Best Electric Skillets: Top 7 Reviews & Buying Guide (2024)
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Skillets are relatively shallow frying pans with the advantage of having a top lid, and while they’re not the most critical kitchen item around, they’re extremely popular among professionals as well as home cooks everywhere for their excellent ability to distribute heat and cook food evenly.
Electric skillets are basically the same concept except for the additional electric heat source at the bottom of the device, making it an ideal choice whether you want to cook outdoors or you need an extra cooking surface in your kitchen
If you’re interested in buying an electric skillet today, I’ll help you pick the best one by walking you through a complete guide including my top recommendations. Let’s hop in!
Top 7 Electric Skillets Available On The Market
1. Best Overall – Presto 16 Inch Electric Skillet
- Premium non-stick surface
- Dishwasher safe
- Comes with tempered glass cover
Kicking off the list with one of the most popular electric skillets out there for all the good reasons! The 16 inches 06852 model rounds up some of the most essential features in an electric skillet, giving you an unrivaled bang for the buck!
What I like about this one is that it’s a huge jump from the predecessor 06850 model in which this one has a glass lid that allows you to observe food as it’s being cooked while rocking similar dimensions of about 16 inches of cooking surface.
The skillet is made of cast aluminum that is covered with premium nonstick coating from both inside and outside. This means that in addition to food, it’s also quite easy to clean.
Moreover, the skillet is fully immersible and has a removable heat probe. This makes it pretty easy to clean in the dishwasher as well!
As for its heating power, it comes with a full-on wattage of 1,500 watts, which allows you to cook up food up to 400 degrees F, which is enough to sear, fry, bake, and more!
Another thing that I personally find great about this skillet is the overall design. Since it’s going to sit on top of the kitchen counter, it would be great if you have a sleek-looking skillet with contemporary handles like the ones, allowing it to double as a fancy server in buffets as well!
Pros
- Sleek and modern design with a durable glass lid that doubles as a server
- Fully lined with nonstick coating for easy cooking and cleaning
- Dishwasher safe with a fully immersible pan
Cons
- The nonstick coating comes off with intense use
2. Best Deep Electric Skillet – Dash Family Size Rapid Heat Skillet
- Rapid heat-up (quickly heats to 450 F)
- 14″ cooking surface
- Silicone seal holds in moisture
The Dash DRG214AQ is a great option if you’re looking for a relatively deep electric skillet to allow you to boil and deep fry food efficiently.
Unlike other shallow options on the market, this one is equipped with a deep pan that has a total capacity of 5 quarts or 20 cups, which is large enough to cook for up to 6 people!
The skillet comes with a tempered glass pan that allows you to observe the food as it cooks. It also won’t fog up heavily due to the tiny air vent.
The only downsides I had with this skillet are that they’re not dishwasher-safe as well as the handles. To be honest, they’re quite sturdy and cool to touch but they’re a bit small, so it shouldn’t be a problem if you have petite hands.
The overall design of the skillet is lovely and it comes in various colors, all backed by a 1-year warranty from the manufacturer.
Pros
- Huge capacity to cook for several people
- Lined with a TruGlide nonstick coating that also promotes even heat distribution
- Features a one year warranty for added value
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
3. Best For Families – Elite Gourmet Deep Dish Electric Skillet
- Extra-large capacity of 10.5 quarts
- Durable cast aluminum base
- Has an easy pour spout
One of the biggest problems that most electric skillets face is that they’re not large enough to feed a lot of people at once. Instead, you’ll need to cook food in multiple batches, which might cost you some valuable time.
For example, the previously mentioned Dash DRG214AQ is a pretty large skillet that holds up to 5 quarts, but what if you need even more than that?
In that case, you need a family-size electric skillet to handle the job, and there aren’t many electric skillets on the market that can do the job better than the Elite Gourmet Deep Dish Electric Skillet.
With a size option of about 10.5 quarts or 42 cups, this electric skillet is easily one of the largest on the market, so you can use them for open buffets, parties, and family gatherings!
The pan is made from durable cast aluminum and covered with a black lacquered finish that resists warping and rusting. The internal honeycomb pattern and non-stick coating promote easy cleaning when the party’s over!
The skillet also packs some of the best skillet features, such as the air vented glass lid, large handles for easy carrying, and presentable design to double as a server.
The skillet is fully immersible when you release the heating probe, making it an easy to clean and reliable kitchen item!
Pros
- Excellent choice if you’re cooking for a lot of people
- Fully immersible and dishwasher safe
- Quick-release heating probe with a variety of temperature controls
Cons
- The electric cord is a bit short
4. Best For Quick & Even Cooking – Black + Decker Electric Skillet
- 2 inch deep interior
- Quick-release variable temperature control
- Base and serving handles stay cool
Not many skillets out there are capable enough to cook the food both quickly and evenly. For that, you need a sturdy skillet with an innovative design and non-stick material that perfectly distributes the heat.
Black + Decker is known for making a lot of brilliant kitchen devices, including their remarkably elegant Black & Decker SK1215BC family-sized electric skillet.
