In Praise of the Tiny Skillet

Bigger is very often better, especially when it comes to skillets. But we won't be giving up our little 8-inch pan any time soon! It's surprisingly handy for a whole slew of kitchen tasks - plus it's nice to have at least one piece of cookware that doesn't require two hands to lift!

While we can't exactly cook a whole meal in this little skillet, it's great for all the little side-tasks: toasting spices, browning butter, roasting a handful of nuts, infusing a little olive oil, or crisping up some bacon to go on top of a soup. We've used it as an improvised double broiler for melting chocolate and to cook ourselves a single egg on the nights when we're eating alone.

This isn't the kind of tool that we'd recommend rushing out and buying, but keep your eyes peeled at garage sales and thrift stores. If you can find one for relatively cheap (ours is a hand-me-down from an aunt!), then we think it's worth picking up.

Do you have a tiny skillet like this? How do you use yours?

(Image: Emma Christensen)

Comments (16)

I use it to make any reductions that are called for in a recipe, such as a reduction of balsamic vinegar or to reduce sauce so it thickens.

Love my 8 inch skillet- use it all the time- toasting nuts over the stove, cooking 1-2 eggs, making a single grilled cheese sandwich...

http://thesweetest3.com/

The smallest pan I have is an 8" non stick that I use exclusively for eggs. I've been thinking about getting one of the tiny 6 1/2" cast iron pan for things like toasting spices since they are so cheap and will last forever.

ha! i call that "the bachelor pan." it's perfect for meals for one -- a two-egg omelet for breakfast, a sandwich for lunch, and chicken breast or steak for dinner.

I heart my 8-inch pan. I live alone, so it's the perfect size for the small, simple meals I prepare for myself most nights. I can use it on the stovetop or put it in the oven (mmm...fritattas), so I appreciate its versatility. I usually use it at least once a day, so it rarely makes its way back into the cupboard.

hmo: I may have to start referring to it as my "bachelorette pan." :)

hmo, I love "bachelor pan"!

I found a beautifully seasoned 6" cast iron skillet a few years ago and it's great for all the things everyone else has already said (nuts, butter, eggs, spices). Plus, it's also great for making a personal-size cornbread, rosti, dutch baby, tartiflette, or bannock.

@onebravegirl, I was thinking the same thing!

I often boil pasta in mine since it boils quickly and I can still fit long noodles in easily. It also gets small batches of sauce or stir fry. Most of my egg-frying happens in my 10" non-stick, though.

I use my 8 inch pan for most things. And since i don't have a microwave now, it doubles up as a heater upper of things

hmo, do you fry your sandwiches?

I do cook for one, so most of my breakfasts are either on a griddle or in the 8-inch skillet. It looks a little worse for it, too, compared to the larger.

Another cheer for fritattas.

I have a six inch cast iron skillet that I use all the time! It does two fried eggs perfectly, mini-fritattas for one or two servings (depending on how thick I want to make it), toasting nuts, spices, and garlic... it's just a great little pan.

rosiegreenie, rare is the sandwich that cannot be made just a smidge bit better by being toasted in a pat of butter for a little crunch.

I use our small skillets all the time, as I mostly cook for myself. Plus, they're way easier to handle and wash. Perfect size.

I've seen this tiny skillet in the store.
http://www.shopfosters.com/store/product.php?productid=710

I always wonder if it's actually useful to people.

A 6 inch cast iron sounds like it could be useful. I think the extra inch in diameter makes a significant difference.

wunami, I have one of those tiny pans and I love it! I like to whip up a little ham, egg & cheese on an english muffin in the mornings to eat on my commute and it is perfect! It makes frying/scrambling the egg simple & it comes out the perfect size for my sandwich. That is pretty much the only thing I use it for, but it doesn't take much room to store, it's simple to clean, and mine was definitely less expensive than that one.

I have a 8" all-clad skillet that came with the set that I got for my wedding, and I use it all the time! My husband uses it for eggs, we toast nuts for salads and other small jobs. I use it more than my 10-12" for sure...