Brains Report is always looking for ways to help our readers. One feature that gives you personalized help is our “Help Me Choose” page. There are 11 fields on there, but if you are in a hurry to get to the gym, we can make do with info from just three fields. Yesterday, we got a request for help finding an “electric frypan.” We immediately started our research and determined that electric frypans are more commonly referred to as “electric skillets.”
The concerned party, who may or may not be closely related to me, was interested in the skillet so that they could get Hamburger Helper into their gut twice per week at an affordable price. Below, we will look at why electric skillets are awesome and provide a couple options for which ones to buy.
Why Electric Skillets Are Awesome
The #1 reason hungry people use electric skillets is that they live in a home where they forgot to install a kitchen. As long as you have a wall outlet, you can make anything you would normally make on a stovetop, including pancakes, Ramen, filet mignon, and White Castle stuffing. Electric skillets are ideal for dorm rooms (until your RA finds out), frat houses, motel rooms, and places with shared kitchens that are a pain to access.
Electric skillets are also useful for even heating and work well in place of a slow cooker. Even if you have a full kitchen, you may want to use one of these energy-efficient home skillets in the summer when turning on the stove will make you melt. Lastly, if you plan on hosting a big holiday dinner, an electric skillet frees up stove space and gives you one more tool in your dinner preparation repertoire.
The Best Electric Skillet
Presto
Now, that you know how rad electric skillets are, let me introduce you to the Presto 06857 16-inch Electric Foldaway Skillet. The 06857, as its friends know it as, has nonstick surfaces both inside and out. There is a heavy cast aluminum base. The temperature control dial, which you mess with to cook food, goes from Warm (around 175 degrees) to 400 degrees. And, the whole assembly folds up and disassembles for compact storage. It’s even dishwasher safe.
On Amazon, this model is a best seller and the highest rated electric skillet. Customers were impressed with how evenly it heats up. They liked that the sides were deep and fairly vertical, which allows you to bake cakes. And, there is a built-in spout, which makes it easy to drain ground beef grease. Others who have owned more expensive models, including the Cuisinart skillet, found this Presto product was better. If you want the best skillet, regardless of cost, the 06857 is the way to go.
See the Presto 06857 16-inch Electric Foldaway Skillet on Amazon
The Best Electric Skillet under $20
Presto
Not all of us have $50 to spend on an electric skillet. Fortunately, Presto has a smaller, slightly less fancy model for under $20. The Presto 06620 11-Inch Electric Skillet offers the same heating control and range as the above model and is also dishwasher safe. There are a few differences between the two products. First, the 06620 is smaller. B, it doesn’t come with a glass cover. Lastly, this skillet doesn’t magically fold up to the size of a huge Rubik’s cube.
The reviews for this model on Amazon are just as glowing. Buyers who have both the 06620 and 06857 say they function similarly. And, customers report that it has lasted them for years. The biggest complaint was that the skillet is smaller than you may expect. The cooking surface is square with 11 inches per side. You may want to take out a ruler for this and imagine real hard. If you only have $20 and want a good electric skillet, the 06620 is your best option.
See the Presto 06620 11-Inch Electric Skillet on Amazon
Do you need help finding the perfect product for your needs? Please let us help. Visit our Help Me Choose page.
