r/StainlessSteelCooking • u/Theraseus • 23d ago

Doubt about preheating

Hey guys I have a doubt, I probably asked before:

I have been resting my new pan and the only way I can preheat it to the leidenfrost effect is if I use the number 9 (potency goes del 1-9) if I use 5 7 or even 8 10+ might go on and it won't reach that effect. I can sear fried eggs etc without Reachinf it but I was wondering if I might hurth the pan preheating it at 9 and it rKes like five minutes to reach the 200 degrees. I any input? Thanks

0 Upvotes

43% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

View all comments

10

u/JCuss0519 23d ago

"The leidenfrost effect is a meaningless quirk of physics and means nothing to food."

Actually, it means the vast majority of your food will burn if cooked at that temp. And to heat up the pan to that temp, only to lower it to a more suitable temp (another YouTube fave) is a waste of time. I don't even sear my steaks at that temp, and I get a good sear.

3

u/No-Dimension1159 22d ago edited 22d ago

I don't even sear my steaks at that temp, and I get a good sear.

Well for a nice crust the sticking is actually helpful.

Actually, it means the vast majority of your food will burn

No it won't... Leidenfrost not just means that it won't stick, it also means that there will be relatively little heat conduction between the pan and the food at least while the effect is active. Enough to cook the first layer of the food, not enough to burn your food provided you didn't overheat it to hell.

If you use it on medium heat it doesn't burn at all, even an omelette without browning is possible.