You can’t go wrong with a frying pan in the kitchen because it can be used for various purposes. Because frying pans are smaller and thinner than skillets, they heat up faster. As a result, your food and pan will be evenly and rapidly heated.

With their sizeable bottom and weight, however, sauté pans actually aren’t best for shaking and flipping food around. Instead, sauté pans are built for larger, longer cooking. If the dish requires a good amount of liquid and not much stirring, such as shallow-fried falafels or braised lamb shanks, a sauté pan is perfect for the job.

A French skillet is a heavy and thick saucepan usually larger, flatter, and deeper than a regular frying pan. Its size ranges from 9-11 inches, but some come in 8 or 12 inches.

A note on storage: Our favorite way to store frying pans is to hang them. But if you have a nonstick cookware set and you'd rather stack them, make sure to place a couple of paper towels or reusable pan separators between each so they don't scratch one another.

The lower sides, which flare outwards, are another essential design component. The outward flare makes it easy to toss omelets, pancakes, and other dishes directly from the pan to a plate.

Indoor and Outdoor Cooking: Griddles and grill pans made of black cast iron are suitable for use on stovetops, grills, and even campfires, providing flexibility for indoor and outdoor cooking. This versatility makes them ideal for a range of culinary settings.

Most of these pans have a long handle, making it easy to move the pan on and off the stove. However, larger frying pans may include a smaller grab handle to carry the weight.

Cast Iron Skillet With Wooden Handle

Handles are another important part of cookware, particularly for long-handle skillets and sauté pans. Skillet dishes often need to be shaken and flipped, while sauté pan dishes tend to be used for a lot of liquid and ingredients. Because of this, both skillets and sauté pans require stay-cool handles that are securely riveted to the cookware base. 

Camping Dutch Oven

    After cooking, it's crucial to properly clean and maintain your cast iron skillet.  While some people may be tempted to use soap and water, it's best to avoid harsh detergents as they can wash away sauce from the cast iron grill pan.  Instead, use a brush or sponge to gently scrub the pot with warm water.  After cleaning, dry the cast iron grill pan thoroughly and apply a light coat of oil to prevent rust.

Do chefs use non-stick cookware?

    Another advantage of cast iron double griddles is their durability.  Cast  iron double griddle is known for its longevity, and with proper care, this skillet can last for generations. Cast iron double griddle also develops a natural non-stick surface over time, making it easier to cook and clean.