Recommendations Needed For A Good Frying/Sautee Pan

[Panhead John]

Last week I started looking for a high walled non-stick frying pan, mainly to help cut down on grease splatters when frying bacon and eggs. That led me to realize I also wanted a new Sautee pan with a lid, so now I can kill 2 birds with one stone. I started looking online and as usual, the reviews were all over the map…….BEST SAUTEE PAN EVER! to THIS THING SUCKED! ….both talking about the same pan. 🙄

I decided to look around at Walmart and chose this one, a Thyme and Table 5 qt. Sautee pan with lid. It felt sturdy, was non-stick and it looked pretty nice. Well, last night when frying my scallops with it, I noticed it was bowed up a little in the middle, all my butter and oil gathered around the edges of the pan….🤬 This was my first and only time using it, will be returning it today. I don’t know if it was made that way or not, but that’s my biggest pet peeve with pans, warping and not staying flat throughout the life of the pan! I decided that I’d ask you guys and gals, people I know and trust.

Here’s my requirements:
1. 5 qt. or so, 11”-12” wide. Big enough for bacon to lay flat all the way across.
2. Non-stick [nothing cast iron] Prefer teflon pan, but I’m open to carbon steel.
3. High walled and with a lid.
4. Prefer straight up and down walls, not curved similar to a wok.
5. IT MUST NOT WARP AND REMAIN FLAT THROUGHOUT ITS LIFE!

Am I being picky or what? 😂

This is what I bought. Showing pics to give an idea what I’m looking for.


It was only $40. but I’m willing to spend more for good quality.

Thanks guys!

[Oak Smoke]

I can make you a heck of a deal on a Wagner deep chicken fryer with a lid. It’s cast iron but well seasoned.

[texastweeter]

You peaked my interest here. I love Wagner, Griswold and BSR.

[Panhead John]

Maybe…..make a deal at the MeatUp?

[Oak Smoke]

I can bring a selection to choose from to the meetup! Lol

[Mosca]

Try this one. I got a couple Calphalon hard anodized aluminum sauce pots at an estate sale, and I’m really impressed with them.

Calphalon Classic Hard-Anodized Nonstick Cookware, 5-Quart Saute Pan with Lid https://a.co/d/80rfrdQ

[Mosca]

I don’t have that exact one, no. But it does say 5qt. Copy and paste the model # gives me 12.2”.

I picked up a 1qt and a 2qt at an estate sale, and I took my other ones of those sizes (Revereware) and put them in storage, I like these so much. The GOOD thing about Amazon is that returning something you don’t like is easy.

[Troutman]

We bought a set of Calphalon years ago and have that sauce pan. It's a decent pan but through use the non-stick coating has basically seen its lifespan and is no longer any good. Again good pan, just don't think the non-stick is very good.

[texastweeter]

Same experience as Troutman now I only have 3 nonstick skillets, all are Made IN.

[GolfGeezer]

I went with this one which is very well built and definitely warp proof. But it is expensive.

https://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/scanpan-techniq-nonstick-giant-braiser/?pkey=s~nonstick%20saute%20pan~3&sbkey=default

[Panhead John]

Thanks GG! How long have you had it, and I saw it was 6.5 lbs. Are you ok with the weight of it?

[RichieB]

+1 on Greenpan

[GolfGeezer]

A couple of years now. It is heavy, but that really doesn’t bother me. Heck, my La Crousette (spelling, eck!) Dutch oven is heavier.

[MBMorgan]

ATK says THIS one from Made In their current favorite. It's available in both bare stainless and nonstick ... and it looks like Made In is gearing up for some President's Day pricing.

Edited to add: I personally use an AllClad D3. Since I'm often looking for fond when sautéing, it's not nonstick.

[Panhead John]

Mike, this one would be one of my choices but it’s only 3.5 qt. and 9.5” cooking diameter. Was looking for their bigger size but didn’t see one….😢

[MBMorgan]

Bummer ... (didn't notice the size). AllClad has this 6-qt pan ... but it's more expensive and is not non-stick: https://www.all-clad.com/d3-stainles...d-6-quart.html

[MBMorgan]

Another thought: https://www.webstaurantstore.com/search/saute-pan.html

They've got a large selection that targets the restaurant community ... including some pretty good-size pans that wouldn't break the bank.

[Dan Deter]

We just ordered this one from all-clad, arrives today. We also ordered a D3 set from the packaging damaged list, and and some frying pans for our son. My wife finally did her own research and discovered what I'd been saying was true, so when the most recent packaging damage/seconds sale came along I was able to pull the trigger...

[Dan Deter]

All-clad lists it as out of stock, but I found it on Amazon no problem.

[jfmorris]

Hey - how about this. Do yourself a favor and get you a Lodge 7 quart dutch oven. It's got the same size as a Lodge 12" skillet, but WAY WAY deeper.

https://www.lodgecastiron.com/product/dutch-oven?sku=L10DOL3

Alternatively, they have a 5 quart "deep skillet" - also 12":

https://www.lodgecastiron.com/product/cast-iron-covered-deep-skillet?sku=L10CF3

I find myself using my dutch oven to fry things sometimes, just to keep the spatter off the stove top. But unfortunately, the 5.5 quart one I have is only 10" instead of 12", so its a little tight for something like bacon.

[Panhead John]

Thanks Jim, but I’ve got a Lodge Enameled 6 qt. Dutch oven already. I don’t want cast iron because of the weight. Looking for just a Sautee/fry pan.

[Old Glory]

I have recently become a huge fan of stainless cookware.

