The amount and type of frying pans available are numerous and can be quite overwhelming. In this post I hope to help you with what I consider to be essential, and what I consider to be a luxury. If you are starting out then I can highly recommend that you spend your money once, and buy the best. I have Le Creuset and Scanpan frying pans at home and the quality is what counts. They will last a lifetime! The first frying pan on your list should be something versatile and that you can use for anything and everything. A large non stick frying pan is perfect for meat, making eggs and crêpes.
Next I would get a stainless steel sauté pan that has a lid. This can be used for getting a lovely brown colour on your proteins, as well as cooking clams and mussels. I have both a lidded and non lidded stainless steel frying pan.
Now that you have the two basic frying pans you can slowly add to your collection. I have an oval shaped non stick frying pan for frying fish and a cast iron flat crêpe pan which I can also use for crumpets. My most recent purchase has been an omelette pan which is non stick and is perfect for a 4 egg omelette. I use it to make scrambled eggs and it fits perfectly into my oven.
You should not need more than this to make your collection of frying pans complete.
Disclosure: I have been given permission to use these images from yuppiechef.com and a big thank you goes the Yuppiechef team for this! This post is in line with my blogging policy.
What I blogged:
- one year ago – Bread Maker Pizza Dough
- two years ago – Challah | Kitka | Braided Bread
- four years ago – Bone Marrow and Artichoke Heart Risotto
Pans and pots is something we need to replace. I got a fright when I started pricing them.
Have a super day Tandy.
:-)Mandy xo
Oh, don’t look at the prices Mandy, it is enough to make you faint!
Ah yes. Lovely new pots and pans. I bought a Bauer set with a large pot (that I use for pasta, soups and stews), a large pan and a small pot (for eggs and popcorn etc) 13 years ago and I haven’t really bought anything else since then. I bought 2 lightweight pans from Checkers about 5 years back and I use those for pancakes since the Bauer pan is heavy and no longer non stick. Also, I cook at very high heats (very bad habit, I know) so my pots get damaged over time. I bought a LC cocotte about 2 years ago and absolutely adore it. I made EVERYTHING in that now. Was actually thinking of expanding my collection just the other day. Thinking about buying the LC Marmitout Pan next. It looks ideal for my needs. Great post Tandy. Very informative! 🙂 xx
I used to have Bauer pans as well, years ago. I must look at that LC pan. I use my tagine for everything and my cocotte gets used every day as well. But, you are right, high heat is not good. Have a super day xxx
You’re right, if you buy quality kitchen tools, they’ll last long enough to pass down when we’re gone.
I wonder if the kids would like my pans?
This is such a timely post for me because I am desperate for a few good frying pans! My were 3 pans for $10 bucks at a store called Bed, Bath & Beyond. They were intended just for use for college students who use them occasionally. And I use pans everyday and yet mine are so, hmmmm, the only word I can think of is crappy. Definitely am jealous of the pan that you use for 4 egg omelets, will have to send my husband this link, maybe he’ll take the hint for Christmas =)
I have heard of BB&B and would love to take a wander through the aisles. Hope Tom gets the hint for a new set of pans for you Laura 🙂
Great advice – Tandy – I love my frying pans.
That makes a huge difference when you are cooking a lot 🙂
This is shameful to admit but I own all of 2 pans and one is nearly on its way out. I seriously need to fix this. Thanks for the inspiration, Tandy!
I hope you have fun buying a new pan Angela 🙂
Honestly, I never realised that different fry pans work better for different dishes, I thought they would all be good! 😛
Shows my inexperience when it comes to cooking!
Great informative post 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Like everything, one could pan could do it all, but as your needs grow so will your selection 🙂
Great post Tandy! I recently added a cast iron pan to the collection and really like it. It’s not so good for things like eggs and omelettes but it really conducts heat well and quickly too 🙂
I hope you get much use out of your cast iron pan! I have a cast iron griddle pan that I seldom use 🙂
i love these pans have both of them and cant imagine cooking without then
Me too Usha 🙂
Tremendous publish! I lately brought a cast iron pan to the collection and certainly find it irresistible. It’s now not so accurate for such things as eggs and omelettes but it sincerely conducts warmth nicely and speedy too.