Can You Put a Cast Iron Skillet in the Oven?

There's no difference between Frying Pans and skillets.

Because of their shallowness, these pans are perfect for flipping and shaking objects. Because frying pans are often thinner than skillets, they heat up faster. This ensures that the pan and food are evenly and quickly heated. Furthermore, the flavor is retained because a frying pan heats up quickly.

However, cast iron frying pans require special care and maintenance, including seasoning and proper storage. They are also not dishwasher safe and can be challenging to clean if not cared for properly.

    In addition to using repair tools, there are some DIY methods for repairing enamel cookware.  For small chips or cracks, some home cooks have success using clear nail polish to seal the damaged area and prevent further chipping.

Stainless steel frying pans are light but durable. By itself, stainless steel is not a particularly good conductor of heat, so some pans have a better heat conductor such as aluminum sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel. For example, the Carl Schmidt Pro-X 3 Pc Set Frying Pan Stainless Steel Cookware Non-Stick, which also has a non-stick coating. It's heavier than a single layer pan, but it cooks the food more evenly.

You can put a copper pan in the oven if you’re making a dessert like a tarte Tatin, but remember that copper can’t take the high heat of cast iron or stainless, so most manufacturers don’t recommend temperatures above 450 °F.

In our tests, we put copper skillets through the same heating evenness and sauté performance tests as stainless steel pans, which are also uncoated. We also cook foods that require controlled heat, including risotto, a gooey banana tarte Tatin, and melted white chocolate. All the copper pans perform well, Fisher says.

Here are two recommended copper pans from CR’s tests.

Everyone can appreciate a good frying pan—especially when they turn out your favorite pork chops or soft scrambled eggs. A well-equipped kitchen typically contains several different varieties of frying pans or skillets, including cast iron, stainless steel, and nonstick. (We're not counting the other essential pots and pans you should have, too, like a saucepan, heavy-bottomed pot, or even a wok). Here is how to use, clean, and care for each.

Professional Kitchens: In professional kitchens, black cast iron griddles and grill pans are essential tools for achieving consistent and high-quality results. They are used for searing steaks, grilling vegetables, and creating signature dishes with distinctive grill marks.

While often overlooked, the handle of a frypan is one of its most crucial components. Once you’ve decided on the size and material of your frypan, make sure to take note of the handle on the products you’ve shortlisted. Look for a handle that’s strong and will remain cool when cooking on a stovetop. Wider handles are more beneficial for cooking since they allow for better control, especially when you’re preparing food that needs to be tossed. Lastly, stainless steel handles are ideal for low heat conductivity since they can tolerate higher temperatures than plastic or silicone handles.