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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
A stainless steel skillet is a versatile staple that you'll find in many kitchens, from avid amateurs to professional chefs. These pans are nonreactive, lending themselves well to cooking with acidic ingredients like wine and tomatoes, and super durable thanks to multi-ply construction that resists warping and damage from metal utensils. They're also fairly easy to maintain since—unlike carbon steel or cast iron skillets—they don't require seasoning between uses.
We picked some of the most popular models and put them through rigorous testing. We noted how they performed doing everyday tasks like sautéing and searing, while also considering how they felt in the hand and how easy they were to clean. While many of the models performed equally well, there were certainly some standouts that earned a place on this list.
Best Overall
Made in Cookware 10-Inch Stainless Clad Frying Pan
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Made In
Excellent heating capabilities
Easy to clean
Oven safe up to 800 degrees
Handle placement might not be for everyone
On the pricier side
Made In has made a name for itself as one of the top purveyors of chef-driven cookware, and for great reason—its cookware performs incredibly well in commercial and home settings. (Case in point, this 5-ply clad frying pan is a favorite of chefs Nancy Silverton of Mozza and Grant Achatz of Alinea.) Crafted in Italy, these professional-quality pans feature an aluminum core for even heating and stay-cool handles for easy handling. They're also induction-friendly and can handle oven temperatures up to 800 degrees.
We found these to be surprisingly light for how sturdy they are, and easy to maneuver thanks to an ergonomic handle. During testing, we were able to create a beautiful crust on seared salmon with no sticking, demonstrating the pan's ability to create and maintain heat. Making beurre blanc was also easy in this pan, heating and reducing quickly without scorching, and the shape of the lip made for mess-free pouring. Cleaning up was fairly easy, with a little bit of light scrubbing to remove any stuck-on bits. Overall, we thought the consistently excellent performance of this pan justified its slightly higher price and gives home cooks a restaurant-quality piece of cookware that will last for a very long time.
Price at time of publish: $109
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum | Sizes Available: 8, 10, 12 inches | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Oven Safe: Up to 800 degrees
Runner Up, Best Overall
Misen Stainless Skillet
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Amazon
Great heat distribution
Solid overall construction
Excellent value
Slightly heavy
Can warp due to thermal shock
When it comes to performance and value, this pan by Misen received high marks in both categories. The pan features a sturdy 5-ply construction, with layers of stainless steel and aluminum, and is also compatible with all cooktops, including induction. What stands out about this pan is that the cooking surface is larger than others with a similar diameter, allowing you to cook more food at once.
We tested the Misen skillet with solid results—salmon came out beautifully seared and released easily while sautéing and tossing mushrooms was effortless thanks to the pan's angled sides Though the pan is dishwasher safe, the manufacturer recommends hand washing to prolong its life, so we gave it a soak and gently scrubbed off any particles with dish soap and a non-abrasive scrubber. We did notice some slight discoloration after a few uses, but nothing that detracts from the pan's performance.
Considering the modest price of this well-built pan, we think it's a fantastic value and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to upgrade from their starter cookware pieces.
Price at time of publish: $75
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum | Sizes Available: 8, 10, 12 inches | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Oven Safe: Yes, max temp not specified
Best Splurge
All-Clad 10-Inch D3 Stainless 3-Ply Bonded Cookware
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All-Clad
Well balanced
Very durable
Excellent heat retention
Lifetime warranty
Handle gets hot
Surface is smaller than expected
Rivets require extra attention during cleaning
All-Clad is known for its high-quality cookware and it is a favorite of both amateur and professional cooks. This D3 series pan is made with a classic tri-ply construction—two layers of 18/10 stainless steel surround an aluminum core for even heat distribution and responsiveness. The flat bottom and flared sides give this a classic frying pan silhouette allowing you to flip and toss contents, and the riveted handles ensure secure transport and maneuvering.
During testing, we liked that this pan felt balanced and sturdy. This pan did wonderfully when it came to browning and searing and showed no signs of hot spots, and sauces were easy to pour, thanks to the shape of the lip. One drawback to this pan is that the actual cooking surface is less than 10 inches, giving you less room than expected, but if you anticipate you need more room, you may want to size up to a 12-inch version. This fry pan is fairly easy to clean by hand with a little soaking and gently scrubbing off any debris (pay extra attention around the rivets where food might get stuck). Overall, it's an exceptionally durable model that comes backed with a lifetime warranty, justifying its premium price.
