Why this $10 miniature frying pan belongs in every kitchen

• One of my favorite kitchen tools is the GreenPan Egg Pan, which costs just $10.
• The five-inch, non-stick, miniature skillet is just big enough to fit a single egg, but it can be also be used to cook a single burger or any other single-serve dish.
• The small size and non-stick surface make cleanup a breeze. It's even dishwasher-safe.

In a small kitchen, you have to be discerning. You can't just get purchase a beautiful dutch oven or a seasoned cast-iron skillet on a whim (well you can but you may regret it once you realize there's nowhere to store it).

The perils of a small kitchen are real, but by no means unmanageable. An easy way to make your small kitchen feel bigger is simply to keep a leaner collection of kitchen tools, and stick with ones that take up little counter or storage space.

Whether you have a big kitchen or a little one, I truly believe this five-inch pan should have a place in it.

The pan

One of my favorite things about the five-inch GreenPan is its miniature size. Due to how small it is, it heats up faster than a large skillet would, and it distributes heat evenly. The pan is made of non-stick ceramic, which is free of toxic chemicals. Not only is this better for you, but it makes cooking and cleaning much easier. A green silicone grip around the handle keeps your hands protected from any heat, and makes it easy to maneuver the pan around your kitchen. To make things even more convenient, these pans are dishwasher safe, though washing by hand is fast considering the small size and non-stick surface.

Uses

Turn the stove up to a low or medium heat and just crack one egg straight into the pan. You don't even need oil, the egg will easily slide out of the pan when it's ready thanks to the non-stick surface. But, if you want a crispier fry, heat up a little oil or butter in the pan first.

The eggs rarely even leave any residue on the pan, so cleanup only takes a few seconds. If you want to test the pan's limits, you can squeeze two eggs in, though be warned it may be a little messy when you're ready to flip them.

Besides eggs, this pan works for making a lot of other things, so long as the servings are small. I've used it to cook a single turkey burger, fry up a small cup of potatoes, or even saute a little bit of spinach.

Bottom line

This mini pan is a cute, but practical addition to any kitchen. Whether you're using it to finally achieve the perfect fried egg, to speed up your breakfast prep, or because you hate dish duty, the GreenPan five-inch Pan has got you covered.

Get the GreenPan 5-inch Mini Egg Pan, $10.50, at Amazon