So Which One Is It?

No matter which piece of cookware you initially lean toward, it’s important to look at a few key factors before you purchase your skillet or sauté pan.

Size Matters

Stainless steel is another popular material. You have even heat retention in the frying pan or skillet with this type of pan. These pans are a good choice for boiling, baking, and sauteing. Plus, stainless steel is easy to clean. Just take some soap and water to wipe it down. This material gives you more versatility in the kitchen. You can find stainless steel in many different grades. If you want to choose an excellent frying pan, make sure to choose one that has 18/10 stainless steel.

Which leads us to a similarity they both have; a flat cooking surface.

In many cases, you can use a frying pan and a French skillet interchangeably. For example, you can use both for cooking eggs, sautéing vegetables, searing meats, and making thick sauces.

So, Why Is There So Much Confusion in the Kitchen?

Non stick pans have a relatively short lifespan, and require a bit of extra care to protect them from damage.

Typically made by adding a non-stick coating to aluminum pans, non-stick frying pans are ideal for cooking delicate foods with a tendency to stick, such as fish, fried eggs, and pancakes. The non-stick coating limits the amount of oils and fats needed to cook food and makes cleanup a breeze since your food won't stick to the pan. Non-stick pans are best used in low to medium heat settings to extend the coating's life. Using a non-stick pan in high-heat applications can damage the coating and cause it to smoke, peel, or flake.

If skillets and frying pans are the same vessels, why is there confusion between the terminology? Much of the confusion between these terms lies with the generic phrase pots and pans. Along with skillets, there are saute pans, sheet pans, roasting pans, saucepans, and bundt pans. In most kitchens, the word pan is a general term that refers to not just a frying pan but a saute pan.

WHAT IS A SAUTE PAN (AND WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT IT?)

    A large cast iron Dutch oven is perfect for cooking a large meal or feeding a crowd.  These heavy-duty pots are great for slow-cooking, braising meats, and making soups.  The thick walls and tight-fitting lid of a large cast-iron Dutch oven help distribute heat evenly, making it ideal for simmering and baking.  Their size also makes them perfect for baking bread or making large batches of chili.

With their straight sides, sauté pans have similar bottom and top measurements, so a 12-inch pan will offer a cooking area of the same size. Sauté pans are often described according to capacity, and a good choice for home cooking is anywhere from 1 quart to 7 quarts.