The Difference Between Frying Pan And Saucepan (And When Should You Use Each One)

The major difference between a frying pan and a saucepan is that the former is shallow and has slant sides, while the latter is deeper and has straight sides. Also, while the frying pan is designed to fry breakfast foods such as eggs, bacon, and pancakes, a saucepan is used for cooking liquid foods such as soups and sauces.

A frying pan and saucepan are popular cooking pans in every kitchen. But despite being common kitchenware, most users are unaware of their differences and specialized functions.

In general, frying pans heat up quickly and can reach high temperatures easily, making them ideal for searing meats or frying various foods. On the other hand, saucepans, which are made from a thick metal, heat more slowly and retain heat longer than frying pans, making them more appropriate for cooking soups, stews, and other low moisture foods.

But there is more to their difference than just that. So, let’s dive deeper into some of the key differences between these two types of cookware. This will help you make smarter decisions about how to cook your food.

Features of a Frying Pan

A frying pan has a flat bottom with a handle attached to it. The sides of the pan are usually straight, but they can also be curved. It also comes with a lid, which helps keep the contents warm while cooking. This pan is best used when you want to fry, sear, sauté, or brown meat. Because this pan heats up fast, it is unsuitable for simmering or boiling water.

Although it can come in various shapes and sizes, most frying pans have round corners and a diameter of 20 to 30 cm. Like many other types of cookware, a frying pan can be made of stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron, or a mix of these materials with a nonstick finish.

Features of a Saucepan

a saucepan has a rounded base and a round top. The side walls are angled inward towards the center of the pan, giving it a wide opening at the top. This allows sauces and liquids to flow out easily. Unlike a frying pan, a saucepan does not have a cover. It is best suited for slow-cooking, poaching, steaming, or boiling.

Although available in a range of sizes, a saucepan is typically smaller than other cooking pots and can only hold a small amount of sauce and 1 to 4 quarts of liquid. And like many other types of cookware, saucepans are available in various materials, including stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron, and copper.

What Are the Key Differences Between a Frying Pan and a Saucepan?

Although there are some similarities between these two cookware sets, they are very different and serve different culinary purposes. Knowing their differences can help you choose the right cooking pan for your needs.

Here are the major differences between a frying pan and a saucepan:

Surface

A frying pan has a wider surface area than a saucepan, making it better for stir-frying and heating up quickly. However, a saucepan is smaller and deeper, making it better for cooking soups, spaghetti, and sauces.

Sides

A frying pan is ideal for cooking and frying due to its shallow design and slanted sides, which prevent moisture from building up. On the other hand, a saucepan is perfect for stirring liquids as it has tall walls preventing liquid from spilling over.

Lid

A saucepan is designed to heat and hold liquids. It usually comes with a stainless steel or glass cover to keep moisture and ensure even cooking. However, most frying pans do not come with a lid, allowing water and oil to drain more quickly during cooking.

Heat Distribution

A frying pan heats up quickly and loses heat rapidly. Therefore, when using a frying pan, you must monitor the temperature closely during the cooking process. If the temperature gets too much, you risk burning the food. However, a saucepan retains and distributes heat more uniformly and cooks food more evenly than a frying pan.

Cooking Purpose

A frying pan is perfect for frying meats and other breakfast meals like eggs, bacon, and pancakes. It may also be used to toast bread and sauté veggies. Because of their larger surface area, frying pans cook more crispy and flavorful dishes than saucepans.

On the other hand, A saucepan is a handy kitchen tool for making sauces and small amounts of soup. They can also be used to boil water and cook smaller quantities of food like potatoes, noodles, and pasta.

Frying Pan or Sauce Pan, Which Should You Buy?

Your choice of cooking pan largely depends on your cooking needs and habit. And as I have mentioned earlier, both the frying pan and saucepan have their respective usages and advantages.

A frying pan is ideal for frying eggs and searing meat. Its shallow depth makes it easy to toss food around when frying. However, cooking sauce or boiling pasta in a frying pan may be problematic as food can easily splash over its walls, making a mess of your stove and countertop.

Also, there’s a higher risk of burning your food when cooking in a frying pan. Hence, you have to monitor your food and stir regularly.

On the other hand, A saucepan is a versatile piece of cookware that can be used to boil, sear, and cook a variety of foods. It can also easily substitute for a stock pot. And because of its long handle, a saucepan may also be used in place of a Dutch oven. However, since it is too narrow, a saucepan may not be the best for toasting bread and cooking eggs.

So, based on their differences, it is not advisable to use a frying pan instead of a saucepan, but rather have both pans in your kitchen to make your cooking experience easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Best Frying Pan Material?

Cast iron is the way to go if you’re looking for a heavy-duty pan for high-heat cooking. But a stainless steel frying pan is a better choice if you want something lighter and more durable. Also, when choosing a frying pan, keep an eye out for non-stick properties to help you cook with less oil.

Can I Use A Sauté Pan Instead Of A Saucepan?

A sauté pan combines the best features of a saucepan and a frying pan, making it a versatile tool for boiling, frying, and making sauces.