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Best Electric Skillets

Updated March 2024
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Cuisinart 1500-Watt Nonstick Oval Electric Skillet, Brushed Stainless
Cuisinart
CSK-150 1500-Watt Nonstick Oval Electric Skillet
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Stainless Steel Strength
Bottom Line

Sleek and modern skillet goes up to 450 degrees, is dishwasher safe, and well-designed for your needs.

Pros

People love this option's simplicity while praising its reliable performance. It's easy to use and keeps its power through constant use. The nonstick surface ensures an easy cleanup. Tempered glass cover.

Cons

Be warned; some buyers found its temperature dial inconsistent with the actual heat; make sure you test it.

Best Bang for the Buck
Presto 11-Inch Electric Skillet
Presto
11-Inch Electric Skillet
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Simple yet Solid
Bottom Line

Tops in value; a budget-priced, compact product that packs an impressive wattage for its size.

Pros

Very affordable. Dependable nonstick coating. Cooks evenly. Accommodates large amounts of food. Simple temperature control dial.

Cons

Smaller than its 16-inch counterparts. Short cord.

Dash Electric Skillet, 14-inch
Dash
Electric Skillet, 14-inch
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

An electric skillet that offers a combination of useful features.

Pros

Round design with a large capacity. Can hold up to 5 quarts of food. Heats quickly. The nonstick surface is easy to clean.

Cons

Some durability and longevity concerns. Temperatures can be difficult to regulate. Exterior paint tends to chip.

All-Clad SK492 Electric Skillet
All-Clad
SK492 Electric Skillet
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Feature-packed
Bottom Line

This model distances itself from competitors in terms of aesthetics.

Pros

Sports a round design that's deep and spacious enough to accommodate up to 7 quarts of food. Combines a sleek, stainless steel finish with an effective nonstick interior.

Cons

Expensive. A few customers gripe about damaged or defective skillets upon delivery.

BELLA Electric Ceramic Titanium Skillet
BELLA
Electric Ceramic Titanium Skillet
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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

Made from titanium ceramic coating, this durable product is a steal for the price.

Pros

This versatile skillet provides 1,400 watts of power. Nonstick, scratch-resistant titanium copper coating. Quick-heating and easy to use.

Cons

Doubts about longevity, and some users claim inconsistent temperature control.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

33
Models
Considered
68
Consumers
Consulted
18
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for best electric skillets

The holidays roll around, and you're planning on hosting a slew of guests. Sometimes the stovetop doesn't cut it; you can only cook so much on the stove at once. An electric skillet can give you that extra bit of cooking space you need to prepare a meal for a large group of people.

Electric skillets are portable, provide even heating at a steady temperature, and can cook a lot at one time. They’re not just suitable for holiday meal prep; they’re also an excellent option for campers and those who simply don’t feet like getting their stovetop dirty.

At BestReviews, we studied the electric skillet market in order to bring you this shopping guide. Below, you'll find a list of considerations to keep in mind when evaluating individual skillets, attractive features you may want to look for when shopping, and information on how to use your electric skillet safely. Above, you will find our top five favorite electric skillets on the market today.

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Electric skillets are more energy-efficient than stovetops; they sap less power. If you’re watching your budget, an electric skillet could be a good economical choice.

Electric skillet considerations

When shopping for an electric skillet, ask yourself the following questions before settling on a specific model.

How many people will you be cooking for?

If you’re planning to use your electric skillet for entertaining large groups of people, you’ll need a bigger cooking vessel. You can usually find skillets that are sized between 12 and 16 inches, but some are even larger.

If you’re cooking for yourself or a small group, you may wish to buy a smaller electric skillet with a width or diameter of just 10 inches or so.

Which electric skillet shape would best suit your needs?

Just like a stovetop pan, the shape of an electric skillet matters. Electric skillets come in a variety of shapes to suit different user needs. If you are cooking, searing, and browning large quantities of meat, a rectangular pan will allow you to get more done at once than a round skillet.

Do you plan to fry or deep-fry foods using your electric skillet?

If so, make sure you buy an electric skillet that can reach a high enough temperature for frying. An electric skillet that can reach a temperature of 450°F is usually sufficient.

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Did you know?
If you want to deep-fry foods in your electric skillet, you'll need a deep skillet that can reach higher temperatures.
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BestReviews

Are the sides and lid of the electric skillet high enough for your needs?

