Ever stood in the kitchen, staring at your cookware, wondering—is a skillet a frying pan? You’re not alone! I used to think they were two different things, but after years of cooking (and a few kitchen mishaps), I’ve realized the answer isn’t as complicated as it seems.
Whether you call it a skillet or a frying pan, knowing the difference (or lack of one) can make cooking easier and more fun. Stick around—I’ll break it all down so you can confidently grab the right pan for your next meal!
Is A Skillet A Frying Pan?
Skillet is a frying pan, but not all frying pans are skillets. Think of it like squares and rectangles—every square is a rectangle, but not every rectangle is a square. Skillets tend to have slightly higher, sloped sides, making them perfect for tasks like simmering sauces or cooking something saucy like chicken piccata.
Frying pans, on the other hand, have lower, flatter edges that make flipping pancakes or searing steak a breeze.
I remember once trying to fry fish in my skillet, only to realize the curved sides made it tricky to flip without breaking the fillets. That’s when I finally understood why frying pans exist—sometimes, you just need that flat, open surface. But when I’m tossing veggies or making a quick stir-fry, the taller sides of a skillet are a lifesaver.
So, are they interchangeable? Sometimes, yes. But knowing the small differences can help you choose the right one for the job—and trust me, it makes cooking feel so much easier. Think of them as cousins: similar but with their own strengths. Now, every time I cook, I know which “cousin” to call on for help!
Skillet vs. Frying Pan: Key Differences
The differences between a skillet and a frying pan don’t end here. I have more essential differences that I am shall discuss below. Read on to understand the other differences.
At A Glance! Skillet Vs Frying Pan
1. Shape Difference
Though skillets and frying pans have similar shapes, frying pans have slanted sides that flair more outwards. Due to this reason, frying pans are more rounded than skillets.
2. Holding Capacity
Skillets are bigger and can cook more food than frying pans. Look at this example; a 9-inch skillet can hold 2 quarts while a 9-inch frying pan will hold 1.5 quartz. Can you notice the difference? As you can see, the frying pan has less capacity.
3. Material Used
Most skillets are made from cast iron. I am all know that cast iron is strong, durable, and can endure high levels of heat. For that reason, skillets are suitable for braising sauces, baking, and cooking vegetables.
On the contrary, a frying pan is either made from aluminum, copper, or steel.
4. Time Spent on Cooking
Frying pans and skillets have different cooking times. For cast-iron skillets, the cooking time is longer because they have thicker bottoms and sides. Furthermore, skillets are made of cast iron that takes a long period to heat.
On the other hand, frying pans are made of thinner sides that take a very short time to heat.
5. Easy to Use
Due to their large size, skillets are easy to use. You can sauté or even sear huge amounts of food at once.
The situation is very different when using a frying pan. Due to their small surface area, you can only cook small amounts of food. In addition, make sure you don’t waste any food when turning.
6. Deepness
Skillets are a little bit deeper than frying pans.
7. Weight
Skillets are high in weight than frying pans.
8. Durability
Skillets are relatively durable than frying pans.
9. Oven Safe
Skillets are oven-safe. On the other hand, frying pans are not oven-safe.
10. Cleaning
Both skillets and frying pans are very easy to clean.
11. Dishwasher Safe
Both skillets and frying pans can be cleaned in the dishwasher, but it is unsafe to clean them. Handwash is the best and safest way of cleaning both skillets and frying pans. The dishwasher may damage the skillets and pans’ handle, color, and material.
12. Price
Frying pans are more pricey than skillets.
Can You Use a Skillet as a Frying Pan?
Ever reached for a pan, only to pause and wonder—can you use a skillet as a frying pan? The short answer? Absolutely! Most of the time, they’re interchangeable. Both have flat bottoms, flared sides, and are great for frying, searing, and sautéing.
If you’re making crispy bacon, flipping pancakes, or charring veggies, you can grab whichever one is closest. No kitchen police are coming to check.
But here’s where it gets tricky. Not all skillets and frying pans are created equal. A heavy cast iron skillet holds heat like a champ, making it perfect for a deep sear on a steak. But try cooking delicate scrambled eggs in it, and you might end up scraping off stubborn bits for the next hour. A non-stick frying pan is the way to go when you need a smooth, no-fuss surface—think omelets, crepes, or anything that should slide right off.
Another thing? Weight matters. If you love tossing food like a pro, a lightweight frying pan is your best bet. A cast iron skillet, on the other hand, is great for oven-to-stovetop recipes but not ideal if you need to lift or move it quickly.
Bottom line? You can swap them in most cases, but knowing when not to can save you a whole lot of frustration (and dishwashing time!).
Is A Skillet Another Name For A Frying Pan?
No! The names skillet and frying pans refer to different things. The main reason why most people use the terms interchangeably is that they have some similarities. For example, both can shallow fry, grill up steak and even scramble an egg.
However, the shared functions don’t mean that the two names refer to the same type of kitchenware.
In addition, most people use the names interchangeably because they belong to the pan family. However, you need to understand that ‘pan’ is a general term that refers to different cooking utensils.
It can refer to a skillet, a frying pan, a sauté pan, a cake pan, or a saucepan. The term is not limited to a specific cooking vessel.
While a cooking beginner can interchangeably use the names skillet and frying pans, an experienced chef will ensure that he uses the terms differently. This is because the professional chef understands that the two items achieve different results.
As I am mentioned above, skillets are heavier and retain heat better than frying pans.