I have this pan and love it: Made In 5 Qt Saute they are having a sale right now.

https://madeincookware.com/products/saucier/5-quart

I also have an All Clad 6 QT

Misen makes a nice 6 QT Rondeau - like a saute pan but no handle and deeper walls.

https://misen.com/products/6-quart-rondeau

[Greygoose]

I have the MadeIn 3 qt. Saucier and love it,,,,
So much I gave one to my daughter and SIL,,,
They use it constantly,,👍👍👍

[Panhead John]

OG, I liked your Made In suggestion, but I saw it’s curved and only has a 8.75” cooking diameter, darn it!

[Davek8282]

The trouble with most non stick pans is they are very light for weight, which of course means the bottom is not very thick and prone to warping. I have found within reason that the heavier the pan for size the better it will resist warping. All Clad makes some fine products, you might also want to look at induction non stick pans. The induction ready quite often means that they have a steel insert in the bottom between layers of aluminium which also helps stability. Good Luck in your search, remember that you get what you pay for in most cases so Walmart would not be my first choice of retailer.

[Panhead John]

Walmart, yeah, I’m finding that out. 😂 Thanks for the info! 👍

[LA Pork Butt]

John, this is a Consumer Reports recommendation OXO Professional Hard Anodized PFAS-Free Nonstick, 12" Frying Pan Skillet, Induction, Diamond reinforced Coating, Dishwasher Safe, Oven Safe, Black available on Amazon.

[Mosca]

And I’ll just toss in that estate sales can often get you stuff for next to nothing, like $400 sauce pots for $15. You gotta spend some time looking, but one thing us retired folks have is time.

[Huskee]

I generally opt for the good ol' affordable T-Fal. Yeah, some gripe about them and their longevity, and some don't want teflon, but to me they're affordable enough that when they go bad I just get another. Meathead views the Rapala knives the same way.

[Panhead John]

prepperjack Hey man,welcome back! We’ve missed you for a while. What the heck did your MIL actually do to ruin those pans? Just curious.

[prepperjack]

Panhead John Yeah, after my dad passed I stopped BBQ'ing for a while, then I got busy finishing up my MS in Data Science and then I got another in IT Management. With two bachelor's (Nuclear Engineering and Business) and the two Master's I'm done.

Regarding my MIL, she scratched the coating something fierce with a metal spatula, between that and her insistence that everything be cooked on high, the pan never had a chance. And she used soap to wash the cast iron and scrubbed for effect.

[Panhead John]

OUCH! 😳

[Troutman]

I'd consider the Made In products but the Teflon coating seems like the same old stuff. Good for a few years then you have an expensive pan with a failed coating.

Chef John Pierre on his channel recommends Woll all the time. It's a German made pan with a diamond coated Teflon like finish. We bought two of their fry pans and love them. You can use metal utensils on them as well. He claims his have held up for years. Ours are about 2 years old now and show little or no sign of wear. Here is their sauce pan.

https://www.amazon.com/Woll-Diamond-Lite-Pro-Induction/dp/B071ZTCN4Q/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=woll+cookware&qid=1708103170&s=home-garden&sr=1-11

I've also heard good (as well as a few bad) comments about Hexclad but have no experience with them.

https://www.amazon.com/Cooksy-Surface-Hybrid-Stainless-Frying/dp/B0BMSZL5KH/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=woll+cookware&qid=1708103170&s=home-garden&sr=1-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

[Old Glory]

How nonstick are the Woll? Same as Teflon?

[Troutman]

Old Glory Woll coating is some sort of diamond infused teflon so yes it’s very much non-stick

[fzxdoc]

I love my Woll Diamond Lite Pro 12.5 inch fry pan, bought at your recommendation a couple of years ago, Troutman. However, I wish the oil didn't pool around the perimeter in low-oil frying. I prefer using my cheap flat bottom skillet for that. Plus I wish the side wall was a bit higher. That said, it's a go-to skillet for me. Old Glory

Kathryn

[Old Glory]

Agree with comments on non-stick. They are light duty pans that need to be replaced every few years. I generally only use them for eggs. Serious Eats article below.

Why Cheap Nonstick Skillets Are Best
Straight to the Point
Don't spend a lot of money on nonstick cookware: no nonstick pan will last more than a few years. We recommend something like this 10-inch model from T-fal or Tramontina. They're inexpensive. They work. And you won't feel too bad when it's time for them to go.

https://www.seriouseats.com/why-cheap-nonstick-skillets-are-best

[Old Glory]

Panhead John no they are thicker than T-Fal and have been great for me. Though I only really use them for eggs and grilled cheese for the kids. My go to is stainless steel. For heavy searing CI.

[surfdog]

+1 on that assessment…
I tend to look at nonstick pans as more or less disposable. I got my parents a couple Tramontina pans and so far so good. And when they start to crap out, I’ll toss ‘em and do it again. I figure if they last 5 years, that’s about 6 bucks a year per pan.

On that note, do NOT purchase Tramontina pans from Walmart. The pans they carry are made in China and are definitely not up to the same standards as the ones from Brazil.

[Old Glory]

@surfdod totally agree. They last about 5-6 years then get scratched up and need to be replaced.

[ofelles]

I've had an All-Clad 3 ply 6 quart one for 4 years with no problems.

https://www.all-clad.com/d3-stainless-3-ply-bonded-cookware-deep-saute-pan-with-lid-6-quart.html

[Dan Deter]

That's what I probably would have gotten, and the set we just purchased has the 3qt(?) version of that pan in it. But SWMBO really wanted the big one to be non-stick, so I got the one in my post below.

[Panhead John]

ofelles I went to their website for the 5 qt…….Sold Out. 🙄