While stainless steel pans are incredibly versatile, you’ll need to take a little extra care to keep them from rusting or sticking.
High-end cast iron skillets have become a staple in many professional kitchens and home cookware collections. These skillets are prized for their durability, heat retention, and even cooking properties. Made from a single piece of cast iron, these skillets are built to last a lifetime and provide consistent cooking results. Another benefit of cast iron with porcelain enamel cookware is its non-stick propertiesWhen considering the difference between a skillet and frying pan, you'll notice a lot of similarities. Both have slightly sloped sides. Both can grill up a steak or scramble an egg on the stovetop equally well. Both come in a range of materials like carbon steel, stainless clad metals, and cast iron. Both pieces of cookware are also available with non-stick cooking surfaces. Neither frying pans nor skillets tend to come with lids. So, what's the difference?
The lid of a white enamel pot is an integral part of its design. Crafted to fit snugly on the pot's rim, it locks in heat and moisture, enhancing the cooking process and preserving the flavors of the ingredients within. Many lids feature a steam vent or knob, allowing for pressure regulation and safe handling, while also doubling as a convenient handle for lifting the lid. Maintenance of a cast iron griddle plate is part of its charmChances are, your first piece of cookware was a non stick pan. This staple material is certainly beginner-friendly, but that doesn't mean it isn't just as useful in professional kitchens, too.
The enamel coating also offers a nonstick surface that is easy to clean and maintain. Unlike traditional cast iron pans, which require frequent seasoning to prevent food from sticking, an enamel-coated pan can be easily cleaned with soap and water. This makes it a great choice for busy home cooks who want the benefits of cast iron without the hassle of special care instructionsEnameled cast iron pans offer all the benefits of unfinished cast iron, with the touch of added convenience usually associated with non stick.
One of the key advantages of white enamel cookware is its versatility. It can be used on various stovetops, including gas, electric, and induction, and is also oven-safe, allowing for seamless transitions from stove to oven. The non-porous nature of the enamel coating prevents food odors and flavors from being absorbed, ensuring each meal tastes as it should The non-porous nature of the enamel coating prevents food odors and flavors from being absorbed, ensuring each meal tastes as it shouldFrom carbon steel to enameled cast iron, we think almost every single kind of pan has its merits. But if you’re just getting into the home cooking game, or you’re looking to expand your toolkit, the sheer variety of pans on the market can feel intimidating—especially if you’re just looking for a good all-purpose pan for weeknight dinners.
Cleaning and maintenance are straightforward with a double-sided cast iron griddle. A simple rinse and light scrubbing with a brush, followed by re-seasoning with oil, keeps it in prime condition. This seasoning process, over time, creates a natural, non-stick patina that only enhances its performance.
“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.
While cast iron skillets take longer to heat up than other frying pan materials, they heat evenly and consistently with no hot spots. They are great at retaining heat and can be taken from the stovetop to the oven or grill and then to the table for service to keep the food warm. A well-seasoned cast-iron skillet is naturally non-stick and can withstand very high temperatures without warping or getting damaged. Cast iron requires frequent maintenance, but the benefit is that it can last a lifetime with routine seasoning and using proper cleaning techniques.