A small pan is a cooking utensil that is used to prepare food in smaller quantities. It can be made from various materials such as metal, ceramic or non-stick coating and comes in different sizes depending on its intended use. Small pans are commonly used for frying eggs, sautéing vegetables, cooking small amounts of rice or pasta, melting butter or heating up leftovers. They can be found in a variety of shapes including round, square and rectangular, with the most common sizes being 6-8 inches in diameter.