Do you need to know which model is the best and read the article later? Here is our selection: The Zojirushi Gourmet d’Expert.
Electric Skillets are modern appliances that do not take up much space in your kitchen and can be used to prepare a myriad of tasty dishes.
Unlike other small appliances complicated to use these little allies simplify the way of cooking and eliminate the classic fears of ruining the recipe you want your friends or family to taste.
In this article, we want to give you some recommendations for finding the best electric skillet model that best meets your preferred style of cooking.
Why Use An Electric Skillet
An electric skillet is a multipurpose appliance and can make a difference if your apartment isn’t equipped with an industrial-sized kitchen.
It has the appearance of a normal pan that you use on stovetops but is much more comfortable and easy to use. It does not need the use of gas, just connect it to the power supply and you can start preparing your delicacies.
Electric skillets have basic features like traditional ones and come with some extras like non-stick coating, a surface that heats evenly and a large cooking zone. Since they consist of electrical parts, they are perfectly suitable for cooking foods that require constant temperature or to keep them warm.
Using electric skillets is also quite helpful if you have a big family or if you’re cooking for your friends. It gives you an alternative for a place to cook food when the stovetop is full.
Another advantage that these small appliances have is to not heat your kitchen even more during the summer period. We all know that cooking in a hot kitchen can be very exhausting.
How To Use An Electric Skillet And Clean It
The process is very simple, as soon as the electric skillet is connected to the current, the latter reaches the coils that are present in the lower part of the pan in order to heat the cooking surface.
The use of a thermometer allows the user to adjust the temperature of the cooking surface according to the dish to be prepared. Even if you’re talking about an electrical device, most models heat up to 400°F/450°F covering all needs.
With the electric pan, you can use different types of cooking.
- Sautéing: this method uses a relatively small amount of oil over relatively high heat.
- Stir-frying: is a Chinese cooking technique in which ingredients are fried in a small amount of very hot oil while stirring them constantly.
- Braising is a method that involves wet and dry heat. The food is firstly seared at a high temperature and then covered with a lid and left to cook at low temperature
- Pan-Broiling: it is a dry cooking method with no added fat or liquid. Perfect for thin steaks fish fillets.
Regardless of the cooking technique used, we recommend always using wooden or silicone tools to avoid scratching the cooking surface.
Regarding how to clean an electric skillet, you should avoid washing it until the temperature is off and you do not burn it by touching it. Moreover, because we are talking about an electrical device, make sure it’s not plugged into a power source.
At this point, it is possible to gently hand-wash it avoiding putting it underwater. Some models are dishwasher safe and some are not. So, always check the company’s guidance.
How To Choose The Right Electric Skillet – Buyer’s Guide
When you are in the market and searching for an electric skillet, you might be ready to get the first one you see, but there are some things you absolutely must know before choosing the right model.
Materials
Some models are made from aluminum, while others are made from stainless steel. Still, others are made from even different materials.
Choose the best material considering the frequency of the use you will make of it, for example, we all know that steel lasts longer than aluminum.
Design And Dimensions
The design and size of your electric skillet will determine what you can cook for and in what quantity. The larger the cooking surface, the more versatile your options.
On the other hand, with a wide model you will need more space in your kitchen, so always check the dimensions reported by the manufacturer before you make a final decision!
Cleaning method
How you will clean your electric skillet is another factor to take into account. If you don’t want to wash it by hand, pick one that is dishwasher safe. Please note that not all skillets are dishwasher safe and in that case, you are forced to use sponge and soap.
Controls
The temperature control of these small appliances varies. Sometimes, it’s separated into three-level ( low/medium and high ) and other times it’s done by selecting a number on a scale.
More options you have, more control you have over your cooking.
Coating
This type of surface facilitates cleaning and prevents food from sticking to the pan itself and therefore from burning. Non-stick materials are to be preferred.
Drainage Sprouts
These are openings at the bottom of the skillet that allow the drain off excess liquid. These are very useful as they prevent the pan from filling to the brim avoiding the overflowing of food.
Lids
The most common types of lids are glass and metal.
Glass lids enable you to view if the food is cooking properly.
Metal ones are sturdier and last longer but must be lifted to check the preparation.
Regardless of the construction material of the lid, be sure it has steam vents so that moisture and pressure can be released.
Side Measures
Certainly, they are not used every time, but in case you need to dose the amount of liquid to use for the preparation of a recipe then they become essential.
Handles
Sometimes it is necessary to move the electric skillet from one room to another, so make sure that the handles are made of heat-insulating material so as to avoid burns.
Best Electric Skillet On The Market: Top Reviews
There are many electric skillets to choose from, so to help you make the right choice we have listed our top 5 picks and for each model, we have analyzed the pros and the cons.
