Skillets Overview and Purchasing Tips

To many cooks, the skillet is the most versatile of all cookware. You can use a skillet to make an omelette, brown ground beef, fry bacon, stir fry vegetables, and more. You can cook with a skillet on the stovetop and, with some skillets, in the stove as well. Some cooks refer to a skillet as a frying pan, and these are, in truth, the same cooking dish, but a skillet is much more than just a frying pan.

 

You can purchase a skillet as part of a cookware set from a manufacturer such as Calphalon or Farberware, or you can buy the skillet individually. An individual skillet will be more expensive than a skillet purchased as part of a set, but it is still one of the cheaper pots or pans in your kitchen; some skillets cost less than twenty dollars. Whether you purchase them individually or as part of a set, skillets usually have either a ten or twelve inch diameter, and either size will work well for most purposes and families.

 

The primary difference between skillets is the material with which they are made: cast-iron, stainless steel, and non-stick.

·        Cast-Iron: Cast-iron skillets have a history and tradition all their own. Simply seeing a cast-iron skillet reminds many people of the smell of a certain food, such as frying bacon. These skillets heat evenly and precisely without warping. They maintain the flavor of the food, allow you to use any utensils in cooking, and, with proper care, they can easily last decades. On the down side, these skillets are very heavy, and you have to monitor them to know when to reseason them with fat to keep them cooking properly.

·        Stainless steel: Stainless steel skillets are cheaper and lighter than cast-iron skillets. They work great on omelets, are dishwasher safe, and will not rust over time. The disadvantage to stainless steel is that the steel does not heat as even as cast-iron, and, in addition, you will need to put oil or butter in a stainless steel skillet each time you use it so that food won’t stick to the pan.

·        Non-Stick: Non-stick skillets are quick and easy to use because you never have to worry about adding oil or butter. On the other hand, these skillets are not dishwasher safe and you cannot use metal utensils to cook in them. Like stainless steel skillets, they are lighter than cast-iron, but they still do not offer the completely even and precise heat of cast-iron.

 

Because of its versatility and simplicity, the skillet is perhaps the most basic piece of any kitchen cookware set. If you can afford it, cast-iron skillets offer the most character, but if you prefer a lighter but still adequate skillet, go with non-stick. Stainless steel is the cheapest option on the market and works great as well.