Indian cooking is an ocean of recipes that vary across appetizers, main courses, desserts, etc. They are used to fry spices, vegetables, meats, and more. Most Indian dishes are curry based and what better way to cook curries than in a kadhai? Of all the utensils found in an Indian kitchen, kadhais stand out because you cannot have just one of them. Kadhais have been around for many years; some of them date back to the Mughal Empire. They come in different sizes, shapes, materials, etc. to suit your personal requirements. Now, how to buy kadhai? Before we get into this, let us see:
What is a Kadhai?
These are flat-bottomed, deep-sided pans—also known as “pans,” “woks,” “karahis,” etc.—that are used in South Asian cooking, including dishes from Nepal, Pakistan, and, of course, India. A kadhai is designed to suit any recipe. Be it curry, deep-fried food, savouries, or even sweets. There are no limits when cooking a dish in a kadhai. It can cater to your need.
Factors to Consider before Purchasing a Kadhai
Choosing a kadhai can be a serious task. As mentioned, these can cook any recipe in them. However, here are some points one can review before buying a kadhai:
Size
This is the most important factor, as you can find kadhais in different sizes. If you are a family of 2, then the practical choice would be to go for a smaller size. If you house a family of more than 4, then pick larger ones. The bigger the serving, the bigger the kadhai
Material
There are several materials that come in, earthen, aluminum, cast iron, etc. But people prefer the stainless steel and non-stick kadhais.
Thickness and Depth
Since most recipes require simmering and frying, the thickness of the kadhai must be taken into account. A thin one would burn your food. How deep your kadhai is also matters, as you may need to cook those gravies and curries; hence, your pan has to hold the quantity you cook.
Handles/Lids
Kadhais are available with or without handles; it mostly depends on personal preference. Of course, a practical option would be to buy a kadhai that has handles, especially when you have to remove it from the stovetop once the cooking is over. The same goes for lids, you have both options of with and without.
The Base
Similar to the thickness and depth. The base of the kadhai is crucial when you have to cook faster. The purpose of this is to evenly spread the heat for uniform cooking. You have flat-bottomed kadhais that are stove and induction friendly. You can also choose a round-bottomed one if you prefer gas cooking.
Maintenance
Since our cooking involves a lot of grease, cleaning the kadhai after heavy cooking matters. Although most of us wash our utensils, there are some who would use dishwashers to make things easier. So, ensure that your kadhai is safe to be placed in the washer.
The above are some points that come to mind when one normally shops for a kadhai. Keeping that in mind, a wide range of kadhais are available, that can cater to every individual need. Check out different kadhais online, which will support your preference. You can find various series such as Nevrstick, Artisan, and Artisan Hybrid. Kadhais with or without lids, and handles are also available. If you chose to go for a kadhai without a handle and wish to buy one later, fear not, for the Klasp handle comes to your rescue. To top this off, you can also engrave your names upon request for that personalized touch. Why the wait? Get browsing and brewing.
