Buying guide for best omelette pans
Nothing beats a delicious, fluffy omelette filled with your favorite cheeses, veggies, or meats. Making omelettes at home doesn’t have to be difficult either – as long as you have the right omelette pan, you can prepare a perfect omelette every time.
However, there are so many omelette pans on the market that finding the best option for your kitchen can be a challenge. You have to choose the right size, shape, conductivity, and other features to make sure that you can easily fold and slide the omelette out of the pan. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the options, we’re here to help.
At BestReviews, we aim to take the stress out of shopping. With our top recommendations and shopping guides, you can make educated purchasing decisions without sacrificing valuable time. In the market for a new omelette pan? Keep reading for everything you need to know before you buy.
What is an omelette pan?
For most home cooks, the trickiest part of making an omelette is flipping it once it’s stuffed with your favorite fillings. This step can be particularly difficult in a basic frying pan, so an omelette pan is specially designed to make it as easy as possible to flip your omelette.
An omelette pan’s shape and nonstick design helps you move the omelette around the pan, while its construction offers superior heat conductivity so you can quickly cook the eggs without burning them.
Some omelette pans even feature a lid that’s connected to the bottom of the pan with a hinge. This feature allows you to start the omelette in one half of the pan, and then easily flip it by closing the pan and turning it over. Trained chefs usually don’t favor these types of omelette pans, but for home use, they can work very well.
Benefits of omelette pans
You can make an omelette in any old frying pan, but there are several advantages to using a specially designed omelette pan.
Ease of cooking: An omelette pan’s design makes it much easier to prepare an omelette versus a basic frying pan. You don’t have to worry about the eggs burning or about messing up your flip when it’s time. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or a beginner, you’ll find that you can make omelettes more quickly and easily with a dedicated omelette pan.
No ripping: Because an omelette pan makes flipping an omelette as easy as possible, you won’t have to worry about it ripping when you try to turn it. That means you’ll wind up with omelettes that not only taste good but look good as well.
- Less mess: The nonstick surface that most omelette pans offer means cleanup is a breeze after you’re finished cooking. Since the omelette is less likely to rip when you flip, you don’t have to worry about cheese and other fillings oozing out into the pan either.
Did you know?
For a two-egg omelette, you should use about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of fillings. If you use any more, the fillings may seep out or cause the omelette to break when you try to slide it out of the omelette pan.
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Features to consider for omelette pans
Size
The first thing to consider when choosing an omelette pan is what size will work best for your cooking needs. Most omelette pans range from eight to 12 inches in diameter. Smaller eight-inch pans work best if you usually prepare omelettes for just one person at a time. A 10-inch pan allows you to make a larger omelette, while a 12-inch pan is ideal if you want to prepare multiple servings.
The larger the pan you choose, the more versatility it will have as well. Small omelette pans can work well for sautéing smaller ingredients or making large pancakes. Medium pans can be used for general sautéing, cooking bacon, and making grilled sandwiches. Large pans are suitable for preparing steaks, filets, and crepes, as well as sautéing larger quantities of food.
Shape
For the best results, opt for a round or oval-shaped omelette pan. Pay attention to the sides of the pan, too – they should be fairly high and have a gentle slope that allows for easy flipping. It also helps to choose an omelette pan with a flared edge because you’ll have an easier time sliding the omelette out without breaking it.
Bottom
The bottom of an omelette pan should be flat and thick, which allows you to cook your omelette at medium or high temperatures without worrying about burning the eggs. A thicker bottom also cooks the omelette more evenly and prevents the pan from warping, so you get the best cooking results every time.
Handle
An omelette pan’s handle should be long and balanced so you can hold it firmly when you flip the omelette. It should also stay cool when you heat the pan, so look for options that offer either silicone or stay-cool stainless steel handles.
Conductivity
To make sure that your omelettes and other foods cook evenly, it’s also important to choose an omelette pan that conducts heat well. Pans that offer outstanding conductivity distribute heat more effectively throughout the pan and respond well to even the smallest changes in heat. This allows you to have control over the cooking, so you can be sure your food won’t burn.
For superior conductivity, look for a stainless steel omelette pan with an aluminum core or a hard-anodized aluminum pan. Stainless steel is a particularly good option because it’s highly durable, lightweight, and doesn’t react with acidic foods.
Nonstick
Most home cooks know what it’s like to have an omelette stick to the pan and break apart when it’s time to flip it. Choosing a pan with a nonstick coating helps your omelettes and other foods slide out of the pan with ease. A nonstick omelette pan also allows you to reduce the amount of oil, butter, or other fat that you use to grease the pan, which can result in healthier recipes.
The one drawback to nonstick pans, though, is that they don’t allow for browning as well as other pans. Some experienced home cooks may be frustrated by this detail, but if you’re new to making omelettes, a nonstick finish can be a lifesaver.
Flip-over lid
If you’re new to making omelettes, you may appreciate an omelette pan that features a flip-over lid. This style of pan allows you to start the omelette in one half of the pan, close the lid, and easily flip the omelette over without worrying about breaking it. Keep in mind that flip-over lid omelette pans aren’t really suitable for other cooking tasks, so they’re not as versatile as other options.
Ease of cleaning
As with any pan, most home cooks want an omelette pan that’s as easy to clean as possible. For the easiest cleanup after you cook, opt for a dishwasher-safe model rather than a pan that requires hand-washing.
Prices for omelette pans
Omelette pan prices typically vary based on the pan’s size and material. In most cases, you’ll pay between $13 and $160.
Small omelette pans that are eight to 10 inches in size and are stainless steel, nonstick, or aluminum usually run from $13 to $30.
Medium omelette pans that are about 10 inches in size and are stainless steel, nonstick, or aluminum usually run from $30 to $100.
Large omelette pans that are about 12 inches in size and are stainless steel, nonstick, or aluminum usually run from $100 to $160. You’ll also find omelette pans made of cast iron in this price range.
FAQ
Q. Do I need omelette pans in multiple sizes?
A. It’s usually not necessary to buy more than one omelette pan. Purchase a pan in a size that works for the number of servings you cook most often. If you need to prepare a smaller or larger omelette on occasion, a skillet can substitute for a dedicated omelette pan in a pinch.
Q. What type of omelette pan is best if I’m new to making omelettes?
A. If you’re not an experienced home cook, an omelette pan with a flip-over lid makes it easier to prepare an omelette. You don’t have to worry about the omelette breaking when it’s time to flip it, so you’ll always wind up with perfect omelettes. If you opt for a lidless omelette pan, choose one with a nonstick surface. This also helps with folding the omelette and sliding it out of the pan without breaking it.
Q. Do I need to grease a nonstick omelette pan?
A. Some home cooks skip greasing altogether when they use a nonstick pan. However, others just reduce the amount of butter or oil. When it comes to making an omelette, adding a small amount of butter to the omelette pan to coat it before you add the eggs can give the omelette a subtle flavor and creamy texture that many people enjoy.
