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If you plan to put your skillet in the oven, pay attention to the handle material.
Photo:Real Simple
The flat handle might not be as comfortable to hold for some.
In our testing, we were able to easily flip food in this skillet.
Plus, the pans sides are slightly sloped upwards with a nicely flared lip that helps with mess-free pouring.
PHOTO: Made In
Our beurre blanc sauce came out with the perfect consistency, too.
The skillet brought water to a boil quickly, and it retained heat impeccably.
It generally didnt stick, but any small flecks that remained after cooking easily came off during cleaning.
PHOTO: Goldilocks
That said, the handle is a little thin, which might not be preferred by some people.
It feels a little bulky and isnt suitable for professional use.
Even though its so reasonably priced, the Goldilocks 10-Inch Skillet still gave an impressive performance in our tests.
PHOTO: All-Clad
The skillet swiftly brought water to a boil, and it retained heat well, too.
Food was deliciously browned, with no unevenly cooked patches.
Its edges are also beveled away from the sides, which make pouring easy and mess-free.
PHOTO: All-Clad
This doesn’t make the pan uncomfortable to maneuver, though.
There is also a hole at the end of the handle for quick and easy hanging.
The All-Clad D5 Stainless Brushed 5-Ply Bonded Fry Pan is a favorite among home cooks and professionals alike.
PHOTO: Amazon
It may be pricey, but it has several factors that help justify its steeper cost.
The sauce remained stabilized for well over 45 minutes without any modern stabilization techniques.
The pan was remarkably easy to clean, too.
PHOTO: Amazon
Even when searing meat, there was no sticking or burning.
It only took one pass with warm water and soap to completely clean this skillet.
Its more likely to overcook or burn your food if you get distracted.
This pan is slightly more affordable than the brands D5 line above but is just as durable.
Where this pan stood out, however, was in its durability.
It survived both our thermal shock and drop tests with very minimal surface damageand none that impaired its performance.
Its only oven safe to 500F.
For even better results, let the food sear properly before tossing or stirring it.
Food started to come off as soon as hot water and soap were added.
Its edges are conveniently curved away and down for easy pouring and flipping.
We think its excellent value for money especially due to how easy it is to clean.
Cleanup after searing chicken required some elbow grease.
The sides of the skillet gently slope outwards and have a lightly flared edge.
Its not compatible with induction cooktops.
The beginner-friendly skillet impressed us with its performance in our tests.
The pan has a solid construction, making it excellent value for money.
We think it could truly be your kitchens workhorse, even if youre a brand-new home cook.
It also heats up quickly and evenly and is super easy to clean.
For a more budget-friendly option, consider theGoldilocks 10-Inch Skillet.
Next, we boiled water in each skillet to assess its responsiveness and heat retention.
Finally, we cleaned each skillet and noted how easy or difficult it was to do so.
Look for 18/10 or 18/8 grade stainless steel when purchasing a good skillet, Carte says.
The first number refers to the chromium percentage and the second to the nickel percentage.
However, a higher ply doesn’t necessarily make a pan better, according to Carte.
It’s just more layers, she adds.
Another thing to note when looking at a skillets material is the handle styleall metal is best.
(However, all of the pans that made our final listaresafe for induction cooktops.)
Maintenance
Unlike cast iron skillets, stainless steel skillets dont require a lot of maintenance.
Stainless steel skillets are way easier thannonstick pans, Carte says.
You don’t have to worry about scraping them or having to use the right tools to prevent damage.
Cayne also recommends letting the pan cool on the burner before washing it.
It was easy to handle with two hands, but lifting it with one hand felt awkward.
However, at $40, we cant say we expected anything more.
Every throw in of pan has its pros and cons.
While nonstick cookware is great for cooking delicate foods, its not as durable as other types of cookware.
I’ve never bought a nonstick skillet that lasted, Carte says.
Cast iron, on the other hand, is heavy and requires regular maintenance.
whereas this is where a great stainless skillet can shine.
Stainless steel has plenty of pros, though.
Can stainless steel skillets be nonstick?
What is the lifespan of a stainless steel skillet?
Of course, caring for your pan properly is key.
With the proper care, however, Carte adds that a great stainless steel skillet can last a lifetime.
Kat is also an editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading US online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing.
