To cooking enthusiasts and professionals, cooking is a sublime art that needs to be perfected for the best of meals to be created. Having a complete set of kitchen tools can come in handy when making virtually any type of dish. Amongst this set is the electric skillet which is designed to offer more versatility and cooktop space in the kitchen.
The best electric skillet will be an excellent addition to your kitchen equipment, they can be used to cook a wide variety of meals with ease, and they are quite easy to clean and maintain.
Knowing this, the wise step to take now is to procure your model and start enjoying the numerous benefits and capabilities it has to offer. Refer to our buying guide for information on how to purchase the best model for you by American’s Test Kitchen.
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Reviews of The Best Electric Skillets American’s Test Kitchen
Here are top rated electric skillets cooks illustrated on the market today
Top 1 – Aroma Warehouses ASP-266R Indoor Grill
This is a big electric skillet 6-quart, buyers also have access to the 3-quart and 4-quart sizes should you need something smaller. The 6-quart size weighs 9 pounds, it’s not wireless and operates at 1.2 kW and 10 Amps. The skillet is constructed using cast Aluminum and coated with a non-stick material; this model can be washed using a dishwasher without any damage.
The skillet can heat up even up to a temperature of 475⁰F; a tempered glass lid is included in the package, the lid has a vent hole to release steam when cooking. The product can be used to cook, steam, sauté, simmer, and any other cooking process that can be done on a cookstove.
Aroma Warehouses ASP-266R Indoor Grill offers a wide range of color options: black, red, or white colours to complement the style of your kitchen. You can read the user’s manual for more information on the product. A limited warranty for a year is provided on the product.
Pros:
- Non-stick coating
- Safe for dishwasher use
- Comes in different sizes and colours
- Built using a durable material
- Temperature control is provided
- Non-Electric parts
- Can heat evenly up to 475⁰F
Cons:
- Heats up slowly sometimes
Top 2 – Presto 06857 16-Inch Electric Foldaway Skillet
The Presto06857 is 16 inches, a huge size, and has high walls to provide users with more than adequate cooking space to serve a large family. There are two heat-insulated handles on both sides of the skillet; this means you can carry the skillet when it’s very hot without using an oven mitt. You can use the skillet to prepare dishes including fries, baked pastries, stews, one-dish meals, and roasts.
The skillet is built using heavy cast aluminium coated with a non-stick coating to prevent food sticking to the interior. You can make use of the handle featured on the tempered glass lid to check your cooking periodically. Presto 06857 16-Inch Electric Foldaway Skillet is dishwasher-safe if you dislike handwashing your kitchen tools. It has detachable parts, base and handles, to allow easy cleaning and storage.
There is a master heat control system integrated into the design for maintaining the preferred cooking temperature of the user. The temperature gauge can be used to set a temperature between 200⁰F and 400⁰F.
Pros:
- Detachable parts for secure storage and cleaning
- Non-stick coating
- Distributes heat evenly
- Has a drainage spout
- Energy-efficient for lowered power consumption
Cons:
- Non-stick coating tends to wear off after a few years of use.
Top 3 – NESCO ES-12 Extra Deep Electric Skillet
This is a trusted brand known for making top-quality kitchen accessories; the ES-12 is no exception to this. The cooking surface is 12 inches in size as well as smooth and non-stick. NESCO ES-12 Extra Deep Electric Skillet has two heat-resistant handles for easy and safe transport around your kitchen when cooking. The skillet has an adjustable temperature dial to switch between preferred temperature settings. You can quickly cook eggs, sausages, pork chops, steamed vegetables, sauces, and any other desired dish. However, the product can’t be used for deep frying.
This unit has a glass lid with a convenient handle; you should take note that only the lid is dishwasher safe, the other components like the actual container aren’t. The product has a 1-year limited warranty and user’s manual for directions of use. The appliance heats up very fast in a short time. A steaming rack is also provided in the product’s package for increased versatility when cooking.
Pros:
- Adjustable temperature control
- Non-stick coated surface
- Comes with a steaming rack
- Durable construction
- Heat-resistant handles
Cons:
- Only the lid is dishwasher-safe.
