How to measure a frying pan-A practical guide

We all want to start a new beautiful day refreshed and preparing a delicious meal is the best way to do so! In order to cook an omelet for breakfast, we’ll need a suitable pan. Again at lunchtime, we need a pan more significant than the previous one that was used for breakfast. So we can observe that different-sized pans are needed for different dishes. Otherwise, cooking will be a big hassle for us. So we have to know how to measure a frying pan for your daily life.

This means we need to plan very carefully when buying a frying pan. The size needs to be as accurate as possible! Now arise a question in our mind how to measure a frying pan? Here you know why and how to measure a frying pan.

It is essential to consider the size of a frying pan before buying them. If we don’t get to use our pans efficiently and with ease, it could ruin our entire cooking experience! So, it’s crucial to note that your ideal pan depends on the right size. Here’s an important question to keep in mind: what we’ll use it for and why we need it?

The first step is measuring correctly, which is quite a different task than cooking. But do not worry, all you need is some basic math and simple skills. Just like how we need to measure our furniture and clothing sizes, we must measure our pans too! So, how do we measure frying pan sizes? Let’s discuss the process step by step and make this beneficial to you all. 

How to measure a frying pan

First, we need a measuring tape, paper, and pen.

  1. Prepare the frying pan and place it flatly on a flat surface to avoid wiggling and wobbling. The frying pan should be facing up as you will measure the top side of the pan. Then hold your measuring tape on one side of the pan and stretch it to the other end across the center. Make sure that it crosses the center of the pan. Write down the value.
  2. If you choose to use a measuring tape, stretch it. Measure from the edge to the edge of the round mouth. Make sure to measure the widest part, which means the center of the circle mouth.

Measuring Round-Shaped Frying Pan Sizes

Round-Shaped Frying Pan

The dimensioning process of a round-shaped frying visage is straightforward. You can consider the periphery of the inner circle while measuring a round-shaped frying visage. You can measure from one end of the hem to another while passing through the center. Avoid measuring the external ends if you want the most accurate result.

Measuring Square-Shaped Frying Pans

square shaped frying pans

When measuring square kissers, the same system should be used. still, this time, you’ll have to measure two points. You need to measure across the longest part of the middle. Also measure the other longest point, so the places of dimension should form a cross. Then, all you need to do is multiply the two measures,e.g., 32 x 32 cm

Measuring Oval-Shaped Frying Pans

Oval-Shaped Frying Pans

Oval kissers can be tricky as it can be confusing where exactly to start measuring. Measuring round frying kissers principally works like how you measure square kissers: by measuring the widest part( middle) and across the middle of the shorter side. So, you calculate a round frying visage’s longer side at 36 cm and the shorter side at 22 cm. Then, the visage’s dimension would be declared as 36 x 22 cm.

Upper Inner Diameter

A diameter of a pan is one of the most important things when measuring a pan. There are two types of diameter; Upper inner diameter and Base diameter. An upper inner diameter measures the top sides of the pan. To measure it, place the pan flat and use the measuring tape to count from one inner edge to the other inner edge. An example of it would be a 36 cm pan from one inner edge to the other edge.

Base Diameter

When we say base diameter, we mean the diameter of the surface on which the pan stands on the stove. This is not the part where you put the ingredients and will most likely be a stainless-steel base that the heat touches.

However, the difference between the upper inner diameter is that the measurement is not the same for all pans. For example, Pan A with an upper diameter of 30 cm might have a base diameter of 25 cm. Whilst Pan B with 30 cm may have a base diameter of 20 cm. To measure that part, you will lie the pan flat upside down and use the same procedure of “Upper inner diameter” except you measure the stainless-steel disc or the base.

What Type of Pan Should You Get?

There are various kinds of pans and several factors that lead you to buy the right size of a specific pan. The most common types of pans are 10 in., 12 in, and 14 in. Bigger pans help out in making more batches of food.

However, they can be expensive and may take up more storage space in your cabinet or where you might store the pan. A small pan might be less expensive but you as a chef cannot put too much on the small pan. If I were to cook an omelet, I would use a smaller pan since using a bigger pan would mean it would spread out more and might overcook the omelet.

Moreover, the reason why 10, 12, and 14-inch size pans are more common is that they have medium storage to place in the cabinet, being less cheap while cooking your everyday meal in there if there are fewer people in the household. All in all, it depends on the buyer and their circumstances on the type of pan they need.

Conclusion

As stated before, there are many sizes of pans and as a consumer, it depends on the kind of food and the portion of it. Some pans have their size written. However, always make sure to buy the right size of the pan so as to not overcook the food. Pans come in many different kinds of material, and therefore be sure to get the best material to cook your food in.

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