Your kitchen equipment is incomplete without a frying pan. Frying pans are ideal for preparing stews and sauces, searing and simmering meats, and reheating meals. In short, a frying pan belongs in your kitchen.
By Frank
We have looked at and reviewed quite a few frying pans. One thing they all have in common is that they do not contain PFAS or PFOA. We’ve compiled a Top 10 to help you choose the right frying pan for your kitchen that fits your preferences and budget.
What is the ideal frying pan for you?
Casseroles come in many shapes and sizes. There are expensive and inexpensive, large and small. You have steel frying pans and frying pans made of aluminum, cast iron and stainless steel. They come with a handle or with double handles. Many frying pans are suitable for induction cooking, while others are not. So there is a lot to choose from. With our Top 10, we hope to make the choice easier for you.
The best frying pan in the test
WMF FusionTec Mineral
The WMF FusionTec Mineral frying pan is made of cast stainless steel, which is fused with minerals. This creates an indestructible pan, resistant to scratches and acids. Not for nothing do you get a 30-year manufacturer’s warranty on it. With a diameter of 23 cm, it is a compact, handy pan. Thanks to the high curb, it still has a generous 2.3-liter capacity, so you can prepare substantial dishes in it.
- Suitable for all heat sources
- Resistant to scratches and acids
- Handy size
- Large capacity
- Includes glass lid
- Hand grip stays cool
- May not be dishwasher safe
- No additional handle
- Suitable for: all heat sources, including induction
- Diameter 23 cm
- Capacity 2,3 liter
- Cast stainless steel, with mineral coating
- Silicone handle
- Including glass lid
- No extra handle
- Cleaning: hand wash
The frying pan with the best value for money
Tefal Easy Plus
Tefal was the very first manufacturer of non-stick pans. Tefal expertise also kept developing in that field. The Tefal Easy Plus frying pan is of the very latest generation, with a non-stick coating that contains titanium and is applied to both the inside and outside of the pan.
Although that layer is very strong and scratch-resistant, we do recommend using plastic or wooden spatulas while cooking. The Tefal Easy Plus has a diameter of 24 cm, is affordable and very light. This makes it easy to handle, but also ensures that the pan moves easily on a flat surface.
- Strong non-stick coating
- Good to handle
- Thermo-Signal in bottom
- Includes glass lid
- Easy to clean
- Not for induction
- Pan shifts quickly
- Diameter 24 cm
- Aluminum with mineral non-stick coating
- Cool Touch handle
- No additional handle
- Lid included
- Cleaning: preferably by hand
- Thermo-Signal indicates when the pan is hot enough
The best cheap frying pan
Edënbërg Stonetec Line
Good and cheap, these are the relatively unknown here Edënbërg Stonetec Line frying pans. They are made of cast aluminum and feature a strong ceramic non-stick coating. It makes these pans easy to handle and you only need to use little or no butter. They can go in the dishwasher, but it is still better to clean them by hand. Edënbërg frying pans are available in a wide range of diameters.
- Strong non-stick coating
- Good to handle
- For all heat sources
- Lid included
- Easy to clean
- Low purchase price
- Preferably not in the dishwasher
- Diameters: 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 cm
- Cast aluminum with ceramic non-stick coating
- Ergonomic handle
- No additional handle
- Includes lid
- Cleaning: preferably by hand
The best ceramic frying pan
Daily Cost ceramic frying pan
TV chef Jeroen Meus prepares a tasty and easy-to-prepare recipe every day in the Belgian TV program, also popular in the Netherlands Dagelijkse Kost ceramic frying pan. The program’s popularity led to its own line of cookware, including a ceramic frying pan. Nobility obliges, so quality is paramount with these products. The Daily Kost frying pan is suitable for all heat sources and oven safe up to 200 degrees.
- Strong ceramic non-stick coating
- For all heat sources
- Oven resistant up to 200 degrees
- Lid included
- Easy to clean
- No handle
- Diameter 24 cm
- Cast aluminum with ceramic non-stick coating
- 2 handles
- Includes lid
- Cleaning: preferably by hand
The best steel frying pan
DeBuyer Mineral B Element
The all-steel DeBuyer Mineral B Element frying pan forms a natural non-stick coating through use. This makes this pan a safe and fully recyclable product. The pan is suitable for all heat sources and can also go in the oven. Cleaning is very easy, you do it under the hot tap. The only drawbacks: there is no lid included and the pan is quite heavy.
- Natural non-stick coating
- For all heat sources
- Fully recyclable
- Easy to clean
- Heavy pan
- No lid
- Diameters: 24, 28, 32 cm
- Forged steel, 99% iron
- 2 handles or handle with additional handle
- Clean with hot water
The best cast iron frying pan
The Le Creuset Signature cast iron frying pan is not exactly cheap, but it is a pan that will last a lifetime. Through use, a natural non-stick coating forms in the pan, which you only need to clean with a damp cloth after use. The outside is enameled and the handle has a wooden handle. Because of that handle, the pan cannot go in the oven or in the dishwasher. The pan has a high rim. A glass lid is available separately.
