And if you’re a fan of big breakfasts at brunch spots? A cast iron skillet will certainly come in handy to recreate an almost similar vibe. Lastly, outdoor enthusiasts who often spend time cooking outdoors will favour the versatility of the skillet as its indestructible nature allows you to easily carry it and cook outdoors.

Best for: Delicate proteins like fish and seafood, melting sugar, making candy, and sauces.

The details: Copper frying pans are expensive, but they offer superb heat conductivity. That means they heat up quickly and cool down just as fast, giving you more control when you’re making something you have to monitor closely, like a caramel sauce. “They’re at the opposite end of the spectrum from cast iron,” Nitahara says. “Because it heats up and cools down quickly, you can bring a sauce right to the brink, then remove it from the heat before it breaks from the high heat.”

They draped these cooking containers above trench walls so they could enjoy warm meals even without access to ovens or stoves.

Copper is a great heat conductor, so copper frying pans heat up pretty quickly, but they lose heat just as fast. This prevents food from continuing to heat and burning up even after removing the source of heat. They're the exact opposite of cast iron. They're also not as resistant to high temperatures as cast iron and stainless steel. Anything above 450 degrees is a no-no.

    A large cast iron Dutch oven is perfect for cooking a large meal or feeding a crowd.  These heavy-duty pots are great for slow-cooking, braising meats, and making soups.  The thick walls and tight-fitting lid of a large cast-iron Dutch oven help distribute heat evenly, making it ideal for simmering and baking.  Their size also makes them perfect for baking bread or making large batches of chili.

    For enamel-coated cast iron cookware, another option for repairing broken enamel is to use a porcelain repair kit.  These kits are designed to repair chipped or damaged enamel surfaces and can be found at most hardware or home improvement stores.  

    Enamel cookware sets are known for their ability to evenly distribute heat, which is essential for perfectly cooked meals.  The enamel coating also prevents food from sticking, making it ideal for cooking delicate dishes like eggs and fish.  Additionally, the non-reactive nature of enamel cookware ensures that it does not impart any unwanted flavors to your food, making it a safe and reliable choice for cooking a variety of recipes.

You want to match the pan to the job to get the best results in the kitchen. Skillets and saute pans are versatile, and they can handle most types of cooking methods. However, it is best to choose the suitable pans for your recipe. Take time to assess whether a saute pan or skillet is the right choice.