Presto 16-inch Electric Foldaway Skillet
The Presto 06857 Electric Skillet is the right choice for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and entertainment.
It has a heavy cast aluminum base and a nonstick cooking surface to prevent food from sticking to it. With a base of 16-inch and high sidewalls provides extra cooking capacity.
The heat control lets you set the temperature from warm to 400°F and keeps that temperature automatically by the control master.
The skillet is easy to clean and does not take too much space to be stored. It can be easily disassembled and become fully immersible and dishwasher safe with the heat control set aside.
Pros
– Large cooking space
– Removable base
– The open spout on the side
– Dishwasher-safe
– Glass lid
– Energy-efficient
– Keep warm food automatically
Cons
– Some users complain slight clicking noise
– Cord length
Maxi-Matic Elite Platinum Electric Skillet
The Maxi-Matic Elite Platinum serves up to 8 people so it’s perfect if you have a large family or if you have a fair number of guests at home.
Unlike most models, the cooking surface of this model has a raised honeycomb texture that makes the pan very easy to clean and protects the non-stick coating. This construction technology extends the life span even when used frequently
This electric skillet comes with a variable dial control between 200°F and 400°F and beside it, there is a power indicator light. The M-shaped embedded heating element provides faster and even heat distribution when cooking so forget the food that is cooked unevenly or burned.
Both the glass lid and the whole body of the pan are dishwasher safe but don’t forget to remove the thermostat.
Pros
– Dishwasher-safe
– Glass lid
– Cooking surface with a raised honeycomb texture
– Indicator light
– M-shaped embedded heating element
Cons
– Not Suitable for single-serving portions
– Not the best temperature control
Zojirushi Gourmet d’Expert Electric Skillet
The Zojirushi Gourmet d’Expert is a multi-functional electric skillet with Ceramic surface cooking pan with titanium enhanced nonstick coating that is suitable for stew-type foods, for grilling and sautéing.
The small control panel allows you to set the temperature from 176°F (Keep Warm) to 430°F. The cooking pan is detachable and can be used directly on the stovetop burner making it multifunctional.
This model has a tempered glass lid that lets you monitor the cooking process. The handles stay cool and make the removal of the pan quick and easy. Moreover, it has a detachable magnetic power cord for safety.
Pros
– Recipes included
– Instruction manual in different languages
– The cooking pan can be used on the stovetop burner
– Glass lid
– Stay-cool side handles
– Detachable magnetic power cord
Cons
– The glass lid is not perfectly tight
De’Longhi BG45 Electric Skillet
The DeLonghi BG45 Electric Skillet provides everything you’ve already come to expect from this kind of appliance and has all the basic features that give you great cooking experience.
This rectangular-shaped pan is made of aluminum and has a heating element built into the body that guarantees the most efficient and even cooking in the shortest time.
The temperature control is well designed with both high and low settings and the possibility to choose the Warm mode which keeps the food freshly prepared.
A peculiarity that distinguishes it from other models is that it has steam vent holes that can be adjusted according to the cooking technique used.
The glass lid lets you look at the progress of the cooking and has an adjustable vent that can be opened or closed as needed. The cool-touch handles make the pan hold firm and secure, make it easily transportable and avoid burning when it is hot.
This model is easy to clean and the lid and non-stick base are dishwasher safe.
Pros
– Glass lid
– Stay-cool handles
– Dishwasher safe
– Warm mode
– Steam vent holes
Cons
– The Teflon coating is thin
– Get a little bit hot while working
NESCO ES-12 Extra Deep Electric Skillet
The Nesco ES Electric Skillet is a great product to have especially if you do a lot of entertaining at home or if you have a lot of friends all at once.
This product has a square shape and is one of the deepest pan models we’ve examined, in fact, the height is of 4″ and has a premium non-stick interior that does not allow food to stick and burn. It’s perfect for roasting frying, steaming and baking.
It comes with an easy to read adjustable temperature control that provides flexibility to prepare a variety of foods and includes a large steaming rack. After the probe is removed, the skillet and lid are dishwasher safe.
The lid is in glass and allows you to follow the cooking of the dish. It has a large handle and a safety valve. The heat resistant handles are great for serving directly from the skillet while it is in keep-warm mode.
Pros
– Stay-cool handles
– Glass lid
– Dishwasher safe
– The deep interior of 4”
– Safety valve
Cons
– Heating element turns off so it’s not easy to maintain the temperature
Our Choice
Buying an electric skillet saves time in the kitchen and makes cleaning quick and easy. It can also save you money on your gas bills since you won’t have to turn on the stove.
As we have seen there are several models available on the market, so finding the best electric skillet in terms of space and performance can be difficult.
We have analyzed different models and our unanimous preference is The Zojirushi Gourmet d’Expert. It’s not the cheapest, but if your budget permits you to buy this model you should not think twice.