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The Many Options for Skillets

You'd think that buying a skillet was a simple matter, but the current market has made it a fair deal more complex.  Don't get me wrong!  Having this many skillets on the market is a great thing that allows for versatility and options which suit the needs of different people better.  It can, however, be a bit overwhelming if you don't know the ropes.  That's why I'm going to walk you through some of the major options available for skillets in today's world.

The biggest thing you have to get through is the decision of material that you're going to use.  We have the cast iron option, the stainless steel option, and the non-stick (usually Teflon) skillets.  Each of these have their own advantages.  Let's start with cast iron skillets.  Cast iron is a heavy and porous material that many cooks prefer.  You can season the pan in your own way, and when seasoned, it becomes naturally non-stick.  With that being said, you run the risk of rust, some people don't like the weight, and you have to re-season if you're going to cook a lot of acidic foods.

Then we have stainless steel.  While stainless steel requires that you use sprays or other methods to make the surface non-stick, stainless steel skillets also offer the advantage of being compatible with other tools.  It doesn't scratch or wear easily, and it doesn't rust.  It's also usually quite affordable.