If you still can’t seem to pick, however, we’d suggest our Multi-Material Frying Pan Set. This three-piece collection includes a Stainless Clad, a Non Stick, and a Carbon Steel Frying Pan, so you’ll have all of your bases covered—with room to grow.

Is a skillet better than a frying pan? Which one should I choose?

The geometry of a pan can affect how easily moisture is driven off of food, and how rapidly a sauce will reduce. It's often claimed that the sloped sides of a skillet help moisture exuded by cooking meats evaporate more rapidly, allowing you to sear more efficiently. And this is true, but only given the same cooking area. In other words, a 12-inch skillet with a 10-inch cooking area will sear foods more efficiently than a 10-inch sauté pan. The corollary to this, of course, is that, given an equal amount of food that needs searing over super-high heat (some steaks, for example), the large surface area of a sauté pan does not offer any significant advantages over a skillet—you'll still have to cook in just as many batches.

Another difference lies in how skillets usually come with a small helper handle on the other side for extra support. This is because skillets are often much heavier than frypans, so the extra support is always welcomed. Frypans usually come with a single handle, but there are rare occasions where it may come with a helper handle for larger ones.

A frypan can be used to cook frittatas, quesadillas, grilled cheese sandwiches, omelettes, stir-fries, and fish. Certain oven-safe frypans have the versatility to be served from oven to table for a stunning affair. Modern frypans are also now available in beautiful designs and colours, especially ceramic frypans.

A sauté pan is better suited than a stockpot for holding liquids, reducing splashing, and cooking many foods at once. The biggest disadvantage of the sauté pan is its size. You’ll notice this since the 12-inch sauté pan is significantly larger than the skillet.

Material

5. Carbon Steel Frying Pans

French Skillet vs Frying Pan – What’s The Difference?

A French skillet is a heavy and thick saucepan usually larger, flatter, and deeper than a regular frying pan. Its size ranges from 9-11 inches, but some come in 8 or 12 inches.