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The Spruce Eats / Photo Illustration by Chloe Jeong / Retailers below
An electric skillet may not exactly qualify as a true kitchen essential, but it is an extremely useful appliance favored by home cooks everywhere. It can function as an additional cooktop when your other burners are in use, it is great for cooking larger quantities, and can hold a dish at a constant temperature for serving. Depending on the style of skillet you've chosen, it can also serve as a steamer, deep-fryer, and casserole dish—the options are endless for this versatile piece of equipment. Since electric skillets heat up quickly and are usually a breeze to clean, having one in your kitchen arsenal just makes sense. Feeling inspired to pick one up?
From rectangular to round, ceramic to nonstick, we've compiled a list to help you select the best electric skillet for your home.
Best Rectangular
Presto 06852 16-inch Electric Skillet
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Amazon
Generous capacity
Fully immersible for easy cleaning
Contemporary look
Nonstick coating doesn't last as long as others
A popular choice for home cooks, this 16-inch rectangular skillet gives plenty of space while the fluid handle-and-leg configuration on each side gives the skillet a contemporary look with a slightly retro vibe. The lid is glass with a large top knob that makes it easy to remove. The skillet is fully immersible for washing with the heat probe removed and is also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning when the buffet table is empty and the party’s over. This can be set for temperatures from warm to 400 degrees.
Price at time of publish: $67 for one
Material: Cast aluminum with nonstick coating | Temperature Range: Warm to 400 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Yes, with probe removed | Power: 1500 watts
Best Budget
Presto 11-Inch Electric Skillet
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Amazon
Generous capacity
Easy to clean
Budget friendly
Question of durability in the long run
This 1200-watt skillet is a fantastic price for its generous 11 x 11-inch size. It features high sidewalls that provide extra cooking capacity, allowing you to make larger amounts to feed a hungry crowd. The skillet is made of heavy cast aluminum, giving it great heat conduction and making it resistant to warping. The removable heat control goes from "warm" to 400 degrees, making it easy to adjust your temperature as you like while cooking or hold a temperature for deep-frying. The interior of the skillet has a durable nonstick coating that prevents food from sticking. Without the heat control, the pan is fully immersible and dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. This skillet is available with two different lid styles, opaque EverNu plastic or see-through glass.
Price at time of publish: $40
Material: Cast aluminum with nonstick coating | Temperature Range: Warm to 400 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Yes, with heat control removed | Power: 1100 watts
Best Versatile
Zojirushi EP-RAC50 Gourmet d'Expert 1350-Watt Electric Skillet
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Amazon
High quality construction
Allows for a multitude of applications
Wide temperature range
Hand wash only
You might know the Zojirushi name from their impressive bread machines and rice cookers, but they also make other countertop appliances, like this versatile skillet that does just a bit more than its peers. It offers 1350 watts of cooking power and a glass lid with a knob handle so it’s easy to see what’s cooking. The deep inner pan is the perfect skillet for casseroles, soups, and sauces, while the flat plate handles grilling burgers or steaks, or cooking French toast or eggs. For even more versatility, there’s a multi-height steaming plate that fits into the deep skillet for steaming vegetables, dumplings, fish, and more.
If that’s not enough, the pan can be used directly on the stove. This can be set for temperatures from warm (176 degrees) to 480 degrees. The pans and steaming plate must be hand washed.
Price at time of publish: $125 for skillet
Material: Ceramic/stainless steel with titanium-enhanced nonstick coating | Temperature Range: 176 to 480 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: No | Power: 1350 watts
Best Oval
Cuisinart CSK-150 1500-Watt Nonstick Oval Electric Skillet
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Amazon
Great temperature range
Fast cooking
Easy to clean
On the pricier side
Inconsistency in performance for some users
Whether you're looking for an appliance that offers you more cooking space or you're looking for a skillet with more even heat distribution, an electric skillet is a great appliance to add to your kitchen. Our top choice is Cuisinart's Nonstick Oval Electric Skillet, which offers 1500 watts of power for fast cooking, and a removable temperature probe that can be set from warm (ideal for keeping food at the perfect temperature for serving or on a buffet) up to 450 degrees, which is great for stir-frying and searing.
