Pots & Pans?

Question

Is there really any difference between a saute pan, a stir fry pan (not a wok), a skillet or an omelette pan?

Aren't they just frying pans?

Answer 1

Although they *could* be used interchangeably,
each has its own, specific purpose.

A saute pan is typically used for quick browning, sauces, etc. The word "saute" comes from the french word meaning "to jump", as in those chefs you've probably seen gently (or dramatically!) tossing the pan's ingredients into the air whose sole purpose is to flip the contents so that they'll cook more evenly, though you can get the same result just by stirring the ingredients. A saute pan is rarely used to cook a complete entree; that's the job of wider and/or deeper pans, pots, etc. In the professional arena, a saute pan is usually small and relatively light, though the base is usually thick and heavy to avoid melting from the constant heat. It may have more depth than the other pans, to prevent liquids from falling out. They don't need to be non-stick, because the ingredients don't have a chance to settle on the bottom, assuming the right techniques are used (in other words, don't walk away while it's cooking!).

A stir fry pan serves the same general purpose as the saute pan, but an entire entree could be made by adding long-cooking or high-temperature ingredients, first, followed by fast-cooking or low-temperature ingredients (e.g., meats followed by veggies). Since it needs to hold a lot of ingredients, stir fry pans are usually a fairly good size, both in width and depth, as compared to typical saute pans. They are usually thinner than a saute pan, because they don't typically stay on the heat source for more than a few seconds at a time, once it has been preheated (BTW, there is very little difference between a wok and a stir fry pan, so I don't understand your parenthetical "not a wok"! The only real differences are in American vs Chinese cooking styles, which I won't bother to discuss, here).

A skillet's size is usually somewhere between a saute and stir fry pan, and may be used for a wide variety of ingredients - - though rarely combined - - and types of cooking, especially where high heat is required. It is usually much heavier than the other pans, since it is typically used for things like fried steaks, hash browns, etc.

An omelette pan, though sold as such, is not limited to cooking omelettes. However, it usually is made of a ceramic or a non-stick surface, for obvious reasons, and is specially designed for one or two servings (too many eggs makes it difficult to manipulate). The pan's top edge, or lip, is usually tapered at a sharp angle to allow the omelette to be flipped, folded, and served easily. Because of its typical small depth, you probably wouldn't want to cook anything that might roll or spatter, but it's also great for searing single-serving meats, veggies, etc (not together, though!).

Vive la difference! ;)

P.S. Speaking of which, isn't it interesting that most of the respondents have male avatars?

Answer 2

A saute pan is a really small pan for small items and has curved sides. A skillet is large, deep, and works with a lid. An omelette pan is closer to a saute pan, but is usually nonstick. They don't really make frying pans anymore--they were like giant saute pans and you couldn't use a lid with them.

Answer 3

skillets have angled sides, saute pans have straight sides with a lid. and an omelette pan is just a skillet.
i don't know what a stir fry pan is.

they're all the same basic shape, if you get a skillet you can do all of those things in it. (don't get cast iron for sauteing...you'll break a write trying to flip stuff : / )

!Alexiis

Answer 4

An omelette pan folds over on itself so you can easily flip the omelette. Beyond that, a chef can give you a great lesson about pans.

Answer 5

I think the differences are slight, for home cooks just use what is comfortable. I think the pro chefs will know the real differences and proper usage.

But my good old frying pan is indispensible!

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Yes, or they would call all them the same thing. You can use them the same way. Some have steeper sides, some have non-stick surfaces.

Answer 8

Depends on whether or not they are Non-Stick.