The benefit of a French skillet is that it is ideal for frying large quantities of food or making stews and sauces that require simmering. Its higher straight sides make it easier to cook with more liquid, while its broader base allows for even heat distribution. French skillets are versatile and can be used for various cooking tasks.

Many cooks have a variety of skillet sizes to handle diverse dishes and portion sizes. If they buy just one French skillet, they generally choose a larger size to have additional cooking possibilities.

Because of this particular factor, the word skillet is almost always used to refer to cast iron skillets.

Copper core frying pans have a copper exterior for excellent heat conductivity and a stainless steel interior for durability and easy cleaning. They are ideal for cooking high-heat dishes, sauces, and eggs. However, they are expensive and prone to discolouration with prolonged use.

Both skillets and frypans can be made from various materials such as cast iron and stainless steel. What sets them apart is that frypans are usually made from stainless steel, aluminium, copper, and ceramic.

No, aluminum pans should be hand-washed only. Aluminum cannot withstand the high heat of the dishwasher or harsh dishwashing chemicals, which can tarnish or stain the surface.

Typically made by adding a non-stick coating to aluminum pans, non-stick frying pans are ideal for cooking delicate foods with a tendency to stick, such as fish, fried eggs, and pancakes. The non-stick coating limits the amount of oils and fats needed to cook food and makes cleanup a breeze since your food won't stick to the pan. Non-stick pans are best used in low to medium heat settings to extend the coating's life. Using a non-stick pan in high-heat applications can damage the coating and cause it to smoke, peel, or flake.

    After cooking, your cast iron griddle must be properly cleaned.  Contrary to popular belief, it is safe to clean griddle on the stove.  Once the cast iron griddle has cooled slightly, sprinkle some coarse salt on the surface and wipe away any food residue with paper towels.  The salt acts as a mild abrasive to remove bits stuck to the cast iron griddle without damaging the skillet's seasoning.  After the cast iron griddle is clean, wipe it with a damp cloth and dry it thoroughly.

Worried about choosing the “best” frying pan? Well, don’t—it doesn’t exist. Instead, think about which pan is going to enhance your daily cooking experience. And while you don’t need to spend a ton on a good frying pan, we definitely recommend investing a little bit more: Not only will a higher-quality pan perform better, but it’ll also last longer.

While there are instances where you can interchange these two pans, for more specific tasks, there aren’t any.

Long-Lasting: When properly cared for, enamel cookware, including potjie pots, can last for generations, making it a timeless and enduring addition to any kitchen.