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Any cook will understand how important electric kitchen skillets are and how they can help save the day. But, if you are looking for versatile kitchen equipment and you can use it to prepare other meals when your burners are in use, there is a special tool for you. With the best electric skillet, you can do cook and serve your meals smoothly.
If you are not familiar with electric skillets, imagine a cooking pan with its heating element. Most of them are generously sized, so they are most suitable for use during large gatherings like hosting a party. The size is also suitable for serving a family meal to the table.
What is an Electric Skillet?
An electric skillet is a skillet that uses electric power as the source of heat. Electric skillets are not designed for stove-top use. However, they are perfect for simmering, stewing, braising, and slow cooking. Electric skillets are not only suitable for cooking but can also be used as buffet servers. All you need is a power source and keep the skillet plugged in, and your food will stay warm till all your guests have served and nobody gets to eat cold food.
Why Do You Need an Electric Skillet?
Electric skillets are tools that each kitchen deserves to have. If you love cooking, your kitchen should have at least one electric skillet. A skillet is a piece of essential kitchen equipment. Although most are large, they are available in varying sizes, and some are smaller and suitable for small families and for preparing small food quantities.
a). Even-Heat Distribution
The best electric skillets ensure your meal is well-cooked as they provide a heating surface that heats evenly. In addition, the even heat distribution facilitates faster cooking. This feature makes the skillets even more convenient.
b). Temperature Control
If you are still not convinced that an electric skillet is a lifesaver, maybe reading this will change your mind. Electric skillets have added features like temperature control which lets you set the desired heating level of your cooking. This will ensure your food cooks well and does not burn. Some skillets even have indicators that go off when the set temperature is reached.
c). Non-Stick Surface
Their non-stick surfaces and coatings ensure that your food does not stick to the bottom, which prevents it from burning during cooking. The coating also ensures heat is distributed evenly to make your food cook well. These kitchen equipment are made with aluminum. However, some are made with stainless steel, but they cost a little more than their aluminum counterparts.
d). Large Capacity
Electric skillets are the best option if you consider cooking meals for a large gathering. They come in different sizes, but even the smallest can hold as much food like the traditional skillet. You can cook a whole batch of food using an electric skillet instead of cooking in small quantities.
e). Versatile
If you want versatile kitchen equipment, an electric skillet is the best option. You can use it to deep fry, bake, saute, fry, and serve as a hotpot. Instead of buying several pans and pots for different purposes, a skillet will serve as cooking equipment for different foods.
f). Easy to Clean
Nothing feels better than using a piece of equipment that is easy to clean. No one likes to spend an entire time cleaning a single piece of equipment. For example, when you use an electric skillet, you will not spend all your time cleaning clingy food that may get stuck; this is because the skillet pan has a non-stick surface. Some are even dishwasher safe to make your work even easier. All you need to do is unplug and load it in.
g). Convenience
Since these skillets are electric, you don't have to cook in the kitchen, especially if you have guests. Instead, you can carry your ingredients and the skillet to the backyard and cook as you spend time with your guests. All you need is an electric outlet, and you are good to go.
With all the reasons given above, I am sure that now you are wondering why you have never thought of buying an electric skillet. However, it is never too late, and you can choose one from our list of the best electric skillets below. So, let's find out what's in store for us. Enjoy reading.
1. Presto 06857 16-Inch Electric Foldaway Skillet
- Heavy cast aluminum base features a deluxe nonstick surface, inside & out. skillet pan & cover are dishwasher safe with the heat control...
- Built-in spout for pouring liquids from skillet doubles as a spoon & spatula holder when cooking & serving.
- Fold down handles to detach skillet pan from base. with handles folded in, the base & handles store in skillet for compact storage.
- Dimensions: 19. 81" x 12. 25" x 8. 06"; Pan dimensions: 15. 75" x 11. 87" x 2. 87" approximately
- Tempered glass cover & stay-cool handles allow skillet to double as a buffet server
Presto 06857 is a cast aluminum electric skillet with a non-stick surface both inside and out. It has a tempered glass lid that lets you see the food as it cooks, and you can easily tell if it is cooking well. It has a built-in spout that you can use to pour liquids from the skillet, and you can also use the spout as a spoon and spatula holder when cooking and serving.
You can fold down the handles to detach the skillet pan from its base for compact and easy storage. The handles don't get hot even when you are cooking, and this makes it suitable to use as a buffet server, so you don't have to use other pots or serving dishes.
This skillet measures 20 by 12 by 8 inches, while the pan measures 15 by 11 by 2 inches approximately and measures 8.55 pounds. The skillet pan and cover are dishwasher safe once you remove the heat control.
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Cons
2. Nesco ES-08, Electric Skillet 8-Inch 800 Watts
- 8-Inch electric skillet with deep interior for roasting or frying
- Easy to read, adjustable temperature control
- Nonstick interior for easy cleanup
- Sturdy glass lid with stay cool handle and safety vent
- Wash the skillet with a soft soapy dish cloth. Rinse well and dry. Do not immerse skillet in water or place in dishwasher. Only the lid is...
