You’ve got the pans. Now comes the part that trips most people up: actually using them. The truth is, your pan doesn’t cook for you, it only works if you use it the way it was designed. The wrong move and even the fanciest All-Clad can be a waste of money. The right move and your $30 cast iron suddenly feels like a pro tool.
This is your cheat sheet for what each pan can (and can’t) do, the rookie mistakes to avoid, and the simple hacks that make them shine.