Typically made by adding a non-stick coating to aluminum pans, non-stick frying pans are ideal for cooking delicate foods with a tendency to stick, such as fish, fried eggs, and pancakes. The non-stick coating limits the amount of oils and fats needed to cook food and makes cleanup a breeze since your food won't stick to the pan. Non-stick pans are best used in low to medium heat settings to extend the coating's life. Using a non-stick pan in high-heat applications can damage the coating and cause it to smoke, peel, or flake.

Cast iron frying pans are heavy and durable, making them ideal for high-heat cooking. They are also perfect for searing and browning food because they retain heat well and distribute it evenly. Cast iron frying pans are also great for cooking dishes that require a long cooking time, such as stews and casseroles.

Shape

There is often confusion when comparing saute pans, fry pans, and French skillets. A French skillet can be described as a combination of a saute pan and a frying pan.

Now this is a pretty tricky one. Frypans and skillets both rarely come with lids. When a frypan does come with a lid, it’s often made from glass which allows you to monitor food easily. Even so, it’s pretty rare for a lid to be available unless you specifically purchase the lid as an add-on.

    Cast iron Dutch ovens are extremely versatile.   Cast iron Dutch ovens ability to evenly distribute heat makes it ideal for a variety of cooking methods, including braising, braising, frying, and even baking.  The Dutch oven's heavy lid helps lock in moisture and flavor, resulting in tender, flavorful dishes.  Whether you're simmering a hearty stew or baking crusty bread, a cast iron Dutch oven has you covered.

    Commercial cast iron griddles， on the other hand, are larger, more durable, and designed to meet the needs of busy commercial kitchens.   Commercial cast iron griddles are great for cooking large amounts of food at once, making them a popular choice among restaurants, diners, and other food service establishments.   Commercial cast iron griddles durable construction and even heat distribution makes them a reliable and efficient cooking tool for professional chefs.

If you’ve ever scrubbed tirelessly at a skillet after cooking to get rid of grease, a nonstick pan will make you breathe a sigh of relief as food residue washes right off its surface. Suitable for cooking on low and medium heat, nonstick pans also require less oil than other varieties, which is a big selling point for the health-conscious consumer. Nylon and wooden utensils are better suited for use with non-stick pans, as their surface can be delicate and prone to scratching.

What is a Bacon Press

Cast iron has been used for cookware from as way back as the 7th Century. It is thick and heavy and very versatile. It can be used for cooking eggs, pan-frying chicken, stir-frying, long-cooking, braising, and baking.

To help give you a running start, we’ve put together a guide to six of the most common pan materials, how to cook with them, what they’re best used for, and how to decide which one is right for you.