The nonstick surface releases food easily, so hand washing is easy. With the probe removed it’s also dishwasher safe, for easy cleaning after the party is over. The lid is glass, so you can see what’s cooking or when it’s time to add more to the buffet. Attractive metal side handles make this easy to carry while short feet keep the pan raised from the surface below, and keep the skillet stable. The brushed stainless exterior will look good in the kitchen, or during serving.
Price at time of publish: $140
Material: Cast aluminum with nonstick coating | Temperature Range: Warm to 450 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Power: 1500 watts
Best Oversized
All-Clad Electric Nonstick Skillet, 7-Quart
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Amazon
Generous capacity
1800 watts offers quick, constant heat
Easy to clean
Expensive
A little bulky to store
With a capacity larger than many Dutch ovens, there’s plenty of room in this skillet to cook for a large family or for a party. The skillet has tall, straight sides that keep spatter in and make this skillet great for braising meats or for casseroles. The 14-inch diameter gives plenty of space for burgers or bacon, while the 1800 watts of power ensures fast, hot cooking when needed, and low-and-slow heat when that’s on the menu.
The temperature control goes from warm to past 450 degrees for searing. With the heat probe removed, the skillet is dishwasher safe, but users noted that it was awkward to get the large skillet to fit; they also noted that handwashing was easy thanks to the nonstick surface.
Price at time of publish: $210
Material: Stainless steel with nonstick coating | Temperature Range: Warm to 450+ degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Yes, with heat probe removed | Power: 1800 watts
Best Design
Starfrit The Rock Electric Skillet
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Amazon
Durable construction and coating
Handles stay cool while cooking
Even heating and easy release
Hand wash only
This attractive electric skillet makes a statement with a black surface with white specs, reminiscent of graniteware. The interior continues that color scheme with its nonstick coating and patented RocTec technology ensures even heating, easy release, and no warping. The tempered glass lid allows you to visually monitor what you're cooking.
This skillet offers 1200 watts of cooking power, and the temperature control goes from “F” to 400 degrees. For cleaning, this should be hand-washed, and it should not be immersed in water. Both the lid's knob handle and the side handles are made of Bakelite—which stays cool to the touch while cooking—and the handles are generously sized, making it easy to move the skillet, even when it’s hot.
Price at time of publish: $40
Material: Cast aluminum | Temperature Range: Warm to 400 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: No | Power: 1200 watts
Best for Storage
Presto 06857 Foldaway Electric Skillet
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Amazon
Generous capacity
Compact storage profile
Dishwasher safe
Unit gets hot on counter
This 16-inch rectangular skillet by Presto looks substantial, with a solid base and sturdy side handles, but when it’s time to store, magic happens. The side handles fold down, the base fits inside the skillet along with the probe, and the domed lid can be placed upside-down for a much more compact storage profile. This offers 1500 watts of cooking power and heat control that goes to 400 degrees but can be turned just a bit further for a bit more heat.
The skillet, with the heat probe removed, is dishwasher safe but is quick to clean thanks to the nonstick cooking surface. A pouring spout on one corner makes it neat and easy to remove liquids from the pan, and the spout doubles as a convenient place to rest a spoon when this is used on a buffet. The glass lid lets the cook check the food without letting the heat out, while the loop handle on top makes it comfortable to hold when lifting the lid for serving.
Price at time of publish: $84 for skillet
Material: Cast aluminum with nonstick coating | Temperature Range: Warm to 400 degrees | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Power: 1500 watts
We love the Presto 16-inch Electric Skillet, as it offers an easy-to-maneuver rectangular surface that is also a cinch to clean. If you want a version that won't break the bank, we also recommend the Presto 11-inch Skillet because it's roomy and easy to clean.
