After attending culinary school, working professionally as a chef I can tell you there are good frying pans, great frying pans and horrible frying pans. There is always a spectrum when it comes to these things and like many things in like you get what you pay for.
So, in this post I am going to share some of my favorite frying pan recommendations for the money. So, these may not be the best on the market but as far as bang for your buck these are the best in my opinion.
Types of Frying Pans
The major types of frying pans are non-stick, stainless steel, and cast iron. Each has it’s specialized uses and pros and cons in terms of usage. Before we get into the recommendations, I want to make sure you are clear on what these are and what they are best used for.
Non-Stick Frying Pans
Non-stick frying pans are probably the ones you are most familiar with. These are perfect for cooking many types of meals and dishes. As the name suggests these pans reduce the likelihood of food sticking to the pan.
There are many pans that fall short on this promise which is why I am so excited for my recommendation in this category.
Stainless Steel Frying Pans
Stainless steel frying pans on much more durable and able to handle higher heat than non-stick pans but these pans are typically used for browning, deglazing, and making sauces. Stainless steel frying pans will require a bit more oil to prevent sticking. However stainless steel pans will have some stick regardless of the amount of oil.
Cast Iron Pans
Cast iron pans are super durable. In fact my cast iron pan has been passed down to me from my grandmother. Cast iron pans hold in heat really well and are typically used for searing or cooking things at high heat. Cast iron pans require maintenance to ensure longevity.
Best Non-Stick Frying Pan
My absolute favorite non-stick frying pan has been the “Our Place Always Pan”. This pan is the only pan I have used that has actually lived up to the name non-stick. You can check the price on Amazon here.
What’s great about it
The best part about this pan is that it is actually non-stick. I have cooked everything from cheesy eggs to sautéing vegetables to pancakes and everything in between and there is rarely anything that sticks. This also makes clean up very easy. Another plus is the steamer basket. It makes it super easy to perfectly steam vegetables.
It requires less oil compared to alternatives like steel pans, which is a plus since nonstick cookware often contains harmful chemicals. We bought the pan in mid 2022 and I have not noticed any degradation in performance or function.
What could be improved
The always pan does have some very specific cleaning instructions in order to keep the non-stick surface in good condition. Although it does say it is dishwasher safe, it is recommended to hand wash and you are not supposed to use abrasive materials to clean it.
Best Stainless Steel Frying Pan
My favorite stainless steel frying pan is this 3-ply stainless steel pan. I have actually used it for many of the things I would normally cook in a non-stick pan but typically cook it at a lower heat so it does not stick as much.
What’s great about it
The best part about this pan is the heat distribution for even cooking and the durability of the pan. I have put this pan through over 289 cooks and it has minimal scratches or signs of wear.
What could be improved
What I don’t really like about this pan is that it even though it says it is dishwasher safe it really is not. If you want it to last for a long time you really need to hand wash this pan.
Best Cast Iron Skillet
I don’t use cast iron skillets as much as I would like, but my favorite cast iron skillet is the “Cuisinel Cast Iron Skillet”.
What’s great about it
The heat distribution on this cast iron skillet is really great and it is very durable. I have put mine through the elements and it has really stood up well.
What could be improved
The grip that comes with it is not the best and sometimes it slips. I have a cast iron handle cover that I bought separately that does a much better job.
How to Make Your Pans Last
The best way to make your pans last for a long time is to have a thorough and consistent cleaning routine. Always make sure you clean you pan after use. If you let certain kinds of food sit on your pan it can create stains and impact the pans performance. When you clean your pan make sure you use a soft cloth or sponge to clean the pan. Do not use metal utensils or anything with dense coarse bristles.
Specifically for non-stick pans you want to make sure that you are not using too much heat. Make sure you read the label of whatever pan you buy and make sure you are staying within those heat limits. If you exceed those limits it can impact the non-stock coating.
If you store your pans on top of each other make sure you have some sort of cloth or something in between so that the surfaces do not scratch each other. I use the Ordora pan organizer which separates the pans so I don’t have to put a cloth in between.
Takeaways
I hope you find these recommendations useful. These are my opinions based on my usage so if you do end up purchasing any of these please let me know what you think. It doesn’t matter if you buy one of these pans or another just get in the kitchen and keep it hot and salty!