A well-constructed frying pan is integral for any kitchen.
Whether you are looking to whip up scrambled eggs on a Saturday morning, saute some veggies, or fry a juicy steak, quality frying pans will help you achieve your culinary dreams and beyond.
There are many kinds of frying pans out on the market right now, and we want to help you choose the best one!
In fact, there are a number of characteristics to look out for when you’re looking for a frying pan for your kitchen. Depending on the type of cooktop you have, certain kinds of frying pans will fare far better than others.
If you’re looking for the perfect frying pans for a standard cooktop, then look no further. We’ve curated the top five frying pans for you, all in one space, so that you can choose the optimal one for yourself.
How We Decided the Best Frying Pans
The standards for purchasing a frying pan are high. You want to ensure your pan will last for at least a year, and also be a quality addition to your kitchen.
There are a number of different things to lookout for when buying a frying pan.
We decided the top five frying pans to purchase based on:
- Number of Amazon reviews
- The pan metal
- Its level of versatility
What is a Standard Cooktop?
In this article, we are looking for the best frying pans for a standard cooktop. A standard cooktop heats up food via electricity, gas, or induction. Cooktops are built into a counter space with the oven and microwave spaced separately in the kitchen (usually).
My cooktop is glass, and so for myself personally, I will need a different set of frying pans then maybe you may need. I prefer to use a stainless steel pan.
Keep reading below to understand what you’ll need to know before choosing a frying pan set.
My standard glass induction cooktop
Checking the Pan Suitability
One important element to consider is whether or not the frying pan set is suitable for your cooktop.
Check to see if your cooktop is electric, gas, or induction. Once you’ve established this, then you’ll be ready to choose a pan material that is best suited to your standard cooktop.
All the pans that we have chosen are suitable for all kinds of standard cooktops.
You may also like: How to Use Non Induction Cookware on Induction Cooktop
What are the Best Materials for Frying Pans?
Trying to sift out the best materials for your cooktop can seem like a daunting task. All the frying pans I have at home are either cast iron or stainless steel.
Best: Stainless Steel
Our favorite frying pan material. Mostly because it is smooth on the surface and durable. It is also nonreactive which makes it a great choice to cook any type of food.
One downside of stainless steel is its trickiness to clean. However, we know the secrets to keeping stainless steel nice, clean, and shiny.
Chef’s tip: When cooking on stainless steel, using oil is essential.
Worst: Aluminum
Aluminum is a non-ferrous metal, which means that it isn’t the right type of pan for induction cooking. However, the material is lightweight and good at distributing heat which is why we aren’t totally ruling it out! There are some benefits.
Most Interesting: Titanium (or Copper!)
Titanium is an interesting metal because oftentimes (especially in cookware) it is infused with other materials. Titanium is a non-magnetic metal and is great for heat conducting.
Copper pans are also interesting and will definitely add character to any kitchen. In addition to my tefal pan, I have copper cookware and they are wonderful and pleasing to the eye.
At-a-Glance Chart
Before we delve into the detailed descriptions of which pans made the cut, check out this quick overview chart.
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Top Five Frying Pans for a Standard Cooktop
Please note that all these pans are suitable for a standard cooktop. We are just ranking them from best to least-best based on the frying pan material, number of Amazon reviews, and versatility.
Personal image of my Tefal induction-ready frying pan
Top Choice: T-fal Professional Nonstick Frying Pan - Amazon’s Choice
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T-fal is one of my favorite cookware brands. In terms of brand value, versatility, Amazon reviews and pan metal, the T-fal Professional Nonstick Frying Pan ranks high. However, the devil is in the details so let’s look closer at this pan …
Pros
Cons
Still skeptical? Check out the Amazon reviews for yourself.
Overall rating:
Runner Up: Calphalon Nonstick Frying Pan Set - Best Seller
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The next best frying pan is actually a set of two! With many Amazon reviews, this set is currently listed as Amazon’s Choice.
Pros
Cons
What’s better than one good frying pan? Two! Order off Amazon now.
Overall rating:
See also: T Fal vs Calphalon: Who Makes Better Cookware?
Runner Up: Sensarte Nonstick Frying Pan - Best Seller
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Pros
Cons
Check out the latest price and reviews on Amazon now.
Overall rating:
Pros
Cons
Overall rating:
Related: Ultimate Showdown: Cuisinart VS Calphalon Cookware [Which is Better?]
Most Original: Michelangelo Frying Pan Set - Amazon’s Choice
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Pros
Cons
Check out the price for this fancy set on Amazon now.
Overall rating:
Still undecided? Read our article, Best 14 Inch Frying Pans [Which Pan to Buy + Product Review] for more insight on durable and quality pans for your kitchen cooktop.
Final Thoughts - Frying Pan Recap
The best frying pans for a standard cooktop are versatile, constructed of good material, and have overall favorable Amazon reviews.
The pans we deem best are:
T-fal Professional Nonstick Frying Pan - Currently Amazon’s Choice (5/5 stars)
Sensarte Nonstick Frying Pan - Currently Best Seller (4.5/5 stars)
Calphalon Nonstick Frying Pan Set - Currently Best Seller (4.5/5 stars)
Cuisinart Chef's Classic Stainless Skillet - Currently Amazon’s Choice (4.0/5 stars)
Michelangelo Frying Pan Set - Currently Amazon’s Choice (4.0/5 stars)
Overall, the pans’ features include suitability for all cooktops (induction, gas, electric), and are a variety of metals. Some pans feature two pans and others are more on the stylish side rather than functional.
Optimize your decision whichever way, but rest assured all five frying pans would do well on a standard cooktop.
FAQ
What is the Best Material for a Frying Pan and Why?
The best material for a frying pan is one engineered from ferrous materials. This makes the pan more versatile which is important for diverse types of kitchens.
If you like to finish off your meals via the oven, ensure to purchase a frying pan that can withstand high temperatures.
Is it Better to Buy a Single Pan or a Whole Set?
That depends. If you cook every day and are needing quality cookware, then a pan set is the best choice.
What are the Best Pans to Use for Health?
GreenLife is a reputable brand if you want to try cooking without butters and oils. The only downside is that GreenLife pans can be difficult to clean.
Food has been a staple in my professional life for quite some time. I worked in a cupcake bakery in my hometown for 2 years, I worked in digital marketing for food brands such as Hellmann’s and Knorr within Unilever, and now I am writing food articles about the best cooking appliances for your home and how to cook some of my favorite recipes.
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Last update on 2024-04-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
