I thought that a saute pan is an expensive and useless appliance because I can handle everything cooked in a saute pan in a frying pan.
This isn’t true.
The saute pan is combined from a saucepan and a frying pan, so it’s versatile enough to cook a variety of dishes. Specifically, a saute pan allows you to sear meat and make saucy dishes. Even after removing the handle, you can serve it straight to the table.
In this article, I recommend stainless steel saute pans.
Why should you choose stainless steel instead of other materials?
The stainless steel is more durable with less maintenance, especially since it’s more environmentally friendly. Plus, this material can withstand high temperatures without deteriorating. If you want to buy one, refer to the list of the best stainless steel saute pan below:
Here are the best stainless steel saute pans you can buy in 2025:
- Smallest Capacity (With Nonstick Coating): Blue Diamond
- Largest Capacity (With Nonstick Coating): LOLYKITCH
- Evenly Heating (With Nonstick Coating): Duxtop
- Fast Heating (Without Nonstick Coating): Cooks Standard
- Easy To Clean (Without Nonstick Coating): T-Fal
- Durable (Without Nonstick Coating): Breville
| 6 Best Stainless Steel Saute Pans | ||
|---|---|---|
Smallest Capacity | Blue Diamond
| |
Largest Capacity | LOLYKITCH
| |
Evenly Heating | Duxtop
| |
Fast Heating | Cooks Standard
| |
Easy To Clean | T-Fal
| |
Durable | Breville
| |
Smallest Capacity: Blue Diamond
- Easy to clean
- Versatile
- Great heat distribution
- Dishwasher-safe
- Expensive
Why should you buy a small-capacity pan while your budget allows you to invest in a larger one that works well for any need?
If you just cook for 1-2 people, the former is the best solution. This choice helps you save not only money but also your space. A small and more compacted model takes less space for storage in your kitchen. In particular, it’s easier for you to handle and control a smaller pan. As you know, a standard stainless steel saute pan is pretty heavy, so it’s better to choose a smaller-sized unit to control and handle more straightforwardly.
Although the smallest capacity of a saute pan is 3 qt, this Blue Diamond saute pan (3.75 qt) is the smallest in this list. It is small, but roomy enough to cook food for 1-2 people.
| Blue Diamond Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 4.72 x 11.42 x 19.29 inches |
Capacity | 3.75 qt |
Temperature Tolerance Range | Body: 600°F Lid: 425°F |
Highlight Features | Multi stainless steel layers Ceramic nonstick coating Free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium V-shaped cutouts Dishwasher-safe |
Although the Blue Diamond saute pan With Nonstick Coating has a small size compared to others, it brings many benefits that a large model can’t reach.
Largest Capacity: LOLYKITCH
- Fairly lightweight
- Solid, well-made, and sturdy
- Beautiful pan and elegant handle
- The water isn’t trapped inside the lid rims
- Quick and even to heat up
- Not good for induction
- Weak nonstick coating
The LOLYKITCH saute pan reaches the largest capacity (6 qt) in this list that allows you to cook a huge amount of content for a large family.
It has not only a wide cooking surface for solid foods but also a high side for liquid. So, no matter which kind of dish you want to cook, this pan can contain all ingredients of your recipe.
| LOLYKITCH Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 23.25 x 13.32 x 5.25 inches |
Capacity | 6 qt |
Temperature Tolerance Range | 500°F |
Highlight Features | Tri-Ply Construction Honeycomb Pattern Whiteford PFOA-and PTFE-free interior coating Cool-touch handle grip |
The LOLYKITCH saute panWith Nonstick Coating is large enough to quickly cook a whole meal for your family.
Evenly Heating: Duxtop
- Solid bottom
- Greatly long handle
- Easy to clean
- Quick to heat
- Too heavy
The Duxtop saute pan with nonstick coating can heat even thanks to the combination of heavy gauge aluminum and 18/10 magnetic stainless steel.
