Which is the best pan for cooking fish?

Cooking fish. We know that many home cooks avoid it like the plague, maybe thinking it’s all-round too tricky. But nothing could be further from the truth; fish is quick and simple to cook, there’s little to no waste, and using the correct pan will have you cooking fish like a pro. Promise.

With its patina finish, top-of-class heat responsiveness and amazing cooking control, this is the pan for searing thick, meaty fillets like tuna or swordfish. 

• Rather like steak, these can handle fast, high-heat cooking and should be left a little pink in the middle. 
• Also the ultimate pan for skin-on fillets where the aim is shatteringly crisp skin; salmon, trout, barramundi, blue-eye cod, snapper and mulloway, for example.

Delivering even heat across the base and, like carbon steel, responsive to changes in temperature, this type of pan is a good all-rounder. 

• It will give you a light crust on fillets, but also cook more delicate or smaller fish (either fillets or whole with heads on) over a well-controlled lower heat. 
• Also for when you want to baste in butter, or finish your fish with a splash of lemon juice, wine vinegar or wine – unlike carbon steel, this material is completely non-reactive.

Perfect for no-fuss, fail safe, everyday fish cooking where you don’t require intense heat for searing. Or when you prefer to use less oil or butter. 

• The quality of non-stick pans varies wildly, in both the coated surface and what’s under the hood in the construction. Make sure you buy pans with a hefty, 5-ply construction and a durable surface.
• A good non-stick pan is ideal for the beginner fish cook; once you’ve mastered fish, you can level up to a carbon steel or stainless steel option.

This is the ideal size and shape for cooking fish-based braises, stews and soups. 

• Perfect for any one-pot dish where you brown aromatics and vegetables first, add fish and cooking liquid, then either simmer on the stove top or transfer to the oven to finish cooking. 
• This pan works in either stainless steel or non-stick finishes, depending on your personal preference.