- Shouldn’t be immersed in water for an extended period
Top 4 – Maxi-Matic EG-6203 Non-stick Deep Dish Heavy Duty Electric Skillet
Built for cooking professionals, this is an incredibly versatile electric skillet which allows you to sauté, fry, braise, and cook just about anything you want to. This is a large skillet with a cooking surface of 13 x 16 inches and 3.25 inches depth. You can serve up to five people with this skillet, which makes it an ideal option for medium-sized families. Maxi-Matic EG-6203 Non-stick Deep Dish Heavy Duty Electric Skillet offers evenly distributed temperatures of up to 400⁰F, and it has a non-stick coating on the surface to ensure easy maintenance.
The product is built using Aluminum, giving it durability and protection against rust or corrosion. The skillet features a transparent glass lid with a handle for secure handling and locking in moisture when cooking, and the cover has a steam hole for hot air release. You can wash both the lid and pan in the top rack of your dishwasher; a full 1-year warranty backs the product.
Pros:
- Built using durable cast aluminium
- Temperature control settings are provided
- Dishwasher safe
- Has a tempered glass lid
- Can be used to cook a variety of dishes
Cons:
- The non-stick coating is quite delicate.
Top 5 – Presto 06850 16-Inch Electric Skillet
The Presto 06850 is constructed using heavy-cast Aluminum and is 16 inches in size, a size large enough to feed a big family. This product is well-designed and can be used for different cooking methods. Presto 06850 16-Inch Electric Skillet comes with a tall tempered glass lid for locking in the moisture of your cooking meals.
The lid is designed to withstand any impacting force without any dents or peeling of the surface. There are two insulated handles on opposite sides of the pan; they are insulated to prevent heat from transferring to your hands when carrying a hot skillet.
There is a master temperature control on the skillet for setting preferred and accurate cooking temperatures. Heat is transferred to all areas of the skillet, and the temperature is held stable throughout the cooking. The appliance is coated with a non-stick finish to prevent any food residues after cooking.
Pros:
- Can be used for several cooking methods
- Distributes heat evenly
- Large-sized model
- Features two insulated handles
- Has a temperature knob
Cons:
- The non-stick coating can get damaged easily.
Top 6 – Elite Cuisine EGL-6101 Best Mini Electric Nonstick Fry Griddle Pan Skillet
This is a round-shaped electric skillet 8.5 inches in size which is perfect for small families, no more than 4 people. This unit heats up very fast and evenly; you can power the device on by flicking the red-orange switch featured on the body. The EGL-6101 is built using cast Aluminum and has a PFOA-free non-stick coating.
The coating is PFOA-free to prevent some of your food ingredients from reacting with the metal. There is a rubber base at the bottom of the product to ensure it stays in place when cooking.
The EGL-6101 is dishwasher safe, which makes offers more convenient and faster cleaning after cooking. There is a transparent glass lid with a heat-resistant handle on the skillet for easy handling.
Pros:
- The skillet heats up very quickly and evenly as well
- Very easy to clean, dishwasher-safe
- Has a PFOA-free non-stick coating
- Large enough to serve four people
- 1-year of the limited warranty
Cons:
- Not ideal for a large family
Top 7 – Presto 06856 Best Ceramic Electric Skillet
This is an aluminium skillet, 16 inches in size, which is quite durable in size and can hold enough food to feed at least 6 people. The product has a non-stick ceramic surface which allows you to cook your ingredients without any sticking to the interior of the pan. The product has a heat control master which can be used to adjust the temperature according to heat requirements of the dish being cooked.
There is a transparent glass lid added to cover your food while cooking. The Presto 06856 can be fully immersed in water. Therefore, you can make use of the dishwasher to clean the device after use.
Pros:
- Comes with an in-built spout
- PFOA-free ceramic coating
- Has a heat control master for temperature adjustments
- Can be cleaned using a dishwasher
- Huge size
Cons:
- Relatively more expensive
Top 8 – Aroma Housewares AFP-1600S Best Stainless Steel Electric Skillet
This electric skillet is very versatile and can be used for a wide range of cooking methods including stir-frying, browning, braising, pan-frying, and simmering amongst others. The skillet is 11.8 inches wide and 2 inches deep, this is large enough to serve a medium-sized family.
