Best for: Almost any food that needs frying, browning, or searing. Because it’s ovenproof, stainless is also a good choice for foods that you start on the stovetop and then move to the oven to finish, like thick pork chops.

The details: Nitahara says that 95 percent of the pans used in the CIA’s teaching kitchens are stainless steel because they can take a lot of punishment. “The only time we don’t use them is on egg day, when we use nonstick,” he says. He adds that the shiny surface of a stainless pan makes it easy to see whether your food is browning.

In CR’s tests of stainless steel pans, we measure heating evenness by cooking pancakes, and we gauge how evenly a pan sautés by cooking potatoes until they’re tender. We also conduct a cleaning test to see how easy it is to remove cooked-on food. You’d think that all stainless pans would be about the same to clean, but our tests show that some require a lot more scrubbing than others.

Here are two recommended stainless steel pans from CR’s tests.

Dutch Oven Function

Size Matters

    After cooking, your cast iron griddle must be properly cleaned.  Contrary to popular belief, it is safe to clean griddle on the stove.  Once the cast iron griddle has cooled slightly, sprinkle some coarse salt on the surface and wipe away any food residue with paper towels.  The salt acts as a mild abrasive to remove bits stuck to the cast iron griddle without damaging the skillet's seasoning.  After the cast iron griddle is clean, wipe it with a damp cloth and dry it thoroughly.

    For those who like pops of color in their kitchen, enamel cookware sets in purple, red, and pink are a great choice.  Not only do these vibrant hues add a fun and playful element to your cooking space, enamel cookware sets also make for stunning dishes.  From sautéing and searing to braising and baking, boldly colored enamel cookware sets are designed to handle a variety of cooking techniques.

 When caring for enameled cast iron cookware, it is important to avoid using metal utensils that can scratch the enamel surface.  Instead, choose wooden or silicone utensils to maintain the integrity of the coating.  Additionally, it's best to hand wash enamel-coated cast iron cookware to prevent the enamel from chipping or getting damaged.

    Cast griddle plates are a versatile and essential addition to any kitchen.  Whether you want to grill a steak, roast vegetables, or cook delicious pancakes, a Cast griddle plate is the perfect tool.  With their even heat distribution and durable construction, it's no wonder these Cast griddle pans are a favorite among home cooks and professional chefs alike.

Do you need access to food with a spatula?At what temperature do you need to cook?What is the volume of the food you need to prepare?Do you need the dish to retain moisture inside?How fast do you need to cook the dish?

Next we’ll look at how the handles are attached. The frypan's handle is usually a separate piece that is either riveted, welded, or screwed on. You’ll commonly see riveted or welded handles these days instead of older screw-handles, which is found on cheap cookware or upper high-end European cookware.