Does anyone know the science behind using butter as a greaser?i need to know for research but CAN NOT find a single website to tell me WHY it works

I did a science fair project on what greaser works best for grilled cheese. I️ used 6 greasers. I did my testing and got my results, and need background info as to why they work so well as greasers. I have been searching the web for the past 2 hours and haven’t found a single usable website that tells me HOW and WHY something like butter works for greasing a pan, or even why greasing a pan is necessary, like the science behind it.i am in desperate need of help!

99abk
  • Posted by: 99abk
  • January 10, 2018
  • 6486 views
  • 7 Comments

7 Comments

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HalfPint January 11, 2018
It has to do with fat polymerization. I believe that the chemical structure of butter (a saturated fat) is the reason it's the better grease. When heated, fat forms a polymer, much like Teflon, making the surface of the pan non stick. Fats (like butter, oil, etc) are long-chained molecules (we're talking very long) that when heated will cross-link and form a polymer (polymerization). The more cross-linking the strong the polymer. Mono-unsaturated or poly-unsaturated oils don't have the extensive chain that butter and lard have which is probably why they aren't better greasers. I've probably butchered the explanation a bit but you get the general idea. Go research "fat polymerization".

As to "why grease a pan at all": proteins love to stick to other molecules like metals, especially when heated. Here's a short blurb from a book on Food Cooking:
https://books.google.com/books?id=I5FVn9EjHH0C&pg=PA218&lpg=PA218&dq=why+do+proteins+stick+to+metal&source=bl&ots=J1buuEoaFB&sig=fxa8p__xMbkJslYw2uDqcoSkEYc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwijguWpt9DYAhUB8GMKHaMPBMIQ6AEIYjAI#v=onepage&q=why%20do%20proteins%20stick%20to%20metal&f=false

Here's a link about proteins in general: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26911/

Since protein is quite reactive with metal surfaces above 175F, the fat polymer interferes with this reaction and the protein (eg. food) cannot stick to the pan.

I've really simplified the explanation. I only have a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry and it's been awhile since I've worked in R&D, but this is my understanding of fatty molecule chains and protein.

So look into fatty molecule structures ("chains"), fat polymerization and possibly, protein adsorption.

 
99abk January 11, 2018
I’m pretty sure u just saved my life with two words. Fat polymerization. Why the web never gave that as a suggestion when iI searched for an explanation is above my head. Thank you!
 
creamtea January 11, 2018
It is complicated, check out Harold McGee on Food and Cooking, especially chapter 14, Cooking Methods and Utensil Materials, where there is a section on frying: "the oil has several roles to play: it brings the uneven surface of the food into uniform contact with the heat source, it lubricates and prevents sticking, and it supplies some flavor." Also Chapter 13, The Four Basic Food Molecules, the section section Fats and Oils, and subsection on fats and heat. There are also sections on the chemical structure of fats and oils, Maillard reaction, etc. The latter probably comes into play at the point of contact between the cooking vessel and the food. He doesn't give a simple, single answer but this is a start.
 
PHIL January 11, 2018
I don't know the science but butter tastes awesome, that's why you need it! Seriously though , humans have a fat tooth as well as a sweet tooth, probably as a survival tool as fat carries a lot of calories which would be critical during early human evolution. Fats also help food not stick to the pan ( think how oil lubricates your car engine ) . Try Alton Brown, he looks at the science behind cooking http://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/good-eats/episodes/there-will-be-oil
 
sexyLAMBCHOPx January 11, 2018
Check Serious Eats, The Food Lab and Alton Browns Good Eats. They explain the science behind a lot of cooking techniques.
 
sexyLAMBCHOPx January 11, 2018
Here's a list:

Cook's Illustrated: The Science of Good Cooking, by The Editors of America's Test Kitchen and Guy Crosby Ph.D
On Food and Cooking, by Harold McGee
The Kitchen as Laboratory: Reflections on the Science of Food and Cooking, by César Vega, Job Ubbink, and Erik van der Linden
Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking by Nathan Myhrvold, Chris Young, and Maxime Bilet, and Modernist Cuisine at Home by Nathan Myhrvold and Maxime Bilet
I'm Just Here for the Food and Gear for Your Kitchen by Alton Brown
 
Nancy January 11, 2018
Ask yourself which science is involved?
(Likely chemistry; possibly physics having to do with the material composition of the pan.)
Talk to one or more people in those subjects (scientists, research librarians); who can direct your research to useful areas.
 
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