How to choose a good frying pan?

Update:29 Jul

Having a good frying pan in your cookware arsenal is a must. These pans can handle nearly any cooking task you throw at them, from hard-boiled eggs to searing, sautéing, stewing, frying, and more. With this versatility, you can cook anything from fried eggs to cooked chicken paella. However, when it comes to choosing a frying pan, you may have a bit of a choice. Frying pans come in a variety of sizes and materials, and it can be difficult to know which one is best for your needs.

Before you spend your money on a new pan, you need to ask yourself a few questions. Are you planning to use the pan only on the stovetop, or do you want to use it in the oven as well? Will you use it for all kinds of cooking tasks, or just want to boil an egg? 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.

A high-quality three-layer stainless steel frying pan is definitely pricey, but with proper care, it can last almost forever. Be sure to take it out of the dishwasher and wait until the pan is completely cool before washing it to prevent it from warping.

On the other hand, nonstick pans have a certain shelf life. Generally speaking, a nonstick pan should last about five years. If you notice any scratches on the pan's coating, it's time to throw it away. You don't want the coating to flake into your food.

Before you throw away the pan, see if you can fix it first. If the handle comes loose, it can usually be reattached and sometimes a non-stick surface can be secured. However, generally speaking, if the frying pan is deformed, the surface is badly scratched, or the handle is falling off, it is time to replace the frying pan.