Before using your bacon press, ensure that your cooking surface, whether it be a skillet, griddle, or grill, is preheated to the desired temperature. Proper preheating helps to achieve an even cook and crispiness.

Lightweight Enameled Cast Iron Cookware And Heavy Enamel Cookware

Best for: Almost any food that needs searing, including steak and burgers. Cast-iron pans are ovenproof, so you can use them to roast meats like beef or pork and to bake cornbread, deep-dish pizza, shepherd’s pie, and more. And they retain heat so well that they’re a good choice for deep-frying chicken, doughnuts, or other foods because they keep the oil at a constant temperature.

The details: Cast-iron frying pans are practically indestructible, and they’re handed down for generations in many families. That makes their typically low price even more attractive. And if well cared for, cast iron develops a patina that releases food almost as well as nonstick. But the pans are heavy, and you have to be patient when heating them up because they don’t come up to temperature fast. Once they do, however, they retain heat.

Our tests of coated and uncoated cast-iron pans show how versatile this cookware can be. We sear steaks, brown scallops, and bake cornbread to see how well a cast-iron pan works for home cooks. The best pans ace all these tests. We also judge how easy they are to clean. Because of the enamel coating, the coated pans are a bit easier to clean than the uncoated ones.

Here are two recommended cast-iron pans from our tests.

As for the skillet, you’ll get the option of a larger cooking surface with more cooking volume due to its slightly deeper depth. This makes it easier to cook large cuts of meat and batches of food.

Large Cast Iron Skillet And Extra Large Cast Iron Skillet

In order to achieve the balance of perfectly crispy skin and tender, flaky interior without sticking, fish should be prepared in a pan with superior temperature control and retention. Our 5-ply Stainless Clad base distributes heat evenly and effectively, promising flaky fillets and crispy skin without running the risk of overcooking.

Large Cast iron Dutch Oven

Skillets vs. Pans: Why the Confusion? 

While often overlooked, the handle of a frypan is one of its most crucial components. Once you’ve decided on the size and material of your frypan, make sure to take note of the handle on the products you’ve shortlisted. Look for a handle that’s strong and will remain cool when cooking on a stovetop. Wider handles are more beneficial for cooking since they allow for better control, especially when you’re preparing food that needs to be tossed. Lastly, stainless steel handles are ideal for low heat conductivity since they can tolerate higher temperatures than plastic or silicone handles.

 The primary function of a Dutch oven is to provide even and consistent heat for slow cooking and stewing.  The tight-fitting lid helps lock in moisture and flavor, keeping dishes fresh and delicious.  Dutch ovens can also be used for frying because their heavy-duty construction can withstand high temperatures.

When it comes down to it, as far as high-temperature searing (as for steaks) goes, the pans are equally efficient. A skillet offers advantages for sautéing, and a sauté pan offers advantages for shallow-frying, moderate-temperature searing (as for chicken pieces), or braising. In an ideal world, you'd have both, but if I had to pick one, I'd go with the skillet, as sautéing is a step in nearly every recipe I make.