Last Updated on June 19, 2022 by
Why do frying pans have raised bottoms? This is because the bottom of frying pans has a lot to do with the quality, durability, and even safety of the cookware. Do you think your pot is warped or deformed because the center is raised?
Lots of complaints get to manufacturers about the raised bottoms of most pans. The concerns which are raised by mostly customers, albeit genuine, come from a lack of understanding of the properties of metals and how they react to heat.
Where most people have written off the concave shape of most frying pan bottoms, others are in need of an explanation especially since cookware can easily become a safety concern when they are in terrible condition or even worse make cooking difficult.
ARE THE RAISED BOTTOMS OF FRYING PANS A DEFORMITY?
Is the raised bottom of my frying pan a deformity? The quick answer to this question is a simple no. It is not a deformity. It is not like when cookware gets warped over time rather it is a deliberate manufacturing decision that is backed by science. A curious customer would not be satisfied by a simple answer in the negative instead they would need to make much more sense of why their pans have a concave-shaped bottom.
The ideal shape of frying pans’ bottom as far as customers know is not a concave shape rather it should be flat. What customers do not know is that the raised bottom serves them better, in the long run, more than the flat shape they often request for.
The irony is that a flat-shaped bottom would mean that the frying pan would be deformed in little or no time and the frying pan would become unsafe for use and even make cooking very difficult. So it is safe to say that the concave shape or the raised bottom of the frying pan is actually a solution more than it is a problem. Without a doubt, it can be a bit difficult to cook with a raised bottom considering that oil often flows to the edges instead of the middle but this is relatively easy to manage a situation that also corrects over time.
WHY ARE THE BOTTOMS OF FRYING PANS RAISED?
Why do frying pans have a raised bottom? It is easy to imagine a customer asking a sales rep, “If the raised bottom of my frying pan is not a deformity, then what is the purpose?” The purposefulness of the concave shape of the bottom of the frying pans is a concept that has everything to do with the material the cookware is fashioned from.
Most frying pans are made of metals such as steel and aluminum. Elementary science exposes that due to the nature of metals, they expand when they are heated and frying pans are not an exception to this phenomenon. In high-temperature regions of the world, railway tracks take a serpentine look because of the temperate weather conditions. Metal roofs in Australia and Africa all expand when during hot temperatures. This is a natural occurrence that has been explained by science.
Frying pans that are fashioned from metals are used almost daily to cook which means they are subjected to high temperatures over a period of time and this means that they eventually expand. This expansion of metals means a change in shape and appearance. The implication of having a flat frying pan is that after it has been subjected to heat from cooking, the expansion will force the cookware to expand and the bottom will take a convex shape or an outward bent shape.
The Solution
When this becomes the case, it becomes irreversible and when oil is poured into the frying pan, it will flood the center leaving every other part of the pan to be relatively dry; a frustrating way to cook any meal. More so, a permanently convex-shaped frying pan will hardly sit comfortably on any stove or cooking appliance and one can imagine the number of domestic accidents and hazards that can occur from such a situation. Finally, the durability and quality of the frying pan are reduced when it has taken a convex shape and is now inherently deformed.
Summarily, the raised bottom of the concave shape of the bottom of the frying pan is an anticipation of the expansion of the metal which frying pans are made of and an attempt to correct it eventually. The raised bottom of a frying pan will expand over time and begin to take a flat shape. Also, a concave-shaped bottom will sit better on a cooking appliance when compared to a convex-shaped bottom making it safer to use. It also means that cooking efficiency would be increased. The cookware will be much more durable in the long run too.
Customers who have realized that a frying pan with a concave-shaped bottom is not a deformity often rest easy and enjoy the quality of their cookware. Better reviews have been provided online since the realization that the shape of the bottom of frying pans is not a manufacturing defect or damage due to distribution or storage but rather an attempt to correct and manage a simple scientific phenomenon that occurs naturally. Thanks to research, cookware lasts longer now compared to when most cookware was made to have flat bottoms because they seemed ideal and looked good.
