All About Electric Skillets

Our quick and nonstick guide to buying electric skillets

Now that indoor electric grills can be found in nearly every kitchen in America, perhaps electric skillets will get the attention they deserve. For convenience and variety of potential uses, electric skillets are nearly unmatched as small kitchen appliances. Electric skillets can be used indoors or outdoors, and can even replace the oven when used to make small, intimate meals.

Why use electric skillets?

Versatility and convenience are the obvious benefits offered by electric skillets. If you have a small stove and are trying to prepare a multi-course meal, an electric skillet can lend an additional hand. Electric skillets are also great at keeping dishes warm after you've prepared them.

Speaking of warmth, if you can't stand the heat, take the heat out of the kitchen. Electric skillets are lifesavers during hot summers when a stove or oven can make the kitchen feel like a sauna. Or if you've got a backyard or patio where you like to grill during warmer months, taking an electric skillet outside can make preparing a side dish super easy, without even needing to run back and forth from the grill to the kitchen.

What to look for in an electric skillet

When buying an electric skillet, as with all other kitchen appliances, paying for quality is always worthwhile. There are also several features you'll want on your electric skillet. A nonstick cooking surface is an obvious one. Since electric skillets can get moved around a lot, try to find electric skillets with ergonomically designed handles.

An electric skillet with a glass cover will make checking on food much more convenient (though check if the cover has a vent so the glass won't steam up). Make sure your electric skillet is dishwasher safe, and check the length of the included warranty as a general measure of quality. Size also matters. An electric skillet that measures about 12 inches by 15 inches should usually work fine, though a 6-inch electric skillet or mini electric skillet works great for smaller kitchens.

One last thing: an electric skillet with an oil core between its stainless steel layers will give you a very dependable and evenly heated cooking surface. Many people prefer oil core electric skillets over electric skillets that use electrical coil units.

The best electric skillets

All those features aside, which are the best electric skillets on the market?

The Cuisinart Nonstick Electric Skillet is a great countertop appliance. This electric skillet features a 12 inch by 15 inch cooking surface, a stainless steel exterior, and nonstick Teflon interior. The Cuisinart electric skillet is dishwasher safe and comes with a 3-year limited warranty.

We recommend the Cuisinart Nonstick Electric Skillet for its durability, easy cleanup, and durable construction. It sells for around $100.

Rival electric skillets are also very popular. Rival offers a number of different models. The Rival SS120 12-inch Stainless Steel Electric Skillet is a smaller and inexpensive alternative to the Cuisinart electric skillet.

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