The Best Fluffy Pancakes recipe you will fall in love with. Full of tips and tricks to help you make the best pancakes.
Electric skillets are one of the most versatile appliances you can add to your kitchen. Whether you’re cooking up a family meal, frying breakfast foods, or even baking a casserole, an electric skillet can handle it all. The best electric skillets offer nonstick surfaces, even heat distribution, and the ability to control temperatures with precision. In this comprehensive guide, we will review some of the top-rated electric skillets on the market, diving deep into their features, pros and cons, and how they can make your cooking experience easier and more enjoyable.
1. Elite Gourmet EG-6203 Extra Deep Electric Skillet
The Elite Gourmet EG-6203 Electric Skillet stands out as one of the top picks for its large capacity and high performance. Measuring 16″ x 13″ with a depth of 3.2″, this skillet is ideal for preparing large meals. Its deep design makes it perfect for stir-frying, frying chicken, or even cooking a full roast. With a 10.5-quart capacity, it can serve 6-8 people, making it great for families or entertaining guests.
Features and Design
This electric skillet is constructed with a thick cast aluminum body, ensuring durability and even heating. It features a marbleized honeycomb nonstick surface that is not only scratch-resistant but also more durable than standard nonstick coatings. The skillet is finished with a black lacquer that resists warping and rusting, ensuring it will last for years. The fully embedded M-shaped heating element guarantees rapid and even heating across the entire cooking surface. With a temperature range of 200°F to 400°F, the Elite Gourmet skillet can handle a wide variety of dishes, from pancakes to deep frying. Its extra-large cooking surface is perfect for preparing meals for a crowd, while the glass vented lid helps lock in moisture and flavor. A built-in spout makes pouring off excess liquids or draining juices easy.
Performance and Usability
One of the standout features of the Elite Gourmet skillet is its ability to maintain consistent heat. The trigger-release control probe allows you to pinpoint your desired temperature and prevents hot spots, ensuring that your food cooks evenly every time. Whether you’re grilling, frying, or simmering, this skillet can do it all. Cleaning up is a breeze, too. Once you remove the temperature control unit, the entire skillet is dishwasher-safe. The thick nonstick coating ensures that food residue doesn’t stick to the surface, so you won’t have to worry about scrubbing off burnt food.
2. BLACK+DECKER Electric Skillet
The BLACK+DECKER Electric Skillet is a reliable, user-friendly option that is perfect for those who want a versatile cooking appliance without breaking the bank. Its 12″ x 15″ cooking surface offers plenty of space to prepare meals for the whole family, while the nonstick surface makes cooking and cleanup a breeze.
Design and Features
The skillet is built with tempered glass and aluminum, which ensures durability and even heating. Its nonstick cooking surface ensures that food doesn’t stick, so you can cook delicate items like eggs and pancakes without any hassle. The adjustable temperature control allows you to set temperatures up to 400°F, and the keep-warm setting ensures your food stays hot until you’re ready to serve. Another standout feature is the skillet’s cool-touch side handles, which make it easy to transport from the kitchen to the dining table. The tempered glass lid allows you to monitor your food without removing the cover, and the entire skillet (once the temperature control unit is removed) is dishwasher-safe, ensuring easy cleanup.
Performance
The BLACK+DECKER skillet performs exceptionally well for everyday cooking. It heats evenly, allowing you to cook everything from stir-fry to grilled cheese sandwiches without worrying about hot spots. Its removable temperature dial makes it easy to serve straight from the skillet, making it a convenient option for family meals and gatherings.
3. Presto 06852 16-Inch Electric Skillet
If you’re looking for a versatile and large electric skillet, the Presto 06852 16-Inch Electric Skillet is a great option. This skillet is designed for those who need extra cooking space, whether for preparing meals for a large family or for hosting parties.
Design and Features
The Presto 06852 features a 16-inch pan with high sidewalls, providing extra cooking and serving capacity. Its ceramic nonstick surface is both durable and safe, as it is PFAS-free. The skillet is built with a heavy cast aluminum base that’s virtually warp-proof, ensuring longevity and durability. It comes with a Control Master heat control system, which automatically maintains the desired cooking temperature, making it easier for you to focus on cooking instead of adjusting the heat constantly. Another great feature is the tempered glass lid with a stay-cool handle, which allows you to monitor your food while it cooks. The skillet is fully immersible and dishwasher-safe once the heat control is removed, so cleaning is simple and fast.
Versatility and Performance
This electric skillet is great for roasting, frying, grilling, stewing, baking, and making casseroles. It can handle anything from breakfast to dinner, making it an excellent all-in-one appliance for your kitchen. Plus, its large size means you can easily prepare meals for multiple people, making it perfect for entertaining or family dinners.
4. Presto 06857 16-inch Electric Foldaway Skillet
The Presto 06857 Foldaway Electric Skillet is a fantastic option for those who are short on kitchen storage space but don’t want to sacrifice cooking capacity. This skillet offers a 16-inch pan, making it large enough to cook meals for several people, but it features a foldaway design that allows the handles and base to be stored inside the skillet itself.
Design and Features
This skillet features a heavy cast aluminum base with a nonstick surface inside and out. This makes it perfect for frying, sautéing, and even serving as a buffet warmer. The foldaway handles are designed to make storage as compact as possible, and the skillet’s built-in spout makes pouring liquids easy. The spout also doubles as a spoon and spatula holder while cooking and serving.
Performance and Ease of Use
With a tempered glass cover and stay-cool handles, this skillet is ideal for both cooking and serving. It heats up quickly and evenly, with a Control Master heat system that keeps the temperature consistent. This makes it perfect for everything from slow cooking to high-heat frying.
