Which size skillet is better for a family: 12 or 10?

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores the preferences and experiences of participants regarding the choice between a 10-inch and a 12-inch skillet for family cooking. Participants share their personal experiences with both sizes and discuss the practicality of each based on their cooking needs.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, expresses excitement about getting new cookware and questions the dimensions of the 10-inch skillet.
  • Another participant mentions that the 10-inch skillet has the same side height as the 12-inch but is smaller overall, indicating a preference for the 12-inch skillet.
  • One user shares that they use the 10-inch skillet daily for their family of five, finding it sufficient for cooking large amounts of meat.
  • Several participants highlight the 12-inch skillet as a versatile and frequently used item in their kitchens, often referring to it as a "workhorse."
  • Another participant notes that they primarily use the 10-inch skillet due to a smaller household size but appreciates the 12-inch for larger cooking tasks.
  • One participant shares that they have both the 7-piece set and the 12-inch skillet, using the latter primarily for cooking for larger groups.
  • Another user mentions that they initially doubted the necessity of the 12-inch skillet but found it to be essential for various cooking tasks.
  • One participant discusses their mixed experiences with stainless versus executive cookware, noting personal preferences and cooking styles.
  • Several participants express differing opinions on the merits of stainless and executive cookware, indicating that preferences vary widely among users.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the necessity and practicality of the 10-inch versus the 12-inch skillet, with some participants favoring the larger size for its versatility while others find the smaller size adequate for their needs. No clear consensus emerges on which skillet is definitively better for families.

Contextual Notes

Participants' experiences are influenced by their household sizes and cooking habits, with some cooking for larger families and others for smaller groups. The discussion reflects a variety of personal cooking experiences rather than a unified guideline.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants considering which skillet size to purchase may find the shared experiences and preferences helpful in making their decision.

linojackie
linojackie
Messages
492
I am FINALLY going to get my new cookware and I'm so happy I could just piddle! I am afraid I'll only have enough orders to turn in one show of my own, so I am trying to decide between ordering the 12" inch skillet or the 7 piece set. My old crappy 10" skillet has 2" sides and is not big enough for my family. Does anyone know how many inches the sides on the 10 executive skillet are?
 
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Jackie its the same as the 12 inch but smaller - that is it - I love my 12 skillet!! But I also love all the cookware - so........... it depends on what you would use most.
 
I have the 7 piece set and LOVE it!! I use the 10" skillet everyday! I have 5 people in my family that I cook for and have done 3lbs of meat at a time in it just fine. If you're only going to be able to get one item at 60% off, you might as well make it count and get the set! LOL My sister and I both got one last year when they had it on special and another sister is getting it this year!
 
I've found the 12" skillet to be the workhorse. It lives on our cooktop.
 
I use my 12" HANDSDOWN the most of all the other ones combined.
 
I have the 10" as part of my Executive Set and would LOVE to have the 12" for shows AND cooking large amounts of ground meat at once....
 
legacypc46 said:
I've found the 12" skillet to be the workhorse. It lives on our cooktop.
Click to expand...

Hey, that's where my 10" lives! Well, truth be told, most of my cookware lives there! LOL I feel like there is no need to put them away, I just have to get them back out again!
 
I got the 7 piece set and the 12" a while back and I love my 7 piece set. There's only dh and 2 yr old ds so I don't use the 12" a lot right now, but I do if I have to cook for the inlaws.
 
I love my 12" skillet. I always use it.
 
Have to say, I was such a cynic about the 12" Exec pan. Family of 3, figured it was 'too big' for most of our meals.Wrong! Ours lives on the cooktop. Use it daily, last night made a huge loaf of sourdough bread in it (a two loaf recipe). Heat tortillas, cook pasta, cook all sorts of veggies and meats, stir frys, etc. Great for roasted chicken parts with roasted veggies too. So sorry I waited to try it out.
 
I'm either using the 10" since there's only two of us or power cooking 8-10 lbs of beef in the Roasting Pan with Rack. I pretty much only use the 12" when I'm preparing a PC recipe that calls for it (Turtle Fudge Skillet Cake, Power cooking at a show, etc). I do like the handle on the other side of the 12", but I agree with Shawna...if you have the money for the set and want it, get it instead of one piece! I myself am looking forward to the 5-piece set since I dropped my 2qt Generation II saucepan a while back and the lid doesn't fit on it now!
 
