They are designed with a flat base to ensure excellent heat transfer and a larger surface area for faster and more simultaneous cooking.

 Size is an important factor to consider when choosing the right enamel pot.  For those looking for a small enamel pot, there are many options suitable for single or small servings.  These smaller enameled pots are great for cooking soups, sauces, and side dishes.  They're also great for reheating leftovers or making a quick meal for one person.

Not all pans are the same, however, and sometimes how your food turns out depends on what type of pan you use. Read on to see some of the most common types of frying pans and what they're used for.

Best for: Almost any food that needs frying, browning, or searing. Because it’s ovenproof, stainless is also a good choice for foods that you start on the stovetop and then move to the oven to finish, like thick pork chops.

The details: Nitahara says that 95 percent of the pans used in the CIA’s teaching kitchens are stainless steel because they can take a lot of punishment. “The only time we don’t use them is on egg day, when we use nonstick,” he says. He adds that the shiny surface of a stainless pan makes it easy to see whether your food is browning.

In CR’s tests of stainless steel pans, we measure heating evenness by cooking pancakes, and we gauge how evenly a pan sautés by cooking potatoes until they’re tender. We also conduct a cleaning test to see how easy it is to remove cooked-on food. You’d think that all stainless pans would be about the same to clean, but our tests show that some require a lot more scrubbing than others.

Here are two recommended stainless steel pans from CR’s tests.

“There are a few things to consider when you’re buying cookware, including how you cook, durability, and price,” says Lance Nitahara, an assistant professor at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, N.Y. “On the low end of the price scale are nonstick and cast iron; copper is on the high end. But each does a different thing.”

Below, you’ll find advice on how to choose the right frying pan for how you cook, plus highlights of top-performing pans from CR’s tests, listed alphabetically and not by rank. You can see how all the pans we test perform in our frying pan ratings and learn more about the different types of pans in our cookware buying guide.

Some people believe there is little difference between the two, while others disagree. Their similarities and differences are evident. The only significant distinction between skillets and pots is that skillets are deeper. They are typically at least 2 inches deeper (including the lid) than frying pans.

    One of the main features of a cast iron skillet is its flat, smooth surface, which makes it perfect for cooking a variety of foods.  Whether you're grilling a steak, grilling vegetables, or making pancakes, the even heat distribution of a cast iron skillet ensures your food cooks evenly and develops a delicious crust.  Plus, the cast iron skillet 's large surface area allows you to cook multiple foods at the same time, making it perfect for preparing meals for groups or extended families.

    Despite their premium quality, enameled cast iron cookware sets are surprisingly affordable, with cast iron cookware price varying based on factors such as brand reputation, set size, and included pieces. For those seeking to invest in their culinary endeavors, purchasing a cast iron cookware set represents a worthwhile and long-lasting investment.

Considerations:

    Cooking on a cast iron griddle is a versatile and enjoyable experience, especially when used on an electric stove.  Whether you're preparing a hearty breakfast or grilling a steak for dinner, a cast iron griddle gets the job done with ease.  Here are some tips for using a cast iron griddle on an electric stove, poaching eggs on the skillet, and cleaning the skillet afterward.