Another benefit of using a skillet pan in the oven is its ability to save time and space. Many ovens have limited shelf space, making it difficult to cook multiple dishes simultaneously. By using a skillet pan, you can cook multiple components of a meal in the same pan, freeing up valuable oven space and reducing the amount of time needed to prepare a meal. For example, you could roast vegetables in one section of the skillet while baking a cake or bread in another.
In contrast, French skillets have higher and straight sides, allowing you to cook more food but making it harder to flip.
Pans are measured according to the diameter of the lip, not the diameter of the cooking surface. Most home burners can only comfortably fit a pan of around 12 inches in diameter. Because of its straight sides, a 12-inch sauté pan will also have a large, 12-inch-wide cooking surface (about 113 square inches). A skillet, on the other hand, loses at least an inch on each side, making the effective cooking area only 10 inches wide (about 79 square inches). This means that, given a skillet and a sauté pan of equal diameter, the skillet will have 30% less cooking area than the sauté pan. That's not an insignificant amount.
Because the lower sloping edges allow for easy access and sliding of utensils, it’s ideal for frittatas and egg dishes.
Despite their slightly higher price point compared to traditional cast iron, enameled versions offer a balance between functionality and ease of use. They eliminate the labor-intensive maintenance associated with raw cast iron while preserving its exceptional heat retention properties. Once the griddle is rust-free, it's essential to reseason it to create a protective layer against future rust. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Rub the entire surface of the griddle with a thin layer of vegetable oil or melted shortening. Place it upside down on the middle rack of the oven and bake for one hour. This process will cause the oil to polymerize, forming a non-stick surface. After an hour, turn off the oven and let the griddle cool down inside.
Overall, enamel cookware remains a popular choice for home cooks and professional chefs alike. Whether you choose Lightweight Enameled Cast Iron Cookware or Heavy Enamel Cookware, you can be sure that enameled cookware will provide reliable performance and stylish appeal to your kitchen for years to come.
Seasoning a cast iron skillet is an essential step in maintaining its performance and longevity
Whereas skillets are commonly made from cast iron or stainless steel, giving it its rugged and robust nature. You’ll also be hard-pressed to find a “cast iron frypan”, but you’ll often find “cast iron skillets”. Even though stainless steel is one of the common materials used to make skillets, cast iron is the more popular option.
Cast iron frying pans are heavy and durable, making them ideal for high-heat cooking. They are also perfect for searing and browning food because they retain heat well and distribute it evenly. Cast iron frying pans are also great for cooking dishes that require a long cooking time, such as stews and casseroles.