Nothing beats a perfectly seared fish filet. There is just something about the texture and the taste that makes it unique. Searing is an art and you need the right pan to get the perfect sear on your fish. However, finding the right searing pan for your fish can prove to be a difficult task as you need to factor in a lot of things. So, if you are in the market for new pans for cooking fish, here are a few things you need to consider.
Things to Keep In Mind When Buying a Fish cooking Pan
Size
When buying a new pan for cooking fish be sure to choose one that is the right size for you. It would really depend on how much you cook or the size of the fish, but anything between 9-12 inches should do just fine. If you are buying larger pans for cooking fish make sure they have a secondary lug handle for support.
Material
Searing pans can be made from a wide range of materials including aluminum, cast iron, copper, or stainless steel. All of these materials have different properties, for example, cast iron is known for heating up slowly but retains heat well, making it good for achieving the perfect sear on meat, stainless steel pans last longer but may not be the best for searing as food tends to stick to the bottom, and Copper pans have excellent heat conductivity but can be more expensive.
However, the most ideal pans for cooking fish might be cast-iron pans as they aren’t too expensive and are perfect for slow and even cooking on low heat.
Pan Coating
Most pans either have enamel or non-stick coating. The enamel coating is mostly applied to aluminum, cast-iron, or steel pans. The best thing about these pans is that they don’t scratch easily or react with food. However, they might chip if not handled carefully. These pans are great for searing and cooking food on low heat. On the other hand, a non-stick coating is ideal for frying and making sauces. It prevents food from sticking and reduces the need for additional fat. Most types of cookware come with a non-stick coating including aluminum, cast iron, and stainless steel pans.
Top Pans For Cooking Fish
Here is our list of some of our favorite pans we’ve tried that address all the things to keep in mind.
T-fal Dishwasher Safe Cookware Fry Pan
- Built to perform: A true workhorse in the kitchen, hard anodized aluminum retains perfect heat and has a much stronger protective layer than the original metal, making it corrosion and scratch resistant, plus it won’t react to acidic foods
- Heat mastery system: T fals heat mastery system is a 3 ingredient recipe for perfectly delicious cooking results every time; Superior and longer lasting non stick coating, an anti warping, even heat base and patented thermo spot technology
- Thermo spot indicator: The ring around the spot turns solid red to show when pans are perfectly preheated and ready for ingredients to be added proper preheating is key to sealing in flavor and cooking food eve
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Made from hard-anodized aluminum, this frying pan is great at retaining heat and has a very strong protective layer that makes it scratch-resistant and prevents corrosion. It has a superior heating system with its long-lasting non-stick coating, anti-warping build, an even heat base, and most importantly the patented Thermo spot technology. Many frying pans have the risk of warping if they are left too long on the heat. However, the T-fal frying pan has an anti-warping build. So you don’t have to worry about leaving it on the heat for too long or cooling the pan down before you can wash it.
This pan also features a red-colored ring in the center called the Thermo spot that turns red when the pan is heated and ready for use. Its durable non-stick coating is toxin-free and makes the pan scratch resistant and easier to clean up. It also features riveted silicone handles that provide safety and comfort and the vented tempered glass lid is great at trapping heat and moisture to cook your food to perfection.
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized Pan (625-30D)
- EXCEPTIONAL DESIGN: Enjoy professional performance with hard anodized exterior, unsurpassed heat distribution and quantanium nonstick for professional results
- PREMIUM COOKING: Constructed to last. Drip-free pouring– Flavor Lock Lid
- EXCEPTIONAL HANDLING: Cool grip handles are solid stainless steel riveted handles that stay cool on the stove top and provide a safe a solid grip
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Featuring a hard-anodized exterior and a Quantanium non-stick interior, the Cuisinart chef’s classic pan is perfect for everyday use. It’s hard-anodized aluminum construction makes it more durable than stainless steel pans. Whereas, its encapsulated pure aluminum core enables quick and even heating.
The high-quality Quantanium nonstick finish and the internal titanium reinforcement make it perfect for cooking practically anything. From Simmering soup, and frying chicken, to cooking pancakes, and even baking, this pan can do it all.
When cooking on the ultra-smooth surface of this pan you will need Little oil or butter and low to medium heat. Make sure you don’t use metal utensils as they might damage the surface. This pan is also oven-safe up to 500 degrees F which makes it a complete allrounder.
Lodge Cast Iron 10.5-Inch Square Grill Pan
- Pre-seasoned and ready-to-use
- Superior heat retention and even cooking
- Two assist handles for heavy lifting
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The Lodge cast iron company has been making high-quality cookware and accessories for over 120 years. Each piece is crafted for durability and versatility. This 10.5-inch Square Grill pan by lodge cast iron is one of the company’s best. It is a multi-functional pen that is great at slow-cooking, frying, and searing.
This is a pre-seasoned grill pan which means you can start using it right out of the box, just give it a good rinse and you’re good to go. Its Cast iron build gives it superior heat retention capabilities making sure that It heats evenly. It features two assist handles for heavy lifting and can be used on different cooking surfaces including grills and campfires. It also comes with a red silicone hot handle holder. Which allows you to move the pan when it is hot.
You can use this 10.5-inch pan to saute, sear, bake, fry, and stir fry your food. Although the pan comes pre-seasoned and does not allow food to stick to the surface, it is best if you spray or lightly coat the pan with vegetable oil before use.
Tramontina Professional Fry Pan (12-inch)
- NSF-Certified commercial-grade 3004 heavy-gauge aluminum
- High-performance reinforced PFOA-free nonstick, dishwasher-safe
- Works with gas, electric and ceramic glass, oven-safe (400 F / 204 C)
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First on our list is Tramontina’s PRO Series Pans are designed to be highly durable and suitable for both home and commercial use. They are great at frying, sautéing, and searing all your favorite dishes. This 12-inch Tramontina’s PRO Series Pan is manufactured with heavy-gauge aluminum. This makes it great at distributing heat quickly and evenly. Whereas its reinforced nonstick interior allows for effortless cooking and cleanup while making sure your food never sticks to the surface.
It also features a stainless steel handle with a removable silicone grip. This allows you to handle the pan when it is hot. This is a versatile pan as it is compatible with gas, electric, and glass cooktops. It can also be used in the oven up to 400 F.
Whether you are a professional chef, stay-at-home mom, or like to cook for fun, this pan is designed to meet all your needs.
Lodge Carbon Steel Skillet 12-inch
- 14 GAUGE CARBON STEEL heats quickly and retains heat for even cooking; best for searing and browning
- Use on gas, electric, induction stovetops, outdoor grills or open fire
- Seasoned with oil for a natural, easy-release finish that improves with use. Its lightweight design and long, comfortable handle makes it easy to maneuver from the stove to the table
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
The Lodge Carbon 12-inch Steel Skillet is a highly durable and exceptionally versatile pan. Made with 14 gauge carbon steel this pan heats up quickly and is great at retaining heating which allows for a more even sear on your meat.
You can start using this pan right out of the box as it is pre-seasoned with natural soybean oil. It is great at maintaining very low and very high temperatures. Which makes it highly adaptable for different cooking styles and methods. One of the best things about this pan is that it is made of high-density steel that does not retain odors. Its handle is designed to be conducive for both stove top and oven cooking. It is attached to the skillet with 3 secure rivets. It also has a smooth surface which is ideal for sauteing vegetables, preparing fish, and so much more.
Cooking Fish on Your Boat.
If you can’t wait to get back to shore to cook your fish, check out our review on the goSun Marine Solar Oven.
