Going to the marketplace with little to no knowledge of different items in cookware can be distressing. For a moment, just imagine spending a good amount of money on pans only to find out this was not what you needed. Every day, someone is buying a skillet thinking it’s a frying pan and vice versa. No doubt, it can be disheartening. Because we all have plans of cooking a storm in the pots and pans we buy. We believe, knowing the art of spotting the differences between skillet and frying pan is commendable.
Trust us, you have your life in the kitchen sorted if you know when to use a skillet and when to use a frying pan. There is no need to feel left out if you still struggle in figuring out the right pan for the right purpose. We have just taken charge of how you can draw the line between the two items in the subject.
Table of Contents
How to Identify a Skillet?
You can easily identify a skillet by simply observing its sides. Skillets all around the world tend to have slanted sides and this is believed to be the major and most noticeable feature of a skillet. The sides are not only curved or slanted but they are also shorter than the usual pans you see in the markets. Also, note that it is easier to move, stir, and flip around the ingredients as they provide an open view of the cooking surface. This is mainly because of its curved sides. The very same curved sides play a very significant role in helping you with conveniently shifting the food to the dish. Moreover, skillets always come with a lid.
It is also important to note that skillets tend to have less cooking surface area. For instance, if you get a 12-inch skillet for yourself, the cooking surface will be at least two inches less than its actual diameter. This is why cooking experts have always told the audience to not let any percentage of food stick to the sides because that area gets no heat. This ends up leaving that specific percentage uncooked and you really wouldn’t want to waste the ingredients like that. However, what we like most about skillets is that they are light in weight. This can make the entire cooking experience relatively easier without putting unnecessary pressure on your wrists.
How to Buy the Best Skillet?
Here is everything you always need to keep in mind when planning to add a new skillet to the cookware collection in your kitchen.
Diameter
There are variations in the sizes of skillets. The smallest one has 8 inches of diameter and it goes up to 12 inches and onward. You may buy the one that suits your family size and the amount of food you are supposed to cook.
Weight
There is no use of buying heavy skillets because all it is going to do is make the cooking process harder than it is. Therefore, make sure you buy the one that is convenient to lift even after it is filled with ingredients.
Thickness
Remember that the thickness of the skillet measures its stability. Skillets made of thicker materials provide greater stability and make it convenient for you to stir and toss around the ingredients. Moreover, thicker skillets are great heat conductors.
Material
If you are looking for a skillet that is dishwasher safe and resilient enough to deal with tough cooking then go for a stainless steel one. Other materials used in skillets include copper, aluminum, and cast iron.
Handle
Skillets with riveted handles are the best as they tend to be stronger than the rest. However, we suggest you get it only if you can clean because riveted handles can be tricky in this regard.
Related Posts:
How to Sharpen Electric Knife Blades
Ceramic vs Stainless Steel Cookware
Calphalon vs Cuisinart Cookware
How to Identify a Frying Pan?
One of the first things you should notice in a frying pan is that it is flat-bottomed. Frying pans are commonly used all around the world majorly for searing, frying, and most often for browning food. Authentic frying pans have long handles and usually come without a lid. Moreover, the sides of a frying pan are low. Cast iron, aluminum, stainless steel, and copper are among the common material used to manufacture frying pans. Frying pans are also available in nonstick versions which are also commonly used in home and restaurant kitchens.
Nonstick frying pans are generally recommended for beginners. People who do not have a good enough grip on the food they are cooking. It can also prove to be great for those looking to achieve the ideal weight by cutting down on the oily content food. However, if we look at the broader picture, a nonstick frying pan is not a great choice. Know the nonstick frying pans are not compatible with metal utensils nor they remain by your side if you need to do deglazing.
How to Buy the Best Frying Pan?
Thickness
Make sure the frying pan you are going to buy is not too thin. Thinner frying pans tend to give a hard time while cooking because they lack stability especially if you are cooking in fewer quantities. You are then required to hold the frying pan all along.
Weight
Just like skillets, frying pans should also be not too heavy. Trust us, heavy cooking utensils can become quite a nuisance that no one wants in their lives.
Material
Frying pans are available in a variety of materials from aluminum to stainless steel. Experts have always vouched for stainless steel due to the durability it has to offer. Also, figure out whether you need a nonstick frying pan or the regular one.
Key Takeaway
- Frying pan and skillet are both flat-bottomed. While a frying pan is used for searing and frying, a skillet is generally used for stewing, grilling, sautéing, roasting, and deep and shallow frying.
- A skillet comes with a lid while a frying pan does not.
- A skillet tends to be deeper with high sides. On the other hand, a frying pan has low sides, a long handle, and is not deep enough.