Frying pan width - from base or rim?

I have a recipe that calls for a frying pan about 20cm across - should I measure from the base, or the top rim?

Best Answer

Manufacrurers measure the rim, so I guess the recipe calls for a pan which is 20 cm across the rim.

It may seem counterintuitive that the recipe specifies such a small pan (that's less than 8 inch for you Americans). But it can have good reasons.

Most recipes aren't dependent on pan size (much). But if you make a small quantity of some sauces, you want it to be thick enough in the pan to heat evenly, instead of a thin smearing of stuff on the bottom of the pan which will overheat quickly. So if you suspect that this is the case, it makes sense to actually use a small pan.

For many other recipes, overcrowding the pan is not too good. If you say what you are trying to make, we could give you an indication whether the size is important in your case.

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Frying pan width - from base or rim? - From above of traditional tasty Spanish dish with rice and bright chopped vegetables decorated with shellfish

Frying pan width - from base or rim? - Tasty sausages in frying pan on table

Frying pan width - from base or rim? - Crop unrecognizable chef pouring oil in frying pan

How do you size a frying pan?

To properly measure a frying pan simply grab a measuring tape in one hand and then place the frying pan right side up on a flat surface. Then stretch the measuring tape across the center of the top side of the pan. Read the measurement from the top to get the proper frying pan measurement.

Are pans measured by inside or outside?

Measurements are taken up at the top inside, i.e. at the inside of the edge of the pan/pot; hence the designation of the upper inner diameter, which you will find in our article descriptions. So a 28 cm pan has a diameter of 28 cm from one inside of the rim to the other inside of the rim.

How is a 10 inch frying pan measured?

When we call for a 10-inch skillet in our recipes, we mean a skillet that measures 10 inches from one top edge to the opposite top edge, measuring across the center.

How do you measure pan width?

The easiest way to measure the diameter of the inside of the pan is with a measuring tape. Measure from across the pan from inside lip to the other inside across the widest point.

Which Pan Is Right For You?

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Images: Kelly L, Joshua Miranda, Milan, RODNAE Productions