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.

They can also be found in a variety of materials. On the other hand, frying pans are a fantastic tool for frying, blistering, and browning food due to their flat bottoms and lack of a top. They’re ideal for high-heat grilling and frying, as well as shallow and deep-frying. There are also aluminum and stainless steel alternatives.

I can quite comfortably fit 12 pieces of chicken in a 12-inch sauté pan—a task that takes two batches with a skillet.

A note on storage: Our favorite way to store frying pans is to hang them. But if you have a nonstick cookware set and you'd rather stack them, make sure to place a couple of paper towels or reusable pan separators between each so they don't scratch one another.

Cast Iron: Traditional cast iron Dutch ovens are renowned for their excellent heat retention and durability. They are ideal for slow cooking, braising, and baking, and can be used on stovetops and in ovens.

Enamel Cookware Professional Refurbishing:

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.

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.

Cast Iron