Glass pots: types, features of choice and use

Dishes in the kitchen play an important role, therefore, for every housewife, its appearance, functionality and convenience will be of great importance. Today, along with metal pots, glass products are in demand. They have individual characteristics that lead to an increased interest in glassware in the kitchen.

Cookware made of glass has been used by chefs and housewives since the 19th century. The commissioning of such products is connected with the discovery of borosilicate refractory glass. Today, a lot of brands are engaged in the manufacture and sale of kitchen utensils from this material, which has a positive effect on the product range. In the manufacturing process, heat-resistant Pyrex glass acts as a material, which is inherently resistant to heating up to + 300C-400C.

The heat resistance of products is due to the peculiarities of the chemical composition of the glass, as well as its thickness. In addition to the dimensions of the walls and bottom the material acquires resistance to high temperatures due to the presence of refractory compounds in the composition, their number increases the heat resistance, reducing the coefficient of expansion. But the range of manufacturers also includes thin-walled glass pans.

They are designed to heat up to + 300C, which also allows them to be used in the oven, in the oven or on the stove, but due to the lower characteristics of the thickness, such products will require more gentle handling during operation. In addition, compared to pots with thick glass walls, thin-walled dishes will have a lower heat capacity, which is extremely important for baking or stewing food.

Nowadays, kitchen pots are made from clear, brown and smoky glass, however the shade of the material does not affect its properties at all. Therefore, the choice will depend only on the personal taste preferences of the chef. Transparent products are sometimes additionally decorated with various patterns, which enhances their aesthetic qualities.

Cookware made of the most heat-resistant glass is able to withstand heating up to + 1000C, but such raw materials, like hardened ones, are not used for the production of pots.

In addition to ordinary glass, glass ceramics can be used to make pots today.

Heat-resistant glass pots are very popular, but they have not received widespread use in the kitchen. This is due to the presence of strengths and weaknesses in the dishes, which appear during operation. So, its advantages include the following.

• Some of the materials from which cookware is made can react with certain types of food, thereby affecting the taste. Such features are not inherent in glass, therefore, the organoleptic qualities of dishes in glass pans will remain unchanged.
• A transparent or translucent glass thermal saucepan allows the hostess to visually control the cooking process, which is not possible in metal containers with a closed lid.
• Glass products have a universal purpose, therefore they are compatible with all types of plates. However, for induction, electric and gas hobs, you will need to install a special divider.
• Glass is not susceptible to corrosion and oxidation, like many metal alloys, so dishes, with proper care, will not change their appearance.
• Due to the smooth surface, glass products are many times easier to wash, since fat and food residues do not clog into the pores. In addition, nothing burns in the glass container. Caring for it does not require the use of any specialized compounds, in addition, the glass is perfectly cleaned in the dishwasher.
• Unlike some of the materials most commonly used in kitchenware, glass containers can be placed in the freezer as glass is resistant to low temperatures.

Among the disadvantages of such dishes, the following should be noted.

• A feature of glass is its low thermal conductivity, in light of which the cooking process may take more time compared to containers made of metal alloys.
• Even though pots are thicker, they will still be more fragile. If handled carelessly, the dishes can easily be smashed on the concrete or tiled floor. In addition, the container can be damaged by metal spoons, forks, etc.
• Glass containers are not resistant to sudden temperature changes. Therefore, it is not recommended to put the pan directly from the refrigerator on a hot stove or in a hot oven.
• Glass products are heavy when compared to conventional steel or lightweight aluminum pots.
• Containers do not always have comfortable handles; moreover, glass handles heat up along with the dishes, which can be inconvenient to use.

There is a classification of glassware, based on which pots are of a universal type or intended only for ovens and microwaves.

As a rule, the dishes have a standard cylindrical shape, so they will be suitable for preparing not only the first, but also the second courses; some chefs use glass pans for making cakes and other baked goods. A glass saucepan with a deep lid can be used as a frying pan, as the lid can be used to bake or stew a variety of foods.