If you plan on cooking soups and stews or want to deep-fry foods in your electric skillet, opt for a model with higher sides to contain your food and avoid oil splattering. If you plan to cook foods that might peek out of the top of your skillet, such as large pieces of meat, look for a convex lid shape.

Where will you store your electric skillet when it’s not in use?

Regardless of the size you buy, make sure you have enough space to store your electric skillet. Also make sure you can handle the weight of the skillet when transporting it from cabinet to countertop.

What type of temperature control do you prefer on your electric skillet?

Electric skillets with bare-bones controls for high and low temperatures are less versatile and not appropriate for precision cooking. However, if you plan to cook mostly stews and soups in your electric skillet, these simple controls should work just fine.

On the other end of the spectrum are electric skillets with highly precise temperature controls.

In fact, some electric skillets even come with a warming setting for buffet-style serving.

Other considerations when choosing an electric skillet

Durability

Like most kitchen appliances, your electric skillet will last longer if you care for and use it correctly. But some things will dictate overall durability regardless of how you care for your skillet.

For example, materials like stainless steel will no doubt resist wear and tear better than hard plastics, and glass lids are sturdier than plastic ones.

Skillet coating

As with frying pans, you’ll find that electric skillets come coated in a variety of different materials. Electric skillets are usually covered with nonstick materials to make cooking easier.

Teflon is a durable coating that does a great job at keeping food from sticking, but there are some concerns about chemicals in the Teflon leaching into food. If you have pet birds in your home, heating dry Teflon at too high of a temperature can let off fumes undetectable to humans that could potentially fatally injure your bird.

Ceramic coatings are just as effective but do not have associated health risks.

"Look for an electric skillet with a heavy base. The extra weight will help ensure that the skillet doesn’t easily get knocked off the counter."
STAFF
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Safety features

Electric skillets are perfectly safe to use as long as you use them correctly.

As with any kitchen appliance, being cautious makes all the difference.

  • Skillets with a vent allow steam to escape to avoid dangerous pressure buildup inside.

  • Some electric skillets come equipped with a locking mechanism to help make transporting finished dishes easier. With a locking mechanism, you won’t need to be afraid of accidentally spilling hot foods.

  • Many electric skillets also come equipped with cool-touch components. These components help protect you from accidental burns.

Electric skillet safety tips

Whenever you're dealing with an item that requires a power source and produces heat, you should be mindful of safety. Here are a few tips to ensure you use your skillet safely.

  • Don't forget to turn your electric skillet off and unplug it from the wall when you're done using it. Leaving it on and plugged in can constitute a fire hazard.

  • Don't try to cook on a wobbly surface, as you could spill hot food on yourself, causing painful burns.

  • An electric skillet isn't a slow cooker. Don't leave food to cook on a hot skillet unattended.

  • The skillet itself will heat up as it cooks. Use oven mitts to handle the lid and when moving the unit.

  • Use wood utensils with your electric skillet to avoid scratching or otherwise damaging its cooking surface.

  • For effortless cleanup, choose an electric skillet that’s dishwasher safe.

  • Choose a deeper electric skillet if you’re concerned about oil splatter.

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An electric skillet with a glass lid will allow you to monitor your food throughout the cooking process, so you don’t have to lift it up and let valuable heat out.

FAQ

Q. What's the difference between a skillet and a griddle?

A. A griddle has a flat surface with no lid or sides. It's a good choice for cooking pancakes, crepes, and omelets, as those foods require flipping. It's a bit tough to flip something in a skillet because the sides can get in the way.

Q. How hot can an electric skillet get?

A. Most electric skillets can heat up to 400°F. Some can reach higher temps of up to 450°F, which is necessary for situations in which you want to fry food.

Q. What's the best way to clean an electric skillet after using it?

A. Don't try to wash an electric skillet until it's cooled down. Make sure it's not plugged into a power source. Gently hand-wash the pan without submerging it in water. Some units are dishwasher safe or have, at the very least, dishwasher safe parts. Read the manufacturer's manual to ensure you follow the proper cleaning steps.

Q. How much does a good electric skillet cost?

A. Most bargain-priced electric skillets will have simple controls, a smaller footprint, and less-durable materials. That said, there are some good bargain-priced skillets available for about $25. Pricier electric skillets range from $40 to as much as $200. They tend to have tougher glass lids, sleeker designs, and more bells and whistles (such as a “keep warm” setting) than low-cost electric skillets.