The device has a detachable temperature dial that can be used to adjust the cooking temperature to your preferences; it can reach and maintain temperatures between 225⁰F to 425⁰F. The AFP-1600S is built using high-quality stainless steel and Aluminum for even and quick distribution of heat to every part of the skillet.
There is a transparent tempered glass lid featured as part of the product for monitoring the cooking meals.
Pros:
- Cost-effective power consumption
- Lightweight and compact in design
- Easy controls
- Can reach a temperature of 425⁰F
- Built using quality stainless steel
Cons:
- There’s no non-stick coating on the surface of this model.
Top 9 – Cuisinart CSK-150 1500-Watt Best Nonstick Oval Electric Skillet
Complement your set of kitchen tools with this incredibly handy electric skillet designed to be used for almost any kind of cooking. The product has a 12 x 15inch rectangular cooking surface which is enough to serve at least 4 persons. It generates and retains temperatures between 250⁰F to 450⁰F using the control dial provided on the body.
The surface is coated with a non-stick material to prevent any foods sticking to the insides of the skillet. You can make use of a dishwasher to clean and maintain the product after cooking. There are two handles on opposite sides of the skillet for easy handling and transport during the cooking process.
Pros:
- Features a transparent glass lid
- Distributes and retains heat evenly
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
- Has wide side handles
Cons:
- Metal utensils can damage the non-stick coating.
What is a good electric skillet or how to choose?
It’s recommended that an interested buyer evaluate the different features and prices of several models in the market. You need to take extra caution and make some research on different models before landing on a particular model that suits your requirements.
Purchasing with deliberation can result in you procuring a substandard product that will break down after a few months of use. You can use the following criteria to make your comparison between options.
Working Temperature
Quality electric skillets are designed to maintain even and steady temperatures across all parts of the cooking surface. This is very important because, without even distribution of heat, your meal can end up unevenly cooked and tasting poor. The average temperature rating of electric skillets ranges between 175⁰F to 475⁰F. Models often run above the maximum rating indicated but never below the minimum rating.
If you intend to use the skillet for deep frying, then you need to go for a model that delivers at least 450⁰F. For any low-temperature cooking like poaching, then you need to ensure that the skillet can reach sufficiently minimal temperatures. Another thing to note is how long the skillet takes to heart up, seeing as this could make your cooking faster and more efficient.
Construction
Electric skillets are built using different materials, each of which comes with its benefits and downsides. Stainless steel doesn’t heat up as fast as Aluminum but is more efficient at retaining heat than Aluminum.
Stainless steel has this advantage over copper as well; stainless steel is more expensive than these two materials. Whichever construction material you choose must be able to last under constant use for a long period without any compromise on its appearance or functionality.
Size And Shape
The skillets are available in different shapes and sizes; the diameter of these kitchen tools vary between 8 to 16 inches. A size between 8 to 12 inches is ideal for serving a small-sized family, containing about 2 to 4 persons.
However, if you have a bigger family or more persons to serve, then you need to go for something above 12 inches to the biggest size, 16 inches. The skillets can either come in the shape of a square, oblong, rectangle, or circle; there should be two handles on opposite sides of the skillet.
Maintenance
Each skillet has its cleaning routine, while some can be cleaned using a dishwasher, others are strictly limited to handwashing with soap. There’s a unique feature on some skillets known as a non-stick coating. This prevents food from attaching to the cooking surface of the skillet. This makes cleaning faster and more convenient for users.
Some models come with detachable parts that you can clean individually; this combined with dishwasher compatibility, and you have yourself an excellent product. It’s also recommended to get an electric skillet with a non-stick coating for a significantly easier cleaning process.
FAQs about Best electric Skillet
What Is The Largest Size Of An Electric Skillet?
The biggest size you can get from the market is 16 inches, and this should be more than enough to cater for at least 6 people.
What Can You Make With An Electric Skillet?
You can use an electric skillet to fry, cook, serve, bake, and grill various dishes or recipes. This is because they have efficient heat distribution and retention capabilities.
Conclusion
If you are searching for a piece of truly versatile cooking equipment, then I recommend that you procure an electric skillet. They can be used to prepare virtually any type of dish or meal. Simply make use of the information in the guide to make the best decision that can provide value for money spent.