In addition to using repair tools, there are some DIY methods for repairing enamel cookware.  For small chips or cracks, some home cooks have success using clear nail polish to seal the damaged area and prevent further chipping.

“There are a few things to consider when you’re buying cookware, including how you cook, durability, and price,” says Lance Nitahara, an assistant professor at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, N.Y. “On the low end of the price scale are nonstick and cast iron; copper is on the high end. But each does a different thing.”

Below, you’ll find advice on how to choose the right frying pan for how you cook, plus highlights of top-performing pans from CR’s tests, listed alphabetically and not by rank. You can see how all the pans we test perform in our frying pan ratings and learn more about the different types of pans in our cookware buying guide.

It can also be used to brown food before braising but not for the rest of the procedure. The reduced weight also allows for more maneuverability when shaking and flipping food.