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. The non-stick coating also prevents food from burning easily. A frying pan also exists in an electric version. Instead of on the hob, you use it at the socket. The electric frying pan, also often called a party pan, does not work on a heat source, but directly on electricity. Although you can do the same with both pans, there are some differences.
The heat modes
An ordinary frying pan, i.e. the variant you place on the cooker, works exactly the same as a frying pan. You indicate on the cooker to what extent the food should be heated. On the pan itself, there is no function for this. 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 can 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 as well as keeping warm
The regular frying pan you place on the cooker is mainly used for preparing dishes. Of course, you can also keep it warm, but that means leaving the pan on a switched-on heat source. That is not always convenient. As already mentioned, an electric frying pan has several heat settings. This allows you not only to prepare food, but also to 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 this is that there are several compartments in the pan itself, so you can cook or keep snacks or parts of a meal warm at the same time. Useful when you want to serve several things at once, or serve several snacks 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 in the latter category.
Cleaning the frying pan
An ordinary frying pan is best cleaned by washing it by hand in warm water with washing-up liquid. Ideally, you should use a dishwashing brush instead of a scouring sponge. This is because the rough side of a sponge can easily cause scratches. Cleaning an electric frying pan requires a bit more effort from you. Since you cannot disconnect the heating element, you cannot wash it in water. Instead, use a damp cloth or kitchen paper. It’s best to do this immediately after using the pan, so food residues have less chance of sticking.
An electric frying pan can be used in more places than just your kitchen.
Are you organising 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 appliance, transporting it by car or caravan also becomes a lot easier.