What to look for in a saute pan

• The root word for saute, is the French "sauter," which means "to jump." When you saute food, keep it moving in the pan with some fat so that it does not stick or dry out. A long handle for the pan helps keep the pan moving. The goal in sauteing is to brown and crisp the surface of the food, so the pan needs a wide base so the food has room to brown. The material of the pan must conduct the heat distribution evenly and efficiently. A flat bottom of the pan also contributes to even heat distribution and makes it easier to get the food to jump.
  
  

Sizes of the pan

• Saute pans range from one to seven quarts, with the average saute pan being between three and five quarts.
  
  Consider the amount of storage space you have in your kitchen as well as the quantity of food you cook on a daily basis to determine the size that will work best for you. If you are cooking for one, use a much smaller pan than if you were cooking for a family of five. Consider two pans: one smaller and one bigger.
  
  

Choosing the right material

• The right material for the saute pan distributes heat evenly and efficiently. In chef terms, this is the pan's conductivity. For your saute pan, choose one that has a high conductivity so that the pan quickly takes the heat from the heat source and distributes it evenly across the surface of the base. Oft-used materials include lined copper, stainless steel, stainless steel wrapped aluminum, cast iron or anodized aluminum.
  
  

Price ranges and popular brands

• Saute pans range from $40 to $200. In general, higher prices reflect a higher-quality pan; the materials and construction of the pan determine the quality. For example, two stainless steel saute pans may sell at $60 and $150 respectively. Though both pans are made of stainless steel, the more expensive pan may have multiple layers of stainless steel, or the $60 pan may have a base that is a blend of stainless steel and other metals.
  
  As you search for your saute pan, pay attention to how the manufacturer addresses conductivity, heat distribution and the defining characters of the saute pan (size, flat base, straight edges) to find the pan that will work best for you.