A non-stick pan is what you use if you're cooking foods that tend to stick.

Best for: Almost any food that needs searing, including steak and burgers. Cast-iron pans are ovenproof, so you can use them to roast meats like beef or pork and to bake cornbread, deep-dish pizza, shepherd’s pie, and more. And they retain heat so well that they’re a good choice for deep-frying chicken, doughnuts, or other foods because they keep the oil at a constant temperature.

The details: Cast-iron frying pans are practically indestructible, and they’re handed down for generations in many families. 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. But the pans are heavy, and you have to be patient when heating them up because they don’t come up to temperature fast. Once they do, however, they retain heat.

Our tests of coated and uncoated 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. Because of the enamel coating, the coated pans are a bit easier to clean than the uncoated ones.

Here are two recommended cast-iron pans from our tests.

This pan has a flat bottom and flared edges that may be slightly curved. It is often used for cooking. Some skillets, such as copper, cast iron, or aluminum, are coated with a nonstick coating to make cleanup easier.

    All in all, cast iron grill pan are valuable additions to any kitchen, providing a versatile and durable way to cook a variety of foods.  By following proper seasoning, use, and maintenance techniques, these cookware can provide years of reliable service and delicious meals.

   For small chips, epoxy repair kits designed for enamel and porcelain surfaces can be used. Clean the chipped area thoroughly, apply the epoxy according to the manufacturer's instructions, and carefully smooth the surface. Once the epoxy has dried, the repaired area should be sanded and polished to blend with the surrounding enamel.

You can use French skillets to prepare various foods, including fried and boiled dishes. You can also use these skillets for poaching liquids or shallow frying.

Contrary to what many expect, skillets are actually great for sautéing and stir-frying. The lighter weight makes them easy to shake, and their sloped sides helps redistribute the food back to the bottom of the pan. The wide opening also allows access to the cooking surface, making it easy to stir the ingredients.

Skillet vs. Saute Pan: What's the Difference?

Non-stick fry pans are a preferred choice when cooking on low heat as the external coating suffers damage when exposed to excessive heat. You could use non-stick pans for more delicate meals like crepes, eggs, pancakes and more. However, non-stick cookware cannot produce the searing effect, which means it excludes many of the more popular recipes.

Stainless steel cookware, being the workhorse of your kitchen, can be used for making pretty much anything, including steaks, pork, chicken, and braises.

A multi-ply frying pan with an aluminium core is recommended for the best results when cooking at high temperatures.