When it comes to chicken wings, everyone has their own preference. Some opt for drum wings – which resemble little drumsticks but contain only one bone as an handle for easy dipping – while others opt for classic wings with multiple bones for maximum flavor and crunchiness.
Some prefer a flat or wingette cut; to investigate this further we conducted an exhaustive research study.
Skin-to-Meat Ratio
When it comes to chicken wings, choosing between drums and flats is ultimately a matter of personal taste. Drums resemble small drumsticks with one central bone containing most of the meat while flats feature two thin bones running parallel along their length.
Some people appreciate the meaty qualities of drums while others appreciate how easy they are to consume with one hand. A recent survey discovered that most wing eaters preferred drums; interestingly enough there was also an association between race and preference for flats or drums: 43% of Black respondents preferred drums vs 30% for White respondents.
While your preference between drums or flats may depend on personal taste, there are practical considerations when making the decision. Most significantly, it comes down to skin-to-meat ratio and ease of eating.
Both cuts have their own advantages, yet it’s essential to note that both are tasty. A discriminating wing eater may prefer mixing up their plate of wings by choosing both types: Drums resemble mini drumsticks with one bone in the center and lots of meat; flats (also called wingettes) feature two smaller bones running down their length with tender dark meat that’s completely covered by skin.
Eating drums one-handed is much simpler than two-handed flats, and their increased meatiness allows for a burst of flavor with every bite. Furthermore, their single bone serves as an easy handle for holding your favorite dip–such as blue cheese–while eating; something which may not be possible with flats.
Sauce Surface Area
Few topics within fried bar food generate as much passion and debate as drums vs. flats. Some fans of drums believe they provide more meat with easier eating with all bones intact; those on Team Flat have their own compelling arguments, including their flat shape making them perfect for dipping, plus less cartilage to prevent enjoying creamy blue cheese or spicy sweet chili sauces.
Team Drum members contend that their wings cook more evenly due to a single bone running through them, creating crispier wings than their wingette counterparts. Furthermore, one end of a drum serves as a handle that makes it easy for customers to hold when dipping and prevents fingers from touching raw sauce or redoping bitten edges.
But for faster reduction, flats may be your best bet. Their wide, flat shape exposes more surface area to heat, meaning they will come out faster from your pan and are better at holding sauces. Many chefs who favor flats opt for larger pots such as Dutch ovens or saute pans; even so, don’t forget that flats will offer an improved chance at even cooking!
Easier to Eat
Flats offer many advantages when it comes to eating experiences, from their crispy skin and high meat-to-bone ratio to easy pick-up, holding, and dunking into sauce. Their uniform shape helps them cook evenly without becoming chewy; additionally they boast one convenient bone that serves as an easy handle allowing for minimal mess while eating!
Drumsticks feature larger and tougher bones that require more work when it comes to eating them, which may make for an irritating eating experience for some people. Others prefer more succulent bites with more meat which is why many prefer drumsticks over wings.
Although some wing eaters profess to prefering one type over the other, most enjoy both drumsticks and flats equally. A recent survey conducted by Hidden Valley Ranch showed that 33% of participants who chose drums as their preferred cut reported they’d happily consume both varieties at some point during a meal.
Next time you are dining with friends and enjoying wings, don’t be intimidated to serve both drum and flat varieties – as long as there is an ample supply of your desired dipping sauce there’s no right or wrong answer! Don’t forget napkins either as sticky dipping sauce is essential to the experience. And if you can’t decide, offer both and let them decide for themselves! Happy dipping!
Meatier
Nothing tops a plate of Buffalo wings with their accompanying dipping sauce for satisfying bites of goodness, yet choosing between flats or drums can be daunting. Each cut offers unique benefits. Drums (sometimes known as “wingettes or drummettes”, depending on brand) resemble mini drumsticks while flats resemble larger versions usually known as chicken strips; both options provide unique pleasures to enjoy!
A drum is another popular choice among those who prefer boneless birds, offering more meat with no gristle, connective tissue or cartilage to cause chewy chicken. Their meat-to-skin ratio is also superior compared to flats as there is less skin covering their surfaces allowing you to easily pick up chunks of chicken with your fingers compared to being covered by skin as with flats; in addition they feature one bone end which acts as a handle making for easier one-handed eating!
Flappers or blades (depending on the brand) tend to be dryer than drums due to having less skin, though their meat remains delicious; their thinner bones absorb more of the dipping sauce and have less overall flavor overall. Plus, eating flats requires both hands to hold while simultaneously managing your drink or another appetizer!
Drums, which are popular with customers because of their size and ease of dipping, boast more surface area and are generally considered to be the tastiest part of a wing. Plus, they’re less costly due to having more meat. Like drummettes, they feature convenient bone handles perfect for gripping when dipping. Unfortunately, however, drums tend to be slightly pricier than flats while also packing more calories and saturated fats into each bite; but for those seeking crunchy flavorful bites covered in sauce then drums may be their go-to choice!