Price at time of publish: $160
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum | Sizes Available: 8, 10, 12 inches | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: No | Oven Safe: Up to 600 degrees
Best for Beginners
Tramontina 80116/005DS Gourmet Stainless Steel Induction-Ready Tri-Ply Fry Pan 10 Inches
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Amazon
Handle feels comfortable
Provides a great sear
Very easy to clean
Affordable
Prolonged heat exposure may discolor pan
Small cooking surface
For newer cooks, finding a pan that performs without having to spend a fortune is a major plus. This pan from Tramontina features tri-ply construction—18/10 stainless steel and magnetic stainless steel sandwiching an aluminum core—and is also compatible with all stoves, including induction. Beginners who don't want to invest in premium cookware yet can hone their skills on this affordable skillet.
We found this pan to be comfortable to hold and light enough to flip and toss ingredients with one hand. It heated beautifully and provided a wonderful sear on salmon and chicken with no hot spots. One thing to note is that less experienced cooks might find it challenging to use it in more delicate applications, like making finicky sauces or browning butter. But for general use, we love how consistently this pan performs and how easy it was to clean overall.
Price at time of publish: $60
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum | Sizes Available: 8, 10, 12 inches | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Oven Safe: Up to 500 degrees
Best for Pan Frying
OXO 10-Inch Mira Tri-Ply Stainless Steel
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Amazon
Comfortable and not too heavy
Good heat distribution
Easy to clean
Less durable than more expensive models
High sides make it harder to pour
Doesn't heat as quickly as others
Oxo is one of those brands that manages to deliver great performance and value at the same time, from small kitchen tools to bigger items, like this induction-friendly fry pan from the Mira series. It features triply-ply construction and a securely riveted handle for safe and easy maneuvering. It's also oven safe to 600 degrees, perfect for when you want to finish a dish under the broiler. The sides of this model are almost straight, which makes it an ideal choice for shallow and pan-frying.
We found this pan to be comfortable to hold and not very heavy, which we think makes it a good choice for anyone with strength or mobility issues. We liked that it worked wonderfully for sautéing and making sauces, but didn't love it as much for searing—we experienced some sticking issues when searing salmon. Pan-fried chicken, however, came out a lot better, with nice browning results. Cleaning by hand was easy with a mild detergent and a gentle scrubber.
Price at time of publish: $80
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum | Sizes Available: 8, 10, 12 inches | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Oven Safe: Up to 600 degrees
Best Celebrity Brand
Martha Stewart 10-Inch Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Fry Pan
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Martha
Shape is optimized for sauteing and pouring
Sturdily built
Feels great in the hand
Learning curve to find the heating sweet spot
Doesn't release as easily as others
On the pricier side
There's often a certain amount of skepticism when it comes to how celebrity cookware performs, but this skillet from Martha Stewart is the real deal. Constructed with 18/10 stainless steel surrounding an aluminum core, this pan is suitable for all stovetops including induction, and is oven-safe up to 550 degrees. The handle is securely riveted to the base for secure handling, and the gently curved lip allows for drip-free pouring.
We put this skillet to the test and found the rounded handle to feel comfortable in the hand and the pan itself hefty enough to suggest its durability. We did find that this pan is susceptible to hot spots, so users will have to carefully watch their heat settings in order to get even browning during searing. But for sautéing, the angle of the pan's sides made it easy to flip and toss ingredients without additional utensils. We also found this pan was extremely easy to clean without much scrubbing required. While some might find the price of this pan to be on the high side, it does go on sale every now and then, making it a bit better value if you can snag it then.
Price at time of publish: $100
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum | Sizes Available: 8, 10, 12 inches | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: No | Oven Safe: Up to 550 degrees
Best Budget
Goldilocks 10-Inch Skillet
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Goldilocks
Sears very well without sticking
Great heat distribution
Very affordable
Less balanced than others
Handle could be uncomfortable for some
Susceptible to thermal shock
Budget-conscious buyers will love the price tag on this medium-sized skillet from Goldilocks—it's a tri-ply, fully-clad model that comes in two sizes, 10 and 12 inches. Heavy-gauge stainless steel gives this pan heft while the aluminum core allows for excellent heat distribution. Induction compatible and oven-safe up to 550 degrees, this pan is a versatile pick for new and experienced cooks alike with minimal investment.
In our tests, we found that this pan performed pretty well when it came to searing salmon, pan-frying chicken, and sautéing mushrooms. We noticed no hot spots and found it was easy to use one hand for tossing ingredients without utensils. One caveat is that this pan is susceptible to damage from impact, and warping when faced with thermal shock, so you'll want to handle this pan with care. But cleaning—once the pan is completely cool—is a breeze, requiring little more than mild dish soap and a gentle scrubber to remove any fond or other food debris.
