Prepare delicious food for any meal -- fried eggs for breakfast, grilled cheese for lunch and stir-fry for dinner—from non-stick copper to cast iron, a skillet will do the job. Here’s how to choose skillet pans for all your cooking needs.
Types of Skillet Pans
Cooking skillet sizes range from 6 to 20 inches in diameter. Choose a range of sizes to suit a variety of cooking needs. Make sure to consider the skillet pan’s construction before making a purchase, as the type of metal may affect how you cook your food as well as care and maintenance of the pan.
● Cast Iron Skillet Pan. Cast iron skillets can go from stovetop to oven and last for years. Season the pan to maintain its non-stick quality.
● Enameled Cast Iron Pan. With all the heat retention benefits of its uncoated cousin but with simpler care and clean-up, an enameled cast iron pan is perfect for searing meat and then finishing it under the broiler or in a preheated oven. Enameled cast iron skillet pans also come in a variety of colors to coordinate with your kitchen decor.
● Stainless Steel Skillet Pan. Durable and a great conductor of heat, a stainless steel skillet pan will last for years and often features a sturdy, comfortable, heat-resistant handle that makes for simple stovetop-to-oven use.
● Non-stick Skillets: Made of stainless steel or aluminum, these skillets come in traditional black or ceramic non-stick surfaces.
● Aluminum Skillet Pan. Lightweight aluminum skillet pans heat up quickly for cooks on the go.
Choose skillets and non-stick frying pans with lids for sautéing large quantities of greens, for braising, and for keeping cooked food hot.
Caring for Kitchen Skillets
Keep your skillets like new, and wash them by hand. Use non-abrasive sponges to clean, and make sure to follow any specific care and cleaning instructions from the manufacturer.