# So what do you use a 3 1/2" skillet for? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 8, 2019, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695 "2019-07-08T02:22:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/1 "2019-07-08T02:22:57Z")
Saw them for sale in my local supermarket. Made by Lodge, a reputable brand of cast iron cookware. I don’t think you could even fit one egg scrambled or fried in one of these; what the heck? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/2 "2019-07-08T02:28:46Z")
I make single cinnamon rolls (freeze the dough, make one at a time) or Jumbo Size Mini Cornbread with mine. Sometimes I’ll roast garlic in olive oil for pasta in it. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/3 "2019-07-08T02:30:25Z")
One big cookie or brownie. I have 2 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/4 "2019-07-08T02:30:44Z")
[17 Genius Uses for a Teeny Tiny Miniature Cast Iron Skillet](https://www.vindulge.com/17-genius-uses-for-a-teeny-tiny-miniature-cast-iron-skillet/) Dated April 1, 2016 Most of the uses are legit, though. 13 Deep Dish Cookie 16 Dog Bowl For Your Teeny Tiny Dog ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/5 "2019-07-08T02:59:48Z")
An accessory for a little girl’s “Tangled” playset, with Rapunzel Barbie and Flynn Rider Ken. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/6 "2019-07-08T03:07:15Z")
My wife uses one when she makes a single scrambled egg for breakfast. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/7 "2019-07-08T03:31:36Z")
Grilled sandwiches. Usually ham & cheese or roast beef & cheese. A little butter gives a nice color & taste. I haven’t measured it, but I think my tiny aluminum skillet is about 3 1/2". ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/8 "2019-07-08T03:32:00Z")
In the very early days of the SCA (medieval recreationists), an armored fighter did not place his faith in a soccer cup, so he hung a small cast iron frying pan inside his gambeson to protect the family jewels. A few years later, this prompted a line in a comedy at an event; the lewd lady said “I’m not very good with names, but I never forget a frying pan,” which got a lot of laughs from the older knights and many confused looks from most other people. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/9 "2019-07-08T03:42:24Z")
Huh, here’s the one I own. Came with my set of Club aluminum cookware 30 years ago. Perfect for one egg or sandwiches. Description says 6 1/2". It sure doesn’t look anywhere near that large. I’m skeptical because sliced bread fits snugly. I’ll put a ruler on it tomorrow. [https://www.ebay.com/itm/Club-Aluminum-Cookware-Small-Skillet-Pan-Harvest-Gold-6-1-2-No-Lid-Vintage-/392325365548](https://www.ebay.com/itm/Club-Aluminum-Cookware-Small-Skillet-Pan-Harvest-Gold-6-1-2-No-Lid-Vintage-/392325365548) ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/10 "2019-07-08T04:26:55Z")
[Toasting spices](https://www.thekitchn.com/quick-tip-boost-flavor-by-toas-65717) before adding them to a dish. ---
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/11 "2019-07-08T07:37:54Z")
Browning sesame seeds. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/12 "2019-07-08T08:39:20Z")
I use mine for frying toppings for the omelette I’m making in the main pan. So chouriço coins and peppers, mostly… ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/13 "2019-07-08T12:58:25Z")
They also are a nice way to present a few small chocolates, or whatever on the table. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/14 "2019-07-08T15:28:22Z")
Queso Fundido ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/15 "2019-07-08T15:34:52Z")
Candle holder ---
**Author:** ![Rough\_Draft](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@Rough\_Draft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rough_Draft)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/16 "2019-07-08T15:57:01Z")
I always assumed they were meant to be used as ashtrays. ---
**Author:** ![Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/17 "2019-07-08T16:26:18Z")
My wife and I each received one as Christmas presents this year. They came with ingredients for a single terrible cookie but we’ve tried to find other uses for the pans. Single fried eggs got stuck because the pans aren’t well seasoned. However, the pans are perfect for melting chocolate over half a graham cracker for s’mores. I hate it when the marshmallow doesn’t fully melt the chocolate. These ridiculous pans have completely solved that problem. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/18 "2019-07-08T16:30:20Z")
Use mine for cornbread. That’s pretty much it. Not the most useful gift I’ve gotten. I don’t fry eggs in cast iron because it’s never going to be even close to nonstick when it comes to convenience. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/19 "2019-07-08T17:05:16Z")
Fried hummingbird ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695/20 "2019-07-09T00:03:18Z")
Lark’s tongues in aspic. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-what-do-you-use-a-3-1-2-skillet-for/836695.md?page=2)