Skillets and saucepans are among the most common cooking appliances you can’t miss in many kitchens. These appliances do not look the same which means that they serve different purposes. For instance, a skillet looks like a frying pan while a saucepan has higher sides than a skillet. Due to their design, saucepans are the best for foods that require liquids such as soups and stews while skillets are suitable for foods that don’t require a lot of liquids. In this article, we shall provide a detailed comparison of both appliances.
What is a Skillet?
In terms of design, skillets look almost the same as frying pans. However, they are about 2 inches deeper than frying pans and they have slanting sides. They are very versatile which means that you can use them for frying, searing, braising, sautéing, baking, braising, grilling steaks among others. Skillets are made of different materials which include ;
- Cast iron- Cast iron skillets are the most popular as compared to those made of other materials. The good thing about cast iron is that it is durable and perfect when it comes to heat distribution. However, these skillets are the heaviest and they also take a lot of time to heat. When preparing foods that require high heat, cast iron skillets such as the Utopia Kitchen Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Skillet set 3 Piece will be the best.
- Aluminum- In terms of price, aluminum skillets are among the most affordable options on the market. They have excellent thermal properties and are easy to use. However, they react with some foods, especially acidic foods. If you would prefer to go for an aluminum skillet, you should ensure that it has a ceramic coating like the Farberware 21580 Triple Nonstick Frying Pan Set.
- Stainless steel skillets-As compared to other skillets, these ones are the easiest to maintain. They are dishwasher safe and they do not react with your food. They also have excellent thermal properties. Cuisinart Multiclad Pro Stainless Steel 10-Inch Open skillet is among the best stainless steel skillets on the market.
- Copper – This material is long-lasting and has good thermal properties. The material also helps in equal heat distribution and it reacts quickly in heat changes. However, the copper surface oxidizes easily and it is prone to scratches. Again, pure copper skillets may release copper into your food which means that they are not the best. If you are searching for a top-quality copper skillet, Copper Chef 10 Inch Round Frying Pan with Lid- Skillet with Ceramic Nonstick will be an excellent choice.
Carbon steel skillets- Carbon steel skillets have a robust design which means that they do not break easily. They are nonstick for easier cleaning and maintenance. However, they are prone to rusting and they take some time to heat. If you are searching for an affordable and durable option, Lodge Carbon Steel Skillet, Pre-Seasoned, 8 Inch is among the most popular skillets on the market.
What are the benefits of skillets?
- Versatility- One of the major benefits of skillets is that you can use them to prepare different types of foods as compared to saucepans. They are also compatible with different heating mechanisms such as ovens, stoves, and campfires.
- Easy to maintain- Most skillets have a nonstick coating which means that they are easy to clean. However, cast iron skillets require frequent seasoning to protect them from rusting.
- Heat distribution – Skillets are made using quality materials such as cast iron, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and carbon steel. These materials provide excellent heat distribution and as a result, they cook fast.
What is a saucepan?
A saucepan is deeper than a skillet and it has straight edges. However, it is not as wide as a skillet which means that it is only suitable when preparing meals for a small group. Due to its height, it is the best when cooking foods that contain liquids such as soups and stews. Just like skillets, saucepans are made of different materials such as copper, cast iron, stainless steel among others. They normally come with a long handle and a lid.
When should you use a saucepan?
Saucepans are the best when cooking foods with a lot of fluids due to their height.
This means that they are the best for making soups, stews, rice, simmering, and making sauces such as pasta sauce. However, they are not very spacious which means that they are only suitable for preparing small quantities of food.
These pans are also ideal when cooking foods that require boiling such as mashed potatoes. They are also oven safe which means that you can still use them for braising. However, you need to ensure that the pan has a nonstick coating before you place it in an oven. Since they come with a lid, you can also use them as a miniature Dutch oven.
Why should you use a saucepan?
Saucepans have several advantages which includes ;
- Heat distribution- As compared to skillets, saucepans have higher walls which enables them to distribute heat evenly. As a result, they provide well-cooked foods.
- Versatile – These pans are highly versatile which means that you can use them to prepare almost all types of foods although they are mostly preferred for stews, pasta, soups, or other liquid-based foods.
- Size- Another benefit of saucepans is that they come in different sizes. If you are searching for a large saucepan, AmazonComercial 8 Qt Stainless Steel Aluminum Clad Straight Sided Saucepan will be ideal but if you just need a small one, you should look for Farberware Classic Stainless Steel 2-Quart Covered Saucepan.
What are the disadvantages of saucepans?
Despite the advantages, saucepans also have some disadvantages which includes ;
- Limited portability – One of the major disadvantages of saucepans is that they are difficult to lift especially when they are full. However, modern versions are equipped with a hob handle at the front for easier lifting.
- Limited capacity – Saucepans have a limited capacity and this means that they are only suitable when you are preparing meals for a small group. You may need to use a stockpot when you need to cook a lot of food.
- Difficult to clean- These pans have a unique shape which makes them difficult to clean especially in a dishwasher. If you are not careful, you might end up damaging the pan when cleaning.
What is the difference between a skillet and a saucepan?
Below are the two major differences between skillets and saucepans.
- Design- In terms of design, skillets and saucepans do not look the same. You will find that saucepans are deeper than skillets which makes them ideal for foods with liquids. On the other hand, skillets have a larger cooking area than saucepans and are more versatile.
- Uses- You can use a skillet for sautéing braising, baking, frying, searing, broiling among other cooking methods while saucepans are the best for boiling, stewing, and simmering.
Wrapping Up
If you were wondering whether to buy a skillet or a saucepan, we hope that you now understand their differences. A skillet is the best for foods that require high heat while saucepans are the best when cooking foods with a lot of liquids like stews and stews. Whether you would prefer to buy a skillet or a saucepan, you need to ensure that you have picked the best model in terms of size, price, durability, and performance.