WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN - Ocado discovers the formula behind the perfect pancake toss
21 February 2012
ONLINE SUPERMARKET Ocado has cracked more than eggs ahead of
Shrove Tuesday.Teaming up with one of the country’s top physicists, the
innovative grocer
has mastered the art of perfect pancake tossing.
With more batter expected to hit ceilings than the roofs of
our mouths this Pancake Day, Ocado has created the ideal equation for a
flippin’ good time. Working with Dr Mark Hadley, researcher at the University of Warwick
Perfect pancake toss
v=√2gh ,
ω=√(2gh/(a+p/2)^2 ),
θ=4h/π(a+p/2)
Perfect Pancake Altitude
h=π/4 (a+p/2)
Where v is the launch velocity; g is the acceleration; h,
the height of the toss; a is the length of the forearm; w, the spin; θ is the
number of pancake half turns; and p, the pan diameter
Don’t be daunted by the science though. Ocado has simplified
things, claiming that the recipe for a splat-free landing rests on one key
element - ‘perfect pancake altitude’. When tossed at the right height, the
pancake’s launch velocity and spin are perfectly matched – much like a topping
of lemon and sugar - for optimum results.
For a typical toss, Ocado suggests you aim for a pancake
height of 0.5 metres. Your upwards arm swing will naturally give the pancake a
velocity of 3m/sec, imparting a spin of five radians per second, resulting in a
successful travel time of just over half a second, before landing safely back
in the pan.
Ocado has created three toss techniques with Dr Hadley to
ensure there is a flip for everyone - from the pancake showboater to the
harassed host cooking crepes for a cast of thousands.
- The Show Off: This mammoth two-armed throw is suitable for
those looking to wow a crowd, or cooks wielding a cast iron pan. With arms
outstretched and swinging from the shoulder, one should aim for a height of 0.7
metres
- The Chef: This quick, efficient toss is ideal for pancake
connoisseurs. Whilst holding the pan near the rim, with just a flick of the
wrist this toss will require a height of just over half a foot. 16cm to be
precise.
- The Hungry Horde: Many mouths to feed? Avoid over-exertion
and a nasty case of ‘pancake elbow’ with this toss. The upper arm hardly moves
as the forearm swings upwards from the elbow. The distance from the elbow to
the centre of the pan is typically 60cm; to achieve the perfect toss time after
time, one should aim for a height of 0.47 metres, to be exact.
But what’s the real secret? Dr Hadley flips pancake
convention on its head and brings it down to size: “The trick is to break the
air pressure. To achieve the perfect flip, one must restrict the size of the
pancake. The traditional Ocado pancake recipe provides the ideal consistency to
retain a suitable thickness which will combat the impact of air pressure,
whilst also being light enough to toss.”
When it comes to cooking up a pancake storm, be sure to
follow Ocado’s fundamental tips so the finished article is ready for a terrific
toss:
- Lubrication: Use one teaspoon of oil to ensure the pancake
does not stick,
yet isn’t too lubricated, resulting in ‘pancake slip’
- Cooking time: Cook the pancake until it bubbles and blisters,
to roughen the bottom surface. This allows the air to rapidly fill any void
under the pancake and equalise the pressure
- Circumference: Make it manageable - for bigger pancakes,
the area increases much faster than the air can creep in. By increasing a
pancake from 10cm to 30cm diameter, it becomes three times harder to toss
- The Strength Test: Use a spatula to lift the edge of the
pancake – if you can lift it 2cm away from the pan, then it is strong enough to
toss
Jason Gissing, co-founder of Ocado comments: “Ocado strives
to deliver more than a just broad range of groceries; we want to make people’s
lives easier where their kitchens are concerned. As such, we’re proud to work
with a diverse range of experts and suppliers to provide fun, new and exciting
ways to celebrate the country’s tastiest occasions.”
For further information on Ocado pancake recipes and
ingredients, visit www.ocado.com/webshop/recipes/.
Ocado’s Traditional Pancake Recipe
Pancake batter:
125g plain flour
150ml whole milk
150ml water
2 medium eggs
2 tablespoons oil or melted butter
1 large pinch salt
Method:
1.Whisk the pancake batter.
2.Heat a pan over a medium-high heat.
3.Pour in enough batter to cover the pan with a thin layer.
4.Cook according to Ocado’s ‘Perfect Pancake Flip’
instructions.
5.Set the rest of the pancakes aside, keeping them in a low
oven, separated with sheets of greaseproof.
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