# What is the smallest pan you own? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 8, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-smallest-pan-you-own/836727 "2019-07-08T19:30:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-smallest-pan-you-own/836727/1 "2019-07-08T19:30:08Z")
Inspired by this thread ([So what do you use a 3 1/2" skillet for?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=878373)), what is the smallest pan you own, and what do you use it for? The smallest pan I own is a 6.5" cast iron skillet. I use it to make breakfast for one, sausage and eggs. I cook the sausages first, 4-5 breakfast links, then I wipe it out with a paper towel and cook two eggs in it. Also the perfect size for omelettes. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-smallest-pan-you-own/836727/2 "2019-07-08T19:49:03Z")
I have one non-stick that’s 7.5" across the top, with 5.5" of cooking surface. Perfect for two fried eggs. I have another non-stick that is 7.5" top and bottom. Works well for sausages. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-smallest-pan-you-own/836727/3 "2019-07-08T19:53:16Z")
We have a black cast iron pan that is abut 3 inches diameter and 2 inches high, with a cast iron lid. We use it as a salt pig. ---
**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-smallest-pan-you-own/836727/4 "2019-07-08T20:32:01Z")
We have a non-stick pan that’s 4 1/2" across the top, maybe 3 3/4" at the bottom, that gets used for frying a single egg for a breakfast sandwich. If ovenware counts I have a set of 2" corningware-ish ramekins. ---
**Author:** ![dba\_Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@dba\_Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dba_Fred)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-smallest-pan-you-own/836727/5 "2019-07-08T21:40:39Z")
I inherited a butter-melter that’s 1" tall by 1” across with a 4” handle; Mom would set it in a pan of water a la a double boiler but an unsophisticated cooker such as myself holds it directly over the flame. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-smallest-pan-you-own/836727/6 "2019-07-08T21:45:34Z")
I have a little 4 x 4 square nonstick skillet. I use it for making Japanese rolled omelets. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2019, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-smallest-pan-you-own/836727/7 "2019-07-08T22:48:09Z")
I have a ~3" cast iron pan. It’s pretty great for frying one egg. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-smallest-pan-you-own/836727/8 "2019-07-09T03:03:07Z")
[I have two of these mini cocottes](https://www.lecreuset.com/mini-round-cocotte). Put two slices of prosciutto in the bottom of each, add two eggs, sprinkle with s&p and a little cheese. Bake for about twenty minutes, serve with toast and fruit. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-smallest-pan-you-own/836727/9 "2019-07-09T03:58:03Z")
5.5 cast iron that I like for reheating leftovers that I want to add a little crust/crispness to. Also works well for a small egg mess for myself. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-smallest-pan-you-own/836727/10 "2019-07-09T15:34:57Z")
I have a non-stick frying pan that has about a 6-7" cooking surface. It’s just for my grilled cheese sandwiches. Nothing else is allowed in there! I used to make my grilled cheese in our larger pan that we also use for browning hamburger, etc. Once my sandwich started to taste onion-y from the pan :mad: I decided I wanted my own pan. ---
**Author:** ![Pabitel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbce88/32.png) [@Pabitel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pabitel)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-smallest-pan-you-own/836727/11 "2019-07-09T18:52:24Z")
I have a Turkish coffee boiler, about 5 inches diameter and 5-6 inches tall. Makes great coffee. ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2019, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-smallest-pan-you-own/836727/12 "2019-07-09T22:23:26Z")
I have a 5" non stick skillet that I use almost exclusively for making crumpets. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2019, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-smallest-pan-you-own/836727/13 "2019-07-10T04:46:34Z")
Ours is a 6 1/2 inch cast iron skillet. It is **Rhiannon8404’s** egg pan. It is to be used for no other purpose, ever. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2019, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-smallest-pan-you-own/836727/14 "2019-07-10T14:39:01Z")
I have a little saucepan that has maybe 3.5 inches of cooking surface, maybe less. I use it to boil water for oatmeal, and to fry eggs.