Durability and Longevity: Big black cast iron skillets are built to last a lifetime and beyond. With proper care and maintenance, they become seasoned over time, developing a natural non-stick surface that improves with use.
- In addition to chicken, a grill press can be used with other meats, such as pork chops or even vegetables, providing uniform cooking and a delightful smoky flavor. It's a versatile tool that every grill master should have in their arsenal.
Steak Weight: A cast iron steak weight, also known as a steak press, is used to flatten and sear meats such as steaks, burgers, and poultry. It aids in achieving uniform cooking and creating appealing grill marks while locking in the juices and flavors of the meat.
A non-stick pan is what you use if you're cooking foods that tend to stick.
The details: These pans solve the frustration of food sticking, and they require little oil for cooking. Plus they’re lightweight, easy to clean, and affordable. But they can’t take the high heat of a cast-iron or stainless steel frying pan. “You’re not going to get much of a sear in a nonstick pan,” says Cindy Fisher, who conducted Consumer Reports’ cookware tests.
And they don’t last as long as cast-iron, stainless, or copper frying pans. “Nonstick is going to wear out the fastest,” Nitahara says. “The nonstick coating is fragile, and once you scratch it, it’s hard to flip an egg.”
In our tests of nonstick pans, we cook four eggs in quick succession. An excellent rating means all four eggs easily slid out of the pan. A poor rating indicates that some egg residue was left behind. To test nonstick durability, we rub the pan with steel wool for 2,000 strokes or until the coating has worn through.
Types of Non-Stick Coating
While a well-seasoned cast iron skillet is practically nonstick, nothing can beat a true nonstick frying pan when it comes to cooking delicate foods that stick easily. Look for models that have stainless steel or silicone-coated handles, which are oven-safe, rather than plastic ones.


Chances are, your first piece of cookware was a non stick pan. This staple material is certainly beginner-friendly, but that doesn't mean it isn't just as useful in professional kitchens, too.
Hearty and Flavorful Meals: Dutch ovens are perfect for creating hearty and flavorful meals such as stews, soups, roasts, and casseroles. Their ability to maintain a consistent temperature and seal in moisture results in tender and succulent dishes.
The flat bottom allows efficient heat conduction and a larger cooking surface for foods and fluids. You can distribute the food in the skillet due to the bigger size, but the high temperature may cause the food to burn.

Pans are open to even more interpretation. While most cooks consider a pan to be a sauté pan, the term often refers to all types of cooking vessels. The phrase “pots and pans” is synonymous with general cookware, and “pan” is commonly used when describing other pieces — crepe pan, sheet pan, roasting pan, and the like.


Frying Pan Thickness
What is a Bacon Press
Ceramic-based pans are also popular due to their non-stick and chemical-free surfaces, but they may not last as long and can be prone to breakage or chipping.


