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Short on stovetop space? It might be time to invest in one of the Best Electric Skillets. These portable hot skillets can be used for sizzling bacon, sauteed veggies, and more without limiting you from just cooking with a grill or frying pan. These small appliances can be used on a kitchen island or dining table and could even be considered travel-friendly, whether you’re heading to a potluck buffet or want to cook in your backyard. They could also be good for those with small kitchens, who don’t have access to a full kitchen, or bigger households that need to maximize their kitchen.
I teamed up with Meggan of Culinary Hill to thoroughly research the best electric skillets on the market today, including the one she uses in her kitchen. We think you’ll appreciate the versatility of having an extra cooking surface whether you’re serving up a big brunch for the fam or just don’t like dealing with your gas stovetop.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
- What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Presto 16-Inch Ceramic Electric Skillet – $64.70 at Amazon
- Best Budget: Black & Decker Electric Skillet – $54.99 at Walmart
- Best Nonstick: Zojirushi Gourmet d’Expert Electric Skillet – $194.97 at Amazon
- Best Stainless Steel: All-Clad Electric Nonstick Skillet – $209.95 at Amazon
- Best Small: Presto 11-Inch Electric Skillet – $37.99 at Amazon
- Best Foldable: Presto Electric Foldaway Skillet – $79.99 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Electric Skillets
1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: Presto 16-Inch Ceramic Electric Skillet
Meggan has been using Presto electric skillets since receiving one as a wedding gift in 2009 and upgraded to this ceramic model in 2017. “I love it because it has a larger cooking surface than most normal kitchen skillets (16 inches!), and I love the ceramic nonstick surface, which is easy to clean and safe,” Meggan says.
This appliance is great for big-batch cooking and keeping food warm on a buffet, but Meggan also likes to use hers for deep-frying, which is possible thanks to its high sidewalls. “It’s easier to control and maintain the oil temperature, and the straight side walls make it easy to see the oil level,” Meggan says. “The ample volume of the skillet allows you to deep-fry more items at once without overcrowding, too.”
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 12.25 x 22.25 x 8.25 inches
- Temperature Range: 200 to 400 degrees F
- Cooking Area: 12.25 x 16 inches
- Weight: 8.5 lbs
The Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Large with tall sides
- Comes with lid
The Cons:
- Hot spots
- Heavy
What Others are Saying:
The Presto 16-Inch Electric Skillet earned an honorable mention for best electric skillet by Cusine at Home, and it also has almost 4,000 ratings and 4.7 stars on Amazon.
Buy the Presto 16-Inch Ceramic Electric Skillet:
2. Best Budget: Black & Decker Electric Skillet
This model from Black & Decker provides ample cooking space (12 by 15 inches!) at an extremely reasonable price. The skillet has an easy-to-clean nonstick surface and a tempered glass lid to conveniently monitor your food without having grease fly everywhere.
It’s not the most beautiful skillet, but it gets the job done. At under $60, this model is an inexpensive way for someone who wants to try out an electric skillet for the first time or someone who plans to only use it occasionally.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 11.98 x 17.42 x 4.4 inches
- Temperature Range: Keep warm to 400 degrees F
- Cooking Area: 12 x 15 inches
- Weight: 7.8 lbs
The Pros:
- Affordable
- Large cooking surface
- Easy to clean
The Cons:
- Feels cheap
- Legs tend to slide around
- Can’t be submerged in water
What Others are Saying:
The Black & Decker Electric Skillet was named the best value by Reviewed and best large by Simply Recipes. It also has over 3,300 Amazon ratings for an overall 4.6-star rating.
Buy the Black & Decker Electric Skillet:
3. Best Nonstick: Zojirushi Gourmet d’Expert Electric Skillet
While many electric skillets have a nonstick coating, the Zojirushi Gourmet d’Expert Electric Skillet ranks above the rest thanks to its nonstick flat plate and deep dish pan options to make soup or even cheese fondue. The 10.5-inch wide skillet also comes with a steamer basket attachment, a see-through lid, and a unique magnetically attachable plug.
At around $200, it’s expensive, but that feels like a fair tradeoff considering its many attachments and quality. It’s a versatile three-in-one appliance that will upgrade your meals, whether as an addition to your kitchen or a substitute for one.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 15 x 17.5 inches
- Temperature Range: 176 to 430 degrees F
- Cooking Area: 10.5 inches
- Weight: 9 lbs
The Pros:
- Even heating
- Versatile
- Convenient
- Easy to clean
The Cons:
- Expensive
- Bottom of the pan is not flat
What Others are Saying:
Zojirushi’s Gourmet d’Expert Electric Skillet was named best overall by Business Insider and best versatile by The Spruce Eats.
