Cast Iron Skillet vs Frying Pan: Which Is Best?
When looking to upgrade your cookware, one of the most common problems you'll face will be choosing between cast iron skillet vs frying pan.
This article looks to resolve this nuisance once and for all by taking a comprehensive look at the pros and cons of each pan type, as well as other factors that might need to be considered before making your final decision.
Firstly, it's important to realize that the kitchenware market is continuously expanding especially as people's attitudes towards food are continually changing. This is good news for buyers as it means producers are regularly releasing new products with new and varying features. This constant stream of innovation leaves us with a diverse range of pans to choose from in each category.
Cast Iron Skillet
Advantages
Some of the most outstanding benefits of using and buying a cast-iron skillet are:
- Non-Stick and Non-Toxic
Being made from cast iron, when heated, these skillets are essentially non-stick, and if you were to season the pan beforehand, you would only enhance this natural property. This means that no synthetics are used to form a non-stick coating, and there is zero risk of contamination in your food from the coating.
- Excellent Heat Retention
Cast iron also retains heat extremely well when compared to other cookware, which means that food can be served directly in the skillet, preventing any further cooldown.
- Can Increase Food's Iron Content
Cooking with cast iron is also a good way of increasing your daily iron intake, which you need to keep a healthy blood flow, as it enters your food through the cooking process.
- Oven Safe
Cast-iron skillets are 100% dual purpose. There's no need to worry about whether or not your pan is oven-safe or having to transfer your meal into a different dish for baking. You can simply place your skillet directly into the oven at almost any temperature.
- Affordable
Cast-iron skillets are typically cheaper than the majority of stainless-steel frying pans. Meaning, not only will you reap all the benefits of cooking with cast iron, but it'll also be a little kinder to your bank balance.
Disadvantages
Before buying a cast-iron skillet, you should consider the following drawbacks:
- The handle can heat up
As the vast majority of cast-iron skillets are constructed from a single piece of iron, it is extremely easy to burn yourself when handling it. That is because iron is an excellent conductor of heat and won't differentiate between the handle and the skillet.
- Heavy
These skillets are significantly heavier than stainless-steel frying pans. This isn't too much of an issue for light home use, but if you're a regular or professional cook and you need to use the skillet for prolonged periods, you'll definitely begin to notice the weight difference.
- Rust
These pans are significantly more susceptible to rust, making it nearly useless if any water needs to be boiled throughout the cooking process. You can scrub and clean your pan after each use, but in time, it would give in, so make sure to have separate pans for specific tasks.
Frying Pan
Advantages
Frying pans are helpful kitchen tools since they have a lot of benefits, such as:
- Fast Cooking
Cooking with frying pans can be extremely fast due to their reduced thickness and shallow and wide design. This allows you to evenly spread your food across the pan.
- Produces Flavorful Dishes
A benefit derived from the speed of cooking is flavor. The fact that your dish cooks a lot faster, the flavor can be sealed in rather than letting it slowly escape into the pan or tray.
- Scratch-Resistant Surface
With the majority of frying pans being constructed with high-grade aluminum or stainless steel, they are naturally scratch resistant. Meaning, you can use metal utensils with them without the concern of ruining the cooking surface.
- Versatile
Frying pan's designs are usually smooth with a sloped edge, providing that little extra room in the pan. On the other hand, cast-iron skillets have an incredibly angular design, making them that little bit less versatile.
- Requires Less Oil
The non-stick coating often incorporated into frying pans allows the user to use significantly less oil throughout the cooking process, leaving them with a healthier dish at the end.
Disadvantages
Some of the things to keep in mind when using or buying a frying pan, include:
- Requires Attention
This is again linked to the speed at which your food cooks. You can't simply walk away from the pan for a few moments but instead, you must give it your full attention since failing to do so could result in overcooking and ruining your dish.
- Easily Burns Food
Cooking at higher temperatures with a frying pan drastically increases the risk of burning as your food will typically be more spread out than it may be in a cast-iron skillet.
- Uneven Cooking
Stainless-steel frying pans, in particular, are poor heat conductors which can result in lower cooking performance. Meaning, you have to be more aware of the cooking process to ensure your food is cooked evenly.
Summary
When looking at which is best, cast iron skillet vs frying pan, it really comes down to a personal choice and directly relates to how you work in the kitchen. If you have a variety of pans that serve specific functions, then you may be more inclined to add a cast-iron skillet to your repertoire whereas if you're looking for an all-arounder, a stainless-steel or aluminum frying pan will probably be a better fit.
