A frying pan is the best nonstick cookware for quickly heating up. An oven-safe skillet is a great option if you like thicker and deeper cooking tools.

While skillets and pans are easily mistaken for one another — and can be used interchangeably in a pinch — the actual cookware items do have their differences.

If you’ve ever scrubbed tirelessly at a skillet after cooking to get rid of grease, a nonstick pan will make you breathe a sigh of relief as food residue washes right off its surface. Suitable for cooking on low and medium heat, nonstick pans also require less oil than other varieties, which is a big selling point for the health-conscious consumer. Nylon and wooden utensils are better suited for use with non-stick pans, as their surface can be delicate and prone to scratching.

    The 8-piece cast iron cookware set, on the other hand, is a more compact option but still provides the essential parts needed for most cooking tasks.  This 8-piece cast iron cookware set is perfect for those who have limited storage space or prefer a minimalist range of cookware.

The speed and temperature of the cooking, along with the liquid used, should help with your decision. Those slow-cooking recipes for sauces and liquid broths will benefit from a saute pan's depth and large surface. For those recipes that need meat grilled or seared at high heat, you might want to consider a frying pan. The sloped side of the skillet also makes it a great candidate for stir fry. But if you want to achieve the perfect finish for stir fry, a wok would be the best choice.