Thin-gauge materials spread and hold heat unevenly, especially it’s easy to dent and warp. Apart from a flat bottom, this pan is made from heavy-gauge material, so it can deliver even heat without scorching your food.
Meanwhile, 18/10 magnetic stainless steel also contributes to distributing even heat across the pan.
| Duxtop Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 11 inches |
Capacity | 5.5 qt |
Temperature Tolerance Range | 500°F |
Highlight Features | Fusion non-stick coating Heavy-gauge impacted-bonded aluminum encapsulated bottom Straight-sided and drip-free pouring design Clear tempered glass lid |
Though most saute pans heat evenly, this Duxtop saute pan With Nonstick Coating works best in terms of even heat.
Fast Heating: Cooks Standard
- Versatile
- Heavy, sturdy, well-made, and durable
- Bargain price
- Easy to clean
- Simple and easy to follow instruction
- Difficult to pick up with one hand
The Cooks Standard pan features an impact bonding aluminum disc. This means that its bottom has a heavy-gauge layer of aluminum. The latter helps you transfer heat more effectively and faster to save more energy.
| Cooks Standard Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 11 inches |
Capacity | 5 qt |
Temperature Tolerance Range | Oven safe: 500°F Glass lid: 350°F |
Highlight Features | An aluminum disc bottom between steel layers Flat base and flared sides Riveted handles |
The Cooks Standard saute pan Without Nonstick Coating helps you save more energy by heating faster.
Easy To Clean: T-Fal
- Good heavy weight
- Safe to cook
- Even and quick to cook
- Fast to clean
- Not work well at high temperature
It’s safe to use a pan without nonstick coating when cooking at high heat because it doesn’t leach chemicals into your food. However, one of the biggest disadvantages of this pan is that it’s hard to clean the remaining burnt foods.
The T-fal saute pan without nonstick coating can solve this problem thanks to its Techno release raised pattern on the cooking surface. This textured interior creates gaps so that heat can move under your food. This feature not only promotes the even cooking but also decreases the risk of burning and sticking. There is no food sticking to the cooking surface, so it’s easier and simpler for you to clean this pan.
| T-Fal Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 12 inches |
Highlight Features | Techno Release 18/10 stainless steel construction Ergonomic riveted stainless steel handle Stainless steel induction compatible base |
The T-fal saute pan Without Nonstick Coating takes less time and effort on your part to clean it thoroughly.
Durable: Breville
- Comfortable-to-hold handle
- Even to cook
- Easy to clean
- Beautiful
- Reasonable price
- Not entirely-cool handle
While even a high-end and expensive pan with nonstick coating only lasts 5 years at maximum, you completely expect a longer lifetime of a pan without nonstick coating. In particular, this Breville pan is more durable than other pans without nonstick coating in this list.
It has many protective layers to minimize the risk of damage as much as possible. Although each of them are added with different purposes, they contribute to making your pan more durable.
| Breville Specifications | |
|---|---|
Size | 20.75 x 12.13 x 5.88 inches |
Capacity | 3.79 Liters |
Temperature Tolerance Range | 500 degrees F |
Highlight Features | Tri-ply aluminum and stainless steel clad construction An impact-bonded, stainless steel induction cookware base Dishwasher-safe Rolled-edge rim Grip-free pouring Deep-seated stainless steel saucier pan lid Dual-riveted handle |
The Breville saute pan Without Nonstick Coating is a worthy and long-term investment because it is constructed from many layers to last for a long period.
How To Choose The Best Stainless Steel Saute Pan?
Should You Choose A Saute Pan With Or Without Detachable Handles?
If possible, you had better buy a pan with a detachable handle because this part helps you manage your space easier, clean it in the dishwasher, and store in the closet more straightforwardly.
Why?
After removing it, the handle doesn’t protrude.
If you cook in an oven, you can remove the handle before putting it in the oven so that this part doesn’t get burnt.
