Best for: Almost any food that needs frying, browning, or searing. Because it’s ovenproof, stainless is also a good choice for foods that you start on the stovetop and then move to the oven to finish, like thick pork chops.

The details: Nitahara says that 95 percent of the pans used in the CIA’s teaching kitchens are stainless steel because they can take a lot of punishment. “The only time we don’t use them is on egg day, when we use nonstick,” he says. He adds that the shiny surface of a stainless pan makes it easy to see whether your food is browning.

In CR’s tests of stainless steel pans, we measure heating evenness by cooking pancakes, and we gauge how evenly a pan sautés by cooking potatoes until they’re tender. We also conduct a cleaning test to see how easy it is to remove cooked-on food. You’d think that all stainless pans would be about the same to clean, but our tests show that some require a lot more scrubbing than others.

Here are two recommended stainless steel pans from CR’s tests.

If you're an avid cook and the budget permits, ideally you have both a saute pan and a skillet. However, if you only have one and typically make dishes that require sauteing, you're best bet is to own a skillet.

A frying pan, or skillet, has a round shape, sloped sidewalls, and a lightweight design, which are helpful features when tossing foods in the pan. Its rim is wider than the cooking surface to promote the quick evaporation of liquids.

Once you've decided which frying pan material you need, the next step is to figure out the pan size. Frying pans come in different sizes, with 8-, 10-, and 12-inch being the most popular sizes across the industry. The smaller the pan size is, the faster it heats up and evenly distributes the heat, but the faster it will lose its heat. While it may seem like a larger pan size is always better, some foods, such as eggs, benefit from cooking in a smaller, more contained space. We have listed the most common commercial frying pan sizes below and what they are best for:

Frying Pan and Skillets: Are They the Same?

Versatility Of Cast Iron Skillets

    All in all, the cast iron double griddle is a versatile and reliable cooking companion with many benefits.  Cast Iron Double Griddle double-sided design, even heat distribution, durability, and low maintenance make it a must-have for anyone who loves to cook.  Whether you're preparing a hearty breakfast or grilling a delicious dinner, this cast iron double griddle is sure to enhance your cooking experience.

    For oyster lovers, a cast iron oyster grill pan is a must-have.  The individual indentations hold the oysters in place, allowing them to cook with their own juices and absorb the smoky flavor from the grill.  Cast iron oyster grill pan this method of grilling oysters brings out the natural saltiness of the oysters and adds a pleasant charred flavor.

Dutch Oven

Many cooks have a variety of skillet sizes to handle diverse dishes and portion sizes. If they buy just one French skillet, they generally choose a larger size to have additional cooking possibilities.

    Enamel cookware sets are known for their ability to evenly distribute heat, which is essential for perfectly cooked meals.  The enamel coating also prevents food from sticking, making it ideal for cooking delicate dishes like eggs and fish.  Additionally, the non-reactive nature of enamel cookware ensures that it does not impart any unwanted flavors to your food, making it a safe and reliable choice for cooking a variety of recipes.

In contrast, French skillets have higher and straight sides, allowing you to cook more food but making it harder to flip.

While it is possible to sauté in a straight-sided sauté pan, it's not easy, requiring constant stirring and turning with a wooden spoon or spatula.

    Whether you're a professional chef or a home cook, a sizzling plate is a great way to enhance the presentation and enjoyment of your meals.  With its ability to keep food piping hot and its interactive service style, The sizzling plates is sure to impress your guests and take your dining experience to the next level.  So the next time you plan to serve sizzling steak or any other hot dish, consider using a sizzling plate to add that extra sizzling sound to your presentation.