To determine a frying pan's size, measure the pan's diameter from rim to rim. A frying pan's advertised size is not the diameter of the cooking surface, and due to the tapered design of a frying pan, that diameter will always be around 2 smaller.

The details: These pans solve the frustration of food sticking, and they require little oil for cooking. Plus they’re lightweight, easy to clean, and affordable. But they can’t take the high heat of a cast-iron or stainless steel frying pan. “You’re not going to get much of a sear in a nonstick pan,” says Cindy Fisher, who conducted Consumer Reports’ cookware tests.

And they don’t last as long as cast-iron, stainless, or copper frying pans. “Nonstick is going to wear out the fastest,” Nitahara says. “The nonstick coating is fragile, and once you scratch it, it’s hard to flip an egg.”

In our tests of nonstick pans, we cook four eggs in quick succession. An excellent rating means all four eggs easily slid out of the pan. A poor rating indicates that some egg residue was left behind. To test nonstick durability, we rub the pan with steel wool for 2,000 strokes or until the coating has worn through.

If you're an avid cook and the budget permits, ideally you have both a saute pan and a skillet. However, if you only have one and typically make dishes that require sauteing, you're best bet is to own a skillet.

 When purchasing an enamel pot, it is important to consider the quality of the enamel coating.  Look for pans with a thick, durable enamel coating that will prevent chips and scratches.  This will ensure that your enamel pot will last for years to come.

Cooking Purpose

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.

Hearty and Flavorful Meals: Dutch ovens are perfect for creating hearty and flavorful meals such as stews, soups, roasts, and casseroles. Their ability to maintain a consistent temperature and seal in moisture results in tender and succulent dishes.

Ceramic cookware fares well when it comes to convenience, looks, and the ability to purchase in a set.

Skillets and sauté pans appear very similar, but the main difference lies in their shape.

Pans are one of the most important pieces of equipment in a chef’s arsenal and are used for everything from making sauces to cooking pasta. But what pans do the pros at cooking use in their back-of-the-house action?

Final Words