The stainless steel pan is the unsung hero of the kitchen, contributing to well over half of the recipes I make. While the stainless steel pan often takes the backseat to its nonstick counterpart, there’s no denying the versatility and durability of classic stainless steel. There’s a reason why chefs and home cooks have been using them for generations! What I especially love about stainless steel is there’s no toxic chemical coating like a nonstick that can chip off and end up in your food. Although it can be hard to clean off burnt food, once you get the hang of using it, you’ll fall in love with its ability to perfectly brown food. We’ve curated a selection of three fantastic stainless steel pans to help you choose the best addition to your kitchen.
Cuisinart 10-inch Open Skillet
The Cuisinart 10-Inch Open Skillet offers a budget-friendly option with reliable stainless steel cookware, featuring rapid and uniform heating and cool grip handles.
The Cuisinart 10-Inch Open Skillet, Chef's Classic Stainless Steel Pan is a sensible choice for those on a budget looking for reliable stainless steel cookware. Its basic but attractive design and solid cooking performance make it a dependable addition to your kitchen toolkit. The pan is a medium size at 10 inches, suited for about 2 to 3 servings of food. I can fit 3 fried eggs in there perfectly, and the aluminum encapsulated base helps to make hot spots less intense than many stainless steel pans. Still, the middle of the pan heats up the fastest, so keep that in mind.
Features:
- Cool grip handles
- Aluminum encapsulated base
- Measurement markings for each of use
Pros:
- Rapid and uniform heating
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Exercise caution to avoid overheating, as it can lead to burning; a bit of trial and error may be needed to master its heating behavior
- Not oven safe
- While it's budget-friendly, some may find it lacks some of the premium features found in higher-end stainless steel pans
Made In Cookware - 12-Inch Stainless Steel Frying Pan
The Made In Cookware 12-inch Stainless Steel Frying Pan, crafted in Italy with five layers of premium metals, offers exceptional heat control, versatility and generous capacity.
If it’s made in Italy, you know it has to be good! The Made In Cookware 12-inch Stainless Steel Frying Pan is the ultimate choice for serious chefs and home cooks looking for a versatile and durable pan that is the only pan you’ll ever need. I’d call this more of a precision-engineered tool than a pan, crafted with five layers of premium metals that give you unlimited heat control, remarkable heat retention, and cooking precision, allowing you to cook restaurant-quality dishes at home. What I love most about this stainless steel pan is that it can go from cooking on a gas cooktop to baking in the oven! It can sear, roast, and sauté at temperatures up to a blazing 800°F. Plus, it’s easy to clean and is dishwasher safe. Plus, it’s big enough to fit about 4 servings of food, making it perfect for one-pot meals. We also love that it comes from a family business, and we like supporting small businesses!
Features:
- Oven-safe up to 800F
- Compatible with any stovetop
- 5-ply construction
Pros:
- Exceptional heat control and precision
- The hollow handle stays cool on the stovetop
- Compatible with a wide range of cooktops, including induction
- Large capacity for versatile cooking needs
- Dishwasher safe for hassle-free cleanup
Cons:
- Like any stainless steel pan, there's a possibility of food sticking or burning if not preheated properly. Preheating is key to achieving the best results
Ozeri Professional Series Stainless Steel Frying Pan 10-Inch
The 10-inch Ozeri Frying Pan, crafted in Portugal with a PTFE-free design, offers superior corrosion resistance and commitment to responsible materials.
If you want to cook responsibly without compromising on performance, then the 10-inch Ozeri Professional Series Stainless Steel Frying Pan is a great option. It’s crafted in Portugal with an 18/10 (AISI 304) stainless-steel cooking surface and magnetized stainless-steel (AISI 439) outer alloy with titanium, which in normal terms means it offers superior corrosion and wear resistance. But here's the real kicker – it's 100% PTFE-free. Traditional PTFE-coated cookware can release gases and chemicals that raise health concerns. With this pan, you can cook with confidence, knowing you're making a responsible choice for your family and the environment. When it comes to performance, you can sauté, fry, sear, brown, boil, and braise with this pan, and it works on gas, electric, radiant, induction, and ceramic stoves.
Features:
- Made with responsible materials
- Designed for lifetime use
- Made in Portugal with legendary craftsmanship
Pros:
- Versatile for various cooking methods
- Suitable for all cooktops
- 100% PTFE free
Cons:
- May experience some oxidation over time, so ensure proper cleaning to prevent this
Everything we recommend
Cuisinart 10-inch Open Skillet
Made In Cookware - 12-Inch Stainless Steel Frying Pan
Ozeri Professional Series Stainless Steel Frying Pan 10-Inch
Best Recipes Using Stainless Steel Pans
- Guinness Beer Battered Fish
- Creamy Chicken Piccata
- Artichoke Hearts in White Wine, Garlic, and Lemon
- Easy One Pan Shrimp Orzo Pasta
- Sweet and Sour Grass-Fed Lamb Stir-Fry
Best Stainless Steel Pans
Stainless steel pans are trusty kitchen companions that you will definitely get your use out of. There are no toxic chemical coatings to fret over, ensuring that your food remains pure and unaltered. It may take a bit of practice to perfect your cooking technique with a stainless steel pan, but once you've harnessed its potential, you’ll never want to switch pans again. These three options give you a great place to start and will allow you to whip up some of the delicious recipes featured on our recipe blog!