There is simply nothing better than a fried breakfast on a Sunday morning. Two rashers of honey roasted bacon, a sunny side egg topped with freshly ground pepper, Himalayan salt and a dash of paprika and a medley of fried tomatoes and mushrooms on a bed of golden brown french toast.
Of course, this Sunday morning wonder doesn’t come about all on its own. Careful planning and a good eye on timing are necessary to make the very best Sunday fry up. But not only is it important to have a good level skill in the kitchen to make a great Sunday brunch, but it is also essential to have the right equipment behind you. That’s right, the very best skillet or frying pan.
Skillet or frying pan, many think that they are the same thing. But is there a difference between a skillet and a frying pan or sauté pan? And if so what is it?
There is a difference between skillets and frying pans and choosing the right equipment could make the difference between you serving up the very best fry up mankind has ever tasted and served one that’s well, average at best. If you are in the middle of buying cookware in order to kit out a brand new kitchen or are looking to replace a few pots and pans that aren’t quite up to scratch anymore then you will most likely want to add a skillet and a frying pan to your list of essential cookware items.
This article has been prepared for you to help you decide skillet vs saute pan and see which is best suited to you and your way of cooking. It will also help you to understand when to use both a skillet and a frying pan so that you can make the very best meals every time you cook.
Not only that but if you are looking to replace your skillet or sauté pan then you will also be able to have a look at a fantastic review that will show you 3 of the very best skillets and 3 of the most amazing sauté pans on the market right now.
Table of Contents
Top Skillet Reviews and Top Saute Pan Reviews
Have you decided on whether a skillet or sauté pan is the best solution for you? If not, let the following skillet and sauté pan reviews be your guide.
Or perhaps you are looking to purchase both a new sauté pan and skillet to give you a variety of options in the kitchen. Whatever the case, you can rely on the following reviews that will help you to pick one of each.
With so many skillets and sauté pans on the market it is easy to get lost in all of the measurements and specifications, checking warranties and reading the reviews. That is why I have narrowed down the reviews in this article to just 6, 3 of the very best sauté pans and 3 top quality skillets so that you can easily find a cookware solution that will really work. Take a look!
Saute Pan Reviews
Are you looking for the perfect cookware solution to simmer down a spicy curry, braise a couple of chicken legs or even cook up the tastiest mango chutney? Then you will need a good quality sauté pan, take a look at the following and then choose your favorite.
Cook N Home 02635
If you are torn between the two, sauté pan vs fry pan then let this sauté pan by Cook N Home help you choose between the two.
Overview
This nonstick sauté pan has a few special features that I think you will really love.
Features
- The nonstick coating on this sauté pan is on a hard-anodized surface, making the pan a lot easier to clean and to keep clean.
- Thanks to the non-stick surface food don’t stick to the surface as easy, preventing your food from burning.
- The tempered glass lids are see-through, enabling you to keep an eye on your food as it cooks.
- Food doesn’t stick to the surface of the pan
- Good heat distribution
- Cmes along with a glass lid
- The handle is not durable enough so might have to take extra care while cooking
Cuisinart 733-30H
Are you looking for something a little stylish that will really glimmer like a gem in your kitchen? Then you will love this Cuisinart Chef’s Classic sauté pan because of its classy mirror finish.
Overview
The aluminum base on this sauté pan helps to distribute the heat better and faster than other models, avoiding sticking, burning and annoying hot spots while cooking
Features
- The rim has been formed especially for drip-free pouring, allowing you to cook spicy curries and heartwarming broths and simply transfer them into a dish to serve, without spilling or making a mess.
- The pan has a handy cool grip handle feature that will keep the handles cool no matter what temperature you cook with, avoiding the need for pesky oven gloves and tea towels.
- Heat distribution is well throughout the pan
- Food is evenly cooked
- Very durable and sturdy
- Food tends to stick to the surface of the pan
Calphalon Stainless Steel Cookware
New cookware is constantly being designed and improved to make your life easier and that is exactly what this Calphalon Classic Stainless Steel sauté pan does.
Features
- The aluminum base on the pan helps your food to cook in record time as it heats up the base quickly and evenly, avoiding hot spots and burning.
- This pan is both oven and broiler safe so that you can have the convenience of taking your food from hob to oven and broiler and vice versa without worrying about damaging your cookware.
- My favorite feature however on this sauté pan would definitely be the stay-cool handles as they will remain cool to touch even when you cook at higher temperatures. The stay-cool handles limit the need to carry the pot using oven gloves and tea towels.
- Heats up quickly and evenly
- Comes with a lid
- Handle is comfortable to hold while cooking
- Cleaning takes time as food does tend to stick to the pan
Skillet Reviews
Are you after a cookware solution to cook a fantastic pesto pasta sauce, sizzle a garlicky and buttery haddock or fry a handful of hand cut Piper potato wedges? Then you will need to get your hands on the best skillet on the market. Here’s three of them:
Utopia Kitchen
Here is an example of a fantastic stainless steel skillet.
Features
- The skillet comes with a tight-fitting lid that is perfect to help food to retain its moisture and prevent it from drying out.
- My absolute favorite thing about this skillet is that it is dishwasher safe, making it so much easier to clean.
