There are those moments in a crossword puzzle when a particular
crossword clue
pops up, and you can practically feel the gears grinding in your brain. It’s not just about knowing a word; it’s about understanding the nuanced context, the clever wordplay, or the specific real-world application it points to. Today, we’re delving into one such intriguing
crossword clue
that sent many a solver scurrying to their mental Rolodex of kitchen essentials: “Pans that might require special burners.”
This isn’t your average “kitchen utensil”
crossword clue
. It immediately flags that we’re not just talking about any old saucepan or frying pan. The inclusion of “special burners” transforms it from a simple object identification to a question about culinary physics and equipment compatibility. What makes a burner “special”? It could be about heat distribution, specific shapes, unique materials, or even the sheer intensity of the flame required for certain cooking techniques.
Think about the myriad ways we cook. Most homes are equipped with standard gas ranges, electric coils, or induction cooktops. These are designed for general-purpose cookware. But then you encounter specialized dishes, often from global cuisines, that demand something more. A conventional flat-bottomed pan sits neatly on a flat burner, distributing heat evenly across its base. But what if the pan itself isn’t flat? Or what if it needs a super-concentrated blast of heat, or conversely, a very gentle, diffused warmth?
Consider the iconic rounded-bottomed vessels common in Asian cooking. Placing one of these on a standard flat burner is inefficient at best, unstable at worst. The heat transfer is poor, and the pan wobbles. For these, a specific type of support, often a ring that cradles the curved base, is essential. This ring allows the pan to sit securely and ensures the flame can envelop the entire curved surface, providing the intense, even heat necessary for rapid stir-frying. Without it, you’re fighting a losing battle against uneven cooking and potential spills.
Then there are the expansive, shallow pans designed for large-scale communal dishes, often found in Mediterranean or Spanish cuisine. These can be so wide that they extend far beyond the diameter of a single standard burner. To achieve the signature crispy bottom and even cooking, these pans often call for specialized burners that can provide a uniform heat source across their entire wide base. Imagine trying to cook a massive batch of rice evenly in such a pan on a single small burner – parts would burn while others remain undercooked. Dedicated burners for these larger pans often feature concentric rings of flame, ensuring comprehensive heat coverage.
Some cookware materials also present their own challenges. While many materials are now adapted for various cooktops, traditional pieces made from certain metals, like pure copper or specific types of glass, may not be induction-compatible without an interface disk. While not “special burners” in the traditional sense, they highlight how a pan’s material dictates its interaction with the heat source, sometimes requiring an intermediary or a return to gas or electric coil options.
And let’s not forget the need for extremely high heat, or conversely, extremely precise low heat. Certain culinary techniques, like deep-frying large quantities or rapid searing, benefit immensely from commercial-grade burners that can generate BTUs far beyond a typical home range. On the other end of the spectrum, delicate sauces or temperamental chocolate melting might benefit from a very small, controlled flame, sometimes offered by specific auxiliary burners or even dedicated warming plates.
So, when that “Pans that might require special burners“
crossword clue
appears, it’s not just asking for a name; it’s inviting you to consider the fascinating intersection of culinary tradition, material science, and heating technology. It’s a clever nod to the diverse world of cooking equipment that goes beyond the everyday. What specific pan comes to mind when you ponder this intriguing
crossword clue
? We’ll dive into the reveal in our next section, but for now, ponder the possibilities of your kitchen’s hidden potential.
Available Answers:
WOKS.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Washington Post Crossword -Monday’s Daily By Amie Walker & Darby Ratliff / Ed. Patti Varol