How to clean: Detergents strip the seasoning. Instead, wipe clean or scrub with hot water. For stuck-on bits, rub with 1/2 cup kosher salt, then rinse.
Best for: Almost any food that needs searing, including steak and burgers. Cast-iron pans are ovenproof, so you can use them to roast meats like beef or pork and to bake cornbread, deep-dish pizza, shepherd’s pie, and more. And they retain heat so well that they’re a good choice for deep-frying chicken, doughnuts, or other foods because they keep the oil at a constant temperature.
The details: Cast-iron frying pans are practically indestructible, and they’re handed down for generations in many families. That makes their typically low price even more attractive. And if well cared for, cast iron develops a patina that releases food almost as well as nonstick. But the pans are heavy, and you have to be patient when heating them up because they don’t come up to temperature fast. Once they do, however, they retain heat.
Our tests of coated and uncoated cast-iron pans show how versatile this cookware can be. We sear steaks, brown scallops, and bake cornbread to see how well a cast-iron pan works for home cooks. The best pans ace all these tests. We also judge how easy they are to clean. Because of the enamel coating, the coated pans are a bit easier to clean than the uncoated ones.
Here are two recommended cast-iron pans from our tests.
Overall, French skillets vs frying pans are versatile kitchen tools that can be used for a wide range of cooking techniques with less oil than deep-frying.
Let’s begin with the most common term: frying pans. They are an incredibly versatile piece of cooking equipment in any kitchen, available in various sizes ranging from 6 to 16 inches, with 12 inches being the most common.


Whereas handles on skillets are often already part of it, making it an overall single piece of metal. That said, the common exception would be the French skillet which closely resembles a frypan with typically riveted handles.
Skillets and sauté pans are offered in similar sizes, ranging from 3.5-inch to 17-inch diameters. The most popular are 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch diameters, with most home stoves comfortably accommodating a maximum of 12-inches.
Once the bacon reaches your desired level of crispiness, remove it from the cooking surface using tongs and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess grease. Allow the bacon to cool briefly before serving and enjoy the delicious results of your efforts.
One of the main benefits of using a sizzling plate to serve your steak is that it allows for a customizable dining experience. Guests can cook their steak to their preferred doneness at the table, ensuring every bite is exactly how they like it. This plate sizzling interactive element adds fun and intrigue to the meal, making it an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

washing cast iron griddle. To season your cast iron griddle, rub a small amount of vegetable oil or shortening onto the surface using a paper towel. Make sure to coat both the cooking surface and the sides of the griddle.
6 – Carbon-Steel Frying Pans
Lay your strips of bacon onto the preheated cooking surface in a single layer, ensuring that they are not overlapping. Allow the bacon weight press to start cooking for a brief moment before proceeding to the next step.