Buy the Zojirushi’s Gourmet d’Expert Electric Skillet:
4. Best Stainless Steel: All-Clad Electric Nonstick Skillet
You probably know All-Clad for its high-quality stainless steel cookware, so it only makes sense that the brand would make an excellent stainless steel electric skillet. The pan can actually detach from its power source and be put in the oven or broiler up to 600 degrees, which is great for recipes that require finishing in the oven.
Although it comes at a high price tag, this model boasts a sleek look, precise temperature controls up to 450 degrees, and a whopping 7-quart capacity pan with an excellent nonstick coating. Plus, the pan itself is dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 16.73 x 16.73 x 6.49 inches
- Temperature Range: 250 to 450 degrees F
- Cooking Area: 14 inches
- Weight: 13.4 lbs
The Pros:
- Accurate temperature
- Easy to clean
- Sleek stainless steel look
The Cons:
- Takes up a lot of counter space
- Heavy
- Expensive
What Others are Saying:
The All-Clad Electric Nonstick Skillet was called the best upgrade by Reviewed, the best oversized by The Spruce Eats.
Buy the All-Clad Electric Nonstick Skillet:
5. Best Small: Presto 11-Inch Electric Skillet
For small households or those with limited counter space, this compact 11-inch skillet is lightweight and affordable. It’s also a great option for ensuring you have a cooking surface when traveling, and it only uses 1,000 watts of power. Although it doesn’t have the benefits of a glass lid to watch your food cook, it does have a relatively tall lid, which makes it suitable for bigger items. And because of its small size, the skillet heats and cooks quickly, streamlining the process.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 11 x 14.37 x 8.62 inches
- Temperature Range: Warm to 400 degrees F
- Cooking Area: 10.75 inches
- Weight: 4.8 lbs
The Pros:
- Lightweight and compact storage
- Easy to use
- Cooks quickly
- Portable
- Inexpensive
The Cons:
- No ventilation in lid
- Lid is not glass
- High walls make maneuvering food difficult
What Others are Saying:
The Spruce Eats called the Presto 11-Inch Electric Skillet the best budget option. It also has over 3,000 Amazon reviews and an average of 4.7 stars.
Buy the Presto 11-Inch Electric Skillet:
6. Best Foldable: Presto Electric Foldaway Skillet
As many benefits as electric skillets have, they will take up a good amount of space in your kitchen. However, this Presto model has a unique solution to minimize its space: the base, handles, and lid all fit within the skillet itself. This Presto skillet also has a notch at one corner that acts as a pour spout, which is handy for draining bacon grease or can be used as a spoon rest. Because the pan is removable from its base, it’s easy to clean thoroughly.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 15.75 x 11.87 x 2.87 inches
- Temperature Range: Warm to 400 degrees F
- Cooking Area: 15.75 inches
- Weight: 8.55 lbs
The Pros:
- Easy to store
- Easy to clean
- Durable
The Cons:
- Uneven heating
What Others are Saying:
The Presto Electric Foldaway Skillet was named best for frying by Business Insider, best for storage by The Spruce Eats. It’s earned over 15,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.7-star rating.
Buy the Presto Electric Foldaway Skillet:
Other Electric Skillets to Consider
Dash Family Size Skillet
This large, circular electric skillet from Dash boasts a cooking surface of 14 inches in diameter with a capacity of up to 20 cups. Because of its size and shape, the skillet takes up a lot of storage space, whether on the counter or in a cupboard. It also does not have numerical temperature controls but only has four settings — warm, low, medium, and high — which can make cooking a little more difficult. The Dash Family Size Skillet is available at Amazon for $45.62.
Cuisinart Electric Skillet
Like the All-Clad option, this Cuisinart skillet has a stainless steel exterior with a nonstick cooking surface. The temperature dial goes all the way up to 450 degrees, and the skillet is a unique oval shape measuring 12 by 15 inches. However, because of uneven heating, imprecise temperature, and a high price tag, this model didn’t make our top picks. The Cuisinart Electric Skillet is available at Amazon for $139.95.
Proctor Silex Electric Skillet
This electric skillet boasts a glass lid and a temperature range of 200 to 400 degrees for a low price. The nonstick surface is easy to clean, especially as it’s dishwasher-safe without the cord. Unfortunately, it’s marked as a frequently returned item on Amazon, and the plug tends to disconnect mid-cooking. The Proctor Silex Electric Skillet is available at Amazon for $38.29.
