- The smooth bottom of a cast iron skillet is a deliberate feature that sets it apart from traditional rough surfaced pans. It is specifically designed to provide an even heat distribution, which is crucial for achieving consistent cooking results. Unlike the ridged or textured bottoms, a smooth surface ensures that food cooks evenly without hotspots, preventing burning or undercooking. It also makes the skillet more compatible with induction cooktops, which require a flat surface for optimal heat transfer.
A skillet features the same design and function because they are the same type of pan. Although the word skillet is most commonly used in reference to cast iron skillets, the same piece of cookware could also be called a cast iron frying pan. In other words, the two terms are interchangeable and refer to the same type of pan.


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Types Of Cast Iron Cookware




The terms skillet, frying pan, and sauté pan are often confused and used interchangeably, even by seasoned chefs. This is one of the many reasons that buying cookware has traditionally been such a confusing process. At Sardel, our goal is to make it easier to understand your cookware needs, so let us try to clear up the confusion.

The major difference between stainless steel and non-stick cookware is the material used for the bottom of the pan. This non-stick material, as discussed earlier, is easy to clean but requires more frequent and gentle cleaning.
On the other hand, stainless steel pans can handle rough cooking and cleaning while requiring very little maintenance thanks to their sturdy nature.

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However, the issue arises when the pan you’re using is designed for a specific purpose. For instance, a stainless steel French skillet is not suitable for cooking crepes as effectively as a non-stick frying pan since the crepes will stick to the uncoated flat bottom, making them difficult to flip.