In many cases, you can use a frying pan and a French skillet interchangeably. For example, you can use both for cooking eggs, sautéing vegetables, searing meats, and making thick sauces.

There are several types of materials that you can use for a skillet or frying pan. Here's a brief look at the different kinds of materials:

Aluminum is one of the most easily available natural elements, so aluminum frying pans are quite affordable. It is an excellent conductor of heat and heats up faster than stainless steel. In fact, aluminum is sometimes incorporated in stainless steel pans to improve their conductivity.

How to Clean Non-Stick Pans

Weight

Next we’ll look at how the handles are attached. The frypan's handle is usually a separate piece that is either riveted, welded, or screwed on. You’ll commonly see riveted or welded handles these days instead of older screw-handles, which is found on cheap cookware or upper high-end European cookware.