Sizzle Pan Material

Frying pans come in a variety of materials. Which type of frying pan is best for you will depend on what you are cooking and the level of maintenance you want to put into your pan. In most cases, you will likely need a few different types of frying pans to satisfy cooking your menu items. Take a look at these five frying pan types to determine which pans you need in your kitchen.

Durability and Longevity: Big black cast iron skillets are built to last a lifetime and beyond. With proper care and maintenance, they become seasoned over time, developing a natural non-stick surface that improves with use.

Lightweight Enameled Cast Iron Cookware

Cast iron is another material to consider because it retains heat extremely well, although it's not the best heat conductor. That means, cast iron takes a while to heat up. Cast iron is best for searing, sauteing, and baking.

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.

Flavor Enhancement: The seasoned surface of black cast iron griddles and grill pans imparts a unique flavor to foods, enhancing their taste and creating a desirable sear. This adds depth and complexity to the flavors of grilled and seared dishes.

Easy to Clean: The enamel coating on cast iron cookware sets makes them easy to clean and maintain. They can be hand-washed with mild detergent and warm water, and are also dishwasher safe for added convenience.

Enamel Cookware Assess the Damage: