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    Medium cast iron skillets are a versatile choice for everyday cooking.  Medium cast iron skillets are perfect for sautéing, frying, and pan-frying, and transition easily from stovetop to oven.  Medium cast iron skillet size makes them suitable for cooking for a small family or a few guests, and  also perfect for making one-pot meals.

Similarly to cast iron, carbon steel pans need to be seasoned before use (though some, like ours, do come preseasoned). As if these pans weren’t already versatile enough, carbon steel is also safe to use on the grill as well as over an open flame.

Same goes for reducing sauces—sauces will reduce just as fast in a 12-inch sauté pan as in a 12-inch skillet.

Skillets and sauté pans appear very similar, but the main difference lies in their shape.

Maintenance and Care:

Finally, another theory suggests that French soldiers created these skillets during World War I to prepare food while on patrol without hinting at their location by smoke from burning.

But you'll want to factor in that this material is a lot heavier than stainless steel and can be harder to maneuver and lift. There are certain sauces or foods that aren't recommended to be prepared in a cast-iron skillet. If you're simmering a tomato sauce or other acidic foods, or foods that are more likely to stick, such as eggs or crepes, opt for a skillet that isn't cast iron.

Ultimately, the type of frying pan you choose will depend on your individual cooking style, needs, and preferences. No matter which type you choose, a quality frying pan is an essential kitchen tool that will provide you with years of cooking enjoyment.