In conclusion, big black cast iron skillets are essential kitchen tools that offer versatility, durability, and exceptional cooking capabilities. Whether used for searing, frying, baking, or roasting, these skillets are indispensable for a wide range of culinary tasks, making them a valuable addition to any kitchen.

The home chef considering his or her options for cookware can be overwhelmed by the level of choice. It can be challenging to know which frypan is best suited to your needs without getting confused. Read on to discover what you need to consider before investing in your newest piece of cookware.

Made from: aluminum, which heats up and cools down quickly, coated in several layers of a nonstick polymer known as PTFE (which is less toxic than Teflon)

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.

Is a skillet better than a frying pan? Which one should I choose?

You can still find French skillets in professional kitchens because they provide good heat dispersion during cooking. But other cooks have shifted to frying pans over time because of their perceived durability and sturdiness.

As the market shifted towards non-stick PTFE-coated pans, the design of frying pans began to change. Stainless steel frying pans with non-stick coatings are now readily available.

 All in all, enamel-coated cast iron cookware is a durable, versatile, and stylish addition to any kitchen.  Whether you're simmering a sauce, grilling a steak, or baking a casserole, enameled cast iron cookware can get the job done.  With proper care, this cookware will last a lifetime and become a beloved kitchen essential for all your cooking needs.

Pans are measured according to the diameter of the lip, not the diameter of the cooking surface. Most home burners can only comfortably fit a pan of around 12 inches in diameter. Because of its straight sides, a 12-inch sauté pan will also have a large, 12-inch-wide cooking surface (about 113 square inches). A skillet, on the other hand, loses at least an inch on each side, making the effective cooking area only 10 inches wide (about 79 square inches). This means that, given a skillet and a sauté pan of equal diameter, the skillet will have 30% less cooking area than the sauté pan. That's not an insignificant amount.

It’s important to note that frying pans should not be confused with cast iron skillets, which are a distinct type of cookware. To learn more about the differences between skillets and frying pans, check out our post dedicated to the topic.