If you’re new to cooking with stainless steel pans, you may have heard the advice to heat the pan before adding oil. This technique is used to help prevent food from sticking to the pan and to create a nice sear on meats. In this guide, we’ll discuss how to properly heat a stainless steel pan before adding oil and why it’s important.

Step 1: Choose the right size pan
Choose a stainless steel pan that is the appropriate size for the amount of food you are cooking. If the pan is too small, the food will overcrowd and not cook evenly. If the pan is too large, the oil will spread out too thinly and not create a proper sear.

Step 2: Preheat the pan
Place the pan on a burner over medium-high heat. Allow the pan to heat up for a few minutes until it is hot to the touch. You can test the heat of the pan by adding a few drops of water to the surface of the pan. If the water droplets sizzle and evaporate quickly, the pan is ready.

Step 3: Add oil
Once the pan is hot, add oil to the pan. Use an oil with a high smoke point such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil. Swirl the oil around the pan to coat the bottom and edges.

Step 4: Wait for the oil to heat up
Allow the oil to heat up for a few seconds before adding any food. You can test the heat of the oil by adding a small piece of food to the pan. If it sizzles and begins to cook immediately, the oil is hot enough.