An electric skillet is a handy kitchen appliance that can be used to fry, bake, stew, and stir fry without the use of your oven or range. Compact options are ideal for camping, road trips in an RV, or for students. They can also serve double duty as an excellent serving dish in a buffet setting. Special features like nonstick surfaces and cool touch handles make these skillets practical, safe, and efficient.
Tips for Choosing an Electric Skillet
• Select a size that suits your needs. Big isn’t always better. If you plan to travel with your skillet or you are only cooking for one to two people, a smaller one will be easier to handle.
• Nonstick surfaces not only make cooking easier, but they make clean-up simple. Many models are dishwasher safe.
• Look for cool touch handles for added safety when cooking.
• Temperature controls that offer a range from warm to 400°F will give you the most versatility. You will find you have more options when it comes to food preparation, and lower settings make the skillet perfect for serving.
• Color won’t affect the skillet’s cooking ability, but it is nice to have the smaller appliances in your kitchen coordinate with the rest of the room.
Here’s our list of the best electric skillets you can buy online in 2021
ConsumerExpert.org Best Buy Electric Skillet
16 Inch Electric Foldaway Skillet in Black by Presto (Model No. 06857)
Presto 06852 16-Inch Electric Skillet with Glass Cover
The Presto 06852 Electric Skillet with glass cover provides an extra-large cooking area with high side walls. It fries, roasts, stews, grills, bakes, and makes casseroles easily and with less energy than the range or oven. This skillet can be fully immersed in water and is dish washer safe for easy clean-up. The tempered glass cover makes it easy to see what is cooking, and it can also be used as a serving piece in a buffet. It is constructed of heavy cast aluminum, and it has a nonstick, deluxe surface. It meets all North American Electrical Standards. This skillet will measure 23 by 13 by 9 inches, and it weighs 9.8 pounds.
Proctor Silex 38526 Electric Skillet
The Proctor Silex Electric Skillet offers you all of the cooking benefits you’ll find in a frying pan without needing the use of your range. The surface heats quickly and evenly without any hot spots. This skillet is ideal for all meals including bacon breakfasts, grilled cheese lunches, and pork chop dinners. The adjustable heat ranges from 200° F to 400° F, and it can be used to keep food warm when used in a buffet setting. A light tells you when the skillet has reached the desired temperature. The non-stick, 144 square inch cooking surface is easy to clean with the removable temperature controls. The lid and skillet can be washed in soapy water or placed in the dishwasher. It will measure 6 by 14 by 12 inches, and it weighs 5.4 pounds.
Hamilton Beach 38528 Deep Dish Ceramic Skillet
You can fry, sauté, braise, or simmer in the Hamilton Beach 38528 Deep Dish Ceramic Skillet. One can make a variety of foods like lasagna or a breakfast casserole with its deeper dish design and nonstick surface. The cooking surface is 12 by 15 inches with 3 inch walls that provide a larger capacity for many one dish meals. It has a Durathon coating that is more durable than traditional non-stick surfaces, and it won’t crack or peel while being PTFE and PFOA free. The adjustable heat can reach up to 400° F while the handles stay cool to the touch. It can also be used as a buffet serving piece. This skillet is dishwasher safe, measures 12 by 21 by 8 inches, and weighs 7.6 pounds.
Oster CKSTSKFM12-ECO DuraCeramic Electric Skillet, 12-Inch
The Oster CKSTSKFM12-ECO DuraCeramic Electric Skillet has a uniquely designed non-stick surface that will last you four times longer than your traditional non-stick surfaces without peeling or flaking. This ceramic coating is PTFE and PFOA free so that you can brown meats and stir fry without worrying. This DuraCeramic surface can cook food 20% quicker and wipes clean. It features a 12 by 12 inch cooking area that allows you to prepare foods without the use of your oven or range. The temperature control keeps temperatures set just right for perfect results on various foods, and the controls come off for easier clean-up. Cool touch handles and a tempered glass lid with steam vents are just a few of the conveniences this skillet offers the home cook. It will measure 5.8 by 14.7 by 13.1 inches, and it weighs 6.2 pounds.
De’Longhi BG45 Electric Skillet
The De’Longhi BG45 Electric Skillet allows you to prepare a variety of foods consistently and thoroughly cooked with the embedded base that distributes even heating to avoid hot spots. The tempered glass lid allows you to monitor the foods as they cook, keeps food juicy, and works nicely when used as a buffet piece. The detachable thermostat lets you select the exact temperature needed for the best results each time. The non-stick base wipes clean and can be placed in the dishwasher with the lid. Its extra-large cooking surface provides enough room to make large amounts of food for bigger groups, and cool touch handles offer extra safety when in use. This skillet will measures 19.3 by 11.8 by 8.4 inches, and it weighs 8.9 pounds.
National Presto 07115 Electric Foldaway Skillet, 12-Inch, Burgundy
The National Presto 07115 Electric Foldaway Skillet has a ceramic nonstick surface both on the inside and exterior. It offers the home cook a stick-free experience for frying, roasting, baking, and stewing along with easy clean-up. It is virtually warp proof due to the heavy cast aluminum construction with high side walls. The Control Master heat control will automatically maintain your desired temperature when cooking. A pour spout is built in and can also be used as a spoon rest. Once the heat control is removed the skillet is fully immiscible. Simply remove the base by folding the handles down and lifting the pan away. Folding handles make it easier to store as well. This skillet will measure 12.2 by 16.2 by 8 inches, and it weighs 7.2 pounds.
Nesco ES-08 Electric Skillet, 8-Inch
The Nesco ES-08 Electric Skillet can fry, sear, steam, bake, or simmer. It is the ideal size for couples, singles, travelers, or students. Although it is small, it still has nice deep sides that allow you to easily sear steaks, cook a small roast, or make casseroles. The low setting makes this skillet perfect for serving as well as cooking. The adjustable temperature controls are easy to read and let you achieve terrific results with each use. It has an aluminum die cast pan with heat resistant handles and a tempered glass cover. The skillet and cover can safely go in the dishwasher once the probe is removed. It will measure 12 by 10 by 6 inches, and it weighs 3.8 pounds.
Elite Cuisine Electric Skillet EFS-400 – A 7-Inch Non-Stick Electric Skillet – Come with a Glass Lid
The Elite Cuisine EFS-400 electric skillet is a nice compact size that is ideal for taking along when camping, traveling in an RV, or creating small single serve meals. It has a 32 ounce capacity along with an easy to clean, nonstick cooking surface. The locking handles are removable, and the tempered glass cover includes a cool touch handle. Cooking versatility is provided by the adjustable temperature control. This electric skillet may be small in size, but it has many of the features found on larger models. It is ideal for frying bacon, making scrambled eggs, or having mini pancakes. It will measure 7.5 by 6.2 by 9 inches, and it only weighs one pound.
Cuisinart CSK-150 1500-Watt Nonstick Oval Electric Skillet
The Cuisinart CSK-150 electric Skillet has a 12 by 15 inch nonstick cooking area within its unique oval shaped design. You can select temperatures ranging from warm to 450°F with the use of the temperature control dial. An indicator light lets you know when the surface is heated. The glass lid includes a handle and rim made of stainless steel, and the side handles allow you to safely transport the skillet. The cooking surface is found inside of a brushed stainless steel housing and is dishwasher safe. It comes with a recipe book that includes 30 dishes and instructions. This skillet meets all North American Electrical Standards. It will measure 13.5 by 19.8 by 6 inches and weighs four pounds.