What Kind Of Pans Do Chefs Use?

What kind of pans do chefs use? Professional chefs rely on a variety of pans to handle different cooking tasks, from sautéing and searing to simmering sauces and baking. Common choices include skillets, saucepans, sauté pans, stock pots, roasting pans, and specialty pans designed for specific techniques. Selecting the right pan depends on the recipe and desired results, making it helpful to have several types available in your kitchen.

Sort by:
  • Demeyere Industry5 Stainless Steel Skillets
    $149.96
    (99)

    Best pan we have ever owned!...Great versatile pan. Cleans easy, and cooks to my satisfaction.

    Pros: easy to clean, durable, 5-ply construction

  • Hestan ProBond Stainless Steel TITUM™ Nonstick Skillets
    $269.95
    (577)

    Love me hesitant pans. Super solid performing and work great on induction....The weight and balance from handle also some of the best I've owned....Best I've...Best I've ever owned and I have owned plenty! Worth every cent. Love love love it!!!

    Pros: quality, durability, easy to clean

  • Zwilling Clad CFX Ceramic Nonstick Skillet
    $49.96
    (171)

    Achieve perfectly browned and braised results every time, plus everything else you want and need in a nonstick skillet. Encapsulated by shiny stainless steel, the sturdy, 3mm clad construction features an aluminum core that heats up evenly and quickly....

    Pros: nonstick, even heating, durable

  • Staub Skillet, 10"
    $219.95
    (153)

    Great pan!...Love how well this holds up. Customer service is the best...Great frying pan...The best frying pan. Easy to clean. Holds desired heat wonderfully. Great color as well!!

    Pros: versatility, easy to clean, durability

  • All-Clad Copper Core Saucepans
    $229.96
    (147)

    Great pan...Love it! The best pan I ever had....Love this pan! Great weight, easy to clean, very fast cooking with copper core.

    Pros: durable, easy to clean, aesthetic

  • All-Clad D5 Brushed Stainless Steel Saucepans
    $219.95
    (141)

    Love it!...Best cookware, hands down. USA made is a big plus!...Best pan...The best pan !!!

    Pros: durable, quality, size

  • Lodge Chef Collection Cast Iron Skillet
    $49.95
    (114)

    LOVE this! LOVE everything Lodge! Great cookware!...Lodge is the best! It will last generations.

    Pros: easy to clean, versatility, durable

  • All-Clad Copper Core Skillets
    $229.95
    (108)

    The best All-clad frying pan ever!...I love, love, love it!! From cook top to oven, a breeze to clean....I LOVE this pan!...I've since bought another pan (All in One Pan and love that one too.

    Pros: durable, quality, high quality

  • Zwilling Spirit Stainless Steel Saucepans
    $104.95
    (104)

    Best Pots on the market....Great to cook with. You'll never buy another brand...Great Quality...The see-through lid is a great feature.

    Pros: even heating, perfect size, easy to clean

  • Staub Traditional Skillet, 11"
    $279.95
    (90)

    The best everyday pan...I use this everyday and absolutely love cooking with it....s is heavy but the best skillet I?ve ever had! I chose blue and the color is rich and beautiful....I love all of my staub.

    Pros: easy to clean, versatility, durable

  • Demeyere Atlantis7 Proline Stainless Steel Skillet
    $379.95
    (87)

    Great Product!!!!...This is the best fry pan i have ever used it heats quickly and perfectly even on the entire pan....THE ABSOLUTE BEST COOKWARE...YOU WILL LOVE THEM. THEY ARE NOT CHEAP, BUT WELL WORTH THE PRICE.

    Pros: easy cleaning, even heating, no rivets

  • All-Clad D5 Brushed Stainless Steel Skillets w/ Lid
    $269.95
    (65)

    Best skillet I?ve ever owned, bar none....Wirecutter (NYT) is my go to review site, and they have chosen it as Best Skillet for several years now...I love the lid also, as well as the even cooking and easy cleaning....Love it!!...Great even cooking and...

    Pros: versatility, easy to clean, durability

  • Hestan ProBond Skillets
    $149.95
    (64)

    Great Pan...Best pan I have ever had!...The Best

    Pros: easy to clean, quality, durable

  • Zwilling Spirit Stainless Steel Skillets
    $74.95
    (50)

    Love this pan! Works well and looks great on my range top!...Great all around pan!

    Pros: even heating, durable, sturdy

  • All-Clad D5 Brushed Stainless Steel Skillets
    $159.95
    (48)

    Perfect for everything from frying eggs and bacon to searing a salmon fillet, these versatile skillets are a welcome addition to any kitchen. A revolution in cookware technology, D5 cookware is the most advanced collection to bear the legendary All-Clad...

