The Reason You Should Never Use A Stainless Steel Pan On The Grill

Stainless steel can be found in any kitchen you step into. There are many benefits to using this type of material from appliances, sinks, countertops, and especially cookware. When it comes to your cookware, stainless steel has the advantage of being incredibly durable and easy to clean. Made from steel, chromium, and even nickel, this type of metal alloy is able to resist rust, according to Delighted Cooking. Used in professional and home kitchens alike, stainless steel frying pans are strong, dent-resistant, and non-reactive to acidic foods. People can even make stainless steel non-stick with a helpful hack.

Stainless steel frying pans are also popular because you can use a wide variety of cooking techniques with them and end up with a successful dish. You may have noticed that some grills and grilling pans can be made with stainless steel, so it might seem like stainless steel frying pans are good to go for your outdoor grilling as well. However, there are some limitations that make this a bad idea.

The issue comes down to the grade of the stainless steel and the heating capabilities of the grill. More than 150 kinds of stainless steel exist, per Grill Experts. Their different grades indicate what they're made of and how much heat they can take. According to the Institute for Advanced Study, propane grills can reach a maximum temperature of 600 degrees Fahrenheit whereas charcoal grills can achieve a scorching 1,200 degrees. Stainless steel grills are often made with added nickel or titanium to withstand the heat.

Many stainless steel kitchen pans can be used in temperatures of up to 500 or even 600 degrees. According to Home Cook World, the direct high-intensity heat that comes off of a propane or charcoal grill can cause the common stainless steel pan to warp or break down. While the Home Cook World says that oven-safe pans without wood or plastic parts can be used on a grill, Hestan Culinary director Pamela Stafford told The Kitchn that these pans are mostly intended for moderate heat exposure.

A quality stainless steel frying pan should last a long time if properly used and taken care of, so you should be sure to read up on your particular brand to get the most out of the product. Besides, it might not be worth the risk to your expensive cookware when you can get specialty grill pans that are more suited for this type of barbeque cooking.