooking needs, including boiling water, making soups, simmering, and making pasta sauces. Caring for them and essentially knowing how to organise the cookware in your kitchen is vital for their longevity and use.
