What is the difference between "olla" and "cacerola"?

[Manuel]

I get both words as translation for "pan". I looked up pictures of both on Google but I see little difference between the pans! Are these totally interchangeable?

[poli]

Pan is sartén. Cacerola is a pot Among Caribbeans it is a thinner pot often used for heating milk for coffee. Olla is also a pot. Among Caribbeans, caldero is also a pot. It is a heavy gauge pot good for making rice.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

It depends on the region; for me, these words aren't ever interchangeable.

For me, an "olla" is taller than a "cacerola", and it's used for cooking what needs much water, like soup; it's also used for boiling vegetables or meat. A "cacerola" is used for cooking things one needs to stir often or that don't need much water. A pan is a "sartén", as Poli correctly said, which is used mostly for frying.

The usually small but deep pot with a handle is called here "cazo", and we also call "cazo" a huge pot that is used for cooking on a bonfire.

And although in many regions a "cacerola" and a "cazuela" are mostly the same thing, in Mexico a "cazuela" normally means a "cacerola" made of clay.


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[Manuel]

Hmmm, interesting!

Here in Holland we use the same word for both "olla" and "cacerola" according to Angelica's pictures. And to be honest, I see little distinction between the two.

In any case, I really love how thorough the answers are to questions in this forum! It is of great help to me, so thank you very much to everyone who takes the time to reply. I appreciate it a lot.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Size and proportions do make a difference when cooking, so there is a distinction.

I'm glad you found it useful.

[Manuel]

I do see the difference in size, but I guess here in holland we see them as being the same type of pan, so we don't differentiate. We do have a different word for the pans with the handle, but for "olla" and "cacerola" we use the same word.

In any case, it's very clear to me now, so thanks again Angelica!