Reddit
reddit.com › r/cooking › cast iron skillet vs regular pan
r/Cooking on Reddit: Cast iron skillet vs regular pan
December 4, 2018 -
What is the difference between cooking with these 2? I feel like a lot of cooking videos I see use cast iron skillets. For example I’m looking to make French onion soup chicken and most of the recipes I see the person is using a cast iron skillet. Would the recipe taste different if I use a regular pan? Should I invest in a cast iron skillet? Thanks for the help!
Update: y’all convinced me... I just went out and bought a cast iron skillet
Top answer 1 of 5
105
Define "regular pan". The big thing cast iron brings is thermal mass. It's dense and releases heat relatively slowly (compared to say aluminum), so if you throw something in (say a steak) the temp won't drop dramatically. This is useful for browning.
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I am a big fan of cast iron and carbon steel cookware. As others have stated, cast iron is great for searing and heat retention. That and they are dam near indestructible. They are my go to for just about everything, however, I do prefer a Teflon pan when it comes to eggs.
de Buyer
debuyer-usa.com › blogs › guides › skillet-vs-pan
Skillet vs. Pan: The Differences and Uses – de Buyer
A skillet has the same functionality and design as a frying pan. Some cooking professionals are more likely to use the term "skillet" for cast iron skillets.
Videos
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Smooth vs. Rough Cast Iron Skillets: Does It Even Matter? - YouTube
05:47
Cast Iron vs. Carbon Steel Skillets: 6 Key Differences to Know ...
15:51
What's the Best Pan Money Can Buy? - YouTube
14:21
Cast Iron vs Enameled Cast Iron: Which is Better? | Gear Heads ...
01:00
Cast Iron vs. Enameled Cast Iron: Which Cookware Is Better? - YouTube
Cast Iron vs. Enameled Cast Iron: My Tests Reveal the REAL ...
MasterClass
masterclass.com › articles › skillet-vs-pan
Skillet vs. Pan: Differences Between the Types of Cookware - 2026 - MasterClass
A skillet is similar to a sauté pan in depth, but the latter will generally have a wider surface area and straight sides, best for cooking soups, stews, and curries. Often, the best skillets are cast iron, which retains heat and helps build a flavorful crust on proteins and other foods.
Stahl Kitchens
stahlkitchens.com › stahl kitchens › skillet vs frypan
Skillet vs Frypan - Key Differences and Similarities | Stahl – Stahl Kitchens
September 11, 2025 - A skillet is a flat-bottomed, wide cooking pan with sides slightly sloped or flared, which makes it ideal for flipping and stirring food. Skillets are typically made of cast iron, stainless steel, or aluminum.
Serious Eats
seriouseats.com › the-truth-about-cast-iron
The Truth About Cast Iron Pans: 7 Myths That Need To Go Away
August 26, 2025 - On the other hand, there are the macho types who chime in with their my cast iron is hella nonstick or damn, does my pan heat evenly! In the world of cast iron, there are unfounded, untested claims left, right, and center. It's time to put a few of those myths to rest. Since this story was published in 2014, Serious Eats editors have added FAQs and updated product suggestions based on our reviews and learnings. ... If you want a cast iron skillet that can live up to the hype and last you a long time, it's wise to start with a high-quality pan.
Lecreuset
lecreuset.ca › en_CA › blog › skillet-vs-frypan.html
Iron Handle Skillet vs. Fry Pan: A Comparison Guide
Browse our dutch ovens, cast iron skillets, saucepans, fry pans, and enamelled cast iron cookware. Shop by colour and size and elevate your cooking.
Washington Post
washingtonpost.com › lifestyle › food › voraciously
Cast-iron vs. nonstick skillets: How to choose the right pan
October 28, 2021 - Cast iron is often called the original nonstick pan. And it makes sense. Well-seasoned cast-iron skillets have a naturally formed coating that is created when fats are heated to a certain point that causes them to reorganize into something ...
Misen
misen.com › blogs › news › skillet-vs-frying-pan-which-is-right-for-your-cooking-needs-3
Skillet vs Frying Pan: Which Is Right for Your Cooking Needs? | Misen
May 1, 2025 - Stainless steel offers exceptional durability and non-reactivity with acidic foods, while cast iron excels at heat retention and develops a natural nonstick surface through seasoning[8]. Other materials like copper, aluminum, and carbon steel ...
Top answer 1 of 3
4
The answer is that it depends. Is the recipe for the stovetop or for an oven? If it is for an oven, make sure that your pan is oven safe to the appropriate temperature.
While your recipe will likely work fine with a normal pan, it won't develop the same kind of crispy exterior that it might with cast iron.
2 of 3
3
If you don't have a cast iron pan and aren't willing to buy one today then use what you have. Even if it doesn't work as well it will be better than not making anything.
Cast iron pans are a joy to use. With a proper season they are also as slick as the best non-stick surface and a lot less fragile. They have a ton of metal and while they don't necessarily heat evenly across the surface, they store a ton of heat in them. This means that they are particularly good for searing meat.
If you want to use a non cast iron pan, use the thickest pan you have that will hold on to the most heat.
Then go buy a cast iron pan- or inherit one from your grandmother- for next time.
grilling4all
grilling4all.com › blogs › grilling › cast-iron-skillet-vs-pan
Cast Iron Skillet vs Pan: Which is Best for Your Kitchen? – grilling4all
June 18, 2024 - Cast iron skillets have a long and storied history. They date back to 5th-century China and became a staple in American kitchens in the 18th century. These skillets are renowned for their durability and versatility, often being handed down through generations as family heirlooms. On the other hand, modern pans, especially non-stick and stainless steel varieties, were developed more recently.
