“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.

Carbon Steel Frying Pans

Maintenance and Care:

Aluminum is one of the most easily available natural elements, so aluminum frying pans are quite affordable. It is an excellent conductor of heat and heats up faster than stainless steel. In fact, aluminum is sometimes incorporated in stainless steel pans to improve their conductivity.

Even big manufacturers such as Cuisinart have shifted much of their skillet production to China. One approach to finding out where a skillet came from is to look underneath.

Using A Cast Iron Dutch Oven

They are designed with a flat base to ensure excellent heat transfer and a larger surface area for faster and more simultaneous cooking.

    Round Cast Iron Griddle Pan, on the other hand, are great for cooking single items like steaks, burgers, or vegetables. The round cast iron griddle pan's compact size makes it easy to handle and store, and its round shape makes it easy to flip food.  The round cast iron griddle pan's raised edge is also ideal for cooking dishes with sauces or gravies, preventing spills or drips.

Ceramic pans are similar to non stick pans, but with one crucial difference. Because part of the coating releases every time it heats up (that’s the “self-sacrificing” bit), ceramic pans become less non stick with every use, making for a pan with a shorter lifespan. On the plus side, ceramic pans’ aluminum core makes them relatively lightweight and easy to handle.

Sizzling Plate

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.

Sizzling steak plates and platters offer a unique and interactive dining experience, allowing restaurants and home cooks to present sizzling, aromatic dishes directly to the table. This article explores the features, applications, and benefits of sizzling steak plates and platters, highlighting their ability to enhance the presentation and enjoyment of sizzling hot meals.

The lower sloping sides of fry pans make them ideal for flipping food, while the higher straight sides of French skillets make them perfect for cooking large quantities of food or making stews and sauces that require simmering.

Frying pans are a bit more expensive than French skillets.

    For those using A cast iron griddle plate on a gas stove, the process is similar.  Preheat the pot on the stove over medium-high heat and add a small amount of oil to the pot.  Once the cast iron griddle plate is hot, carefully place the food on the baking sheet and let it cook, turning as needed to ensure even cooking.

What’s Cooking?

Why chefs prefer stainless steel cookware over aluminium cookware?

Best for: You can cook almost anything in these versatile pans that just get better over time. You can sear a thick piece of meat on the stovetop and then move the pan to the oven to finish. Carbon steel is good at high heat, and you can use these pans to fry eggs, fish, and make delicate sauces.