Oh, my poor culinary illiterates, sMartins is here to clear things up for you... it's me, Mario!
This photo is purely for aesthetic purposes, or probably before being covered; in reality, it should be completely covered in salt, which is why it does not make sense to use a pan,
as the heat must come from all directions. An oven is ideal.Of course, salt baking exists, but first of all, it is used almost exclusively in the oven, and secondly, even though it can be used for just about anything, meat, fish, vegetables... it is much more common for fish, at least here where I live. This is because you need a protective layer to act as a barrier between the food and the salt, in this case the skin of the whole fish.
A brief explanation of AI for my convenience, don't worry, certified by sMartins!
Salt-crust cooking creates a sealed thermal chamber where food steams in its own juices, ensuring incredible tenderness without added fats. To prevent over-salting, it is essential to use a natural barrier like fish scales, poultry skin, or vegetable peels, which protects the flesh while the salt traps heat and aromas. This simple yet effective method is perfect for whole fish, lean meats, and root vegetables, delivering a healthy and intensely flavorful result.
This is a ‘more realistic’ photograph.Yes, the hammer is no joke. It may be a bit of an exaggeration, but the crust that forms during cooking, combined with the steam and juices from the food, becomes very hard, almost like cement, so for convenience, you can even use a small hammer.