Frying pan, saute pan, and skillet are all terms that you're likely familiar with but may not be able to explain differences between them. Although these cooking vessels are similar, they are not all the same. Whether you're a novice cook or an experienced chef, having proper pans for the dish you're preparing will make your cooking preparation a lot easier, and more importantly — yield the best results. So if you're now wondering, what exactly makes a skillet, well…a skillet, you're not alone.