Ironically, a skillet is actually far superior at sautéing food than a sauté pan. To properly sauté, small to medium-sized pieces of food are cooked rapidly in hot fat, with constant agitation. The sloping sides of a skillet allow you to easily shake the pan, performing the jump-flip maneuver that cooks like to show off with. It's more than just ego-padding, though. It's the most efficient way to redistribute the food in the pan, ensuring even cooking for all pieces.

How to Choose the Best Frying Pan for You

How to clean: scrub with a plastic brush, which won't scratch. Before cooking, rub 1/2 teaspoon oil inside to safeguard the nonstick surface.

The main drawbacks of ceramic cookware include safety concerns, relatively poor heat distribution, and less longevity than many non stick pans.

Cast Iron Skillets Versatility

Do you need access to food with a spatula?At what temperature do you need to cook?What is the volume of the food you need to prepare?Do you need the dish to retain moisture inside?How fast do you need to cook the dish?

Home Cooking: Black cast iron griddles and grill pans are popular in home kitchens, offering a convenient and effective way to achieve professional-quality searing, grilling, and cooking results. They are suitable for a variety of cooking techniques and are easy to maintain.

Cast Iron Skillet Set With Lids

The difference between a sauté pan and a skillet is a subtle but important one, and it all comes down to shape. A sauté pan, from the French verb meaning to jump (sauter), has a wide, flat bottom and relatively tall, vertical sides. A skillet, on the other hand, has sides that flare outward at an angle. But the real question is, when should you use each one, and do you really need both?

 In terms of maintenance, enamel pots are easier to maintain.  The smooth enamel surface cleans easily with mild abrasives and mild detergents, making enamel pots a low-maintenance option for busy home cooks.