The Skillet is the most used cookware in the Kitchen. They fry, steam and sear any type of food. Out of the different size you can get, the 12 inch skillet is the best. Its big enough to cook food for a family of 3 and it has enough room to prevent crowding. However, there are many different options on the market. Making sense of them can be a bit difficult. Nevertheless, the Best 12 Inch Skillet should be able to use, versatile and comfortable.

Different Type of Skillets

One of the most confusing things about the cookware is the sheer amount of different pans. You have options from Cast Iron, Stainless Steel, Non Stick, Aluminum and more. This section will try and explain the different type of skillets and how they perform.

Cast Iron

Cast Iron is perhaps one of America’s favorite cookware. It has been in use for centuries and is regarded as the Original Nonstick. However, what most people dont know is that its a horrible conductor of heat. They take forever to heat up and its riddle with heat spots.

What cast iron does have going for it is simply how heavy it is. Because of its heft, it can store much more heat than your standard pan. As a result, it can typically sear food much better than your standard pan.

Another benefit is its nonstick seasoning. With use and care, it will develop a nonstick coating that can easily fry any eggs.

Stainless Steel and Fully Cladded

Stainless Steel like cast iron are poor conductor of heat. They take forever to heat up and have hot spots. To get around this, manufacturer uses a aluminum core to improve its thermal conductivity. The Stainless Steel outer and inner layer is usually very thin. This type of design is known as Fully Cladded. Its where the layers of metal are uniform from base to rim.

The benefit of stainless steel is that it does not rust nor react with acidic food. Its usually more durable than your typical metal.

Aluminum and Nonstick

Nonstick cookware is the most prevalent type of cookware these day. They are easy to use and basically nothing stick. The problem with nonstick coating is that they wear down and eventually need to be replaced. On average, they last 2-3 years.

Most Nonstick cookware uses aluminum as its core. There are some pure aluminum cookware, however it can react with acidic food. Ignoring that, they perform well and the grade of the cookware is dependent on how thick it is. Thinner models are generally cheaper and does not perform as well.

Best 12 Inch Skillet List

Below, you will find a list of some of the Best 12 Inch Skillet on the market. I have listed it based on the different categories. Choose one that best suits you.

All-Clad 6112 SS Copper Core 5-Ply Bonded Dishwasher Safe Fry Pan (Best Stainless Steel 12 inch Skillet)

All Clad is the original inventor of the Fully Cladded Cookware. Unlike the D3 model, this one has a copper core. It heats up faster and react faster. This model also has a helper handle so its easier to lift and maneuver. The 12 inch d3 model does not have that. The bad thing about All Clad is the handle is a bit uncomfortable. It can turn off some people.

Lodge Chef Collection 12 Inch Cast Iron Chef Style Skillet (Best Cast Iron 12 Inch Skillet)

Lodge is one of America oldest manufacturer. This model is the Chef Collection series which is better designed than the traditional model. The sides are lower and the corner are curved. This makes it easier to toss food and food wont get stuck on the corner. Most people dont even know this model exist. But this is the way to go if you want a 12 inch cast iron skillet.

Tramontina Professional Fry Pans (12-inch) (Best 12 Inch Nonstick Pan)

For Nonstick, you cant beat Tramontina Nonstick Pan. It has one of the thickest gauge of aluminum on the market. The nonstick coating is durable and reinforced for durability. It should last longer than your typical pan. The thicker gauge of steel also means that it wont lose its heat when you drop food in.

Thoughts

A 12 Inch Skillet is versatile and great for a mid size family. You can easily fit two chicken breast or steak. The ample room lets you sear without steaming it. The Best 12 inch skillet in this category is the model by All Clad, the copper core gives it superior performance. However, for cast iron, go for the chef collection by Lodge. The low sloping side makes it one of the best cast iron skillet on the market. For nonstick, go with tramontina. The coating is durable and the aluminum is thick. Its one of the Best Performing nonstick on the market.

Looking for a Oval Pan, check out our article on the Best Oval Frying Pan.