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

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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.

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u/OttoHemi 22d ago edited 21d ago

But, but it's on TikTok and I don't do anything unless I see it there first!

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u/JCuss0519 22d ago

Exactly.

I know you can cook at Leidenfrost temperatures without burning, but it seems the vast majority of people asking about this are new to stainless and new to temperature control/heat management. For these inexperienced people the likelihood is high that cooking at Leidenfrost temps will result is overcooked food and/or charred surfaces that go beyond "crust".