A large cast iron Dutch oven is perfect for cooking a large meal or feeding a crowd.  These heavy-duty pots are great for slow-cooking, braising meats, and making soups.  The thick walls and tight-fitting lid of a large cast-iron Dutch oven help distribute heat evenly, making it ideal for simmering and baking.  Their size also makes them perfect for baking bread or making large batches of chili.

But you'll want to factor in that this material is a lot heavier than stainless steel and can be harder to maneuver and lift. There are certain sauces or foods that aren't recommended to be prepared in a cast-iron skillet. If you're simmering a tomato sauce or other acidic foods, or foods that are more likely to stick, such as eggs or crepes, opt for a skillet that isn't cast iron.

Thanks to their coating, non-stick pans are easy to clean. Once the pan has cooled down, use a clean paper or lint-free towel to wipe excess oil and grease. Hand-wash the pan in warm water with mild dish detergent and a sponge. Never use steel wool or other abrasive scrubbers to clean the pan, as this can scratch the coating.

On the other hand, ceramic pans, which are chemical-free with non-stick cooking surfaces, are also available in some locations, but the only drawback is they do not last long and may crack easily.