    Pros: easy to clean, durable, quality

  • Demeyere Industry5 Stainless Steel Saucepan With Lid
    $249.95
    (44)

    Just love the pan - cooks great and love the weight - just perfect!...Love it!...The best medium-sized pan, 18/10 stainless, nice to look at, cleans easily and stays, all the time, on

    Pros: easy to clean, heats evenly, durable

  • Sur La Table Classic 5-Ply Stainless Steel Saucepan
    $129.95
    (41)

    Looks and works great. Perfect size for so many different things. I also love that it's rounded....This is the best stainless steel pot I've ever purchased....Great pot

    Pros: perfect size, easy to clean, quality

  • Demeyere Alu Pro5 Aluminum Nonstick Frying Pan
    $169.95
    (36)

    Hands down the BEST!...I love to cook and am always on the hunt for great pans. These are amazing and my search is over!...Best non stick fry pan I ever used. doing eggs using no fat and I love the comfortable stay-cool handle

    Pros: non-stick, durability, quality

  • All-Clad HA1 Expert Nonstick 3-Piece Skillet Set, 8", 10" & 12"
    $169.96
    (33)

    All-Clad’s versatile skillet set is perfect for everything from sautéing and searing to browning and reheating. Flat bases and flared sides make tossing foods effortless and allow for easy turning with a spatula.

    A kitchen essential—All-Clad’s HA1 Expert...

    Pros: excellent quality, quality, love

  • Hestan CopperBond Skillets
    $349.95
    (32)

    Great temperature control, just got...Great temperature control, just got it, not sure how long it'll last , great pan, love it...I love the deep dish, wide angle shape. The way it holds heat. Thank you Hestan!

    Pros: durable, performance, quality

  • Hestan CopperBond Saucepans
    $349.95
    (31)

    Love it? it is the most beautiful pan I
    Own?. Heavy and great for a gas stove!...I love this pan --...I love this pan -- perfect for induction cooking and it's a good size for most applications.

    Pros: appearance, versatility, perfect size

  • Demeyere Essential5 Stainless Steel Frying Pan
    $149.95
    (25)

    ONLY AT SLT A versatile kitchen tool for making anything from buttermilk fried chicken to pan-roasted veggies, this skillet from Demeyere deglazes, sautés, broils and so much more. Made in Belgium from 5-ply stainless steel, it conducts and maintains...

    Pros: quality, easy to clean, even heating

  • Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel Skillet
    $47.96
    (22)

    Works great for scrambled eggs! We have used this pan everyday for the last month and we love it....Best Value that will last...It cleans like a breeze, cooks evenly.I love it. The pan i use every day??

    Pros: durable, functionality, non-stick

  • Cristel Castel’Pro 5-Ply Saucepans
    $188.96
    (18)

    The round corners, heavy flat bottoms are the best....Love these pots.

    Pros: easy to clean, cool handle, easy to work with

What Kind Of Pans Do Chefs Use?

Professional chefs rely on a carefully chosen selection of pans to handle the wide variety of tasks that come with restaurant-quality cooking. These pans are valued for their durability, versatility, and ability to deliver consistent results, whether you’re searing a steak to perfection, simmering a delicate sauce, or caramelizing vegetables for a vibrant summer meal. Chefs often reach for pans made from materials like stainless steel, cast iron, carbon steel, and nonstick coatings, each offering unique advantages in the kitchen. Stainless steel pans are prized for their responsiveness and even heat distribution, making them ideal for sautéing, browning, and deglazing—essential techniques for building flavor. Cast iron pans, with their excellent heat retention and natural nonstick surface that improves with use, are go-to choices for everything from oven-roasted chicken to skillet cornbread. Carbon steel, a favorite in many professional kitchens, combines the best qualities of cast iron and stainless steel, excelling at high-heat searing and developing a seasoned patina over time. Nonstick pans, meanwhile, are indispensable for preparing delicate foods like eggs or pancakes, especially when quick cleanup is a priority.

The right pan is more than just a tool—it becomes an extension of the cook’s hand, adapting to both everyday meals and special occasions. For home cooks inspired by restaurant techniques, investing in chef-favored pans means bringing professional results to your own kitchen. A well-chosen pan can make all the difference when preparing summer favorites, such as perfectly seared fish fillets, sautéed garden vegetables, or homemade fruit compotes. These pans are also thoughtful gifts for anyone who loves to cook, from recent graduates setting up their first kitchen to seasoned hosts who appreciate quality cookware for entertaining. The versatility of these pans means they’re equally suited for weeknight dinners, leisurely weekend brunches, or festive gatherings with family and friends. Whether you’re cooking for one or preparing a feast, the pans chefs use are designed to meet the demands of busy kitchens and elevate every meal.

When selecting pans for your own collection or as a gift, it’s helpful to consider the recipient’s cooking style, preferred recipes, and kitchen setup. Some pans transition seamlessly from stovetop to oven, making them ideal for dishes that require both searing and baking. Others are lightweight and easy to maneuver, perfect for quick stir-fries or flipping crepes on a summer morning. The durability of chef-grade pans ensures they’ll stand up to years of use, developing character and performance with each meal. For anyone looking to recreate the flavors and techniques of professional kitchens at home, these pans offer the foundation for endless creativity and delicious results. As the season brings fresh ingredients and outdoor gatherings, having the right pan at hand makes it easy to enjoy the pleasures of cooking and sharing good food with loved ones.

Top Picks For What Kind Of Pans Do Chefs Use?


Best Sellers

Related Pages

Top Collections