The frying pan is an essential tool in any kitchen, and its important to find one that suits your needs and budget.
As there are many different frying pans available, we have reviewed four popular types (iron skillets, stainless steel, stone cookware and non-stick) to help you find exactly what you are looking for.
Here are our picks for the best frying pans in Australia:
1. Best Cast Iron Skillet: Lodge 10.25 Inch Cast Iron Skillet
The Lodge Cast Iron Skillet is pre-seasoned and ready to use. It is a versatile skillet that can be used in the oven, on the stovetop, on the grill or over a fire and it will certainly last a lifetime.
The top quality finish helps give this pan great heat retention and even-heating.
For ease of use, there is a long handle as well as an assist handle and two side lips for pouring.
This is hand wash only but is very easy to clean and maintain. If you are looking for a top rated, high quality and reliable cast iron pan this is the best option.
What We Like:
- High quality
- Versatile
- Pre-seasoned and ready for immediate use
What We Don’t Like:
- Low edges
2. Best Stainless Steel Fry pan: Baccarat iconiX Sauté Pan
The professional quality Baccarat iconiX sauté pan can be used on all cooktop types including induction. T
his pan will enhance your kitchen’s cookware collection as it’s made from the highest grade stainless steel and has an aluminium base for even heat distribution.
This pan very convenient, easy to clean and durable. It has two stay cool stainless steel handles that allow you to easily manoeuvre it.
There’s also an easy view glass lid.
For added versatility you can use it in the oven and the dishwasher too so no need to spend your time scrubbing after use.
What We Like:
- Durable
- Can be used on all cooktop types
- Easy to clean
What We Don’t Like:
- The lid handles can get hot
3. Best Stone Cookware: Stonewell Deep Pan 28cm with Lid
This Stonewell Deep Pan is a great option if you are looking to cook light, healthy meals and bring traditional stone cooking to the comfort of your home.
The pan is made of small stone particles making it extra strong and durable, it also heats up quickly and retains heat incredibly well.
Stone cookware can be used on gas, electric, ceramic and induction hobs making it very convenient and it can be put in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
This is non-stick and scratch-resistant meaning you can cook healthier meals without using oil or butter.
You can also cook food at extremely high temperatures. The handle stays cool even while cooking and the set comes with a glass lid.
What We Like:
- Strong and durable
- Cook meals without using oil or butter
- Compatible with a range of cooktops
What We Don’t Like:
- A little bit weighty
4. Best Non Stick Fry Pan: Tefal Gourmet Anodised Non-Stick Frypan
The best non-stick frying pan is the Tefal Gourmet, which is great for busy families wanting to cook meals quickly using high-quality cookware.
The hard anodised construction makes it durable and reliable and the rapid heat distribution allows you to get food cooking in no time.
There’s a handy thermo-spot that turns bright red when the optimal temperature is reached. The pan has high sides for tidier cooking and less mess so your cooktop stays clean.
This non-stick frying pan is easy to clean and you can put it in the dishwasher too.
The stainless steel handle looks great and stays cool so can be handled while you are cooking.
All in all, this is a robust, high quality option that offers great value for money.
What We Like:
- Rapid heat distribution
- Thermo-spot
- Value for money
What We Don’t Like:
- Only has one handle
5. Runner Up Non Stick Fry Pan: Vogue Non Stick Aluminium Frying Pan
The Vogue non-stick aluminium frying pan is sturdy, lightweight and great for those on a budget.
The non-stick Teflon Xtra coating gives a reliable stick free surface for cooking.
The pan is made from aluminium so it heats evenly and consistently. It requires little maintenance and is very easy to clean.
This is a great option for cooking smaller meals and the deep sides help keep the hobs tidy.
The strong standout red handle is stylish and makes this pan instantly recognisable.
As the handle is made from carbon steel it is not suitable for use in the oven.
What We Like:
- Lightweight
- Non-stick coating
- Low cost
What We Don’t Like:
- Not suitable for the oven
Frying Pan Buyer’s Guide
Use the guide below to find out about the different types of frying pan and their pros and cons:
The Different Types Of Frying Pans
Cast Iron Skillet
- Durable and versatile
- Can be used with metal utensils
- Naturally non-stick
- Can be used at high temperatures and in the oven
- Can be heavy and enamelled cast iron pans are more expensive.
- Some products require seasoning with oil
Stainless steel
- Durable
- Resistant to rust
- Long-lasting
- Most are safe to use in the oven and on induction cooktops
- Can be difficult to clean and the heat conductivity is not as good as other options.
Non-stick
- Prevents food from sticking
- Quick and easy to clean
- Reduces the need to use oil or butter when cooking
- Dishwasher safe
- Can become scratched and damaged and they are not suitable for very high temperatures.
Stoneware
- Practical
- Heats quickly and evenly
- Holds heat
- Strong
- Can be heavy and you cannot use soap on them to clean them.
Aluminium
- Lightweight
- Inexpensive
- Sturdy
- Great conductivity
- Cannot be used on induction hobs and can become scratched or damaged relatively easily.
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What You Need to Know About Non-Stick Frying Pans
There’s a few important things to know when you are choosing and using non-stick pans:
Material
Non-stick frying pans are either stainless steel or aluminium. Stainless steel is good for providing an even heat but tend to be heavier than aluminium pans. Aluminium pans heats up quicker but the distribution of heat isn’t as even.
Coating
There are two common kinds of nonstick coating used, the most common is PTFE (Teflon) and the other is ceramic. Both coats prevent food from sticking although the PTFE coating seems to be the longer-lasting of the two.
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Tips
- Don’t use metal utensils or metal scourers
- Avoid cooking over very high heats
- Don’t use harsh soap or detergent when cleaning
- Avoid drastic temperature changes
Frying Pan FAQs
The most common pans used by chefs are made from copper, aluminium, stainless steel and cast iron.
A skillet is used for cooking a large amount of food, they have slanted sides and tend to be thicker and heavier than other fry pans.
A saute pan is used for frying and moving the food around when cooking to blend flavours and mix the ingredients together. They tend to be slightly deeper and have straight edges.
Yes, Tefal non-stick pans are oven safe. When using non-stick cookware, be aware of the handle material that is used as the handle may not be able to go into the oven.
They usually are but it is better for their longevity if you hand wash them with a gentle detergent.
