Pans are one of the most useful cooking utensils. You can use them to prepare a variety of recipes, and they make cooking easy. Nonetheless, it is important to use them properly as it will extend their life. And one of the crucial questions regarding the use of pans is, do pans smoke?
Yes, pans do smoke. Almost every type of pan will smoke when it is not used properly. Smoking can be caused by overheating, residual soap or oil, or improper seasoning. It may also occur when the pan is damaged. To avoid smoking, you should take proper care of the pan during and after the cooking.
A smoking pan presents many problems. Since smoking releases harmful free radicals that contaminate the food, it is unhealthy. It is also dangerous as there are chances that the pan may catch fire. Now, the good news is that you can prevent a pan from smoking by using it properly. To understand this better, let us take a closer look at what causes the smoking of pans.
Why Do Pans Smoke?
You may have noticed that some pans are more prone to smoking than others.
It is usually related to the material used to construct the pan.
If a pan has a thick base, it takes longer to heat up and start smoking.
Meanwhile, pans made of thin metal tend to overheat quickly.
Now, let us look at the entire phenomenon of smoking from a technical standpoint.
The process that causes smoking is called “pyrolysis.”
It refers to the decomposition of organic material at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen.
The organic material in this case is the oil used for cooking.
When you continuously heat a pan, the oil or fat in it reaches its smoking point.
Once the temperature exceeds the smoking point, the oil breaks down.
This breakdown of oil produces various physical and chemical reactions, including the release of smoke.
Let us now look at what leads to this condition.
1. High temperature or overheating.
When pans get too hot, they start smoking. In the case of a pan with a heavy base, it will take longer to heat.
Nonetheless, if you continue to raise the temperature, the pan will end up smoking.
The chances of smoking are higher when there is oil in the pan.
2. Presence of soap or oil.
Most cooking oils have a smoking point of around 446°F (230°C).
When you heat oil to this temperature, it releases smoke.
Pans that have been washed and dried may also smoke because of the presence of residual oil or soap on the surface.
3. Improper seasoning.
The surface of some pans, like those made of cast iron and iron, are treated with oil or fat to produce a “non-stick” effect.
This oily layer is called its seasoning. Seasoning makes a pan resistant to corrosion.
It also allows food to easily slide off the surface without sticking.
A seasoned pan is prone to smoking when it is overheated or improperly seasoned.
The presence of soap or leftover oil can produce smoke.
4. Damage to the surface.
Physical damage such as dents and scrapes can make the surface of a pan uneven.
When these pans are exposed to high temperatures, their surface will not heat evenly.
The thinner sections will heat up faster and produce smoke.
Food cooked in such a pan will also stick to these areas and get burnt.
Let us now look at the most common types of pans in our kitchens and how prone they are to smoking.
Related Further Reading:
- What Can Be Done About a Scratched Ceramic Pan?
- What is the Surface of a Copper Pan Made Of?
- Do Baking Pans Have Teflon? (Why + How To Tell If A Pan Has Teflon)
Do Grill Pans Smoke?
Grilled food has a delicious smoky flavor and charred texture.
Interestingly, these characteristic features are produced by the distinct structure of the pan in which you grill the food on a stove.
A good grill pan will produce smoke.
The copious amounts of smoke involved are one of the main reasons why we prefer to do grilling outdoors.
Now, if you are worried about how healthy grill pans are, here is some reassurance.
Grilling food in a grill pan is healthier than using a frying pan.
The deep ridges will prevent the food from cooking in its fat while also creating a smoky flavor.
Do New Pans Smoke?
New pans will most likely smoke the first time you use them. You will observe smoke even if you buy a seasoned pan.
It is because these pans have a factory coating that burns off when it is heated.
While the coating burns, smoke is produced.
Do Cast Iron Pans Smoke?
Cast iron pans smoke when they get too hot.
However, it may take longer for a cast iron pan to smoke compared to other pans because of its thick base.
Nonetheless, applying heat to a cast iron pan will make it release smoke once it is overheated.
Any leftover oil or soap residue will cause the pan to smoke faster.
Related Further Reading:
- Is it Advisable to Place Pots and Pans Inside a Refrigerator?
- Can You Use Pans On A Grill? (Which Pans Can You Use?)
- Which Types of Pans Can be Placed in a Dishwasher for Cleaning Purposes?
Why Do Stainless Steel Pans Smoke?
Stainless steel is highly preferred for cooking because it is a stable material.
It is also easier to clean and get rid of any trace of oily or soapy residue from stainless steel surfaces.
Nonetheless, even a stainless-steel pan will smoke when it is heated too much.
Stainless steel conducts heat quickly. Hence, it becomes hot very fast.
Overheating the pan with or without oil will result in pyrolysis that makes the pan smoke.
Why Do Non-Stick Pans Smoke?
Overheating a non-stick pan will cause the residual oil on its surface to release smoke.
However, new non-stick pans will also smoke under certain circumstances because of their non-stick coating.
This coating cannot withstand high temperatures.
When you heat a pan beyond this level, the non-stick coating breaks down and becomes the cause of smoking.
When the non-stick layer breaks down, the integrity of the pan gets compromised.
When this happens, it is no longer safe to use the pan for cooking.
Interesting Further Reading:
- Does Cooking with Pans Take Too Much Time on a Griddle?
- What Pans Do Professional Chefs Use? (Including Michelin Chefs)
- Are Pans Compatible with Induction Hobs?
How To Stop Pans From Smoking?
By preventing a pan from smoking, you can extend its life and usefulness.
Fortunately, a few precautions will allow you to do it.
One of the most important steps is to monitor the pan constantly when it is on the stove.
Always start using the pan at a low temperature and gradually raise the heat to the desired level.
You should have a good idea of how long a pan takes to heat up.
You should also be aware of how long it takes for different oils to reach the optimum temperature for cooking.
After cooking, wait for the pan to cool down completely before you clean it.
Proper cleaning will reduce the chance of smoking.
While washing the pan, ensure that no oil or soap residue remains.
Wipe and dry it thoroughly before putting it away.
For cast iron and iron pans, you can apply a thin coat of oil to the pan before placing it on the stovetop.
It will help to keep the pan well-seasoned.
For cast iron pans, wipe the pan with a cloth or paper towel instead of washing it with water.
Doing so will help you keep the natural seasoning of the pan intact.
It will reduce the chance of smoking and protect the metal to a great extent.
Now, in case a pan starts smoking, turn down the heat immediately.
Remove the pan from the stove quickly and allow it to cool down. It will reduce the extent of damage to a great extent.
