How Much Should A Frying Pan Cost?
One of the most common places that families go over budget is in the kitchen. Can you blame us, though?
Conventional wisdom says we should allocate 10-15% of our monthly pay toward food costs. And recently, food-at-home costs are regularly increasing by 5-10% each year.
It’s not easy to keep up, especially when we’ve got to keep up with food prep costs at the same time. Nobody ever said that running your own kitchen was easy!
So, how much exactly should you be spending on the basics..like a simple frying pan?
The truth is that you can spend A LOT without realizing it. I’ll explain.
Design
How big of a factor is design on budget? It may be the biggest.
We’ve all seen colorful French-made cast iron from makers like Staub or Le Creuset. Those bright colors are stunning and make for a great showpiece that will “pop” in your kitchen.
So is it worth paying hundreds of dollars for a skillet? Yes, it will probably last a lifetime. But is there really that big of a difference between a $200 Le Creuset vs Lodge’s $50 version?
For most folks, probably not.
You’ll find a similar price dynamic in all types of cookware, not just cast iron. Some names cost more than others, and often the difference comes down to the aesthetic rather than performance. If you’re looking at purchasing ceramic for example, it might be best to visit ceramic cookware review to compare some of the bigger brands.
Materials
Another cost driver for frying pans is what material they are built from. Here’s an overview driver of the most common materials.
Aluminum
Most of the pans you see merchandised at the grocery, and big box stores are built using aluminum. It’s cheap and lightweight – you’ll probably notice both of these attributes right away. Most aluminum pans these days are also sold with a synthetic nonstick coating.
Some common drawbacks of aluminum pans are that they tend to warp or wear out quickly. They heat up very quickly but don’t distribute heat as evenly as other cookware materials. Aluminum pans are typically not compatible with induction stoves.
Most aluminum frying pans are priced between $20-100, with the biggest differences being brand name and aesthetic. You’ll also pay more for induction compatibility.
Cast Iron
Most people would consider cast iron to be the “original nonstick pan,” and among the biggest benefits is they last forever.
I still use my grandma’s 8” Griswold skillet that she bought for pennies in the 1940s. It works great, and the eggs still slide right off!
When compared with an aluminum frying pan, the first thing you’ll probably notice about cast iron is that it’s heavy. Most cast iron pans are 3-5x heavier than a similar-sized aluminum skillet.
They also take a bit of work to maintain, but the great news is that they can be maintained. For an aluminum pan, when they’re done.. they’re simply done.
You’ll probably pay $15-40 for a preseasoned cast iron pan and considerably more if you get one of the fancy French brands I mentioned above.
Carbon Steel
Never heard of a carbon steel skillet? You’re not alone.
Carbon steel pans have mostly been a mainstay in professional kitchens and only recently started become popular for home chefs.
In my view, these pans combine the best attributes of Aluminum and Cast Iron at a reasonable price point. On most days, the best carbon steel pan brands can be found for $60-80.
Carbon steel is significantly lighter than cast iron, but it lasts just as long (forever) when you treat it right.
Most products look similar, with a minimalist, industrial motif. If you’re cooking on one of these, you’ll look like a pro chef. No frilly colors and gimmicks, just raw cooking power!
I know it’s not for everyone. But I would take carbon steel over synthetic nonstick any day of the week.
Others
There are other options beyond aluminum, cast iron, and carbon steel – but they require more finesse to operate and tend to cost more. I wouldn’t recommend them for most casual home cooks.
Maybe the most recognizable “other” is clad stainless steel. You’ve probably seen American brand All-Clad’s iconic D3 or D5 stainless steel line on TV or in a restaurant kitchen.
Don’t get me wrong, those pans are incredible once you learn how to use them. It’s just that the learning curve isn’t very forgiving. If you get into a brand like All-Clad, be sure to check out their “Factory Seconds” sale site, and you’ll save 40-60% on most items.
Nonstick
Nobody wants to spend forever cleaning up a dirty frying pan after dinner, every night. That fact is almost singularly what makes nonstick frying pans so popular..that and the price.
Here lies the hidden cost.
I’ve tested dozens of nonstick pans, and most of them only last 2 years. And some of them wear out much (…much) faster than others.
Yes, there are exceptions to this rule.
For example, my All-Clad HA1 was workable for about 5 years before we had to send it down the road. And I’ve encountered people online (mostly anonymous) who claim their nonstick skillet lasted 30 years.
Do I believe it? No.
But, even if their outlandish stories are true, they are notable exceptions and not the rule. Don’t be fooled! Your $20-80 nonstick pan will probably last 2 years or less.
Compare this with a $20 cast iron skillet or a $70 carbon steel pan.
Both will last a lifetime. For purposes of this article, let’s call 10 years a lifetime. Never mind that I’m using an 80-year-old cast iron skillet. It will help with the math.
So, how much should you pay for a frying pan?
If a nonstick aluminum pan costs $20 and lasts 2 years, that’s about $10 per year.
If a cast iron skillet costs $20 and last 10 years, that’s about $2 per year.
If a carbon steel skillet costs $70 and lasts 10 years, that’s about $7 per year.
For me, I’d probably pick up a cast iron skillet plus a carbon steel pan and still save a buck.
With food costs only continuing to rise, having tools I love that will grow with me is always the right decision. It also saves a little room in the landfill.
I hope you’ve found some tips that will help you choose how much you should be spending on a frying pan for your kitchen too!
