A good pan is an important and versatile tool in any kitchen, and stainless steel is the most practical choice in terms of material. In order to get the best results, it’s important to have a pan that’s durable, heats evenly, and is easy and comfortable to handle. I’m all about having the right tool for the job, so here’s my guide for choosing the best stainless steel skillet for your cooking needs and style.

How to Pick Out the Right Pan for the Job

Stainless steel pans can be used to cook almost anything, so it’s less a matter of what you cook than how you cook and how many people you typically make meals for. Of course, it’s also important to consider cost and durability. Stainless steel is usually quite durable, so long as you get a high-quality pan.

Pan Size

The first thing to consider is what size pan you want. There are standard sizes, but different manufacturers can vary a little. If the pan isn’t exactly the standard size, it isn’t a big deal – each manufacturer’s skillet is slightly different, as sizing isn’t wildly different due to needing to fit nicely on standard stove burner sizes. If you’re wondering what size is right for your needs, here are the common sizes:

• 8-Inch: This is a small pan that fits nicely on small stovetop burners. This size pan is ideal if you’re cooking for just yourself or one other person. It’s a great size for omelets, a couple of eggs, or a chicken thigh or two. It’s also handy for baking, whether you’re melting butter or chocolate or making a topper.
• 10-Inch: This is a medium-sized skillet that’s a good size for feeding three to four people. If you like to make larger recipes or have a family, this is a great size. You can fit four or five chicken breasts in it or a small roast. It’s also a good size for stir-frying vegetables.
• 12-Inch: 12-inch skillets are large skillets that are better for larger batches or a crowd. It gives you ample room to make a sauce or roast a chicken. If you often entertain or if you just like to make large batches to have a lot of leftovers, then this is the size you want.

What’s the Right Ply Number to Get?

Stainless steel pans usually have a core made of a highly conductive metal in order to aid in even heat distribution. Most often, they’ll have either a copper or aluminum core. The different ply numbers, such as 3-ply or 5-ply, show how many layers the pan has. Manufacturers say that higher numbers of plys make the pan heat more evenly.

The reason for having layers in the first place is that stainless steel isn’t as conductive as copper or aluminum, but it’s more durable. So, the core is covered in stainless steel to create a highly conductive and durable skillet. Stainless steel also has the benefit of being nonreactive, so it won’t alter the taste of your food, unlike some other metals.

• 3-ply: A 3-ply pan consists of a more conductive material sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel. Pans that are 3-ply are usually less expensive than their counterparts with more layers, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t high-quality 3-ply pans. All it means is that it’s a core of a highly conductive metal sandwiched between two stainless steel layers.
• 5-ply: For the majority of home cooks, this is an excellent compromise. 5-ply pans tend to be of higher quality and have more conductivity and even heating. However, they’re still light and aren’t as thick, meaning that they’re easy to handle and don’t take too long to preheat.
• 7-ply: While a 7-ply pan does have more even heating, most home cooks won’t notice the difference between it and a 5-ply pan. Having more layers also means that the pan is heavier and thicker. Being heavier makes it harder to handle, particularly if you often make dishes that require being flipped or shaken. The thicker metal also means that it takes longer to heat and can make your cooking take longer.
• Fully-clad: Some cookware is referred to as a fully clad skillet or just clad skillet. If the pan in question is fully clad, that means that the interior layer of metal isn’t just on the bottom of the pan. This is preferable because it leads to more even heating all around, and it also makes it much more likely that your pan is all one piece, meaning it’ll be more durable.

Stainless Steel Pan Construction

How the pan is constructed can make a difference in durability and appearance, whether it works with an induction burner, and how well it handles high heat. Don’t be distracted by how shiny a stainless steel pan is – that’s only one indicator, and it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a well-made item. When picking out a stainless steel frying pan, there are a few things to consider.

• Weight: While it’s good for the pan to be light and easy to handle, it shouldn’t be too light – barring mobility considerations, of course. A pan with some substance to it means that it’s higher quality and will last longer. Most good pans are about 3lbs.
• Construction: It’s important to look at the bottom of the pan. For one thing, stainless steel works on induction cooktops unless the bottom is coated or a different metal, so it’s good to check that. If the bottom looks to be a different piece welded on, that’s a sign of an inferior pan. A pan that’s all one piece will be more durable and have better heat conduction.
• Handle material: Stainless steel pans can have handles made of plastic, wood, or metal. Opt for a metal handle whenever possible, as that ensures that the pan is oven-safe. After all, why give up a large part of the pan’s functionality?

