Can the Scanpan TechnIQ Windsor Saucepan handle the heat of a commercial kitchen?
If you're on the hunt for a long-lasting
saucepan for your kitchen, The Scanpan TechnIQ Windsor's performance was proven to me simply by testing the pan out at the restaurant where I work. We keep our
Red Wine Jus simmering over searing temperatures on and off all day and throughout the evening during our busy lunch and dinner services.
I was pretty sceptical that a non-stick pan would hold up to this treatment. Every night, the stainless steel pans we normally use must be soaked overnight as it is simply impossible to scrub off the cooked-on sauce, which is completely glued to the bottom and sides of the pan. I figured The Windsor would lose its non-stick properties after a few days, the reason is not only the drastic varying temperatures but also rough handling all day every day. It also gets thrown through the harsh commercial dishwasher at the end of service.
While the
ScanPan TechnIQ line claims to be dishwasher safe, it is recommended to be hand washed to extend the non-stick life… but there is no way I could be particular about a pan in a busy kitchen with a different combination of chefs and kitchenhands every night.
Day 1 – I got a little worried when a chef placed the empty pan directly over the searing heat for several minutes to heat up. I wouldn’t normally do that with a non-stick, but chefs tend to work with extremely hot pans and I wasn’t about to micromanage his use of cookware!
Day 2 – The jus looked very crusted on the sides and bottom. I managed to step in and clean it myself before someone pushed it through the dishwasher. I was so impressed when the sauce lifted straight off with a little hot water. A little 5 minute soak and some elbow grease got the last bits off the bottom.
Day 3 – The pan is getting a serious workout with this jus. It is apparent how viscous it can be when we first take it out of the fridge as it has molded shape to the takeaway container (this is due to the gelatin in the beef stock binding together) so imagine after reducing and bubbling over high heat all day!
Day 10 – I had left the kitchen team with instructions to keep using the Windsor for our Red Wine Jus. On day 10 I’m on the grill, so I grab the pan to use for the day. The non-stick shows virtually no sign of wear and tear from the vigorous handling it had gone through for nearly two weeks. I’m impressed.
TechnIQ for Home Use
The
ScanPan TechnIQ Windsor will be the king of saucepans in your kitchen. Any sauce made in this will reduce perfectly and not scorch, form hotspots, or stick to the bottom. Cleaning is easy too, you only need a little soap and warm water to release any stubborn areas.