If your main interest is in frying, this Nesco skillet pan is the best electric skillet for you as it has a deep interior that you can use effortlessly for that purpose or even for roasting. In addition, it has a sturdy lid with a stay-cool handle for safety during cooking. The glass lid is also dishwasher safe which makes it easy to clean and has a safety vent.
The skillet pan has a non-stick coating to the interior for easy cleaning. However, it is not dishwasher safe. Instead, wash it with a soft soapy cloth and rinse. Avoid immersing the skillet in water as that may damage it. The temperature control is adjustable and easy to read.
This product measures 15 by 15 by 7 inches and weighs only3.5 pounds. It is made of aluminum.
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3. Presto 06620 11-Inch Electric Skillet
- Roasts, fries, grills, stews, bakes, makes casseroles for four people
- Control Master heat control automatically maintains proper cooking temperature
- Innovative plastic EverNu cover wont dent, warp, peel, or bend
- Deluxe nonstick surface for stick-free cooking, easy cleaning
- Product Built to North American Electrical Standards
You can do almost all your cooking with this electric skillet from Presto. You can use it for baking, fry, roast, grill, make stews and casseroles for up to four people. The lid is made with an innovative EverNu plastic that does not warp, peel, or dent, so you can use it with confidence as the lid will not let you down.
Presto 06620 electric skillet features a control master heat control that automatically maintains the proper cooking temperature to ensure your food cooks well and does not burn. With this skillet, you can cook and not worry about babysitting your food, which makes you flexible and free to concentrate on other things as your food cooks.
The non-stick coating of this presto skillet lets your food cook without sticking on the surface, thus preventing it from burning. The coating also makes cleaning the skillet a breeze, totally hassle-free. It measures 13 by 12 by 5 inches and weighs 4.8 pounds. The temperature range is warm to 400 degrees.
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4. Black & Decker SK1215BC Family Sized Electric Skillet
- Quick-release variable temperature probe releases quickly for serving and cleaning
- Non-stick coated surface
- Easy to use dial control can be turned low for a keep warm setting
- Tempered glass lid allows you to view cooking progress
Which is the best electric skillet? You keep wondering which skillet you can buy that is big enough for your whole family. Well, I guess Black and Decker had you in mind as their skillet is the best size for a family. It measures approximately 17 by 12 by 4 inches and weighs 7. pounds.
With its tempered glass lid, you can see your meal even as it cooks or checks the amount of food remaining through the lid. For safety purposes, it features a cool-touch base with serving handles. The durable coating prevents food from burning and makes the skillet easy to clean. In addition, the base of this skillet is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. The variable temperature control is removable, and the temperature range is kept war to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
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5. Zojirushi EP-PBC10 Gourmet d'Expert Electric Skillet
- Large multi-functional electric skillet
- Durable cooking pan ideal for sauteing, stewing and grilling
- Adjustable temperature settings
- Recipes included
- Stay cool side handles make removal of cooking pan quick, safe and easy
If you are looking for generously sized cooking equipment, Zojirushi has the best electric skillet for you. It is a well-known brand as it makes impressive rice cookers and bread machines, and its skillet is one of the best, as it has a large cooking capacity and even comes with recipes to make your cooking easier and more fun.
Zojirushi gourmet d'expert electric skillet is suitable for trying different cooking methods like sauteing, grilling, and stewing. The handles stay cool and make it easy to remove the pan safely. You can also adjust the temperature settings for different foods. The cooking pan is 2-1/4 inches deep and distributes heat evenly for perfect cooking. The cooking surface is non-stick coated to prevent food from getting stuck and burning.
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What Factors Should You Consider When Buying the Best Electric Skillet?
The best electric skillets are all over the market, and you can easily get one. However, it is also easy to get a counterfeit. Therefore, you y need to look at certain features to ensure that it is the right one and suitable for your needs. So, let's get to the point and see what you should look for when shopping for an skillet.
(a). Size
Electric skillets come in different sizes, and the size you get will depend on your needs. For example, if you cook for families, you may need to get a bigger skillet. On the other hand, smaller households will need a smaller electric skillet. The other reason why you need to consider the size of the skillet before buying it is the space available. Ensure that you have storage space for whichever size you choose, as electric skillets don't usually stay on the countertops.
(b). Care and Maintenance
Non-stick coatings need special care during use, and you also should not use sharp objects as they may scratch the coating and damage the finish. When cooking or serving, you can only use wooden or silicone implements not to scratch off the coating. Also, if your skillet is dishwasher safe, ensure that you brush off all the debris before you load it into the dishwasher. Handwashing it may lengthen its life.
(c). Material
Electric skillets come in non-stick coated metal like stainless steel or heavy cast aluminum. Heavy-duty coatings will give you prolonged service than weak coatings. If you are worried about the traditional non-stick coatings, some electric skillets are coated with ceramic that you can try.
(d). Quality and Durability
The material used in the construction of an electric skillet will highly affect its quality. The construction of the skillet also determines how long it lasts. For that reason, ensure you buy a high-quality skillet that is likely to give you a prolonged service. It wouldn't be fun to buy a skillet only for it to use for a few months before you dispose of it.
The market is full of different shapes and sizes of skillets that you can choose from. However, when choosing a skillet, keep your needs in mind and buy something that will let you optimize its usage. I hope our article was helpful in your search for the best electric skillet and that you found one.