Why You Can Trust Us
My name is Grace, and I’m a home and food writer. I love writing about the best products, from kitchen appliances to cookware. Meggan, the creative mind behind Culinary Hill, is a writer, chef, mom, and more. We combined forces to come up with this list of the best electric skillets, pulling from Meggan’s extensive knowledge of the culinary world and her experience with her own.
My research started by learning about Meggan’s electric skillet — what she likes about it, how it has worn over time, and so on. After that, I compiled a list of skillets that Meggan hasn’t used but come highly recommended by other top food publications, chefs, and home cooks. I narrowed down the list to just 6 skillets, focusing on finding options that varied in size and budget, were easy to clean, and offered a good temperature range.
Everything to Know Before Buying an Electric Skillet
What to Consider Before Buying an Electric Skillet
Whether you’re replacing your long-loved electric skillet or looking for a skillet to maximize your small space, there’s a lot to consider. From how large the model is to its cleaning regimen and temperature range, here are the most important factors to keep in mind during your search.
Size: Electric skillets come in all shapes and sizes, some large enough to feed a family and others meant for single-person households. When shopping, make sure you note the product’s overall dimensions as well as the surface area or volume of the skillet pan itself because that’s what you’ll be cooking on. Larger skillets will be harder to store, so keep in mind your space!
Cleaning: While some electric skillets have dishwasher-safe components and a removable heating element, others require more attention. Some have a nonstick coating that makes cleaning easier, but it requires certain tools that won’t scratch the coating. “Be aware of the coating on your electric skillet,” Meggan says. “Is it safe for metal utensils, or do you need nonstick/silicone utensils? Does the power supply detach for washing?”
Temperature: All the skillets in this guide have a set temperature range with various settings that go into the 400-degree range. Meggan recommends looking at whether the temperature control is analog or digital, with the former being a bit difficult to read at a glance. You’ll also want to note how fast it will heat up, which might delay the cooking process if preheating takes too long.
What Can You Cook in an Electric Skillet?
An electric skillet is basically a small, portable stove, meaning you can cook all sorts of meals on it. “Anything you cook in a normal skillet on the stovetop, you can cook in an electric skillet,” Meggan says. “But, any recipes that need to be transferred to the oven won’t work here.”
That’s why an electric skillet is well suited for cooking something like Salisbury Steak but not Roast Beef Tenderloin. Some skillet pans, like the All-Clad Electric Nonstick Skillet, are oven-safe when removed from their base. Just be sure to check the instructions for your specific model.
Electric skillets are not the same as electric griddles. While recipes like eggs, pancakes, French Toast, grilled cheese sandwiches, and burgers can be made on both, electric griddles typically have smaller sides (about 1/2-inch or less) and would not be able to sauté large quantities of food, nor stew or handle liquids well.
How Do You Clean an Electric Skillet?
You can clean an electric skillet as you would other kitchen appliances by washing the inside and outside, avoiding the controls and power cord. However, they should typically not be totally submerged in water unless specified otherwise. A lot of skillets have a nonstick coating that requires special care, like gently cleaning with nonabrasive sponges. And other skillets are actually dishwasher-safe — just be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
How Do You Cook Steak in an Electric Skillet?
To cook a steak on your electric skillet, start by preheating the skillet to 400 degrees. Then, sear the steak on both sides before reducing the heat and covering it with the lid until the meat is done. An instant-read thermometer will help you determine when your steak has reached your preferred doneness.
Does an Electric Skillet Use a Lot of Electricity?
The skillets included in this guide range from 1,000 to 1,800 watts, which isn’t unusual for a kitchen appliance. For reference, the best 9×13 crockpots span from 270 to 1,500 watts, and the best air fryers go as low as 1,000 watts and as high as 1,800. How much electricity your electric skillet uses will depend on its wattage, how often you’re using it, and for how long you use it. Smaller skillets with less wattage may not heat up as fast as models with higher wattage, meaning you’ll be leaving them plugged in for longer.
The Best Recipes to Make in an Electric Skillet
From sauteeing to frying, pretty much any stovetop recipe can be translated to an electric skillet — provided you have enough room in the pan. If you’re a new electric skillet owner, here are some recipe ideas to get you cooking with your new kitchen tool.
Breakfast Recipes
Apple Cider Donuts
Italian Recipes
Chicken Scallopini
Chicken and Turkey Recipes
Fried Chicken
Chipotle Copycat Recipes
Fajita Veggies (Chipotle Copycat)
German Recipes
German Potato Salad
Chicken and Turkey Recipes
Grilled Lemon Chicken
Breakfast Recipes
How to Cook Bacon
Beef Recipes
Salisbury Steak Recipe
Breakfast Recipes
Sweet Potato Hash
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