I have earned the 7 piece set and 5 piece set plus 12" Skillet. I use the 12" Skillet more often. I always bring it to all of my shows and I demo the Turtle Fudge Skillet Cake.
PamperedDor can tell you how I am always making the Turtle Fudge Skillet Cake at my shows:D
 
  • Thread starter
  • #13
Ok, so the next question is, Executive or Stainless. I have 2 pieces of Executive now (the 8" saute and Square Griddle) and one piece of Stainless (8" saute). I would like to display them to free up some space in my cupboards (for all my stoneware!!!) so would it look ok to mix n' match, or should I go with one or the other?
 
I personally hate the stainless, but then there are those that love it. I don't like it because it says dishwasher safe, but I always have to wash by hand to keep it from turning colors and to get it clean. Also, it's not non stick like the executive and virtually impossible to fry an egg. Believe me, I've tried numerous times and it doesn't work. That being said, if you are accustome to using stainless, you may like it. It is very heavy duty and nicely made.
 
linojackie said:
Ok, so the next question is, Executive or Stainless. I have 2 pieces of Executive now (the 8" saute and Square Griddle) and one piece of Stainless (8" saute). I would like to display them to free up some space in my cupboards (for all my stoneware!!!) so would it look ok to mix n' match, or should I go with one or the other?
Click to expand...

I love the Stainless. But I do have a mix of Non-Stick and Stainless. Each has its own purpose. But, then again, I was raised using Stainless. (All my saucepans up until a couple years ago were Stainless!!)

Question for you is: what is your current cookware that you are replacing? If it is non-stick, then stay with the Executive.

I have both 12" SS and EXEC and love both. But, if you do decide to get the 12", you will probably use the Executive much more often. Especially for the cakes and browning ground beef.

I tell guests to get the Executive unless they are used to cooking with Stainless. I tell them to stick with what they know. Most use non-stick so I usually suggest getting the 8 or 10 inch SS saute as a try-me piece.
 
I use stainless for my saucepans and stockpots, but love the executive for saute pans and skillets. I have a stainless skillet that I only use when I'm doing a recipe where you want to brown the meat and have the browned bits stuck to the pan (fond? is that what it's called?)to use to make sauces. I guess it depends on what kind of cooking you do and what your preference is. I have to say, though, I scorched my spaghetti sauce the other day in my stainless saucepan and it cleaned super easily and looked still brand new. So I think our stainless is pretty good.
 
You're going to get as many different answers as there are members. ;) As stated above, go with what you're used to. I grew up in a house with no nonstick pans. When I got married, though, I did a real number on a couple of stainless saute pans (probably because I wasn't used to cooking because Mom didn't like anyone in her kitchen). When I got my PC cookware, all we had was nonstick and I'll never switch back, at least for my general purpose cookware. (I've got the 12" SS and I love it, but still reach for the Professional one first.)
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which size skillet is better for a family: 12 or 10?

The choice between a 12-inch and a 10-inch skillet largely depends on your family's cooking needs and portion sizes. A 12-inch skillet is generally better for larger meals or when cooking for more people, while a 10-inch skillet is suitable for smaller families or quick meals.

What are the advantages of a 12-inch skillet?

A 12-inch skillet offers more cooking surface area, allowing you to prepare larger quantities of food at once. It's ideal for stir-frying, searing meats, or cooking multiple items simultaneously, making it a great option for families who cook in bulk or enjoy entertaining.

What are the advantages of a 10-inch skillet?

A 10-inch skillet is typically lighter and easier to handle, making it a good choice for everyday cooking. It's perfect for smaller meals, side dishes, or when cooking for one or two people. Its size also makes it easier to store in cabinets or on shelves.

How do I decide based on my family's cooking habits?

Consider how often you cook for your family and the types of meals you prepare. If you frequently make large meals or enjoy batch cooking, a 12-inch skillet may be more beneficial. If you usually cook smaller portions or prefer quick meals, a 10-inch skillet might be sufficient.

Are there specific dishes that are better suited for each size?

Yes, larger dishes like stir-fries, casseroles, or multiple servings of pasta are better suited for a 12-inch skillet. In contrast, a 10-inch skillet is great for omelets, sautéing vegetables, or cooking smaller portions of meat. Choosing the right size can enhance your cooking experience and efficiency.

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