For enamel-coated cast iron cookware, another option for repairing broken enamel is to use a porcelain repair kit.  These kits are designed to repair chipped or damaged enamel surfaces and can be found at most hardware or home improvement stores.  

Carbon Steel Frying Pans

Finally, another theory suggests that French soldiers created these skillets during World War I to prepare food while on patrol without hinting at their location by smoke from burning.

Cast Iron: Traditional cast iron Dutch ovens are renowned for their excellent heat retention and durability. They are ideal for slow cooking, braising, and baking, and can be used on stovetops and in ovens.

Flavor Enhancement: By pressing meats during the cooking process, bacon presses and steak weights help to enhance the caramelization and browning of the exterior, resulting in richer flavors and appealing textures in the finished dishes.

Nonstick Frying Pans

Made from: aluminum, which heats up and cools down quickly, coated in several layers of a nonstick polymer known as PTFE (which is less toxic than Teflon)

A good non stick pan is like a cozy pair of sweatpants—we reach for it when we want something quick, easy, and low-stress. While many pans, like cast iron and ceramic, offer non stick properties, non stick cookware generally refers to modern pans (typically aluminum and/or stainless steel construction) coated with layers of a durable non stick coating.

Best for: Almost any food that needs searing, including steak and burgers. Cast-iron pans are ovenproof, so you can use them to roast meats like beef or pork and to bake cornbread, deep-dish pizza, shepherd’s pie, and more. And they retain heat so well that they’re a good choice for deep-frying chicken, doughnuts, or other foods because they keep the oil at a constant temperature.

The details: Cast-iron frying pans are practically indestructible, and they’re handed down for generations in many families. That makes their typically low price even more attractive. And if well cared for, cast iron develops a patina that releases food almost as well as nonstick. But the pans are heavy, and you have to be patient when heating them up because they don’t come up to temperature fast. Once they do, however, they retain heat.

Our tests of coated and uncoated cast-iron pans show how versatile this cookware can be. We sear steaks, brown scallops, and bake cornbread to see how well a cast-iron pan works for home cooks. The best pans ace all these tests. We also judge how easy they are to clean. Because of the enamel coating, the coated pans are a bit easier to clean than the uncoated ones.

Here are two recommended cast-iron pans from our tests.

A good choice, especially for heavily used cookware, is a tri-ply or five-ply combination of stainless steel and aluminum (or hard-anodized aluminum). Stainless steel provides a durable surface, providing excellent heat retention and safety. Interior layers of aluminum ensure even heat distribution. All these work together to create the ideal cooking base, whether you’re using a skillet or sauté pan.

    When it comes to using a cast iron Dutch oven, the possibilities are endless.  From soups and stews to roasts and breads, this kitchen workhorse can do it all.  Dutch oven ability to evenly distribute heat makes it ideal for slow cooking and stewing, resulting in tender, flavorful dishes.  Plus, the Dutch oven's tight-fitting lid helps lock in moisture and flavor, making it ideal for making delicious one-pot meals.