What’s unique about this skillet is that its cooking surface is lined with a premium nonstick coating that promotes even cooking. Additionally, the interior is 2 inches deep and durable enough to stand the test of time and perform consistently for years of use.
The electric skillet has a wide range of temperatures that reaches up to 400 degrees F on maximum heat settings.
It also comes with a presentable and slim design with large handles that are cool to touch and adds to the glamour of the product.
Pros
- A special nonstick coating that promotes even and quick cooking without burning the edges
- Sleek design with cool to touch handles and stand
- Comes at an affordable price
Cons
- The temperature might require frequent adjustment while cooking
5. Best Multifunctional – Zojirushi EP-PBC10 Gourmet d’Expert Electric Skillet
- Great for grilling, stewing, sautéing and more
- Can be used directly on stove-top burner
- Easy to clean
If you’re looking for a highly versatile electric skillet that is capable of doing more, you might want to try out the Zojirushi Gourmet d’Expert electric skillet.
This one is powered by a 1,350 watts heat probe with a deep inner pan that allows you to broil, deep-fry, boil, sear, saute, and more.
Additionally, the eclectic skillet also comes with a steaming rack that you can adjust its height, allowing you to steam veggies, herbs, seafood, dumpling, and others.
The skillet is made of titanium enhanced ceramic and stainless steel coating for optimum heat distribution and performance. It also has a wide temperature range of 176 to 480 degrees F.
Pros
- Extremely versatile and multifunctional
- Comes with a variety of recipes to try out
- Adjustable heat settings
- Features a built-in steaming rack.
Cons
- A bit pricey
6. Best Budget Option – BELLA Electric Skillet
- Copper titanium ceramic coating
- Fast cool down
- Light-weight compared to other similar models
There are plenty of cheap electric skillets out there that I wouldn’t recommend because they’ll simply break down in less than 6 months of using them.
However, the BELLA electric skillet is one of the most affordable options that would still give you decent quality for the money you’ve paid.
Like most skillets out there, this one is made of cast aluminum. The extra part here is that this one also has a titanium-reinforced ceramic cooking dish.
This non-stick layer would last for a relatively long time and make the cleanup process a lot easier.
Additionally, the skillet is only 12 x 12 inches and weighs about 4.74 lbs only. This makes them quite lightweight and portable, so you can easily pack them along when you’re going on a camping trip.
Pros
- Ideal for buyers on a strict budget
- Features a titanium-reinforced ceramic for excellent heat distribution
- Quick-cooking and highly durable nonstick coating
Cons
- The heating element may burn through the surface with heavy use
7. Most Compact – Nesco 8 Inch Electric Skillet
- Perfect for camping
- 8″ x 8″ working space
- Premium non-stick interior
Lastly, if you usually cook for one or two people and you’re short on available room for an electric skillet, a compact electric skillet would serve you better than a super-sized one!
The Nesco ES-08 is a super small electric skillet that has overall dimensions of 8 x 8 inches interior.
The design features two relatively large carrying handles to make it easy to move the skillet around. The interior is made of die-cast aluminum for maximum heat conductivity and rust resistance.
Despite its small size, this 3.5 lbs electric skillet packs up to 1,800 watts of cooking power. The main downside of the product is that only the lid is dishwasher-safe. However, the rest of the body is still easy to wipe clean!
Pros
- Ultra compact design
- Excellent cooking power
- Large carrying handle
Cons
- You can only wash the lid in a dishwasher but not the main unit
Things To Keep In Mind While Shopping For An Electric Skillet
There’s a huge variety of electric skillets out there that come in different features and assets. To help you pick the most suitable option for you, I’ve compiled this brief guide with all the essential aspects that you should keep an eye out for:
Construction and Durability
The first thing that you should keep in mind while shopping for an electric skillet is the construction material that the skillet is made of.
The majority of the electric skillets on the market are either made of stainless steel or cast aluminum. Both of these materials are equally durable and would resist warping with time.
Of course, the thickness of the material will have an impact on the overall durability of the inner pan, so you have to keep that in mind as well.
Nonstick Surface Coating
One of the fundamental qualities of an electric skillet is the coating material used in the pan. This coating lines the main construction material of the skillet to prevent the food from sticking to it.
The nonstick coating can be applied both on the inside and the outside of the skillet to make it easy to clean and cook. You also won’t have to add a lot of oils while cooking.
According to Scientific American, Nonstick coating is relatively safe and doesn’t pose dangers to your body as long as they don’t flake off while cooking. To avoid that you should avoid using abrasive cleaners or metal spoons while cooking.
Another alternative to nonstick materials is ceramic coating. And due to the high demand for ceramic utensils, they’re quite affordable and readily available on the market nowadays.
Size and Capacity
Another aspect that you should always consider while picking an electric skillet is the size and overall capacity of the item.
Electric skillet interiors can be oval, rectangular, circular, or square. In all cases, you have to pay attention to the product’s dimensions and whether it has the surface area necessary to fit your needs.
For example, 8 inches skillets are suitable for 1 of 2 people while 16 inches are more suitable for up to 6 or 8 people.
You should also keep in mind that the depth of the skillet will impact its capacity. This is usually measured by quarts or cups.