- Another great thing about this skillet is that it is induction compatible so that you can begin using it on your appliances at home as soon as you receive it.
- It is very light, weighing a mere 4.67 pounds making it easier to manage on the wrist.
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Compatible with various cooktops
- Comes with a glass lid and easy to observe food
- Takes a bit time to heat up well and have to use plenty of oil to avoid food from sticking to the pan
Cuisinart 622-30G
Having to decide fry pan vs skillet, can be very tricky. What can help? – reading the following Cuisinart Chef’s Classic skillet review.
Features
- The rim has been optimized for drip-free pouring so that you can cook the very best sweet and spicy mango chutney and pasta sauce without worrying about it spilling and making a mess.
- The handles on this Cuisinart have been manufactured with a cool touch feature that will help you to grip the handles with confidence, making the pan safer to use.
- The nonstick coating prevents food from burning and also makes the skillet easier to clean – simply wipe it over with a non abrasive sponge and warm soapy water.
- Easy to clean
- Food doesn’t stick to the pan
- Good heat distribution
- Not much durable and the non stick layer tends to chip after a while
Calphalon 2029650
Are you ready for your next crispy batch of home cut potato wedges? What about deep fried Texas barbecue chicken wings?
Overview
With this Calphalon nonstick 13 inch deep skillet you can fry it all! Let’s take a closer look at the features of the pan.
Features
- Not only is this pan great for frying because of the depth of the skillet but it is also great for making wholesome broths and zingy sauces ready to throw on top of your choice of tagliatelle.
- The coating is on top of a hard anodized base that helps to keep your food from sticking and burning and prevents hot spots.
- Perfect for frying and cooks well without food getting stuck to the surface
- Handle doesn’t get hot while cooking
- the non stick layer tends to chip off so might have to take extra care not to scratch the surface of the pan by any means
Which is Which? (skillet or frying pan)
So here is the million-dollar question. Pan Vs skillet, which is which? And then when that puzzle is all cleared up, what is a sauté pan and where does that fit into the equation?
If you are anything like me then it was probably not too long ago when you first realized that skillets and frying pans are not the same thing. It was only when I first started to take a real interest in cooking when I became aware of just how in the dark I was.
Not only was I naming a skillet a frying pan and vice versa, but I was almost always using the wrong cookware to make meals, or course nothing drastic happened because of using a skillet instead of a frying pan, but as with all tools, when you don’t use the right ones you won’t get the job done as effectively (like screwing a nail into a wall with a sharp knife or a pair of scissors, it will get the job done, but not half as quickly or as well as a screwdriver).
If you are confused about the difference between a skillet, frying pan and saute pan, then have a look at the following skillet, sauté pan and frying pan identification guide that will help you to spot the differences between the three.
Skillet
A skillet is made from a variety of materials, most commonly cast iron, making skillets very sturdy and long-lasting items to have in the kitchen.
Skillets are distinguishable from frying pans as they usually are about two inches deep, – deep enough for shallow frying and deep-frying.
Unlike frying pans, skillets usually come with a lid.
Frying pan
A flat bottomed pan used for frying, searing and browning food.
A frying pan is distinguishable from a skillet because of its low sides and long handle and because of generally being more shallow than skillets.
Frying pans do not usually come with a lid.
Frying pans can come in a variety of materials including cast iron, aluminum, stainless steel, and others.
Sauté pan
A sauté pan is the easiest to differentiate as they have tall straight sides whereas frying pans and skillets have shallower and more sloped sides.
A sauté pan usually comes with a lid and is perfect for holding liquid.
When to Use Each
Perhaps now that you have seen the differences between skillets and frying pans you realize that you may have been mixing them up a little in your cooking. Using the right cookware for the right meals is essential to cooking your meal spot on.
So here comes yet another important question – when should you use a skillet or frying pan? In order to find out which cookware to use and when, skillet vs frying pan, take a look at the following cookware guide.
When to use a frying pan
Frying pans are incredibly versatile and are great for frying just about anything. A little oil in the base of the pan then add your ingredients and you will be good to go.
Frying pans are best for frying when you have fewer ingredients in the pan such as a couple of eggs, a few rashers of bacon or the like as they are shallow but cover a wide surface area.
When to use a skillet
Skillets are perfect for frying or cooking foods that require a little more oil or a higher volume of ingredients than with a frying pan.
A skillet is great for deep frying or shallow frying so it will make a crispy and golden batch of homemade potato wedges in a jiffy.
When to use a sauté pan
Sauté pans hold more liquid than their rivals the frying pan and the skillet so they are ideal for making sauces and for braising cuts of meat.
FAQ
The three basic pans that is needed to start your collection are, a 10-inch saute pan, a two-quart saucepan, and an eight-quart stockpot. They’ll cover about all the cooking task
Conclusion
So there you have it, an explanation of skillets vs frying pans vs sauté pans and what each one can be used for.
Each type of pan has been specially designed with different textures and volumes of food and liquids in mind so it is important to use the right one.
Once you have chosen your favorite sauté pan or skillet from the list it won’t be long until it is in your hands and you will be able to show off your finest culinary skills to the whole family.
I will recommend saute pan more its very easy use and clean it after cooking, but I think skillet has own benefits and people choice them as their requirements need to help them in cooking.