How do I choose a good skillet?

Update:06 Jan

Before spending money on a new pan, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself. Are you going to only use the pan on the stovetop, or do you want to use it in the oven as well? Will you be using it for a variety of cooking tasks, or just want to boil eggs? Are lightweight pans important to you? Does it need to be big enough to make dinner for four? These answers will help you find the best pan for your needs, taking into account the pros and cons of each.

1. Non-stick pan. These pans are usually made of aluminum and contain a PTFE or Teflon coating that prevents food from sticking to their surface. They are designed to cook foods such as eggs, pancakes, crepes or fish. You can use them to cook other items, but they are not designed for high heat, so they will never produce a hard burn.

2. Hard anodized frying pan. Our last nonstick option is more durable than the first two. These pans are manufactured with a stronger process than regular aluminum. This means you can use them at higher temperatures like stainless steel pans, and they're more durable, so go ahead and use them with metal utensils.

3. Stainless steel frying pan. Stainless steel by itself is not a good conductor of heat, which is why we recommend a three-layer pan with multiple layers of metal fused together. This process makes these pans heavier than single layer pans, but they are still lighter than cast iron skillets. Stainless steel skillets are great for searing and braising meats, pan frying or sautéing, making pan sauces, or cooking food in the oven.

If you're mostly cooking breakfast, we recommend buying a non-stick pan for everyday use. These pans are also great if you're on a low-fat diet because you can use them without cooking oil or butter. A high-quality triple-ply stainless steel skillet can certainly be expensive, but if cared for properly, it can last almost forever. Just be sure to keep it out of the dishwasher and wait until the pan has cooled completely before washing it to keep it from warping.