The 5 Best Sauté Pans
By: Olivia Taylor
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What is the best sauté pan?
The best sauté pan is one of the most functional pans all home chefs should have. A sauté pan is meant to fry food quickly in very little oil or fat. Sauté pans come in many in different sizes. They come with one handle or two handles. Some come with lids and some come without lids. A sauté pan will make cooking vegetables and meat very easy.
As mentioned, sauté pans are very versatile. You can use them for frying, steaming, searing and poaching food. In addition, they are made to be used on different types of stove tops and heating sources. As with most kitchen gadgets, price can be deceiving. Great sauté pans come in different price points. Lets take a look at the top five sauté pans we reviewed.
The Top 5 Sauté Pans
1. ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Spirit Nonstick Saute Pan
The ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Spirit Nonstick Sauté Pan came in at the top of our list. This is top of the line with a thick aluminum core that will heat up very quickly. It features a large handle that is designed to stay cool. In addition, it comes with a tempered glass lid that will allow you to keep an eye on your food.
The ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Spirit Nonstick Sauté Pan is safe to use on gas or electric stoves and can even be put in the oven up to 500°F. Clean up is really easy. You just have to wipe it out and run it through the dishwasher. Lets look at the pros and cons of this beautiful pan.
Pros
– It heats quickly and evenly, safe for gas, electric, induction and even oven safe
– This sauté pan is stainless steel on the outside and ceramic on this inside
– It has large handles with a special stay cool technology
– This pan is dishwasher safe so it is really easy to clean
Cons
– The sauté pan is made well. As a result, it may be a little heavy for some users
– Food may stick if not enough oil is used
– The rim of the pan sticks out which makes it a target for chipping
Product Details
Manufacturer: ZWILLING J.A. Henckels
Quantity: 1 3-quart sauté pan
Dimensions: 17 x 10 x 2 inches
Summary:
The ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Spirit Nonstick Saute Pan is one of those kitchen gadgets that get in your the mood to cook something special. Its a beautiful pan that can be displayed. It has a thick aluminum core that heats quickly. cook.
The ZWILLING J.A. Henckels Spirit Nonstick Saute Pan features stay cool handles and a easy pour rim. It also features a non-stick coating, which means you can use less oil and cook healthier meals for your family.
2. Trudeau Heroic Hard Anodized Saute Pan
The Trudeau Heroic Saute Pan is a professional looking pan. It is made for everyday use. It features a special Resistech technology, which is a non-stick coating that is scratch resistant and twice as hard as stainless steel. As a result, it will heat up faster and cook food more evenly. Lets learn more about this awesome pan.
Pros
– It works on electric, induction gas and ceramic stove tops.
– This pan comes with two handles, one loop and one stick. The handles are designed to remain cool longer than other brands.
– It comes with a 3-ply non-stick coating that makes clean up really easy
– This pan is oven safe up to 430 degrees Fahrenheit
Cons
– The lid fogs up when cooking food so you may not be able to see inside.
– It is a solid pan, but a little heavier than expected.
-It does not come with a warranty
Product Details
Manufacturer: Trudeau
Quantity: 1 12-inch sauté pan
Dimensions: 20.5 x 12.8 x 2.6 inches
Summary: The Trudeau brand is meant to inspire home chefs and they’ve been doing it for a long time. This pan is made really well and will not warp or buckle. It features a special non-stick coating so it won’t scratch and requires less oil when cooking. It is strong, non-stick and durable.
3. Scanpan Classic Sauté Pan
The Scanpan Classic Sauté Pan is a saute pan plus so much more. It has tall sides which are perfect for frying, stir frying and even slow cooking foods such as broths and stews.
The Scanpan Classic Sauté Pan is made of aluminum. As a result, it is great for searing and browning. It heats up fast. This pan is non stick and even oven safe up to 500°F.
Pros
– This sauté pan is PFOA-free which makes it safe and sustainable
– The Scanpan Classic Sauté Pan has special technology making it harder than steel. As a result, it sears and browns food better
– The surface is non-stick but also dishwasher safe
Cons
– It is more expensive than other sauté pans reviewed
– This sauté pan is pretty heavy so you have to be extra careful if you’re using it on a glass top
-It may scratch if you use metal utensils, silicone utensils are your best choice
Product Details
Manufacturer: ScanPan
Quantity: 1 – 9.5 inch sauté pan
Dimensions: 16.2 x 10.2 x 4 inches
Summary: The Scanpan Classic Sauté Pan is dishwasher safe and you are able to use metal utensils. It is very versatile: you can use it on all stove top types and can even put it in the oven up to 500°F. While it is more expensive than other sauté pans, it is worth the extra money.
4. Eslite Life Deep Sauté Pan
Number four on our list is made with a durable stone-derived non-stick coating. As a result, it has superior qualities such as nonstick surface. In addition, it is can be used on gas, halogen, electric, ceramic, or induction stoves.
This pan is oven safe up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also easy to care for. It should be cleaned with a dishcloth or soft sponge.
Pros
– The bottom is flat which makes it suitable for all types of stove tops.
– It comes with a 1 year warranty. In addition, it has a 30-day 100% MONEY BACK guarantee.
-It has a great non-stick surface which means you only need to add little fit or oil or fat to cook.
Cons
– The Eslite Life Deep Sauté Pan is not dishwasher safe, but it is really easy to clean.
– The middle of the pan is slightly raised compared to the edge of the pan, which allows oil to accumulate at the the sides.
– It can only be used with low to medium heat
Product Details
Manufacturer: Eslite Life
Quantity: one 11-inch saute pan
Dimensions: 21.38 x 11.02 x 2.95 inches
Summary: The Eslite Life Deep Sauté Pan can be used on all types of stove tops. It is has a non-stick interior and exterior which makes clean really quick and easy. Overall, this is a nice sauté pan offered at a modest price.
