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.

Cast Iron Vegetable Grill Pan

Steak Weight: A cast iron steak weight, also known as a steak press, is used to flatten and sear meats such as steaks, burgers, and poultry. It aids in achieving uniform cooking and creating appealing grill marks while locking in the juices and flavors of the meat.

    Enameled cast iron cookware sets offer a myriad of benefits, chief among them being their ability to distribute heat evenly, ensuring consistent cooking results. Moreover, the enamel coating provides a non-stick surface, making cleanup a breeze – a feature highly coveted by busy chefs and culinary enthusiasts.

The sloped and rounded sides are slightly higher than a frying pan, resulting in two to three inches of steepness. The high edges prevent the oil and other liquids inside from spilling out.

    One of the main advantages of a cast iron skillet is its ability to handle a variety of cooking methods.  Whether you're frying fish in a pan, roasting vegetables on the grill, or cooking a hearty breakfast over a campfire, a cast iron skillet is up to the task.  Cast Iron Griddle Skillets large, flat surface provides plenty of room to cook multiple foods at the same time, making it perfect for meal prep for groups or large family gatherings.

Choose the frypan if you want something that is lightweight, easy to use daily, and offers versatility to cook delicate recipes. But if you're adventurous in the kitchen, enjoy cooking outdoors, have a larger budget and want cookware that lasts over a lifetime, choose the skillet.