Buying guide for Best oyster grill pans
If the thought of a raw oyster on the half shell leaves you cold, perhaps you should try one cooked. Oysters can be cooked in a variety of ways, and while steaming or baking will do the job, there’s something almost magical about oysters straight off the grill.
Unlike burgers and steak, oysters cooked on the grill can be a little complicated. This is where an oyster grill pan shines. With one of these pans, you can easily and safely grill oysters without much mess. But what will you need to consider when shopping for an oyster grill pan?
In this guide, we examine all aspects of oyster grill pans to help you find the right one for your needs. From size and appearance to materials and price, we take a close look at these unique pans and highlight their important features.
Key considerations
Capacity
An oyster pan can hold anywhere from 12 to 30 or more oysters. If it is just the two of you, you probably don’t need an oversized oyster grill pan, but those who like to entertain may appreciate a pan with a larger capacity.
Quantity
Your purchase may include one or more pans. A single oyster grill pan is usually large enough to cook around a dozen oysters. It may have an all-in-one surface or a series of “wells” in which the oysters sit.
If you plan to cook for both small and large crowds, consider buying individual oyster pans. With these, you can easily tailor the number of oysters you cook to your event.
Did You Know?
As a food source, oysters date back to the Stone Age, where they were often placed on the fire as a means to open them.
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Features
Materials
Cast iron: Cast iron oyster grill pans heat evenly and are extremely durable. These pans are often coated with enamel to minimize sticking and facilitate cleanup.
Stainless steel: Lighter than cast iron, stainless steel heats up fast and cleans easily.
Aluminum: While less durable than stainless steel, aluminum is lighter and can tolerate high grill temperatures. Aluminum distributes heat nicely, too.
Ceramic stoneware: Ceramic stoneware is less durable than the other materials we have mentioned, but oyster grill pans made from this material have a unique appearance.
Pan surface
Oyster grill pans usually have nonstick surfaces so removing your oysters is easy. Some pans have ribbed bottoms, which helps lower the fat content of the food.
Handles
Oyster grill pans with handles (one or two) are easier to manipulate on and off the grill. Well-balanced, stay-cool handles are ideal.
Documentation
An oyster grill pan should ship with all the documentation you need to care for, cook with, and clean it. Extra credit is awarded to those companies that include a recipe collection to start you off on the right foot.
Did You Know?
Individual-serving oyster grill pans easily retain cooking juices without the threat of spillage.
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Oyster grill pan prices
Low-end: Oyster grill pans that cost less than $20 tend to have a lower capacity, usually around a dozen oysters at a time. They also have a less durable build. Aluminum is commonly seen in this price bracket.
Mid-range: For $20 to $35, you will find pans made of a variety of materials, with stainless steel and cast iron being common. The bulk of these pans have a higher capacity for oysters than inexpensive pans.
High-end: Oyster grill pans that cost more than $35 usually hold 20 to 30 oysters. Popular materials in this range include enameled cast iron and ceramic stoneware.
Did You Know?
Oysters are loaded with nutrients, including protein and vitamins.
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Tips
- Some oyster grill pans can be used to cook other foods. If you have a limited amount of storage space in your kitchen, look for a pan that can multitask.
- Don’t limit yourself to grilling. The majority of these pans can also be used in the oven to create stunning recipes, such as baked oysters Rockefeller. A pan with a large number of wells might also serve as an appetizer or hors d’oeuvre platter.
- Cast iron pans may need to be seasoned before use. If your pan did not arrive pre-seasoned, check the manufacturer’s care and use instructions for how to season it prior to using it on the grill.
FAQ
Q. Are oyster grill pans dishwasher safe?
A. Some are. Your best bet is to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations concerning cleaning, but we offer these general tips:
- Stainless steel and aluminum are usually dishwasher safe.
- Cast iron should be gently cleaned by hand. “Gently” is the key word here, as harsh soap or scrubbing could remove the seasoning.
- For a dirty cast iron pan, consider using a salted cloth to remove stuck-on food.
- Allow a cast iron pan to cool before washing it, as thermal shock can cause a hot pan in cool water to crack.
Q. What is the best way to use a cast iron oyster grill pan?
A. First, be sure that the pan is well-seasoned before using it to cook oysters; this minimizes sticking. Because cast iron can take a while to heat up, consider pre-heating the pan before adding oysters to it. Take extra care when handling the pan, as it can be considerably heavier than stainless steel or aluminum.
Q. How long will it take oysters to cook on the grill?
A. This depends on a number of factors: the temperature of the grill, the pan you are using, whether you are cooking with or without the shell. Here, we offer general guidelines.
If the oysters are already shucked (shelled), place them in the grill pan with a bit of butter, garlic, or whatever sauce you are using. Cook the oysters on the grill for five to six minutes or until the edges start to curl.
If the oysters are still in the shell, you can easily remove them by placing them, shell and all, on the grill. The shell will open in around a minute, at which point you can remove the oyster and cook it in the pan. Cut a minute off the cooking time, allowing them to grill for four to five minutes.
