Frying pan
A flat pan for fast hot cooking — quick, direct transformation through heat.
A frying pan in a dream is the dream's image of fast, direct change. The pan applies heat without subtlety; things sear, brown, and stick. The dream brings the pan when you are in a phase of life where transformation is happening quickly and the surface is being marked. A frying pan in skilled use is the dream telling you the heat is controlled and the result will be eaten. A frying pan smoking with burnt food is the dream noting that the heat was applied for too long without attention, and what should have been food is now ruined.