Caring for Stainless Steel

Another benefit of stainless steel is that it’s relatively easy to care for. The material is tough and durable, meaning that a properly cared-for stainless steel pan shouldn’t need to be replaced. Here are some ways to ensure that your pan lasts you a lifetime.

• Avoid the dishwasher: While the majority of stainless steel cookware will say it’s dishwasher-safe – and that isn’t untrue – it extends the life of the cookware to hand wash it with detergent. Dishwashers are hard on pots and pans, reducing their lifespan, and can discolor them.
• Heat it properly: Stainless steel isn’t naturally nonstick, but if you make sure to properly heat the pan up, it’ll give you a lot less trouble. It’s best to let the pan warm up over medium heat for one to two minutes. You can check to make sure that it’s properly heated by flicking a water droplet into it – it should form a ball and not steam off right away. Of course, you’ll still have some food stick, like eggs, but a fully and evenly heated stainless steel skillet will be a lot easier to clean.
• Touch it up: Stainless steel can become discolored over time, even if it isn’t put in the dishwasher. Polishing it up with a metal-specific cleaner, like Bar Keepers Friend, can put the shine back on it. It usually requires a bit of elbow grease, too, but you’ll get a sparkling pan out of the deal.
• Utensils: With stainless steel, you don’t have to be careful about what utensils you use. Many will recommend against metal utensils because they can scratch the surface of the pan. That’s largely a personal preference, as unless you’re really banging on your pan, the scratches will just be cosmetic.
• Don’t put a hot pan in cold water: Doing so can end up warping your pan. Not only does that shorten its lifespan, but you can end up no longer having an even cooking surface, making it heat less evenly and causing oil or sauce to pool in places, making the problem worse.

My Top Picks for Stainless Steel Pans

All of these pans are excellent choices, it’s just a matter of your preferences and what you plan to use the pan for. These pans are all made entirely of metal, making them oven-safe, but there’s a mix of sizes (some pans have options for multiple sizes), clad and fully clad, and different numbers of layers.

1. All-Clad D3 Stainless 3-Ply Bonded Cookware, Fry Pan with lid, 12-inch

This pan is considered the top pick by reviewers from CNet, Epicurious, and the Food Network, and it isn’t hard to see why. It’s a fully clad pan that has excellent heating distribution, is one solid piece, and has excellent balance. It also comes with a lid, making it more versatile. The only real downside is that it isn’t cheap, though you get a lot of bang for your buck. For some cooks, the fact that it doesn’t have a handle on the front may also be a minus – especially for taking it out of the oven.

2. Demeyere Industry Stainless Steel Frying Pan

This is a well-made 5-ply stainless steel pan. It has even heating, a comfortable handle, and isn’t too heavy. That being said, its price point is high, and its performance isn’t better enough than its competitors to justify it, especially as it doesn’t come with a lid. As it’s a thicker pan, it also takes some more time to heat.

3. KitchenAid 5-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Induction Frying Pan, 12.25-inch

KitchenAid’s frying pan is a solid choice, being 5-ply, well-balanced, and generously sized. The extra quarter inch can make a difference in bigger recipes, and the pan has an attractive black stainless steel handle. However, the heat distribution isn’t as even, and it doesn’t come with a lid or have a front handle. But if you’re looking for a skillet that comes in at just under $100, this is a practical choice.

4. Misen 12-inch Stainless Steel Skillet

Misen’s pan is a great choice if you’re looking for a skillet on a budget. It comes in a variety of sizes to meet your needs and performs extremely well for its price point. It has even heating, a comfortable handle, is oven-safe, and works with induction cooktops. This skillet also comes in a stainless steel cookware set consisting of three sizes of pans. However, the pan doesn’t quite have as smooth of heat distribution as the more expensive pans, and the design is somewhat plain.

5. OXO Mira Tri-Ply 8-inch Stainless Steel Fry Pan Black

If this is going to be your first stainless steel skillet, this is an excellent choice. It’s durable, has a low price point, and an ergonomic design. It has a ceramic nonstick coating that’s PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium-free. However, the nonstick coating does make it so it isn’t dishwasher safe, though that’s not much of a loss. The pan only comes in the 8-inch size, so if you want something larger, this isn’t the one for you.

Let Us Help You Find the Right Stainless Steel Pan for You

It can be overwhelming to try to find the right choice for your needs, particularly if you don’t have experience with stainless steel skillets. Some of it also boils down to personal preferences in terms of handle shape, size, and whether or not it has any sort of nonstick coating. As a skillet is an item you’ll use a lot over its lifetime, don’t be afraid to take your time. If you feel you need more information or advice, reach out to one of our Kitchen Experts here on Curated! Any of our Experts would be more than happy to help you find the stainless steel pan that’s just right for you.