What To Look For When Buying an Electric Skillet
Size
One of the first things to consider when buying an electric skillet is what size suits your needs best. Those who cook for families will want to opt for a larger pan size (14 inches and up) and smaller households will want a more modest size (between 10 to 12 inches should be sufficient), Another consideration is storage space since this is an item that doesn't usually live on the countertop. Whatever size you choose, be sure you have enough room to stow it away when it's not in use.
Material
Electric skillets usually come in some sort of nonstick-coated metal, like heavy-gauge aluminum or stainless steel. Look for heavy-duty nonstick coatings so that you'll get maximum usage from your appliance. If you don't like traditional nonstick coatings, there are also ceramic-coated options out there.
Care and Maintenance
As with anything that has a nonstick coating, you want to be careful about using sharp tools and utensils on the surface. Your best bet is wooden or silicone implements to avoid scratching and damaging the skillet's finish. If your skillet is dishwasher-safe, gently brush off any debris before loading into the dishwasher; you may choose to handwash your skillet's pan instead in order to increase the longevity of the nonstick coating.
FAQs
How do you clean an electric skillet?
If your skillet is marked "dishwasher safe", you can typically put it right into the dishwasher with the power source/heat probe removed. Before putting your skillet in the dishwasher, try to brush away any food particles and gently slough off burned bits with a non-abrasive scrubber. If your skillet isn't dishwasher safe, use mild dishwashing soap and a sponge to get your pan clean. Wipe it dry with a clean dishtowel or paper towels before storing it away.
Can you bake in an electric skillet?
Surprisingly, you can—with a few caveats. You'll want to make sure your skillet has a fairly accurate temperature control and a lid to keep the heat in. To make a cake, you can line your pan with foil and pour your cake batter inside, cooking at 275 degrees for 45 minutes with the lid slightly ajar, testing the cake for doneness with a toothpick. For other baking, you can try setting your skillet to the recipe's required temperature, add a wire rack, and set your baking pan on top (essentially using your skillet as a mini-oven with the lid slightly ajar). It might take some trial and error to get it right, but it can be done.
Can you deep-fry in an electric skillet?
It depends on the skillet, but in many cases, the even heat and adjustable temperature controls make it easy to deep-fry in addition to sautéing and braising. You'll want to ensure that the sides of your skillet are deep enough to hold enough oil for deep-frying without the risk of splattering or spilling over the sides. Always defer to the manufacturer's instructions on whether or not the model you choose can be used for deep-frying.
How is an electric skillet different from a griddle?
While both electric skillets and griddles are equipped with temperature controls for even heating, a griddle is typically shallower and wider than a skillet. Additionally, a griddle is meant for use with a touch of oil and dry heat, great for browning sausages, crisping up hash browns, or making grilled cheese sandwiches. Electric skillets usually have higher sides and come equipped with a lid, allowing you to sauté, stir-fry, steam, and braise—applications that include more moisture or liquid. In a pinch, you could probably use a large-sized non-stick electric skillet as you would a griddle for pancakes, eggs, and bacon, but might find the high sides make it harder to access and flip with a spatula.
What are the benefits of using an electric skillet over a stovetop skillet?
Electric skillets are built to heat to a set temperature, so they're easier to monitor than stovetop skillets which may overheat or have hot spots. Deeper skillets can be used for deep frying since they hold heat consistently. Plus, they can serve as an additional cooking station if your stovetop's burners are already in use.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Dubbed “the gadget queen” by her father-in-law, Donna Currie has spent enough time researching kitchen equipment to qualify for a master’s degree in kitchen gadgets, if such a thing existed. When her kitchen was being remodeled, an electric skillet became her "go-to" appliance.
This piece was edited by Bernadette Machard de Gramont, an LA-based writer who specializes in global food and wine content. She researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools, and interviews field experts for their insight.