There are several types of materials that you can use for a skillet or frying pan. Here's a brief look at the different kinds of materials:

Saute pans have straight sides instead of slanted ones, so a higher volume of ingredients or liquid can fit inside, making this style pan ideal for making sauces. Because of the design, sauces don't splash or slosh around as much, making clean-up a lot easier. Another bonus of this pan style is that most saute pans have a fitted lid, which reduces evaporation. These pans are well-suited for cooking methods such as braising, searing, or shallow-frying. But saute pans are heavier due to a wider base, making skillets easier to lift and move.

When looking for sizzling plates for sale, consider the specific material, size, and design that best suits your needs. Cast iron sizzling plates are often available at cookware specialty stores and online retailers, while stainless steel and ceramic sizzling plates can be found in kitchenware sections of department stores and online marketplaces. It's important to consider the intended use of the sizzling plate, whether for home cooking or commercial food service, when making a purchase.

Yes. Carbon steel pans are extremely durable, and once the pans are well-seasoned, they can stand up to metal utensils without getting scratched.

    Cast iron Dutch ovens have been a kitchen staple for centuries, and for good reason.  Its versatility and durability make it a must-have for any cooking enthusiast.  Whether you use a cast iron Dutch oven to cook at home or while camping, it's an essential tool that can handle a variety of recipes and cooking methods.

As the name implies, the frying pan works best at frying, except for deep frying. It’s perfect for stir-frying, searing meat, and shallow frying since it can handle intense heat while allowing steam to escape quickly.

Stainless steel is a versatile material and holds heat well. Many stainless steel skillets are safe to place in the oven (make sure there aren't any plastic parts, though), which is handy when a recipe calls for searing fish or meat and then placing it in the oven to finish cooking. This saves time because you don't have to transfer the ingredients to another dish to bake or roast in the oven. This is, of course, also useful in terms of clean-up being that you don't have to dirty up another receptacle.

Can You Use Metal Utensils on Cast Iron Skillets?

“There are a few things to consider when you’re buying cookware, including how you cook, durability, and price,” says Lance Nitahara, an assistant professor at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, N.Y. “On the low end of the price scale are nonstick and cast iron; copper is on the high end. But each does a different thing.”

Below, you’ll find advice on how to choose the right frying pan for how you cook, plus highlights of top-performing pans from CR’s tests, listed alphabetically and not by rank. You can see how all the pans we test perform in our frying pan ratings and learn more about the different types of pans in our cookware buying guide.

    On the other hand, small enamel pots with lids are great for cooking smaller portions or reheating leftovers.  Small Enamel Pots With Lids were also great for making sauces, poaching eggs, or cooking grains.  The enameled cast iron lid helps retain heat and flavor, making it a practical option for everyday cooking tasks.

    A 10-piece cast iron cookware set typically includes a variety of skillets, a Dutch oven, and other essential accessories that are perfect for everyday cooking.  A 10-piece cast iron cookware set is perfect for a small family or someone who is just starting to collect cookware.