The details: While cast-iron frying pans are very familiar, home cooks typically know less about carbon steel pans. But they have all the advantages of cast iron and several more: They’re lighter, heat up faster and more evenly, and can cook a wider variety of foods. That’s why they’re the go-to pan in many restaurant kitchens. If you’ve ever eaten at a steakhouse, your meat was probably seared in a carbon steel frying pan.

Considerations:

Stainless steel frying pans are also induction-ready. This means that they can be used on an induction cooker, which uses magnetic energy to heat the pan directly.

Like a frying pan or skillet, saute pans can be used for stovetop use. However, there is one difference: a saute pan is deeper than a frying pan or skillet. The saute pan has vertical, straight sides designed to prevent spills and hold more ingredients. Saute pans also have a long, single handle, and sometimes, there is a small side handle to help with the additional weight of the ingredients. Plus, saute pans come with a lid to hold in the moisture which makes it perfect for cooking sauces.