Titanium frying pans are made from strong, lightweight materials and are known for their non-stick properties and fast heating capabilities. They are ideal for cooking delicate dishes and reducing the amount of oil needed for cooking. However, they are prone to warping and have a limited lifespan.

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.

Frying pans have flat sides that distribute heat evenly. The low sides also act as a barrier to prevent liquid from spilling out.

Non- stick pans are light in weight and heat up very fast. They work best under low heat and should never be subjected to high temperatures. They also get scratched by metallic utensils, so always use plastic or silicone cooking spoons with them.

Skillets vs. Pans: Why the Confusion? 

4. Stainless Steel Frying Pans

   After repairing chipped enamel cookware, it's important to consider its intended use. If the cookware will be used for decorative purposes only, the repaired area may not need to withstand the same level of wear and tear as cookware used for cooking.

Cast Iron Construction: Dutch ovens are crafted from heavy-duty cast iron, known for its excellent heat retention and distribution. This allows for even cooking and makes them suitable for a wide range of cooking methods, including braising, roasting, baking, and stewing.

Best for: searing a nice crust on meats, such as chops and steak (not good for acidic foods, like tomato sauce, as the iron reacts, imparting a metallic flavor)

    For enamel-coated cast iron cookware, another option for repairing broken enamel is to use a porcelain repair kit.  These kits are designed to repair chipped or damaged enamel surfaces and can be found at most hardware or home improvement stores.  

    Enamel cookware has been a staple in the kitchen for decades, providing a durable and versatile option for cooking a variety of dishes.  Traditionally, enamel cookware is known for its heavy-duty construction, even heat distribution, and excellent heat retention.  However, as technology has advanced, lightweight enameled cast iron cookware has become a popular alternative to traditional heavy enameled cookware.

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.