Frying pan, Saucepan, Stockpot, Wok, Skillet… What are the differences?

In your kitchen, every piece of cookware has its special role. From your frying pan to your saucepan, stockpot, wok or skillet. Understanding the differences between these utensils helps you pick the right one for your cooking style. 

This Cookut guide explores the benefits of each piece, helping you narrow down the kitchen companion that works best for you and your culinary creations!

Different types of pots and pans

Why do you need different cookware pieces?

Every utensil in your kitchen brings something different to the table. Maybe it’s a skillet you reach for to sear a perfect steak, a frying pan for browning veggies, and a stockpot for simmering a hearty stew. Having a variety of utensils at your fingertips allows you to master an array of dishes and cooking techniques. 

How do I choose the right kitchen pans?

To make cooking a pleasure (and a breeze) having the right tools in your kitchen is a must. When picking pots and pans, there are a few things that can make a big difference to your day-to-day cooking: 

• The material: whether it’s cast iron, stainless steel or aluminium, each option has its benefits. Opt for something that works best for your style of cooking.

• Size and shape: the size and shape matter for the kind of cooking you do. If you love to make soups, a big stockpot is ideal. Whereas a wok is perfect for cooking a quick stir-fry.

• Weight and comfort: cookware that’s light and easy to handle will help you cook effortlessly every day.

• Versatility: why clutter your kitchen with a mountain of pots and pans when a few staples can handle it all? An all-purpose pan or sturdy casserole is a great investment for flexibility.

For searing, grilling and browning: Frying Pan, Skillet or Wok?

The frying pan for grilling and browning

A kitchen workhorse, the frying pan is a master of quick cooking.  Great for searing meats, browning veggies or frying your weekend breakfast with minimal added oil.

Depending on your go-to dishes you can choose :

• A standard pan for everyday use.

• A grill pan with ridges - perfect for marking meat for a BBQ effect.

✨ Tip: Never heat your frying pan empty! Start with a low heat with a little fat or your food and then turn it up.

The skillet for sautéing, searing, and baking 

A jack-of-all-trades, the skillet sears meat to perfection, sautés, and even bakes like a pro. It holds and distributes heat evenly, making it a go-to for golden crusts and delicious desserts. 

✨ Tip: Don’t overcrowd the skillet. This helps keep the heat high and ensures a perfect, crispy crust every time! 

The wok for frying and searing

The hottest kitchen accessory, the wok excels at super-high temperatures. Its rounded base concentrates the heat - great for quick and easy stir-fry meat, veggies, or noodles. You can also fry food in a wok with a splash of oil. 

✨ Tip: For even cooking, embrace the ‘stir-fry motion’! Tilt the wok slightly and keep ingredients moving by stirring back and forth continuously. This helps to distribute heat evenly - cooking your food to perfection with no sticking.

Frying pan, skillet or wok: how do you choose?

So, what’s the difference between a frying pan, a skillet, and a wok? The differences are subtle, and it comes down to how you like to cook: 

• Are you a fan of grilled meats? The frying pan is a must.

• Prefer lighter dishes that are quick and easy to cook? Go for the wok.

• Want to sauté and bake on the same day? The skillet is your friend. 

Each piece of cookware has its perks, but your choice comes down to what fits best for your daily cooking habits! 

The Fabulous Cookut 8-in-1 All-Purpose Pan

Still torn between a frying pan, skillet, or wok? Introducing Cookut's Fabulous 8-in-1 Pan: the kitchen all-rounder that replaces up to 8 different kitchen tools! Searing, grilling, browning, simmering, baking, steaming – whatever you're cooking, the Fabulous pan can handle it.  

Its thick base means you get consistent heat all the way through (so long, hotspots). Plus it works on any type of burner and it’s dishwasher safe. Performance and practicality in one – what more could you need?

➡️ Now there’s no need to decide between a frying pan, skillet, or wok. The Fabulous 8-in-1 Pan does it all.