Measuring Pans: A Quick Guide

Knowing how to measure your frying pan is essential for stocking your kitchen. Just as you need to take your body measurements before buying new clothes, it's always a good idea to know how to measure your frying pan. Knowing the size of your pan can be very useful for several reasons. For example, if you're making a dish for a dinner party and need to double the recipe, having a frying pan that can accommodate more food is necessary.

Frying pan sizes are determined by the pan's overall diameter (wall top to wall top), not the diameter of its cooking surface (base edge to base edge). The most common sizes are 16, 20, 24, 28, and 32 cm. To measure a round-shaped frying pan, you can measure the diameter of the inner circle from one end of the rim to the other, passing through the centre. For square-shaped pans, measure the two longest points and multiply the results. For oval-shaped pans, measure the widest part of the centre across the shorter side.

Measure the overall diameter, not the cooking surface

When measuring a frying pan, it's important to measure the overall diameter, which is the distance from one wall top to the opposite wall top. This is different from the diameter of the cooking surface, which is the base edge-to-base edge measurement. The overall diameter is the standard measurement used to categorise frying pans, and it's what you'll typically see listed as the size of the pan.

The reason for this distinction is that pans with the same overall diameter can have different cooking surface measurements due to differences in design, particularly in how steeply their walls rise. For example, a 12-inch stainless steel frying pan might have a cooking surface of 9.5 inches, while a 12-inch blue carbon steel frying pan might have a cooking surface of 9.25 inches.

When measuring the overall diameter, it's important to measure from the inside of the pan, from one inner edge to the other. This is the international standard for measuring the size of pots and pans. The overall diameter of the pan may vary depending on the thickness of the rim, so using the inner diameter ensures consistency.

Additionally, when measuring round pans, it's best to measure from the nearest inch rather than rounding up. For example, a pan with an inner diameter of 28 cm would be classified as a 28 cm pan, not a 29 cm or 30 cm pan. This is because frying pan sizes typically include rounding down to the nearest inch but never rounding up.

By measuring the overall diameter of your frying pan, you can ensure that you're getting an accurate sense of its size, which is crucial for various reasons. Firstly, it helps you choose the right pan for your cooking needs. Secondly, it aids in storage, as you can determine whether the pan will fit in your kitchen cabinets. Lastly, knowing the size of your pan can be essential for replacing it with a similar model in the future.

Measure from wall top to wall top

When it comes to measuring a frying pan, it is important to measure the overall diameter, rather than the cooking area. This can be done by measuring from wall top to wall top. The result may vary depending on the design of the frying pan.

To get the correct measurement, place the frying pan right-side up on a flat surface. Then, stretch a tape measure across the centre from one top side to the other. This will give you the correct measurement.

It is worth noting that some pans have flared edges, while others have straight sides. If your pan has straight sides, measure the rim. If it has flared edges, the measurement will depend on the manufacturer. Generally, the top diameter of flared pans is measured from outer edge to outer edge, not including any pour spouts or handles.

Measuring from wall top to wall top is especially important when trying to determine the capacity of your frying pan. The pan capacity reveals the maximum holding ability of the skillet. By measuring from the edge-high filling, you can determine the exact scope of your frying pan.

Measure the base diameter (the contact surface)

When measuring the base diameter of a pan, you are measuring the contact surface, or the surface with which the pan will stand on the stove. This is different from the frying surface, which describes the usable flat bottom area of a pan without the convex pan wall.

The base diameter is important when it comes to choosing a suitable cooking zone for your cookware. The size of the hotplate and the diameter of the base of the cookware should match to a certain extent to avoid damaging the cookware and to ensure optimal performance.

Base diameters, like hotplates/cooking zones, are not standardized, so the base diameter of one 28 cm pan might be 23.5 cm, while another 28 cm pan might have a base diameter of only 20.7 cm.

When measuring the base diameter, measure from the outer top of the pan to the bottom and then subtract the thickness of the bottom.

Measure the height (outer edge height)

To measure the height of a frying pan, you'll need to find the distance from the cooking surface to the top edge of the pan. This is known as the height or depth of the pan. Here are the steps you can follow:

Step 1: Prepare the necessary tools

You will need a measuring tape or a ruler to measure the height accurately.

Step 2: Clear the cooking surface

Ensure that the cooking surface of the pan is free of any food remnants or debris. This will allow you to take measurements without any obstructions and ensure accuracy.

Step 3: Measure the height

Place the measuring tape or ruler vertically inside the pan, resting it against the cooking surface. Extend the tape or ruler straight up from the bottom of the pan without slanting it, even if the pan edge is slanted. Read the measurement at the top edge of the pan and note it down.

Step 4: Alternative methods

If you don't have access to a measuring tape or ruler, you can use alternative methods:

• String method: Take a piece of string and wrap it around the circumference of the pan's outer edge. Mark the point where the string overlaps and then use a ruler or measuring tape to measure the length of the string.
• Flexible measuring tape: Use a flexible tape that can bend and conform to the shape of the pan. Wrap it around the outer edge of the pan and read the measurement.

Step 5: Understanding the height measurement

The height of the pan is crucial when cooking dishes that require a lot of liquid. It also determines the capacity of the pan, which is the maximum amount of food or liquid the pan can hold. A deeper pan generally allows for better heat distribution and can accommodate more ingredients.

Measure the capacity (how much the pan can hold)

Measuring the capacity of your pan is important as it helps you determine the right amount of ingredients to use. This ensures your food is cooked evenly and prevents overflow.

How to Measure the Capacity of a Pan:

To calculate the volume of a pan, you need to know its length, width, and height. You can then use the formula: Volume (V) = Length (l) x Width (w) x Height (h).

For example, if your pan has a length of 5 units, a width of 3 units, and a height of 2 units, the calculation would be: 5 x 3 x 2 = 30 cubic units. So, the volume of the pan is 30 cubic units.

Tips for Measuring Pan Capacity:

• Measure the inside of the pan from edge to edge, excluding the thickness of the pan walls.
• Measure the depth of the pan with a ruler held straight up from the bottom. Do not slant the ruler, even if the pan edge is slanted.
• If your pan has slanted sides, you can calculate the volume using the formula above if the slant is negligible. For more sloped sides, it is better to measure how much water the pan can hold.
• If you don't like math, you can simply fill the pan with water and then pour the water into a measuring cup to find out the volume. Alternatively, use a digital kitchen scale: place your empty pan on the scale, tare it to zero, fill it with water, and note the weight in grams, which is equal to the volume in milliliters.

Common Pan Sizes and Capacities:

• 8-inch round pan: 64 fluid ounces (8 cups)
• 9-inch round pan: 64 fluid ounces (8 cups)
• 8-inch square pan: 64 fluid ounces (8 cups)
• 9-inch square pan: 117 square inches (approximately 8 cups)

Frequently asked questions