Difference between stainless steel and non-stick cookware

Once the pan has cooled, hand-wash the pan in warm water with mild dish detergent and a sponge. Use the rough side of the sponge or wooden spatula to scrape off stuck-on food bits. Never use steel wool or other abrasive scrubbers to clean the pan, as this can scratch the metal.

 Dutch Oven Use:

    To summarize, the material a Dutch oven is made of, especially cast iron, has a huge impact on its use and functionality.  The cast iron Dutch oven's versatility, durability, and even heat distribution make it a valuable tool in the kitchen.  Whether you're frying, stewing, or baking, a cast iron Dutch oven is a reliable and essential piece of cookware for any home cook or professional chef.

In the United Kingdom, skillets can also refer to larger, deeper, lidded pots or pans with long handles and legs. In the United States,  the term refers to a dish constructed from a shallow skillet-shaped metal or ceramic pan and includes cooked diced veggies and meats.

While no non stick pan will last forever, high-quality construction and care make a difference. That's why chefs rely on our professional-grade Non Stick for brunch service—whether scrambling eggs, rolling omelettes, or cooking frittata, eggs won't stick and cleanup remains easy, no matter how many times it's used in service.

    Last but not least, the classic cast iron skillet is a must-have for any kitchen.  Cast Iron Frying Pan retains and distributes heat evenly, making it perfect for searing, frying, and even 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.