Where Do You Measure?

[Barsel]

Apologies if this is in the wrong section, but didn't know what it would come under.
If you were to buy a frying pan that is advertised as 23cm,which part of the pan do you measure?
Many thanks.x

[Old_Geezer]

Oh a frying pan !

Surely the diameter of the pan ?

[Mamyalynne]

When advertised it is from edge to edge of the top of the pan (diameter).

[Mamyalynne]

Yes, the base depending on the angle of curve on the pan will be smaller than the advertised size.

[Buenchico]

I've always assumed that the measurement refers to the diameter of the top of the bowl part.

[Bathsheba]

I agree with Chris, the diameter, and hi Barsel! Haven't seen you in ages ;) Hope you're keeping well :)

Baths
x x

[Barsel]

Hi Baths, yes I've had a few health probs lately but coming through ok, hope you are well. I just wanted a small light weight pan so bought this one that is advertised as 23cm, but it seems huge and very heavy.measuring across the top of it, it's 28cm so they must have made a mistake. Just wanted to check I was measuring in the right place before I take it back.
Many thanks x

[stuey]

It sounds like that manufacturer is giving the measurement of the cooking surface of the pan , which make more sense than giving the diameter of the top.

[TonyV]

What do you want to cook in it?

[Tilly2]

Take a tape measure with you, Barsel and check it out.

[gingejbee]

^^^doesn't make more sense to me!

[Tilly2]

Who, me, Ginge?

[stuey]

Unlike a wok, the cooking in a frying pan is done on the base, the part that touches the hot-plate of the stove; the diameter at the top is irrelevant.

[gingejbee]

To me, and most others I suspect, the quoted size simply describes the size of the article...just as it does with saucepans, glass bowls etc. The diameter across the top is the convention...in the UK at least!

[Tilly2]

I still think a tape measure would settle the ambiguity.

[Togo]

Across the top, but don't include the length of the handle.

[Old_Geezer]

If it is more than 28cm at the top (and I assume the top is wider than the base) then the question is moot. It's mislabelled anyway.

[Barsel]

The inside and outside of the base measures 19cm and across the top it's 26cm and not 28cm as I said earlier, but I can't work out where they get 23cm from.

[tonyav]

Usually the manufacturers allow a quarter inch / 6mm tolerance for size.
http://www.productknowledge.com/Terminology-Dimensions-Top-Of-Range-Cookware.html

[stuey]

"The inside and outside of the base measures 19cm". That does not make any sense. There is an internal diameter and an external diameter: they can't be the same. Anyway, Barsel, this has been interesting...Hope you get something for the Great British Fry-Up:)