5. Zojirushi Gourmet dExpert Electric Skillet
For those who want something a bit more unique, the Zojirushi Gourmet dExpert Electric Skillet offers a Yin Yang hot pot feature. This skillet allows you to enjoy two types of hot pot simultaneously thanks to its deep, divided pan.
Design and Features
The Zojirushi skillet comes with two pans: a deep pan for hot pot cooking and a dual surface griddle pan for grilling meats and vegetables. Both pans feature titanium and ceramic-enhanced nonstick coatings, which make them durable and easy to clean. The 1300-watt heating system heats the pan quickly, and the tempered glass lid lets you monitor your cooking without losing heat.
Performance
This skillet is perfect for anyone who enjoys cooking a variety of dishes. The deep pan can be used for stir-frying, steaming, or making soups, while the griddle pan is ideal for grilling or sautéing. The versatility of this skillet makes it one of the best electric skillets for stir-frying and grilling.
FAQs About Electric Skillets
Is it worth buying an electric skillet?
Absolutely! Electric skillets are incredibly versatile, allowing you to cook a wide variety of meals from breakfast to dinner. They provide excellent temperature control and even heating, making them perfect for frying, sautéing, simmering, and even baking. Additionally, electric skillets are portable, energy-efficient, and often easier to clean than traditional stovetop pans.
How long does an electric skillet last?
With proper care and maintenance, a high-quality electric skillet can last between 5 to 10 years. The longevity depends on the build quality and how well it’s cleaned and stored. Nonstick surfaces should be treated gently, and heat controls should be removed before submerging the skillet in water to avoid damage.
What electric skillet heats evenly?
Many electric skillets are designed for even heat distribution, thanks to embedded heating elements. The Elite Gourmet EG-6203 and the Presto 06852 Electric Skillet are known for their consistent and even heat, which helps prevent hot spots and ensures food cooks uniformly. Skillets with cast aluminum bases and temperature controls tend to offer the best performance in this regard.
Can you deep fry in an electric skillet?
Yes, many electric skillets can be used for deep frying. Skillets like the Elite Gourmet Extra Deep Skillet and the Presto 06852 have deep sides and adjustable temperature controls that make them perfect for deep frying foods. Make sure your skillet reaches at least 350°F for proper frying, and always be cautious when handling hot oil.
Choosing the Right Electric Skillet for Your Needs
When selecting the best electric skillet, there are several factors to consider:
- Size and Capacity: Depending on how many people you cook for, you may need a larger or smaller skillet. If you regularly prepare meals for a family or entertain guests, a larger skillet like the Elite Gourmet or Presto 06852 may be ideal. For smaller kitchens or single-serving meals, a compact skillet would be more appropriate.
- Temperature Control: Look for an electric skillet with precise temperature controls. Most models allow you to adjust the temperature between 200°F and 400°F, giving you flexibility in your cooking. Some skillets also feature a “keep warm” setting to ensure your food stays hot until it’s ready to be served.
- Material and Nonstick Coating: Skillets with high-quality nonstick coatings, like the ceramic-enhanced coating on the Zojirushi or the marbleized nonstick surface on the Elite Gourmet, will make cooking and cleanup easier. A durable nonstick surface will also ensure your skillet lasts longer.
- Ease of Cleaning: Many electric skillets are dishwasher-safe, which can be a huge timesaver. Look for models that are fully immersible once the temperature control unit is removed, like the BLACK+DECKER Electric Skillet and the Presto 06852.
- Portability and Storage: If storage space is a concern, consider a model like the Presto Foldaway Skillet, which has fold-down handles and a base that fits inside the skillet for compact storage.
- Durability: Cast aluminum bases, like those found on the Presto 06857 Foldaway Skillet and the Elite Gourmet Skillet, provide added durability and warp resistance, ensuring that your skillet will last through years of cooking.
Comparison
| Product | Material | Capacity | Wattage | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Gourmet EG-6203 | Aluminum, Glass | 10.5 qt | 1500 watts | Extra deep pan, dishwasher-safe, marbleized nonstick surface |
| BLACK+DECKER Electric Skillet | Aluminum, Tempered Glass | 12″x15″ | 1500 watts | Nonstick surface, cool-touch handles, removable temperature dial |
| Presto 06852 Electric Skillet | Aluminum, Glass | 16″ | 1500 watts | Ceramic nonstick, doubles as a buffet server, high sidewalls |
| Presto 06857 Foldaway Skillet | Aluminum, Glass | 16″ | 1500 watts | Foldaway handles, built-in spout, compact storage |
| Zojirushi Gourmet dExpert Electric Skillet | Titanium, Ceramic | Dual Pan | 1300 watts | Dual surface for grilling, deep pan for hot pot, tempered glass lid |
Conclusion
Choosing the best electric skillet for your needs depends on several factors, including your cooking preferences, kitchen space, and budget. Whether you need a large-capacity skillet for family meals or a compact, easy-to-store option for small kitchens, the skillets reviewed in this post offer a variety of features to suit any home cook. From the extra-large Elite Gourmet Electric Skillet to the versatile Presto 06852, these appliances provide even heating, ease of use, and hassle-free cleaning. For a unique cooking experience, the Zojirushi Gourmet dExpert Electric Skillet stands out with its dual hot pot feature, perfect for making complex, multi-dish meals.
No matter what your needs are, there’s an electric skillet that’s right for you. Explore the options, consider your cooking style, and choose a skillet that will make meal prep quicker, easier, and more enjoyable. Check out our latest review on appliances here. Check out our last reviewed Product.
