3 – Hard-Anodized Frying Pans

Applications of Enamel Cookware:

    Cast iron Dutch ovens are extremely versatile.   Cast iron Dutch ovens ability to evenly distribute heat makes it ideal for a variety of cooking methods, including braising, braising, frying, and even baking.  The Dutch oven's heavy lid helps lock in moisture and flavor, resulting in tender, flavorful dishes.  Whether you're simmering a hearty stew or baking crusty bread, a cast iron Dutch oven has you covered.

    In addition to size differences, Dutch ovens are available in a variety of materials, such as cast iron, aluminum, and ceramic.  Generally speaking, cast iron pots are the main ones. Cast iron Dutch ovens are known for their excellent heat retention and durability, making them ideal for long, slow cooking.  

Best for: Delicate proteins like fish and seafood, melting sugar, making candy, and sauces.

The details: Copper frying pans are expensive, but they offer superb heat conductivity. That means they heat up quickly and cool down just as fast, giving you more control when you’re making something you have to monitor closely, like a caramel sauce. “They’re at the opposite end of the spectrum from cast iron,” Nitahara says. “Because it heats up and cools down quickly, you can bring a sauce right to the brink, then remove it from the heat before it breaks from the high heat.”

The quick answer is, no. A skillet and frying pan are different because of each’s cooking surface and design. There is often confusion because the terms “skillet” and “frying pan” are often used interchangeably. And you can typically use either one of them for many cooking preparations, even if one is better suited for a specific cooking method. Plus, both of these style pans are often made from the same materials and come in similar sizes, so it's easy to understand why there can be confusion. While similar, a skillet is technically a bit deeper and has a slightly larger cooking surface area than a frying pan. 

Whereas handles on skillets are often already part of it, making it an overall single piece of metal. That said, the common exception would be the French skillet which closely resembles a frypan with typically riveted handles.

Stainless steel

Ceramic cookware fares well when it comes to convenience, looks, and the ability to purchase in a set.