Skillets on the other hand, have semi-vertical sides that flare outwards from the base. This is unlike the frying pan because it does not have curved edges. Again, do not confuse skillets with saute pans as the skillet widen outwards while saute pan does not.

Coated cast iron pans are glazed with an enamel coating. This eliminates the need for seasoning and makes it easier to clean them. It also prevents iron from leaching into food. Enameled cast iron, however, doesn't resist sticking as well as seasoned bare cast iron. It also doesn't withstand searing heat and can chip easily if dropped.

Sizzling Plate

Frying pans typically have a diameter of 8 to 12 inches, meaning you can put several different sizes of frying pans in your kitchen.

    Regardless of the type,  Cast iron cooking griddles are known for their ability to cook delicious, even meals.   Cast iron cooking griddle's versatility and durability make them a must-have for any kitchen, whether for commercial use or home cooking.  With the right  Cast iron griddles, anyone can enjoy the benefits of even heat distribution and delicious meals for years to come.

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.

    The 8-piece cast iron cookware set, on the other hand, is a more compact option but still provides the essential parts needed for most cooking tasks.  This 8-piece cast iron cookware set is perfect for those who have limited storage space or prefer a minimalist range of cookware.

In fact, non stick cookware is utilized in some of the world's best restaurants, day in and day out. Our Stainless Clad base paired with multiple layers of professional-grade Non Stick coating results in a pan loved by home cooks and restaurant customers alike.

“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.

Now that we’re familiar with their sizes, let’s move on to the differences between frypans and skillets in terms of their cooking surface!