Skillet vs Frying Pan – Differences and Uses

If you are a cooking expert or a regular food survivor by cooks with a heavy heart, I know it happens, happy for you if you don’t belong to this category. Well yes, the people who get to experience the heat and hard work of the kitchen daily, will be well aware of the only tool you get to use the most, like most, the king frying pan and the Queen skillet.

But do you know enough about it and as well, do you know the best ones out there? 

No? Let’s go through this together and you will know eventually.

What is the Difference between Skillet and Frying Pan

A skillet and a frying pan are often thought of as the same thing or just slightly different. If you visit friends or family while they cook, you might hear them call a skillet a frying pan and vice versa!

Therefore, people tend to confuse these both on a larger scale because they almost look the same.

Though the only difference or differences are so minor to count in. Whatever the reason, one needs to know the basic difference between the two most used kitchen tools for the sake of cooking. You know, just as two people with the same name still can’t be the same, so is the skillet and frying pan. In this thread, I will not only tell you the differences between these two but also how one is better than the other.

This is a win-win situation!

Read more: 10 Best Non-Stick Omelette Pans in 2019

1- Shape

A skillet has a deep surface with tall sides unlike the frying pan with not-so-tall sides and is flat on average. So, a frying pan may help in cooking anything light and quick but a skillet is good for sauteing and searing slow-cooked foods. Both are good anyway and the best part is, these both replace each other exceptionally.

2- Lid

Other than that, a pan, which is just your go-to frying pan with a lid, is a skillet. Yes, skillets always come with the ideal lid on it. Frying pans, on the contrary, does not. With the aid of a lid, a skillet stands the best as it allows you to deep cook the food in the steam and you can spare the process too.

But with a frying pan without a lid, you are kind of, strictly bound to stand on its head. Isn’t it?

3- Performance

The performance comparison between a skillet and a frying pan is not so deep-rooted to dig heavy for it. It depends upon the brand you use and its relative credibility of course. These both are used for a purpose and at times, you may need both of these badly.

4- Price

The price, again, has nothing to do with the basic comparison or difference of both but a nice skillet or frying pan, at maximum, will not cost you more than $100 and at minimum, not more than $50.

Top 10 Best Skillets in the Market

Cuisinart ( Stainless steel)	722- 36H, 14” inches	Helper handle, Aluminum encapsulated base, Drip-free pouring, Dishwasher safe, Superior heat conductivity	Check Price
Lodge ( Cast iron)	17L8SK3, 10.25” inches	Pre-seasoned, User- friendly, Even heat distribution, Easy release finish, Durable, Made in USA	Check Price
Anolon Nouvelle ( Copper hard-anodized non-stick)	82525, 8” inches and 10” inches	Induction-compatible base, Even heat distribution, Five-layered metal base, Drip-free pour, Stainless steel handles, Lifetime warranty	Check Price
Presto ( Cast aluminum electric skillet)	06857, 16” inches	Stay-cool handles, Tempered glass cover, Dishwasher safe, Removable base, Built-in pour spout	Check Price
Farberware ( non-stick)	21580, Triple pack: 8” inches, 10” inches, and 11” inches	Budget-friendly, Easy to clean, PFOA free, Even heat distribution, Double riveted handles	Check Price
Le Creuset ( Cast iron)	LS2024- 3017, 11-3/4” inches	Helper handle, Even heat distribution, Dishwasher safe, Little heavy, Lifetime warranty	Check Price
Mauviel ( Copper skillet)	6113.3, 11.8” inches	Stay-cool stainless steel handles, Compatible with almost all cooktops, Cool and stylish in looks, Fast heat distribution, Lifetime warranty	Check Price
T-fal ( Non-stick)	E93808, 12” inches	Thermo-spot heat indicator, Anti-warping protection, PFOA/ Lead/ Cadmium free, Dishwasher safe, Riveted silicone handles	Check Price
Rachael ray ( Hard-anodized non-stick)	87597, 14” inches	Dishwasher safe, Helper handle, Evenly heat distribution, Grippy handles, Oven safe up to 350 degrees F	Check Price
Lodge ( Cast iron)	L6SK3, 9” inches	Handle holder, Pre-seasoned, USA-made, 2x pour spouts, Heat resistant up to 450 degrees F	Check Price

Top 10 Best Frying Pans in the Market

Le Creuset ( Non-stick pan)	96202320000000, 8” inches	Easy to clean, Encapsulated aluminum core, Large helper handle, Evenly heat conduction, Sturdy built-in	Check Price
De Buyer ( Carbon steel pan)	5610.20, 8” inches	Ergonomic handle, Warp resistant, Oven safe up to 400 degrees F, PTFE/ PFOA free, Lightweight, Durable	Check Price
All-Clad ( Stainless steel pan)	8701004404, 14” inches	Tri-ply bonded, Easy to clean, Dishwasher and oven safe up to 600 degrees F, USA made, Stainless steel handles, Fast and even heat distribution	Check Price
Calphalon ( Hard- anodized aluminum non-stick pan)	2018986, 10” inches and 12” inches	Stay-cool handles, Compatible with almost all stovetops, Evenly heating, Dishwasher safe, Non-stick interior, Durable	Check Price
Cuisinart ( Cast iron pan)	C122- 24CR, 10” inches	Even heat distribution, Dishwasher safe, Oven and broiler safe Affordable, Lightweight	Check Price
All-Clad ( Stainless steel pan)	8701005167 D3, 10” inches	Dishwasher safe, 3-ply bonding, USA made, Oven and broiler safe up to 600 degrees F, Lifetime warranty	Check Price
Rachael Ray ( Non-stick pan)	16347, 9.25” and 11” inches	Beautiful structure and colors, Sturdy build-up, Grippy handles, Oven safe up to 400 degrees F, Durable	Check Price
Copper Chef ( Ceramic non-stick coated pan)	KC15057- 02000, 10” inches	Tempered glass lid, Oven safe, Lightweight, PTFE/ PFOA/ PFDS/ Cadmium free, Strong metal handles	Check Price
Almond ( Ceramic copper pan)	FP1001, 10” inches	Easy on multiple cooktops, Tempered glass lid, Oven safe up to 500 degrees F, PTFE/ PFOA free, Aluminum base, Lightweight	Check Price
OZERI ( Non-stick pan)	2P6- 20, 8” inches	APEO/ PFOA free, Scratch resistant, Easy to clean, Silicone handles, Germany made, Lightweight	Check Price

Wrapping Up

This is to inform you again, that a skillet and frying pan hold their evident and separate importance no matter what, and the manufacturers also, constructed both as separate options.

However, it is upon us users how and why we want to use these, by choice.