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The difference between a sauté pan and a skillet is a subtle but important one, and it all comes down to shape. A sauté pan, from the French verb meaning to jump (sauter), has a wide, flat bottom and relatively tall, vertical sides. A skillet, on the other hand, has sides that flare outward at an angle. But the real question is, when should you use each one, and do you really need both?

Cast iron might be heavy, and it must be cleaned correctly, but it turns food brown and crispy like magic. It's easiest to buy a pre-seasoned skillet, but if you accidentally leave yours soaking in water, you can season it yourself.