YACT: When do you use a frying pan as opposed to a saute pan?

Nocturnal

Lifer
Jan 8, 2002
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0
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What are the differences between a sauce pan, frying pan and a saute pan? When would you use each?

Also what is a skillet used for?
 

markgm

Diamond Member
Aug 23, 2001
3,291
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No one? Let this be my first 3AM post, and a reminder of why I shouldn't be up now.

Use a frying pan to fry, and a saute pan to saute. Never saute in a frying pan.

A skillet is the bastard child of the frying and saute pans.

Text

A saute pan is a straight-sided frying pan that allows food to be flipped and tossed with less spattering. The sides are usually about 3 inches high; the pan can measure from 6 to 14 inches wide. It's perfect for quickly flying food in very little oil. A saute pan generally has a long handle on one side and comes with a lid.

A skillet has sides that flare outward. It's shallow with sloped sides that prevent steam from forming in the pan. It's great for scrambling, searing, and shallow frying.

 

Spooner

Lifer
Jan 16, 2000
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and FYI... a sauce pan is basically like a medium-sized bowl with a handle and top. good for making rice or warming up sauce