- For all heat sources
- Unlimited lifespan
- Natural non-stick coating
- Easy to clean
- Supplied without lid
- High purchase price
- Heavy
- Diameter 28 cm
- Capacity 3,6 liter
- Enamelled cast iron
- Available in 4 colors
- Handle with wooden grip
- Suitable for all heat sources, except oven
- Clean with hot water
The best aluminum frying pan
GreenPan Cambridge
The super sturdy GreenPan Cambridge aluminum frying pan features a rock-solid ceramic coating, on which you can feel free to use steel spatulas. The pan is suitable for all heat sources and can go in the oven up to 180 degrees. It can also go in the dishwasher, but we advise against it, as we do with all pots and pans. In addition to the handle, the GreenPan Cambridge has an extra handle. Not an unnecessary luxury, because for an aluminum skillet, it is quite heavy.
- Good to handle
- Ceramic non-stick coating
- Suitable for all heat sources
- Oven safe up to 180 degrees
- Lid included
- Better not in the dishwasher
- Diameters: 24 and 28 cm
- Cast aluminum with ceramic non-stick coating
- Suitable for any heat source
- Handle and extra grip
- Includes lid
- Cleaning: preferably by hand
The best stainless steel frying pan
KitchenAid Stainless Steel
The KitchenAid Stainless Steel frying pan has a bottom with an aluminum core, which ensures fast and even heating. The Five layers, including stainless steel, run down the side of this saute pan. A three-layer non-stick coating prevents your food from burning. The sauté pan is suitable for all heat sources and can also go in an oven up to 220 degrees. Plus, the shiny soot-free steel looks great on the table.
- Bottom with aluminum core
- 5-layer construction
- Three-layer non-stick coating
- 2 handles
- Lid included
- Attractive appearance
- In oven up to 220 degrees
- Diameter 24 cm
- 5-layer construction with stainless steel and aluminum
- Suitable for all heat sources
- Oven safe up to 220 degrees
- Two stay-cool handles
- Includes lid
- Dishwasher safe (hand washing recommended)
The best frying pan for induction
BK Easy Induction Ceramic
The 5.5 mm thick bottom of the BK Easy Induction Ceramic contains a magnetic layer, which makes this frying pan perfect for cooking on induction. The pan is aluminum and heats up quickly and evenly. The ceramic non-stick coating prevents burning of your dishes. The BK Easy Induction Ceramic frying pan can be used on all other heat sources besides induction and in the oven up to 160 degrees.
- Ideal for induction
- Also for all other heat sources
- Lid included
- Spacious pan
- Can be washed in the dishwasher
- In the oven to a maximum of 160 degrees
- Diameter 28 cm
- Capacity 4,6 liter
- Material: aluminum
- Suitable for all heat sources
- Oven resistant to 160 degrees
- Includes lid
- Dishwasher safe
Best electric frying pan
Tristar PZ-2964
Electric frying pans have the advantage that you don’t need a stove or oven for them. You just plug it in and get to work. The Tristar PZ-2964 is a powerful frying pan, which heats up quickly and can reach a temperature of 280 degrees in five steps. With a diameter of 40 cm, it is very generously sized. A non-stick coating prevents burning.
- Quickly warmed up
- Large content
- No stove or oven required
- Lid included
- No on/off switch
- Diameter 40 cm
- Power 1,500 watts
- Material: steel
- Temperature adjustable in 5 positions
- Maximum temperature 280 degrees
- Lid included
- Non-stick coating
Top 10 with the best frying pans of 2024
Buying guide: what to look for when buying a frying pan?
In your search5 quest for the right frying pan, you need to get a few things in mind for yourself:
- Your budget. Decide what amount you are willing to spend on a frying pan. If you have little to spend, you may have to give up other wishes. Remember, too, that a frying pan is a purchase for several years. Some expensive pans even last a lifetime.
- How big is your household? It makes sense that you need a large frying pan if you’re cooking for a large family. And that a smaller one will suffice if you are alone.
- Is the pan suitable for your stove? The vast majority of frying pans are suitable for all heat sources, but keep an eye on it. Some frying pans are ideally suited for induction, for example. Also check to see if the pan can go in the oven.
- Can you handle the pan? Cast iron and steel pans, in particular, are quite heavy. Then check whether there is an extra handle to make it easier to lift the pan. Or choose a lighter one, such as an aluminum frying pan.
- Does it come with a lid? Actually, a lid, preferably glass, belongs with a frying pan. Therefore, keep in mind that you need to buy one if it is not included as standard.
Conclusion: what is the best frying pan for you?
The WMF FusionTec Mineral comes out best in our test. A great pan, but maybe it’s not the ideal one for you after all. Maybe your budget is not enough, maybe you are looking for a lighter, or just a cast iron one? Check out our Top 10 and choose the pan that suits you best.
Frequently Asked Questions
A skillet has a higher rim and often a lid, so you can stew with it and make one-pot meals.
Sometimes you see convenience stores or drugstores selling frying pans for 15 euros or even less. Keep in mind that cheap can also be expensive. The non-stick coating may come off quickly, or it may contain harmful PFAS. So spending 15 euros every so often becomes an expensive joke.
Sautéing is searing and searing meat at a high temperature with little butter or fat. A frying pan is excellent for this.