The difference between a sauté pan and a skillet is a subtle but important one, and it all comes down to shape. A sauté pan, from the French verb meaning to jump (sauter), has a wide, flat bottom and relatively tall, vertical sides. A skillet, on the other hand, has sides that flare outward at an angle. But the real question is, when should you use each one, and do you really need both?

Ceramic Frying Pans

A frying pan sports a shallow broad metal pan with sloping sides and does not have a lid but has an open design for better thermal distribution during cooking.

Frying Pans Don’t Come With Lids

But to keen observers and cookware enthusiasts (that’s us!), there are some key differences. This article compares and contrasts skillets and pans and shares the best cooking techniques and dishes to use each one.

Another difference lies in how skillets usually come with a small helper handle on the other side for extra support. This is because skillets are often much heavier than frypans, so the extra support is always welcomed. Frypans usually come with a single handle, but there are rare occasions where it may come with a helper handle for larger ones.

Next we’ll look at how the handles are attached. The frypan's handle is usually a separate piece that is either riveted, welded, or screwed on. You’ll commonly see riveted or welded handles these days instead of older screw-handles, which is found on cheap cookware or upper high-end European cookware.

    When choosing a Dutch oven, it is important to consider the type of cooking you will be doing and the size of the meals you will be preparing.  Whether you choose a large cast iron Dutch oven or a small cast iron Dutch oven, each type has its own unique advantages and can be a valuable addition to your kitchen arsenal.  With the right Dutch oven, you can take your cooking to the next level and create delicious, delicious meals with ease.

No, your should always clean your cast iron skillets by hand. A dishwasher will strip a cast iron skillet of its seasoning and cause it to rust.

    There are a few key steps to remember when using a cast griddle pan.  First, it's important to season your pan properly before using it for the first time.  This involves coating a cast iron grill pan with a thin layer of oil and heating the cast iron grill pan in the oven to create a non-stick surface.  Once seasoned, the skillet can be used to cook a variety of foods, from meats and vegetables to sandwiches and more.

    Cast iron skillets are a versatile and essential tool for any kitchen.  Whether you're cooking for one person or a group, there's a cast iron skillet that's just the right size for your needs.  From mini to extra-large, these cast iron skillets  are available in a variety of sizes to suit any cooking task.