On the other hand, frying pans are lighter and easy to clean. Therefore, if you are looking to ensure that your food is evenly cooked, purchase a skillet. However, if you need something easy to clean, buy a frying pan.
The bottom line: a skillet is not another name for a frying pan.
Is A Cast Iron Skillet A Frying Pan?
A direct answer to this is no. The two kitchen wares are different in shape and function. While cast iron skillets have curved sides, frying pans have straight sides.
Due to their vast and open shapes, cast iron skillets make it easy to flip, move and stir ingredients. Also, their smooth sides enable you to serve food from the dish to the plate. However, due to their wide opening, skillets have a small cooking surface.
Any food that settles on the sides doesn’t contact heat quickly as food at the bottom of the frying pan. Cast iron skillets are mainly used for baking, broiling, or roasting food.
Other advantages of a cast-iron skillet are:
It Is Non-Stick: Cast iron skillets are manufactured with a protective layer that prevents the food from sticking on the surface. In addition, you can easily create a non-stick protective coating by cooking severally on a skillet.
Durable: Cast iron is strong; therefore, it will serve you for an extended period.
It Retains Heat: Cast iron skillets evenly and slowly heat up. Due to this reason, it retains food to heat for a longer time.
In contrast, frying pans have a lesser opening, leaving a large surface area for cooking. With a sizeable bottom, they are used for flipping and shaking food.
Other advantages of the frying pan include:
Quick Reheating: Since frying pans are thin, they heat up quickly and cook food in less time.
Saves Cooking Oil: Due to their non-stick surface, frying pans use less oil for cooking.
Choosing the Right One for Your Kitchen
Picking the right pan can feel like choosing a dance partner—you want one that moves with you, not against you. So, which should you get: a skillet or a frying pan? It all depends on how you cook, what you cook, and how much space you have. Let’s break it down.
1. Cooking Style & Frequency
Do you cook daily or just when the mood strikes? If you’re a weekend chef making the occasional pancake breakfast, a lightweight non-stick frying pan will be your best friend. Easy cleanup, no fuss. But if you love a good steak sear or deep caramelization, a cast iron skillet is a game-changer.
It holds heat like a pro and gives food that restaurant-quality crust. Cook often? A stainless steel pan is a solid all-rounder—it can handle high heat, deglaze beautifully, and last forever.
2. Material Preferences
Each pan material has its own personality:
- Cast Iron: Tough, heavy, and perfect for serious heat retention. Needs seasoning but lasts a lifetime.
- Stainless Steel: Durable, non-reactive, and great for high-heat cooking. Not non-stick, but excellent for building flavor.
- Non-Stick: Easiest to use and clean, great for eggs and delicate foods. Just don’t crank up the heat too high.
Think of it this way—cast iron is the slow-and-steady marathon runner, stainless steel is the versatile athlete, and non-stick is the casual walker who gets the job done with minimal effort.
3. Storage Space & Weight
Got a tiny kitchen with limited storage? A stackable, lightweight frying pan might be the way to go. Cast iron skillets are fantastic, but they’re heavy and take up more space. If you’re short on storage, go for a multi-purpose pan that can handle various cooking styles.
Expert Recommendation: What’s Best for You?
- Beginners: A good non-stick frying pan will keep things simple while you get comfortable in the kitchen.
- Intermediate cooks: A stainless steel pan offers more control and durability without being too high-maintenance.
- Seasoned home chefs: A cast iron skillet or a high-quality stainless steel pan will give you the versatility and performance needed for next-level cooking.
At the end of the day, the best pan is the one that makes cooking easier and more enjoyable for you. Pick one (or a few) that match your style, and you’ll be whipping up delicious meals in no time!
What Type Of Skillet Is Best For Frying?
A well-stocked kitchen should contain three major types of skillets. These are the cast iron, non-stick and stainless steel skillet. Once the kitchen is all stocked up, you should learn how to use the skillets.
The best type of skillet for frying is the stainless steel skillet. It conducts heat evenly to ensure that all the food is fried evenly. Have you ever eaten food that is raw inside?
Well, that is what happens when your cooking equipment is unable to distribute heat evenly. I recommend that you use the stainless steel skillet to ensure that your food is fried well.
Furthermore, stainless steel skillets ensure that your food is beautifully fried with crispy edges. Once the food is fried correctly, you can carefully scrape off the stuck remaining bits with a spatula. It is impossible to scrape off the remaining bits on a non-stick skillet without damaging it.
Finally, stainless steel skillets are chemical-free. You don’t need to stress about the coating flaking into your food.
The only challenge with a stainless steel skillet is that it is sticky. However, you can address the challenge by seasoning the stainless steel skillet. Once you season the skillet, you will create a non-stick surface.
I recommend that you use the stainless steel skillet for frying to achieve great results.
Final Thoughts
Skillets and frying pans are used interchangeably. This is because they are commonly used to perform similar functions.
However, if you are careful, you will notice that they are different. For example, while a skillet is large, a frying pan has a small capacity.
Skillets and frying pans also differ in their roles. A skillet is commonly used for baking, broiling, braising sauces, cooking vegetables, or roasting food. On the other hand, a frying pan is used to sear meats, shallow fry meat, sauté food, and brown food.
I have outlined the different features of a skillet and frying pan, I believe I have answered the question – is a Skillet a Frying Pan? Enjoy reading the article and share the information too!
Read more : What Is A Skillet Used For In Cooking?