5. Cooks Standard Classic Saute Pan
The last sauté pan on our list is the Cooks Standard Classic Saute Pan. It is made of stainless with with an aluminum bottom. As a result, it heats evenly and cooks consistently. It also comes with a stainless steel lid that helps keep in moisture and heat.
This pan works great on gas, electric, ceramic or glass stove tops. The base of the pan is flat and the sides are flared out just a bit to help you pour without spilling. Lets learn more.
Pros
-It is dishwasher safe, we always love that
– The handle is comfortable and is designed to stay cool
– It can be used on all types of stove tops. In addition, it can even be put into the oven up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit
Cons
– It is not non-stick so you have to use oil to prevent food from sticking
– It is dishwasher safe, but you have to do a bit of work before putting in your dishwasher.
– The handle on the lid comes up too high if you like to store your lids in the pot turned upside down
Product Details
Manufacturer: Cooks Standard
Quantity: one 10-inch sauté pan
Dimensions: 17.25 x 10 x 5.5 inches
Summary: The Cooks Standard Classic Sauté Pan is made of stainless steel and aluminum bottom. It also comes with a stainless steel lid. This sauté pan works on gas, electric, halogen, and induction stove tops.
It is a little larger in size which makes it good for frying, steaming, boiling and slow cooking. Despite being a little larger, the handle makes it easier to move and use.
What is a sauté pan and why do you need one?
Sauté pans are a cross between a large sauce pan and a frying pan. You need a saucepan because they are versatile. A sauté pan can be used to fry, stir fry, steam, boil, poach and even slow cook. As a result, a sauté pan is an essential kitchen gadget.
How do you sauté?
There are four steps to sautéing your food. Sautéing is pretty simple once you get the hang of it. Lets take a look at the steps.
Step 1: Heat Your Pan
The first step is to heat your pan. You should heat your pan before adding any oil or fat if you are using a stainless steel pan. Medium heat should be used. You can tell your pan is hot enough when the oil begins to shimmer a little.
If you are using non-stick add a little oil before you heat it. The best way to test your pan to see if it is ready is to add a tiny amount of water to the bottom of your pan. If the water forms a ball, the pan is hot enough and ready to be used.
Step 2: Add Your Food
The next step is to add your food. Your food should be cut into even sized pieces. When you add them to the pan, make sure you spread them around the pan in an even layer. You want your food to cover the entire surface of the pan.
If you want to sauté several items that require different cooling times you can cook one at a time then add them back to the pan after they are cooked.
Step 3: Flip It (Or Stir It)
The third step it to stir your food. You want your food to brown on the sides so you don’t have to stir constantly. Sauté pans are meant for this. As a result, if you want to flip your food instead of stirring it you can.
It is very simple with a little practice. Grab your sauté pan by the handle and tilt it away from yourself. Quickly flip your pan up just enough so they food jumps off the bottom. After it lands on the pan, flip it a few more times before allowing it cook for a few moments.
Step 4: Knowing When It’s Done
The final step is to check for doneness. Sautéing is a pretty fast cooking technique. If your pan is properly heated, it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. Vegetables should be slightly crunchy.
What is the difference between a sauté pan and frying pan?
Sauté pans and frying pans are very similar. However there are some important differences. Sauté pans have high vertical sides. Frying pans are pretty shallow with lower tapered sides.
Another difference between sauté pans and frying pans is the lid. Frying pans do not come with lids. Sauté pans may or may not come with a lid. Lids are designed to lock in heat and help retain moisture which is important when sautéing.
How do I choose a sauté pan?
When choosing a sauté pan, you need to consider six features: heating source, material it is made of, size of the pan, height of the pan sides, handle type and do you want and need a lid. Lets take a look at each feature in more detail.
1. Heating Source
The type of stove top you have should be considered when buying a sauté pan. Flat bottoms works best on glass stop and electric tops especially if you like to shake your food over the stove top. Flat bottoms will also sit more evenly on your heating source.
2. Material
Sauté pans come in many different types of metal. Choose one that works well on your stovetop, conducts heat quickly, and cooks evenly.
3. Sauté Pan Size
A sauté pan has many uses and the size of your pan will determine how you can use it. If the pan you choose it too big, you may not be able to flip your food because it is too heavy. ON the other hand, if your pan is too small, your food may be crowded and not cook properly. The most common size of a sauté pan is three to five quarts.
4. Side of Pan Height
Sauté pans with high sides to help keep food and oils from spilling out. If you plan on using your sauté pan for boiling, frying or slow cooking you will want the sides to be tall.
5. Comfortable Handle
A great handle is an important feature. The handle is what helps you flip or sauté your food. Make sure your handle is comfortable, and stays cool while cooking. Otherwise, you may have to use a towel to keep your hand from burning when you flip your food.
6. Lid Or No Lid
Some sauté pans come with a lid. Most lids can only be used on a stove top and not in the oven. Lids are great for keeping in heat while cooking and keeping food warm. However, most see through glass lids will fog up during cooking. As a result you may not be able to keep an eye on your food while its cooking.
What is a sauté pan used for?
A sauté pan is known for frying food. However, it is actually capable of so much more. A sauté pan can fry, steam, poach, sear and even slow cook. Depending on the model you select, it may be used on multi heating sources. In addition, most are able to go from the stove top straight into the oven.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a sauté pan can be used for more than frying food. It is a multifunctional kitchen gadget that all home chefs need. Each sauté pan reviewed has its own set of pros and cons, let us know in the comments which pan you had shipped to your home.