If you were to buy only one of these skillets, it should be stainless steel. Stainless steel is your everyday hero. There's a reason why stainless steel cookware sets are so coveted. It can cook everything and doesn't need any special treatment. No time to wash? It's ok to leave stainless steel soaking in water.

Both pans are typically made of stainless steel, but fry pans often come with non-stick coatings, while French skillets do not.

Now this is a pretty tricky one. Frypans and skillets both rarely come with lids. When a frypan does come with a lid, it’s often made from glass which allows you to monitor food easily. Even so, it’s pretty rare for a lid to be available unless you specifically purchase the lid as an add-on.

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.

The geometry of a pan can affect how easily moisture is driven off of food, and how rapidly a sauce will reduce. It's often claimed that the sloped sides of a skillet help moisture exuded by cooking meats evaporate more rapidly, allowing you to sear more efficiently. And this is true, but only given the same cooking area. In other words, a 12-inch skillet with a 10-inch cooking area will sear foods more efficiently than a 10-inch sauté pan. The corollary to this, of course, is that, given an equal amount of food that needs searing over super-high heat (some steaks, for example), the large surface area of a sauté pan does not offer any significant advantages over a skillet—you'll still have to cook in just as many batches.

    When it comes to grilling vegetables, a cast iron vegetable grill pan is a game changer.  Cast iron's even heat distribution and heat-retaining properties make it ideal for grilling a variety of vegetables, from bell peppers to zucchini.  The cast iron vegetable grill pan on the grill pan creates beautiful grill marks and enhances the smoky flavor of the vegetables.

    One of the most popular types of enameled cookware is the enameled  Cast Iron Soup Pot.  This multi-purpose pot is perfect for making soups, stews, and chili.  Cast Iron Soup Pot heavy-duty construction ensures even heat distribution, making it ideal for slow cooking and simmering.  The Cast Iron Soup Pot enamel coating also makes it easy to clean and prevents food from sticking, making maintenance a breeze.

When to Cook With a Skillet

Frying pans have long handles and are often shallower. These pans aren’t designed for slow cooking or braising. Despite having flared sides, the pans are just slightly taller.

    Whether you're an experienced cook or just starting out in the kitchen, a  Cast griddle plate is an essential tool for cooking a variety of dishes.  From small cast iron plates to large cast iron griddles, there's a size to suit every need.  With their durability, versatility, and health benefits, these cast griddle pans are a valuable addition to any kitchen.

The occasional pouring spouts also make skillets ideal for reductions as you can easily pour it out without manually scooping. Not forgetting that skillets are often the outdoor enthusiasts’ favourite companion thanks to its almost indestructible and robust nature.

 If you're looking to buy cast iron cookware, it's worth researching different brands and reading reviews to make sure you're getting the best value for your money.  Some well-known brands offer a variety of cast iron cookware at competitive prices, making it easier to find an option that fits your budget.  Additionally, shopping at reputable retailers or online marketplaces can provide a variety of options and potential discounts.