Difference Between Frying Pan and Saucepan

Table of Contents

There are a plethora of choices available for kitchen appliances to consumers today. In such a scenario, it often becomes difficult to make the right choice. The frying pan and saucepan are two cooking vessels that are in common use today. While they may seem to serve the same purpose, a frying pan and saucepan have considerable differences in their appearance and functions. 

Frying Pan vs Saucepan

The main difference between a frying pan and a saucepan is that frying pans are not as deep as saucepans. This is because while frying pans are designed to fry food items, saucepans are designed to hold liquids. Additionally, the size of a frying pan is usually larger than that of a saucepan. 

A frying pan is a cooking vessel with a wide base that provides enough surface area for maximum frying. A frying pan has slanted sides. The fundamental merits of a frying pan are its versatility and better flavour of cooking. A frying pan allows individuals to cook any food item with il in it. However, it may be unfit for making sauces and cooking other liquids.

A saucepan is a cooking vessel that has raised sides. They are deeper as compared to other cooking utensils. A saucepan usually comes with a lid. Although they may have a handle, it is not usually as long as the one with a frying pan. An advantage of saucepan is that it is available in a wide variety of sizes and individuals can buy the size that fits their needs.  

Comparison Table Between Frying Pan and Saucepan

Parameters of ComparisonFrying PanSaucepan
Purpose Frying pans are ideal for cooking small amounts of food items and breakfasts such as bacon and eggs.A saucepan is ideal for making sauces. 
Liquid A frying pan is designed to get rid of the liquid.A saucepan is designed to retain the liquid. 
Depth A frying pan is shallower as compared to a saucepan.A saucepan is deeper as compared to a frying pan.
Merits The merits of a frying pan are better flavour and higher cooking speed. The merits of a saucepan are better heat distribution and the availability of different sizes. 
DemeritsThe demerits of a frying pan are the necessity of oil and the risk of burning the food. The demerits of a saucepan are limited volume and the difficulty in cleaning.

What is a Frying Pan?

The frying pan is a flat bottomed Pan that serves several useful purposes. The frying pan is used for frying, searing and grounding foods. A typical frying pan is usually 20 to 30 cm in diameter. Another name of a frying pan is a Skillet or Frypan. Frying pans with a large size have a small grab handle opposite the main handle. The main purpose of a frying pan is too shallow to fry food. 

The word pan originates from the Old English word Panna. There are several materials used in the manufacture of frying pans. Initially, materials such as cast iron, copper, and carbon steel were used to make frying pans. However, the raw materials used today include stainless steel, aluminium or anodized aluminium, and clad stainless steel with an aluminium or copper core. 

The origin of frying pans dates back to their use in Mesopotamia. They were also in common use in Greece and Rome. Two prominent variations among frying pans are the non-stick frying pan and the electric frying pan. Non-stick frying pans are made using a special coat of Teflon. However, flying pans with such a coating may give off toxic fumes. 

An electric frying pan incorporates an electric heating element into the frying pan itself. Thereby, such a frying pan functions independently and eliminates the need for a cooking stove. The electric frying pan has, moreover, become a popular kitchen appliance nowadays. An added advantage of frying pans is that they often cook faster than other types of pans.  

What is a Saucepan?

The saucepan is a deep cooking vessel with a handle and usually, a lid. It serves the purposes of boiling, stewing, and making sauces. A saucepan is an ideal cooking vessel for liquids. A saucepan has high sides and straight edges. It has a small surface area. A saucepan is usually used on a stovetop. Although there are several size options available, the most commonly available ones are 2-3 quarts in size.

A saucepan is mostly bought for its high liquid carrying capacity. The height of the saucepan also prevents the liquid from spilling away. A saucepan, thus, avoids the potential spillage that may occur in a frying pan. However, the limited size of the saucepan makes them unfit for making stocks or large quantities of things.

A common use of a saucepan is to boil water for a small serving of pasta. It is an ideal option for cooking mashed potatoes, lentils, or risotto. Another added advantage of the saucepan is that it is oven safe. With the lid, a saucepan can serve the function of a Dutch oven

There are some drawbacks to a saucepan that cannot be ignored. Firstly, a saucepan has a limited size. This, in turn, limits the amount of food that can be prepared in the vessel. Secondly, the size of the saucepan calls for the constant stirring of the food item to prevent burning. Thirdly, a saucepan may be difficult to clean due to its shape.  

Main Differences Between Frying Pan and Saucepan 

  • A frying pan is shallower as compared to a saucepan.
  • Frying pans are ideal for cooking small amounts of food items and breakfasts such as bacon and eggs. On the other hand, a saucepan is ideal for making sauces. 
  • The merits of a frying pan are better flavour and higher cooking speed. In contrast, the merits of a saucepan are better heat distribution and the availability of different sizes. 
  • The demerits of a frying pan are the necessity of oil and the risk of burning the food. On the other hand, the demerits of a saucepan are limited volume and difficulty in cleaning.
  • While a frying pan is designed to get rid of the liquid, a saucepan is designed to retain the liquid.  
  • Conclusion

    Thus, a frying pan and a saucepan are not identical cooking vessels. Each utensil has its own set of merits and demerits. Therefore, when purchasing a cooking vessel, an individual should take both the pros and cons into consideration as well as his cooking style. 

    A frying pan and a saucepan should be used in conjunction with one another. For instance, while you can fry your chicken in a frying pan, you can boil your vegetables in the saucepan. In most scenarios, it is not advisable to use a frying pan instead of a saucepan and vice versa.  

    References

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frying_pan 
  • https://worldofpans.com/saucepan-vs-frying-pan/ 
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