Same goes for reducing sauces—sauces will reduce just as fast in a 12-inch sauté pan as in a 12-inch skillet.

As well as its classic contemporary look, stainless steel cookware performs well due to its superior heat conduction. Highly durable and long-lasting, stainless steel pans do an excellent job at producing deliciously browned food and searing meat at high temperatures. While it’s true that they require somewhat more upkeep than other types of cookware to ensure they continue to perform optimally, but if you’re okay with giving your frypan a good scrub after cooking, then you can expect it to last you well over a decade.

One of the benefits of cast iron frying pans is that they are virtually indestructible. They can last a lifetime with proper care and can even be passed down from generation to generation.

One of the benefits of cast iron frying pans is that they are virtually indestructible. They can last a lifetime with proper care and can even be passed down from generation to generation.

Skillets have less cooking area which may be a drawback, depending on what you're cooking. That said, skillets have the advantage of making it easy to toss or shake ingredients so that they cook evenly, thanks to the pans’ slanted sides. (You know, the professional chef move, when instead of using a wooden spoon to stir or mix the ingredients, with a quick jerk of the wrist, the ingredients are tossed and quickly caught back in the pan.) Skillets are great pans for sauteing foods and stir-frys because of how easy the pan is to move with agility. 

Can You Put a Cast Iron Skillet in the Dishwasher?

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

Indoor and Outdoor Cooking: Griddles and grill pans made of black cast iron are suitable for use on stovetops, grills, and even campfires, providing flexibility for indoor and outdoor cooking. This versatility makes them ideal for a range of culinary settings.

Once the pan has cooled, handwash the pan in warm water with mild dish detergent and a sponge. For stuck-on foods, use the rough side of the sponge or wooden spatula to scrape off food bits. Never use steel wool or other abrasive scrubbers to clean stainless steel pans as this can scratch the metal. If your stainless steel pans are labeled as dishwasher-safe, make sure to use a metal-safe detergent to protect the pans' surface.

Cookware Set Applications: Enameled cast iron cookware sets typically include a variety of pieces such as Dutch ovens, skillets, saucepans, and more. These versatile pieces can be used for a wide range of cooking methods, including braising, roasting, sautéing, and baking.

Temperature Retention: Cast iron sizzling plates and platters retain heat exceptionally well, ensuring that the sizzling effect is maintained throughout the meal service, keeping the food hot and flavorful.

In many cases, you can use a frying pan and a French skillet interchangeably. For example, you can use both for cooking eggs, sautéing vegetables, searing meats, and making thick sauces.

Copper cookware is best known for its luxurious finish and excellent heat conductivity, as well as for its price—a small copper saucepan can fetch around $200, while a stockpot can cost upwards of $1,000. This makes copper relatively uncommon as a cookware material, though many cooks swear by it.