ARE RAISED BOTTOMS BETTER THAN FLAT BOTTOMS
Flat bottoms just look normal. Most users of cookware do not understand why the bottoms of their frying pans have to be raised when they could just be flat. They consider the raised bottom abnormal and only choose the obsolete flat bottoms because they look normal. However, normal does not always mean better. As explained earlier, the concave-shaped bottoms are way better than the flat bottoms but users of cookware would rather request a flat-bottomed frying pan even when there is an attempt to convince them that it is not the better choice. Most users realize afterward through observations that the raised bottoms have better merits when compared to the flat bottoms.
In recent times, manufacturers of frying pans do not even make flat bottomed pans anymore so flat bottomed cookware is as rare as unicorns. Also, more users of cookware are beginning to go for the more durable and quality raised bottoms.
QUALITIES OF A GOOD FRYING PAN
DURABILITY
As expected of any product, cookware should be durable. Customers do not want to make the trip to the store every week to purchase a new frying pan because the ones they already purchased cannot stand the test of time. A good frying pan should be durable and serve the user for as long as possible.
QUALITY MATERIALS
Frying pans are cookware and as such should be made with materials that are not harmful when they come in contact with food that is to be ingested. Most frying pans are made of stainless steel and aluminum or any other metal that has good quality. The metals are often protected from rust so that when the frying pans are washed or cleaned with water they do not begin to rust. The quality of the material a frying pan is made of has a lot to do with its durability. Users must consider the quality of materials before they make any purchase.
THE SHAPE OF THE BOTTOM
Without a doubt, the shape of the bottom of a frying pan is important. It also has a lot to do with durability as well. A concave-shaped bottom will last longer even after it has been subjected to heat and begins to expand. Furthermore, a concave-shaped bottom will determine the efficiency of use of the cookware. Over time when the expansion begins to take effect, a flat-shaped bottom will become difficult to use while a concave-shaped bottom will still be in good form and ready for use. Also, frying pans with flat bottoms are becoming obsolete since they do not serve any purpose anymore.
SAFETY
Cookware should be safe to use. Purchasing a bad frying pan will sooner than later become a problem and consequently lead to accidents and hazards that can be avoided. Hot oil scalding and even fire outbreaks can stem from using bad cookware. This is the reason frying pans with flat bottoms are not often manufactured since they are not very safe and user-friendly when compared to the raised bottoms. Quick research on the cookware one is about to purchase can show the safety reviews of the product. Getting a good product with strong and firm handles and lids is the way to go. Good frying pans can sit easily and properly on the cooking appliance to avoid hazards and accidents during cooking.
AFFORDABILITY
The best frying pans do not cost a fortune as most users would imagine. They are affordable when they are purchased from the right outlets. Amazon offers some of the best quality frying pans and they do not even cost an arm. You do not have to break a bank to get some of the best quality cookware. A quick search on what you want on some online stores such as Amazon will help you get the best deals on a budget.
THE BEST CHOICES OF RAISED FRYING PANS AVAILABLE
HOME HERO NON STICK PANS
The Home Hero brand frying pan is a stone-coated frying pan. It is nonstick which makes it of good quality, easy to use, and even easier to clean. More so, It has an accommodating size of 10 inches. It also comes with a lid to protect food and conserves heat. It also has some of the best customer reviews online. Home Hero Pans are also affordable for its quality. Click here to see on Amazon
Calphalon 2 Piece Classic Nonstick Frying Pan
Rated highly by customers, this frying pan is of good quality and is very easy to use and clean. It comes in different sizes and does not take up a lot of space in the kitchen. It is affordable cookware and available online. Click here to see on Amazon
ECOWIN 12 INCH NONSTICK FRYING PAN
This 12-inch frying pan accommodates large-sized cooking. It still does not require much storage space in the kitchen. It is affordable and easy to use. Also fashioned from good materials. Click here to see on Amazon
Conclusion on Why do Frying Pans have Raised Bottoms
Contrary to what most users of cookware think, raised bottoms of frying pans have a purpose and they are the better choice. It may not be the normal or expected look and shape of a frying pan but it is proven to be manufactured deliberately to accommodate the expansion of the metals these frying pans are made of.
Good frying pans are not difficult to find. They are available and affordable on most online stores. There are different brands that manufacture strong and durable products that can stand the test of time while being very easy to use.
