A high-quality frying pan is a must-have in any kitchen. Whether you cook at home or in a professional environment, you know the importance of having quality cookware, from your knives to your baking trays and especially anything that goes on your stovetop.

We all know that a good frying pan should be sturdy enough to use daily and easy to clean. But not all frying pans work for every cooking task - and not all frying pans are the quality you need! Do you fall for the marketing that tells you there is one pan to fulfil all your needs?

No more! You can learn more right here and make an informed decision. So which frying pan do you need for which task? Read on to find out what is the best frying pan to buy for you.

Aluminium

As one of the most popular materials you can choose for a frying pan, aluminium is probably a material you have looked into. It is a little less expensive than other materials, and is very lightweight - this makes it good for home cooks and professional chefs alike.

It is also durable, meaning that you can cook many different meals in an aluminium pan and find that it does not suffer from too much wear and tear. This means aluminium frying pans are a great choice for those using frying pans several times a day. However, because aluminium is a softer material, it may dent.

Aluminium frying pans are also excellent at heat distribution, making them good for meat dishes and other foods that require a completely even cook.

Bear in mind, however, that they do not retain heat particularly well - so once you have taken them off the stovetop, they will quickly lose their heat, and your food will begin to cool accordingly. This is a plus for home cooks, who might not want hot cookware in their kitchen after use, but could be a downside for those working in busy kitchens where immediately serving up food could be more difficult.

Black steel

Black steel is a material mainly used for woks and frying pans used for cooking of a similar nature. It is also used to make skillets.

In recent years, black steel frying pans have been touted as a great, lightweight alternative to cast iron, because it is easier to move on and off the stovetop. However, what you gain in moveability, you lose in heat retention. It may also result in an uneven cook, as it is not as good at heat distribution as other materials.

However, as a frying pan that could be used for food that you move around frequently so that it can hit all the hot spots in the pan (such as a stir fry), it is a great choice, and is still a very high-quality choice if you opt for the right brand.

Non-stick

A non-stick frying pan is a staple of most kitchens, both commercial and domestic. These pans are great all-rounders as you can cook most things in them very well. They are the perfect choice if you are making sticky foods like eggs or pancakes, or you have a delicate meal to prepare, such as flaky fish. The non-stick coating means that these frying pans allow you to cook sticky or delicate foods without having to scrape them off the surface of the pan.

However, because non-stick pans are coated in order to make them so versatile and perfect for use with stickier foods, they should not be used for certain other food groups. For example, if you are cooking something acidic such as tomatoes, then this can wear away the non-stick coating and leave your pan damaged and unlikely to perform as well.

Remember that non-stick pans also react poorly to very high heats, so are best for cooking foods that only require a low to medium heat setting. Keep this in mind, and keep acidic foods clear of your non-stick frying pan, and you will be able to use a high-quality pan for years to come.

Forewarned is forearmed, so you can check out our great range of frying pans (and plenty of other cookware essentials) now that you have the knowledge of exactly which one will be best for you. Remember that a good thing to keep in mind is that you won’t regret spending on a high-quality frying pan - it will last longer and have better results than a cheaper alternative. So get the best you can and enjoy cooking those delicious meals!

Here at Cooksmill, we have an extensive range of frying pans including aluminium pans, black iron frying pans, non stick pan, and black steel pans as well as useful accessories such as splash guards. To learn more then simply visit our website today to shop online or visit our Manchester store. Delivery is free on orders over £50 ex vat with thousands of items available for fast courier delivery when you shop online.