A good rule of thumb here is to 1 person = 1.25 quarts of available space on your skillet. This means that a 6-member family would require at least a 7.5-quart skillet.
Ease of Cleaning
Since you’ll need to clean the skillet almost every time you use it, having an easy-to-clean electric skillet is quite essential.
As previously mentioned, nonstick pans are quite easy to wash and wipe without using abrasives or tedious scouring. However, for the ultimate level of ease, you need a dishwasher-friendly electric skillet.
For an electric skillet to be dishwasher safe, the electric skillet must meet the following requirements:
- Has a fully immersible inner pan that you can separate
- Features a removable heating probe and power cord
For extra safety, always make sure that the product is marked as dishwasher-safe by the manufacturer to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Controls and Versatility
In most cases, electric skillets must offer a heating probe that’s connected to the bottom coil of the skillet.
This probe adjusts the wattage of the skillet, which translates to temperature. Ideally, you need a cooking range of 200 to 400 degrees F or wider for a versatile skillet that can do anything from steaming and stir-frying to baking and roasting.
The controls should be clear and easy to adjust and maintain. Most skillets have a control knob that is mounted on the probe in which you can control its temperature.
Handles, Lid, and Design
In addition to the mechanics of cooking and everything that’s going under the hood, you also need to choose the exterior design carefully.
Although it may not be as essential as features, it’s still necessary for aesthetics, especially for a product that you can directly use as a buffet server.
The lids can be made of glass to show you the contents as they’re cooking, but that’s completely up to you.
As for the handles, they also need to be large enough to fit your hands comfortably and stay cool to touch no matter how long you’ve been cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are electric skillets worth it?
Electric skillets can basically do anything that a regular skillet does with a huge advantage of even heat distribution.
This is because the heat source is designed to heat the entire pan equally, so there are no cold or hot spots on the surface, allowing for an evenly cooked meal every time.
Electric skillets are also extremely versatile and can be used to make a variety of food items from fried eggs and pancakes to advanced cooking techniques, such as searing, braising, roasting, broiling, and more.
The design of an electric skillet makes it easy to store and can be a very handy item for indoor use as well as outdoor vacations in campers and trailers.
Should you season an electric skillet?
As a rule of thumb, most regular skillets are seasoned to protect their cast-iron surface from warping and over-sticking. This happens over time through the process of baking multiple coats of oils on the skillet surface.
Most electric skillets nowadays are made of either aluminum or stainless steel then covered with a layer of nonstick coating. Since seasoning is simply to protect them and neither of them is prone to sticking or warping, you typically don’t have to season the pan at all.
Some might suggest that you rub the skillet with oil and dry it manually to season it. However, this can actually affect the performance of the skillet in the long run and should never be done.
How do you clean an electric skillet?
Due to the circuit components in electric skillets, they’re typically not dishwasher safe unless the pan is removable. Whether the electric skillet you have is dishwasher safe or not, you’ll always want to remove as much food remains from the inside as possible before cleaning.
While removing stuck and burnt off food particles, make sure that you use a non-abrasive scrubber to avoid scratching the nonstick coating.
After removing food remains, you’ll just need a mild dishwashing soap and a gentle sponge to clean the insides. Scour the sponge in a circular motion before rinsing and repeat if necessary, then dry the pan up with clean paper towels before storage.
If the skillet is dishwasher safe, remove it from the heat source and put it directly into the dishwasher. Again, remember to dry it up before recombining it with the electrical component.
What can you do with an electric skillet?
One of the best things about having an electric skillet is that it’s extremely versatile and can be used for a wide variety of purposes.
Of course, electric skillets are excellent options for deep-frying food because they’re designed to contain oil for a certain depth. In addition to frying, you can also use the electric skillet as a slow cooker.
This is because electric skillets are able to maintain a specific temperature for a long time, so you can leave the food simmering without having to constantly keep an eye on the food.
Moreover, you can use the skillet with water, which means that you can boil food inside, despite not being the most ideal cookware for the job.
Lastly, to your surprise, you can also use an electric skillet to bake food with a few stipulations as well as a few shots of trial and error until you have it right!
What is the difference between electric skillets and griddles?
Like electric skillets, there are also electric griddles. Griddles in general are quite similar to skillets, except they have a raised surface to give line marks on food.
Electric griddles will typically cook food by searing, while electric skillets have a wider scope of cooking options.
Additionally, griddles don’t have lids and are typically larger than skillets, so they hold more food.
However, electric skillets allow you to use liquids while cooking, such as water and oil, which you can’t use on a griddle due to the lack of raised edges.
Wrap Up
There you have it! A complete guide that packs everything you need to know in order to pick the best electric skillet for your needs!
As you can see, there’s a variety of options on the market that will suit various needs. However, I believe that Presto 06850 Electric Skillet did a great job of offering the most value for its price!
The electric skillet has a decent design that will match any kitchen decor along with a decently large cooking surface and even heat distribution, making it a serious aid in anyone’s kitchen!
However, if you’re going to use the electric skillet frequently and need a solid and reliable option, consider Black + Decker SK1215BC Electric Skillet. With its special nonstick surface, this family-sized skillet cooks food evenly and quickly!