Price at time of publish: $45
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Materials: Stainless steel, aluminum | Sizes Available: 10 and 12 inches | Induction Ready: Yes | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Oven Safe: Up to 550 degrees
If you're in need of a stainless steel skillet, we love the Made In Cookware Stainless Steel Skillet because of its thoughtful design and overall performance. For those who want a more affordable option, don't hesitate to pick up the Goldilocks 10-Inch Skillet—it sears and sautés beautifully and comes at a great value.
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
How We Tested
Our editors researched the best stainless steel skillets, developing a standardized methodology against which to test them, and putting them through their paces at The Lab in Birmingham, Alabama, and in home kitchens. We then collected the data—as well as insights from our home testers—and used it to determine ratings and placement on this list.
Beyond carrying out basic cooking tasks with sautéing mushrooms, searing salmon, pan-frying chicken, and making a delicate beurre blanc sauce, we judged each one based on heating ability (conductivity, distribution, and retention); maneuverability (weight and size, and the ergonomics of each handle); and overall value.
Other Options We Tested
- Hestan ProBond Professional Clad Stainless Steel Frying Pan: While this attractive pan heats up very quickly and has a solid build, we found that it had a steep learning curve when it came to controlling its heat. Its extremely hefty price tag was also a factor in why it didn't make the cut.
- Anolon Nouvelle Stainless Steel Frying Pan: This pan had some issues with heat distribution and was also extremely difficult to clean. We felt that its performance wasn't enough to justify its price tag.
- Le Creuset Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Fry Pan: This pan actually scored really well across the board, demonstrating excellent searing and sautéing and proving to be fairly easy to clean. The one caveat is its price—we felt that other skillets performed equally well with a significantly lower price tag.
- Viking Contemporary 3-Ply Fry Pan: This pan seared well and did a great job in our sauté tests, but overall the pan felt clunky and uncomfortable in the hand. It also was one of the more difficult pieces to clean.
- Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Skillet: A great budget pick, but issues with temperature control and sticking edged this pan off our list.
- All-Clad D5 Stainless Brushed 5-Ply Fry Pan: Overall, this pan scored highly in many of our tests, but it's quite heavy and very expensive.
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
What to Look For in Stainless Steel Skillets
Material
Stainless steel grades are denoted by a fraction, with 18/10 being the most common for high-quality cookware pieces. This indicates the percentage of chromium and nickel in the alloy (for example, 18/10 means 18 percent chromium and 10 percent nickel), which in turn indicates how well your stainless steel will resist rust and retain its finish. An 18/8 grade is an acceptable quality for cookware as it resists oxidation and corrosion, and is more common in budget-priced pieces, but is slightly less durable than 18/10 in the long run.
You will typically find the grade of steel stamped on the cookware itself. Most stainless steel skillets are made with layers of steel wrapped around a heat-conductive metal, like aluminum. You can also find pans with a copper core, which provides faster heating and greater control when it comes to lowering or raising the temperature of your pan.
Maintenance
Stainless steel is actually a fairly easy material to keep clean, as long as you don't burn the pan. But even if you burn something in the pan, all hope is not lost. General cleaning will be with warm water and dishwashing soap. You can also bring water with a touch of dishwashing soap to boil for a few minutes to loosen stuck-on food.
If you're experiencing discoloration from overheating or hard-water minerals, you can clean the pan with white vinegar, or fill it with one-part white vinegar to three-parts water and let that boil on the stove. Another option is a light scrub with baking soda or gentle cleanser like Bon Ami or Bar Keepers Friend.
It's also important to follow the manufacturer's suggestions on how to keep your pans in tip-top shape, and to avoid voiding the warranty.
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
FAQ
How do you clean a stainless steel skillet?
Most of the time, you can scrub away any food debris by first soaking it (making sure the pan is cool to avoid thermal shock) and then using mild dish soap and a nonabrasive scrubber. Some pans are dishwasher safe, but hand washing will help prolong the life of your pan and prevent the pitting that could happen when it comes in contact with strong dishwasher detergents. Always default to the manufacturer's instructions for the final word on how to take care of your skillet.
Can you put a stainless steel skillet in the oven?
It depends on the pan—most manufacturers' instructions will give you a maximum temperature of what your pan can handle. If you do place it in the oven, please be sure to use an oven mitt when taking it out. The metal handle will get hot too.
Do you have to season a stainless steel skillet?
No! The beauty of stainless steel is that it's relatively low maintenance compared to carbon steel or cast iron, both of which require seasoning and special upkeep.
When should you replace a stainless steel skillet?
It's a good idea to replace your skillet if the pan is warped, the handle no longer feels secure, or if the surface is very damaged.
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The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
This piece was written by Bernadette Machard de Gramont, an LA-based writer who specializes in global food and wine content. After a 2-year stint at Williams-Sonoma Headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools, and interviews field experts for their insight
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