What is the difference between a skillet and a frying pan?

Key Design Differences Between Skillets and Pans

The distinctive design features of All-Clad cookware shape their cooking capabilities. Our skillets have a wider base with steeper side walls, perfect for baking or shallow frying. Our handles provide excellent balance for controlled movements.

While our fry pans feature are shallow with slightly sloped sides, maximizing heat distribution for even cooking and making it easy to turn and maneuver foods.

Choose from our D3 Everyday Stainless Steel collection for versatility, HA1 Expert for great nonstick performance, or our professional-grade copper core series for precise temperature control. Each piece combines form and function to elevate your cooking experience.

What is a skillet used for?

A versatile All-Clad skillet serves as your kitchen's most dynamic tool for creating exceptional meals. Master the art of searing steaks to perfection, with the wide cooking surface delivering restaurant-quality caramelization. The steep sides make tossing vegetables effortless while reducing sauces to their ideal consistency.

Our premium skillets excel at browning mushrooms, caramelizing onions, and creating crispy potato hash. Designed for versatility, they effortlessly transition from stovetop to oven, making them an essential tool for recipes that require multiple cooking methods—whether you're using stainless steel or cast iron.

 

Best All-Clad Materials for Every Cooking Style

Cast Iron Skillets: When to Use Them

  • The 12" Cast Iron Skillet with lid is ideal for cooking multiple portions and can handle a variety of techniques such as braising, frying, sautéing, and baking. Use it when you need consistent heat retention, whether for slow-cooking stews, searing steaks, or making crispy dishes like fried chicken.
  • Its flat surface and straight sides help contain splatter, making it great for dishes that require extra space and steady heat, like cornbread or skillet cookies. The skillet transitions seamlessly from stovetop to oven, reaching temperatures up to 650°F, and works on all cooktops, including induction and outdoor grills.
  • For effortless food release and easy cleanup, just add a bit of oil. The enameled finish requires no pre-seasoning, and it’s perfect for anyone looking for durability and versatility in the kitchen.

Stainless Steel and Nonstick Skillets

Stainless Steel Skillets:

  • Stainless steel skillets are perfect for tasks that require excellent heat conductivity, like browning meats, searing steaks, and making flavorful pan sauces. Thanks to their fast and even heat distribution, D3 stainless steel pans can handle temperatures up to 600°F, making them ideal for high-heat searing and developing fond for rich sauces. Professional chefs favor these pans for their ability to create a beautifully browned crust and a deep, complex flavor.
  • The D3 Everyday Stainless 12.5-inch skillet ensures even heat distribution for perfect sautéing, searing, and browning. Its tri-ply construction provides durability and excellent heat retention, while the ergonomic handle offers comfort and control. Plus, the skillet’s polished stainless steel finish and drip-free pouring rims make it as functional as it is stylish. Built to last, it’s compatible with all stovetops, including induction, and oven & broiler safe up to 600°F.

Nonstick Skillets:

  • Nonstick skillets are best for cooking delicate foods like eggs, fish fillets, and pancakes, where minimal oil and easy food release are key. The HA1 Expert Hard Anodized Nonstick 10-inch Fry Pan features a smooth flat surface and flared side walls, making it perfect for one-handed sautéing and flipping with a spatula. It provides the ultimate cooking convenience with its long-lasting PTFE nonstick coating, which delivers professional performance and easy cleanup.
  • This pan’s hard anodized aluminum is reinforced with a durable stainless-steel base, ensuring consistent heat and warp resistance. It’s oven-safe up to 500°F, and works with all stovetops, including induction. For the best results, use silicone, nylon, or wooden utensils to preserve the nonstick surface.

Which to Choose?
Use stainless steel skillets for high-heat cooking such as searing or browning,  and turn to nonstick skillets when cooking delicate dishes that need easy food release. Both options offer versatile, high-quality performance for different cooking needs.

 

Different options for different cooks

Straight-Sided vs Sloped: Which to Choose?

Consider your cooking style when selecting between straight and sloped sides. The straight-sided pans maintain consistent heat across the entire cooking surface, perfect for achieving an even sear on larger cuts of meat. The vertical walls prevent liquids from reducing too quickly during braising.

Sloped sides offer enhanced maneuverability for active cooking techniques. The gradual angle helps guide spatulas smoothly under food while providing excellent control when flipping omelets or tossing stir-fries. Many home chefs prefer this design for its versatility in everyday cooking.

Match the pan design to your favorite dishes - straight sides excel at containing ingredients for shallow frying, while sloped edges give you the freedom to perfect your sautéing technique with confident movements.

Deep vs Shallow: Impact on Cooking Methods

The depth of your pan dramatically influences your cooking results. Deep skillets excel at containing splatter when browning larger cuts of meat, while maintaining moisture for tender results. Our D5 Polished Deep Skillets create the perfect environment for pan-roasting chicken breasts or preparing pan sauces without overflow.

Shallow pans shine in techniques requiring quick evaporation and precise heat control. The HA1 Expert Nonstick Fry Pans promote faster moisture release, delivering perfectly crispy potato cakes and golden-brown fish fillets.

When selecting between depths, consider your favorite recipes - deep vessels retain heat and moisture, while shallow designs encourage caramelization and browning.

 

Large Surface Cooking: Benefits and Techniques

A large cooking surface transforms your culinary possibilities, especially with All-Clad's premium construction. The expanded area allows for proper food spacing, preventing overcrowding that can lead to steaming instead of browning. When searing multiple chicken breasts or preparing a family-sized stir-fry, this extra space ensures each ingredient develops perfect caramelization.

The wide diameter of our D5 Polished Stainless Steel 14-inch Fry Pan provides ample room for ingredients to breathe, creating restaurant-quality results. Master the art of heat zones by using different areas of your pan simultaneously - sear proteins in the center while keeping vegetables warm around the edges.

Working with a larger surface also means fewer batches and more efficient meal preparation. Whether you're making a generous portion of scrambled eggs or achieving the perfect golden crust on potato pancakes, the extended cooking area helps you create memorable meals with professional-level results.