Last Updated On November 11th, 2021
While not everyone uses them, electric skillets can be an incredibly effective and portable solution for cooking. Whether you live in a small home or apartment where you don’t have access to a traditional oven range, or you want to cook while camping, a good electric skillet can still give you the freedom to cook stellar meals without the stress and hassle of juggling multiple pots and pans.
Table of Contents
Benefits Of Electric Skillet
Even heating
A common problem that people face with regular stovetop skillets is the fact that they do not always heat food evenly. This can affect the rate at which some food items in the skillet cooks – ultimately having a negative impact on the final texture and taste of the dish. With an electric skillet, the heating element is designed to provide even heating over the entire surface of the pan.
Surface has a non-stick layer
When you take a look at an electric skillet, you’ll usually see that the surface on the inside is non-stick. Manufacturers generally add a non-stick layer to these pans, as it helps to prevent food from burning onto the surface while you are cooking a meal.
Multipurpose kitchen tool
Electric skillets are truly versatile. They can be used for a large variety of purposes. While many people associate dishes like a classic stir fry with an electric skillet, note that these devices can be used for many other food items too. For example, you can even cook up a few pieces of meat using this device.
Temperature control
With a regular skillet, you need to constantly adjust the temperature of the stovetop to accompany your needs. This means the heat still needs to transfer from the stove to the skillet – which can become an especially concerning problem when you need to quickly reduce the temperature of the skillet. The controller on an electric skillet gives you more control over the temperature inside. This way, you can quickly make adjustments to increase or decrease the temperature without waiting for the stovetop to respond to the changes.
Considerations
Skillet size
These skillets are available in a wide range of sizes, from small ones to options that are great for cooking bigger dishes. With this in mind, a good starting point is to identify the size that will be most ideal for your own needs. Take the size of your family into consideration at this point. For a small family, you do not need an electric skillet that has an exceptionally larger interior cooking surface. This also helps to reduce the amount of space used when using or storing the device.
Temperature settings
The majority of electric skillets will come with a built-in temperature controller. This usually allows you to set the temperature according to your needs, with some also providing a function to keep your food warm. This is an area where your personal requirements do come into play again. You need to determine what the most ideal temperatures would be, based on the type of dishes you cook and the foods that you frequently work with. Some recipes may require very specific temperatures, for example. A larger variety of temperature settings can help to add more versatility to the skillet.
Interior coating
Just because electric skillets usually come with a non-stick cooking surface does not mean all of them do. Take a closer look at the coating that is used on the interior of the device. The coating should provide a non-stick element to the skillet. This does not only make cooking more efficient but also eases up the cleaning process afterward.
1. Presto 16-inch Electric Foldaway Skillet (Best for Storage)
Nesting for Easy Storage
If space is at a premium in your home, then you’ll like that this electric skillet is designed to nest for easy storage. It’s a 16-inch skillet made from cast aluminum with a non-stick surface both inside and out. You’ll like that this electric skillet has a built-in spout which makes this perfect for making soups and stews too. The pan and cover are dishwasher safe and you can remove the heat control. And you get a tempered glass lid.
2. Bella Electric Ceramic Titanium Skillet (Best Non-stick Pick )
An Eco-friendly Non-stick Coating
If you’re concerned about harmful coatings hurting the environment you’ll like this choice from Bella. It features an eco-friendly non-stick coating made from a reinforced titanium ceramic blend. Because of its unique coating, this electric skillet cooks more reliably and up to 30% faster than traditional non-stick coatings. And the added titanium ensures that this pick will be scratch resistant as well.
3. Black & Decker Family Sized Electric Skillet (Best for Large Meals)
A Large-capacity Skillet
You can’t go wrong with Black & Decker. And if you’re cooking for a big group, this large electric skillet is an excellent choice. You’ll get a quick-release variable temperature probe which is easy to keep clean. This electric skillet features a non-stick interior surface and an easy to use dial control that allows you to shift to a “keep warm” setting. This pick has a dishwasher safe base and can reach temperatures of up to 400 Fahrenheit.
4. Elite Gourmet Personal Stir Fry Griddle Pan (Most Economical)
Affordable and Compact
Whether you’re cooking for one or aren’t sure if you’re ready to invest in a more expensive electric skillet, you’ll like this simple pick from Elite Gourmet. It has a seven-inch skillet and is also non-stick. We like that this electric skillet is elevated, which makes it great for cooking in a variety of locations. As is standard you’ll get an adjustable temperature dial and a keep warm mode. Additionally there’s a tempered glass lid.
5. Ovente 12 Inch Electric Kitchen Skillet with Nonstick Aluminum Coated Grill Pan (Best Compact Pick)
Great for Smaller Cooking
Whether your kitchen is lacking space or you have several other pots and pans, you might not need the largest electric skillet that a brand offers. That’s why we like this 12-inch skillet from Ovente. Along with standard features like an adjustable temperature dial, a tempered glass lid, and a non-stick coating, we like that this pick is made from a high-quality aluminum body for added durability.
6. Aroma Housewares Gourmet Series Stainless Steel Electric Skillet (Best Stainless Steel)
A Classic Cooking Choice
Some people prefer cooking with stainless steel. And if that sounds familiar you’ll like this 11.8-inch wide pan that can reach temperatures as high as 425 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll get even heating and a tempered glass lid. You’ll like that this electric skillet is made from 18/10 high-quality stainless steel. It’s also impact bonded for superior results. Note that the temperature adjustments are only in Fahrenheit.
7. Zojirushi Gourmet d’Expert Electric Skillet
(Best for Hot Pot)
Large Capacity for Soups
For people that like to cook soups and stews, you’ll like the Zojirushi electric skillet. This skillet has an adjustable temperature range from 176 to 430 degrees Fahrenheit. The large capacity makes it ideal for a variety of meals. We like that this electric skillet features a ceramic surface that’s enhanced with a titanium non-stick coating. You’ll get a detachable power cord and a tempered glass lid. There are also cool touch handles for easy pan removal.
8. Dash Electric Skillet + Hot Oven Cooker with 14 Inch Nonstick Surface (Best Capacity)
A 20-cup Capacity Solution
With a 20-cup capacity, this electric skillet from Dash is a great choice for people that find themselves frequently cooking large meals. We like that this pick also comes with a recipe book to get you started. Available in red, you can also choose a black or aqua electric skillet. Along with a tempered glass lid and cool touch handles, you’ll also get a temperature range of up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and a non-stick surface.