The raised ridges give meat and vegetables the characteristic grill stripes, and this is perfect for all of the grill enthusiasts who would like to grill all year round! But the stripe making aspect is not the only difference between a grill pan and a frying pan. By raising the meat from the bottom of the pan, less of the meat gets in direct contact with the heat source, and it is therefore cooked by radiant heat, just like when you grill. The only thing you should think about before investing in a grill pan is that it cannot handle fluid materials such as a pancake mix or an omelet. The grill pans can be found in various materials and designs.