Quora
quora.com › What-are-some-differences-between-a-regular-skillet-and-a-cast-iron-skillet
What are some differences between a regular skillet and a cast-iron skillet? - Quora
Answer: What do you mean by a “regular skillet?” There are many pans made of many kind of metal materials other than cast iron. One can buy truly worthless thin aluminum and or stainless steel pans that are so thin that they are certain to burn your food or you can purchase excellent thick ...
Quora
quora.com › What-is-the-difference-between-a-cast-iron-skillet-and-a-non-stick-skillet
What is the difference between a cast iron skillet and a non-stick skillet? - Quora
Answer (1 of 3): I’m thinking, at least 75 years and 2 pounds maybe. Seriously, some of my cast iron skillets have been handed down so many times, I don’t know how old they are. And, another difference is the weight which has advantages and disadvantages.
Wasgermany
wasgermany.com › en › magazine › pans-iron-vs-cast-iron
WAS – Comparing iron vs. cast iron pans - WAS Germany
In contrast to the classic iron pan, a cast-iron pan takes a little longer to heat up – but it retains this heat for longer and distributes it more evenly. Both types of pan can be used to fry meat and vegetables, are suitable for all hob ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/askculinary › what is the benefit of using a cast iron skillet over a regular frying pan?
r/AskCulinary on Reddit: What is the benefit of using a cast iron skillet over a regular frying pan?
September 25, 2018 -
I read earlier that a cast iron skillet is better for certain recipes than (I assume) a regular pan. Why is this the case? What are the differences and advantages of each?
Top answer 1 of 19
107
Cast iron will retain and transfer heat to your food much better. You’ll want to use a cast iron when you are searing or need to maintain a consistent temperature. Some will argue non stick has no purpose, especially since a well seasoned cast iron is fairly non stick. Nonetheless I use non stick for eggs and low temperature cooking.
2 of 19
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Cast iron has a higher specific heat than stainless steel, and while aluminum has a higher specific heat, the thermal mass is always much less due to it's much lower density. Meaning when searing the cool food touches the pan, there is more overall Joules of energy to transfer into the food. Also good for enameled dutch ovens where you are making stews and the like because it holds heat better and you get a better simmer from all sides. The downside is that there is less thermal conductivity than copper, aluminum or stainless steel so it also has less fine temp control. Not as good for cooking a thin fish fillet for instance. I like cast iron for searing large chunks of protein, and stainless steel or carbon steel for most other things. Carbon steel is probably my favorite because it has the searing potential of cast iron, but it is much lighter in weight for tossing and sauteing things. My sauciers I like using copper or aluminum because you get a really fine temp control you just can't with other pans. Non-stick I pretty much only use for french omelettes where I need that bastard to basically glide out on angels wings. Plus the low heat means there is no toxic fumes, which non-stick is susceptible to in higher heat applications. http://www.cookingissues.com/2010/02/16/heavy-metal-the-science-of-cast-iron-cooking/
Stahl Kitchens
stahlkitchens.com › stahl kitchens › cast iron vs non-stick – which is better for cooking?
Cast Iron vs. Non-Stick: Which is better for cooking? – Stahl Kitchens
September 9, 2025 - Mentioned below are the major differences between cast iron vs non-stick: One main difference is weight. Cast iron skillets and pots are much heavier than nonstick ones due to the solid iron material.
Tredy Foods
tredyfoods.com › blog › difference between iron cookware and cast iron cookware
Difference between Iron Cookware and Cast Iron Cookware | best cast iron cookware, Buy Cast Iron Cookware, Buy Cookwares Online and more | Tredy Foods Blog blog
November 27, 2021 - They get better after every natural seasoning. So, when cooking on cast iron cookware such as a cast-iron tadka pan, you will require way less oil than you would have to use if you are cooking on an iron tadka pan.
Bon Appétit
bonappetit.com › recipes › cast iron skillet › love your pan: what to cook (and what not to) in a cast iron
Love Your Pan: What to Cook (and What Not to) in a Cast Iron
November 13, 2014 - If you're a fan of perfectly golden-brown roasted vegetables with a crunchy exterior crust (and who isn't?), consider dumping your trusty rimmed sheet pan in favor of a large cast iron skillet.
Made In
madeincookware.com › blogs › skillet-vs-pan
Skillet vs. Frying Pan: Is There a Difference? - Made In
April 22, 2024 - Just to be extra clear: there's no difference between frying pans and skillets, except where one word is used more predominantly over the other. "Skillet" is typically the more popular term in the Southern U.S., where it expanded from referring ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/castiron › is high end cast iron skillet the best or gimmick? what to buy?
r/castiron on Reddit: Is High End Cast Iron Skillet the Best OR Gimmick? What to Buy?
December 12, 2024 -
I’m looking to buy a good cast iron skillet, but I’m torn between the classic affordable options (like Lodge) and the high-end brands that claim to be lighter, smoother, or more “premium.” Are those expensive cast iron skillets really worth it, or are they just a gimmick? What’s your go-to brand or model for cast iron, and why?
Top answer 1 of 81
132
Buying used at garage sale, estate sale, flea market or antique store is a good option, just takes more time.
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high-end brands that claim to be lighter, smoother, or more "premium." premium pans do actually have these qualities, and that's what you're paying for if you go that route. it's not a lie or a gimmick. but it's also not a necessity to have a pan that cooks great & will last forever. my stargazer is smoother, lighter, better designed, and prettier. it's my daily driver & I love it. I got it because I used a Lodge for a long time, really learned to love cooking with cast iron, and wanted to upgrade. there are some real benefits to the premium pan, but nothing that's a necessity. so get whatever makes sense for you, your budget, and your expectations for this pan.
All-Clad
all-clad.com › blog › post › Understanding-Skillet-vs-Frying-Pan-Differences
Skillet vs Frying Pan Key Differences Guide
August 11, 2025 - 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 ...