Handles are another important part of cookware, particularly for long-handle skillets and sauté pans. Skillet dishes often need to be shaken and flipped, while sauté pan dishes tend to be used for a lot of liquid and ingredients. Because of this, both skillets and sauté pans require stay-cool handles that are securely riveted to the cookware base. 

The difference between a sauté pan and a skillet is a subtle but important one, and it all comes down to shape. A sauté pan, from the French verb meaning to jump (sauter), has a wide, flat bottom and relatively tall, vertical sides. A skillet, on the other hand, has sides that flare outward at an angle. But the real question is, when should you use each one, and do you really need both?

French skillets are durable because they are all-clad stainless steel with an aluminum or copper interior.  Stainless steel resists corrosion, so the skillet will last longer with less risk of metal seeping into the meal.

The simplest way to understand the difference between these types of pans is to look at the sides of the pan. If the sides are slanted, the pan is a skillet, which is also sometimes called a frying pan or fry pan. If the slides are straight, it’s a sauté pan.

How to clean: Detergents strip the seasoning. Instead, wipe clean or scrub with hot water. For stuck-on bits, rub with 1/2 cup kosher salt, then rinse.

For durable, long-lasting pans that are easy to clean and usable on induction cooktops, stainless steel frying pans offer a great solution. Their non-reactive properties make them an excellent pan for slow-simmering tomato sauces and other acidic recipes. Stainless steel does not conduct heat well, so most commercial stainless steel pans will have an aluminum-clad bottom to promote even heat distribution and eliminate hot spots. The main drawback of stainless steel pans is that they aren't naturally non-stick, but this can be combated with proper preheating and cooking oils.