Moreover, a detachable handle provides you with multiple uses. After removing the handle, you can use your saute pan as a baking dish and an elegant serving dish on the table.
Which Type Of Heat Source Is Compatible With It?
Though many models are compatible with all types of heat sources including induction cooktop, some of them can’t work on the induction cooktop since it lacks a magnetic bottom.
Why Should You Choose Stainless Steel Instead Of Other Materials?
The saute pans are made from different materials such as stainless steel, cast iron, and aluminum. Some less common choices include ceramic, copper, and carbon steel.
Among a variety of materials, you should choose stainless steel because it is more durable, long-lasting with very little maintenance. This material is non-reactive, so it doesn’t affect the flavor of even acidic foods, especially, stainless steel isn’t stained by colored foods.
Of course, nothing is perfect, stainless steel saute pans are heavy and easy to stick.
Cast iron is another common material of saute pans since it is long-lasting, affordable, and free of chemicals. However, it requires high maintenance , washing by hand, for example.
What Is The Ideal Capacity And Size?
The size of a saute pan varies, but you should choose one based on the number of members in your family and your kitchen size.
For yourself, a couple, or a small family, a 3-qt saute pan is large enough. For a larger family with many members, you should consider a 6.5 qt pan. When choosing this model, you should know that it takes a lot of space for storage in your kitchen.
If you don’t need to cook much liquid, but you need space for solid foods such as tofu cutlets, salmon filets, chicken breasts, and steaks, you can choose a model with a wide cooking surface and low-height side.
Which Brands Make The Best Stainless Steel Saute Pan?
LOLYKITCH
This brand aims to produce effective, durable, and user-friendly cookware, so most of their products are characterized by safety features, non-toxicity, durability, and thermal conductivity.
Depending on different cooking needs, you can choose ceramic coating, traditional oil-based coating, or honeycomb coating.
FAQs
Are stainless steel saute pans good?
Yes.
Do professional chefs use stainless steel saute pans?
Yes.
What is the difference between a skillet and a sauté pan?
The skillet and saute pan are different in 5 aspects as follows:
Surface Area
The saute pan has straight sides, so a 12-inch saute pan has a 12-inch cooking surface without losing an inch.
The skillet loses at least one inch on every side, so its effective cooking area is about 10 inches (compared to a 12-inch skillet).
With equal diameter, the skillet has 30% less cooking area than the saute pan.
Volume
The straight sides of the saute pan can contain a higher volume of liquid with less risk of splashing, especially it minimizes evaporation, creating extra volume.
Weight
The saute pan has a wide base, so it is heavier than a skillet, requiring a helper handle that is designed opposite the main handle to lift and move better. It isn’t a problem if you just put your pan on the stovetop or oven. However, if you want to shake to stir the content, the lighter weight of the skillet is better.
Tossing Ability
Unluckily, the skillet is good at sauteing food compared to the saute pan.
Why?
Proper sauteing method requires you cook small-to-medium-sized pieces of food in hot fat quickly and you have to agitate the content continuously.
Meanwhile, the sloping sides of the skillet allows you to shake the pan easier. With the straight-sided saute pan, you must use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir and turn continuously.
Evaporation
The sloped sides of the skillet lets moisture evaporate quicker, so it sears more effectively.
Should a sauté pan be non-stick?
This depends on your needs.
A nonstick coating is good for low heat while a saute pan without non-stick coating is designed for high temperature. If you use a non-stick saute pan at high heat, the non-stick coating will develop a glaze stuck to the pan. After being deglazed, it will leach into your sauce.
Can you fry in a sauté pan?
Yes. The saute pan is a versatile appliance that can handle different types of frying methods such as stirring-frying, deep-frying, and shallow-frying.
Conclusion
Why should you choose the best stainless steel saute pan?
This appliance is so versatile that you can use it for different cooking tasks in your kitchen. Furthermore, the stainless steel material is very durable and can withstand high heat. If you make this purchase, it will be a long-term investment in your kitchen.
