Considerations:

If you're an avid cook and the budget permits, ideally you have both a saute pan and a skillet. However, if you only have one and typically make dishes that require sauteing, you're best bet is to own a skillet.

    Sizzling plates are perfect for delivering hot sizzling dishes straight to the table, adding a touch of drama to the dining experience.  Skillets and griddles are ideal for achieving mouth-watering grill marks on meats and vegetables, while also allowing excess fat to drip off for healthier cooking.

Modern copper pans—including ours—tend to be lined with stainless steel, which makes for a more durable pan than the more traditional (but much higher-maintenance) tin-lined copper pans.

Why do some professional chefs hate nonstick pans?

Round Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Recipes that you plan to grill up fast under high heat, meats that need to be seared, or foods that require constant flipping and stirring with a spatula are most conveniently prepared in a frying pan. The nicely sloped sides of a frying pan also make it possible to toss up a small portion of stir-fry. However, to achieve a perfect finish on this type of shallowly fried dish, a bowl-shaped Wok works best. 

Non-stick pans have some form of an interior coating such as Teflon or PTFE which prevents food from sticking during cooking. They're best for foods like pancakes, eggs, fish, or crepes which require low or medium heat and little or no oil. This makes them ideal for weight management because you can use them to cook low-fat food.

Saute pans have straight sides instead of slanted ones, so a higher volume of ingredients or liquid can fit inside, making this style pan ideal for making sauces. Because of the design, sauces don't splash or slosh around as much, making clean-up a lot easier. Another bonus of this pan style is that most saute pans have a fitted lid, which reduces evaporation. These pans are well-suited for cooking methods such as braising, searing, or shallow-frying. But saute pans are heavier due to a wider base, making skillets easier to lift and move.

Big Black Cast Iron Construction: Big black cast iron skillets are known for their robust construction and excellent heat distribution. The large cooking surface and sturdy build make them ideal for a variety of cooking methods, from searing and frying to baking and sautéing.

    When using a cast iron griddle on an electric stove, it's important to make sure the skillet is properly seasoned.  Seasoning your cast iron griddle creates a non-stick surface and prevents rust.  To season the cast iron griddle, coat the cooking surface with a thin layer of vegetable oil and heat on the stove until it starts to smoke.  Repeat this process a few times and your cast iron griddle is ready to use.