What kind of frying pan should i buy

Here are two recommended stainless steel pans from CR's tests. Best for: Virtually any food that needs searing, including steak and burgers. Cast-iron pans are oven-proof, so you can use them to roast meats like beef or pork and also to bake cornbread, deep dish pizza, Shepherd's pie, and more. 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.

Once they do, however, they retain their heat. Our tests of 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. All but two do very well on that test. Here are two recommended cast iron pans from our tests. Best for: Delicate proteins like fish and seafood, melting sugar, making candy and sauces.

The details: Copper frying pans are expensive, but they offer superb heat conductivity. The cookware we use to fry our food is often made from stainless steel, aluminum, iron or copper. When we have to decide which cookware is best to buy, we should not just look at the price, but rather choose the one that best suits our needs.

This is one of the guides that will show you how. Each type of frying pan material performs differently based on conductivity and reactivity. In some circumstances, the foods we cook may absorb materials from the pans in which we cook them. As wise consumers, the way we can select our cookware will depend on a variety of considerations such as health and safety factors , our personal taste and as well as our individual cooking style.

Excellent Conductive Material. Reactive pans, specifically aluminum and copper reacts to acidic food leaving a metallic taste and discolor sauces and soups.

We understand that you want to buy the best frying pan out there but before you do, take stock of what frying pan is currently in your kitchen. There are many stick and non stick frying pan types with all different kinds of materials and as we examined above, each material has its own pros and cons as indicated in the table above. Before you buy your next frying pan, ask yourself these questions:. Very important for cast iron, is that your pan is properly seasoned or enamelled.

There are many ways to season a cast iron pan — some say you should cook only bacon in a new pan for the first year, or bake it covered in fat several times before use. To season an old pan, scrub away any rust and crusted on food, and allow to dry completely. Rub with a thin layer of oil and put into a cold oven. The non-stick patina will increase every time oil or a fat is heated in the pan, and will get better and better, provided the pan is not scrubbed with water.

If a thorough washing is required, re-season. Seasoning like this can be done as many times as you like, and will only improve the surface of the pan.

So whenever you have the oven on for something else, put the pan in at the same time. All this is, of course, not necessary for enameled cast iron cookware — just the plain cast iron. The general rule states to buy the best you can afford, and care for it well. Happy cooking! There are plenty of benefits to cooking with cast iron , starting with its extremely high heat capability and long lifespan.

And a heavy-duty cast iron frying pan , like this one from AmazonBasics, is a perfect option. It features a round shape and flat, sturdy base with flared sides that work well for cooking up anything from buttermilk biscuits to braised chicken thighs.

While many cast iron pans require a long process of seasoning before use, customers love that this pan comes pre-seasoned so they can get to cooking on it right away and without having to sacrifice the natural flavor release that cast iron is known for.

The inch pan is also compatible with all heat sources, meaning you can use it on a stovetop, in the oven up to degrees Fahrenheit, and even over a campfire. Not to mention, cast iron is one of the most durable materials out there—with the right care, a good cast iron pan can even last you a lifetime.

When it comes to cookware, stainless steel is typically the choice for restaurants and professional chefs for a few good reasons.

Besides being beautiful to look at a bonus if you have your pans out on display , stainless steel is typically affordable and pretty indestructible. This means you can use different oils and cook up just about anything on these pans without risk of damage. Like cast iron, stainless steel offers fantastic heat distribution, so you can fry up delicious, evenly cooked dishes with ease. And when used properly, these pans do a great job of keeping food from sticking. Nearly 1, Amazon shoppers left a perfect five-star review for this 8-inch, contoured skillet from Cuisinart, with many calling it "well-made" and "attractive.

Speaking of budget-friendly, if you're looking for an everyday frying pan that won't break the bank, nearly 2, Amazon reviewers recommend this dishwasher-safe option by Utopia Kitchen. It features a high-quality nonstick interior made of aluminum alloy, which allows for easy cooking and cleanup.

Customers also appreciate the sturdy, wobble-free handle and induction bottom that allows for use on both electric and ceramic cooktops. All-Clad is a favorite cookware brand that's known for making durable, high-performing products. That's why it comes as no surprise that this stainless steel inch skillet features a wide, flat base and aluminum core for even heating throughout.

Perfect for dishes like sauteed chicken and stir-fried vegetables, it has a nonstick interior and is oven-safe for up to degrees Fahrenheit. It even comes with a lifetime warranty, and shoppers say it's well worth the price tag. One Amazon reviewer wrote: "I've owned several different brands of pans, but All-Clad is by far the best!

Even heat throughout the pan, cool handle, and it keeps the heat for a long time, even after it's off the flame.