Thin-walled containers are used for serving cold soups or drinks on the table. Thick-walled pans can be used directly for cooking a variety of dishes. Glass sets usually consist of three items, different in their displacement.

The volume of glass cookware varies from half a liter to 5 liters. The larger the volume, the heavier the product will be. As a rule, the most convenient volume will be 2 or 3 liters. Marking is made based on the diameter of the bottom of the container, these values ​​are from 14 to 26 centimeters.

When choosing sets or individual pots made of glass for operation, you should pay attention to the main characteristics of the proposed products.

The containers for cooking must be free from defects in smoothness and various bevels in shape. Any dimples or waves will clearly indicate poor quality cookware.

Good fireproof glass can be easily tested against specified criteria. To do this, it is enough to bring the selected container to the light, in the sun good material will be homogeneous, without any foreign inclusions and bubbles.

For an electric stove, grinded glass pans are best. If the dishes will be used on different hobs, including an oven and a microwave, you will need to buy an induction divider or an adapter in addition to the pots. With it, glass containers will become universal. As practice shows, dishes made of thick glass are more suitable for a gas stove, similar products can be found in the assortment of domestic manufacturers, foreign brands are more focused on electric stoves.

The dimensions and circumference of the bottom of glass pans must correspond to the area of ​​the heating element on the stove.

If in the future you plan to use kitchen utensils for cooking in the oven, then before buying it is worth studying the information on the product to make sure that the pan can be used in this way. Absolutely heat-resistant glass cookware has not yet been invented, so the compatibility and fire resistance of the proposed product must be considered first.

Today, high-quality glass pots are actively used for stewing, cooking, baking, heating food, making drinks and even baking. In the light of their multifunctionality, it is necessary to highlight certain rules regarding proper operation, which will extend the product's service life.

• If containers were purchased for cooking on a gas hob or stove, as well as for use with electric stoves, it is prohibited to put the pan on an open fire. For these purposes, you should always use a special mesh adapter.
• Oval or rectangular pots are best used in ovens or microwave ovens, as round cooking zones will not heat the container evenly over the entire area. In addition, glass has a low thermal conductivity, which will greatly increase the time required for cooking. Uneven heating can not only spoil food, but also lead to the fact that the container will simply burst on the stove.
• Do not heat an empty glass container.
• Regardless of the type of hob you have, the outside of the pot must always be dry during cooking.
• To avoid burning food on the bottom, it is necessary to ensure that there was a small layer of fat or liquid at the bottom.
• If a thick dish is being cooked, it should be stirred regularly so that the cooking process is uniform in all layers.
• If the recipe involves the addition of a certain amount of liquid to the food being cooked, the pan must first be removed from the heat, and the liquid must be poured strictly in the center. This method will prevent it from falling on the hot walls of the container, thereby preventing the formation of cracks from a sharp temperature drop.
• Once removed from the heat, the pot should not be placed on a damp or cold surface. This applies to the use of dishes in the microwave, oven or on any stove. It is recommended to use a board or a special silicone hot pad as a stand.
• The cooking process should take place over low heat, without sudden temperature fluctuations that can adversely affect the integrity of the glass.
• Use a silicone, plastic or wood spoon, slotted spoon or spatula to mix the ingredients. It is not recommended to use metal objects.
• Using glass pots, you need to fill the containers with food no more than 60-70%.
• The handles of heat-resistant dishes will heat up together with the entire container, therefore, during cooking, you need to additionally use oven mitts.
• It is forbidden to operate containers even with minor defects, since the glass can deform and crack even more from heating.
• Manufacturers usually mark their products with special pictograms. Such designations will help to understand the nuances of the operation of glass pans, as well as their compatibility with stoves.
• Dish care does not require the use of any specialized products and formulations. After cooking or storing food, containers can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher.

For an overview of the glass pan, see the next video.