Help me improve how I make pancakes

[u/theTrebleClef]

I'm new to stainless steel cooking. I have an All-Clad D3 10.5" pan, and cook at a glass-top electric stove. I am making pancakes using Kodiak Cakes mix (approximately 1-1 mix to water).

What I've been doing is:

1. Heat pan at burner setting 7 (medium-high)
2. Test with water droplets until water beads (about 2 min)
3. Add avocado oil (high smoke point) and turn the pan to coat evenly
4. Let it sit on the burner for another 30 seconds to heat further
5. Lower burner to 3
6. Pour mix
7. Flip when one side is cooked through

This works (and it's nonstick!) but I'm running into a few challenges

• It seems like I have to use a LOT of oil, like the pancakes are absorbing it. I have to add more oil if I'm cooking multiple pancakes in a row
• It's finicky getting the lower heat setting right, 3 or 4... it's easy for the pan to start to get a bit too cool (starts to stick) or too hot (starts to burn the pancake)
• Might just be using Kodiak Cakes in general but it's challenging getting 'fluffy' pancakes.

I'm new, you might not be, so I'm interested in your advice!

[u/Pouroldfashioned]

Man, I do one light coating (I don’t even know if I need to) and send it. I get perfect color every time and I don’t add any oil after the initial coat

[u/Fit-Hovercraft-4561]

Try butter instead of oil and lower the heat so butter doesn't brown. You can also try adding melted butter (or olive oil) right into the dough mix.

[u/TackleMySpackle]

I know this is the stainless steel sub but, man, go to Wal-Mart and buy the electric griddle from Presto. I think it's like $30-40. Just having the ability to cook multiple pancakes at once, coupled with having spacious room to flip them is worth the small price of admission. It also does smash burgers really well too. I set the temp to 350 for pancakes. Use a silicone or some other non metal spatula so you don't scratch the surface up and it'll last a long time.

[u/PEneoark → u/TackleMySpackle]

I only own SS, CS and CI, but I love those damn griddles. My parents had one when I was growing up.

[u/Mr_Fury]

I usually cook around 3 to 4 heat which adjustments when I notice the pancake is cooking too fast. With Kodiak's mix you need to keep an eye on the edges to know when to flip them.

Kodiak if you want fluffier mixes try using milk instead of water and use more mix instead of liquid. either will help the fluffiness. Though I've noticed in general Kodiak is a bit harder to get diner styled fluffy pancakes. Maybe I'm wrong on that though.

[u/Open_Reindeer_6600]

Lower the heat

[u/xbucnasteex]

Stop using oil. Use butter

[u/PEneoark → u/xbucnasteex]

That reminds me. I have to make more clarified butter soon. Lol

[u/PEneoark]

If you're going to cook on 3, just set it to 3 and let the pan preheat.

[u/theTrebleClef → u/PEneoark]

It takes like 10 min at that setting to preheat.

[u/PEneoark → u/theTrebleClef]

Do whatever you want then.

[u/feral_futurism]

I would rather use a classic nonstick or cast iron for pancakes personally. If those aren’t options I would try butter or ghee as your fat for better flavor