Electric Skillets Electric Skillets Compared: 7 for Family Cooking
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By the Pickpedia Team
·7 picks compared
·Last verified September 2026
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Quick answer
The Presto 06852 16 inch is the best electric skillet overall, with a big surface and a glass cover for family meals. For premium tabletop cooking the Zojirushi Gourmet d'Expert wins, and the Presto Foldaway is best when storage is tight.
Electric Skillets Compared: 7 for Family Cooking at a glance
Why you can trust this guide
We compared these picks using verified manufacturer specifications, available manuals and documentation, current retailer listings, and patterns in owner feedback, alongside editorial research. We focus on measurable differences such as performance, capacity, usability, and build quality. Pickpedia does not present editorial research as laboratory testing, and we do not claim hands-on testing unless it was actually performed.
How we chose: We compared surface size, coating type, cover, temperature control and value across seven current electric skillets, alongside how owners rate real use.
An electric skillet is a versatile countertop pan that fries, sautes, simmers and serves at the table, freeing up the stove. The Presto 06852 16 inch is our overall pick, with a big surface and glass cover for family cooking.
The choice comes down to size, coating and how you store it. Large 16 inch pans feed families, while compact and foldaway models suit small spaces. We compared the specifications and owner feedback to match each to a real kitchen.
Our top picks
A large 16 inch surface cooks a full family meal, from fried chicken to a stir fry. A tempered glass cover lets you watch without lifting it. The nonstick pan and removable heat control make it easy to use and clean.
Size16 inch
CoverTempered glass
SurfaceNonstick
Best forFamily sized cooking
Pros
- Large cooking surface
- Glass cover to watch
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Takes storage space
- Basic dial control
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A 1350 watt element and precise temperature control suit everything from searing to gentle simmering at the table. A titanium coated nonstick pan lifts out for cleaning. A polished skillet for hot pot, shabu shabu and more.
Power1350 watts
ControlPrecise temperature
PanTitanium nonstick, removable
Best forTabletop and versatile cooking
Pros
- Precise heat control
- Removable nonstick pan
- Great for tabletop meals
Cons
- Premium price
- Smaller than 16 inch models
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This Presto swaps the standard coating for a ceramic nonstick surface that many prefer. The 16 inch pan still cooks big family meals. A glass cover and removable control round out an easy to use skillet.
Size16 inch
SurfaceCeramic nonstick
CoverGlass
Best forCeramic coating fans
Pros
- Ceramic nonstick surface
- Large cooking area
- Easy cleanup
Cons
- Ceramic wears over years
- Bulky to store
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The handles and legs fold down so this 16 inch skillet stores in a fraction of the space. It still cooks a full family meal when opened out. A smart pick if cupboard room is tight.
Size16 inch
DesignFoldaway for storage
SurfaceNonstick
Best forSmall storage spaces
Pros
- Folds flat to store
- Full size cooking area
- Nonstick and easy clean
Cons
- Folding parts add complexity
- Basic controls
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A 12 inch skillet with a PFAS free ceramic coating for anyone avoiding older nonstick chemicals. It suits everyday frying, eggs and one pan meals. A tidy mid size option with a cleaner coating.
Size12 inch
CoatingPFAS free ceramic
UseEveryday frying
Best forAvoiding PFAS coatings
Pros
- PFAS free ceramic
- Good mid size
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Smaller than 16 inch
- Coating wears over time
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A large nonstick skillet with a lid at a friendly price. Adjustable temperature covers frying, sauteing and simmering. A straightforward, roomy skillet for everyday family cooking.
SizeLarge
CoverLid included
ControlAdjustable temperature
Best forValue family cooking
Pros
- Roomy and affordable
- Adjustable heat
- Lid included
Cons
- Basic build
- Coating is standard nonstick
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An 11 inch surface suits smaller meals and tight counters while keeping the glass cover and removable control. It heats and cleans just like the bigger Presto models. A neat pick for singles and couples.
Size11 inch
CoverGlass
SurfaceNonstick
Best forSmall households
Pros
- Compact footprint
- Glass cover
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Small for families
- Basic dial
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What to look for
Surface size for your household
Match the pan to how many you cook for. A 16 inch skillet, like the Presto 06852, cooks a full family meal at once. An 11 or 12 inch model suits one or two and stores more easily. Bigger pans need more counter and cupboard space.
Coating type
Most electric skillets use standard nonstick, which releases food and cleans easily but wears over years. Ceramic and PFAS free coatings, on the Presto ceramic and Elite Gourmet, appeal to anyone avoiding traditional chemicals, though they can lose slickness sooner.
Temperature control and cover
A removable temperature dial lets you set precise heat and wash the pan separately. A glass cover lets you watch food and traps heat for simmering. Precise control, as on the Zojirushi, helps with delicate tabletop cooking like hot pot.
Storage and cleaning
Electric skillets are bulky, so storage matters. A foldaway model, like the Presto 06857, packs down small. Removable pans and immersible bases, once the control is off, make cleaning easier. Check whether the pan is dishwasher safe.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best electric skillet overall?
The Presto 06852 16 inch is the best all rounder, with a large surface and glass cover for family meals. For premium tabletop cooking the Zojirushi Gourmet d'Expert is the pick, and the Presto Foldaway saves the most storage space.
What size electric skillet do I need?
A 16 inch model suits families and batch cooking, while an 11 or 12 inch skillet fits one or two people and smaller counters. Match the size to your household and the space you have to store it.
What can you cook in an electric skillet?
Plenty. Fry chicken and eggs, saute vegetables, simmer sauces, cook stir fries and even serve tabletop meals like hot pot. The large flat surface and adjustable heat make it a flexible second cooking surface.
Are ceramic electric skillets better?
Ceramic and PFAS free coatings, on the Presto ceramic and Elite Gourmet, avoid older nonstick chemicals, which some cooks prefer. They release food well when new but can lose slickness sooner than standard nonstick, so it is a trade off.
Can you immerse an electric skillet in water?
Only once the temperature control probe is removed, and only if the maker says it is immersible. Never submerge the control unit. Check the manual, since many pans are washable once the probe is out.
Do electric skillets have temperature control?
Yes. A removable dial sets the heat from low simmering to high frying. Precise control, as on the Zojirushi, suits delicate cooking, while simpler dials cover everyday frying and sauteing well.
Are foldaway electric skillets worth it?
If storage is tight, yes. The Presto Foldaway packs down small yet opens to a full 16 inch surface. The trade off is folding parts to manage, not reduced cooking area.
Is an electric skillet better than a stovetop pan?
It adds a large, even, temperature controlled surface without using the stove, which helps for big batches and tabletop meals. A stovetop pan is simpler and sears hotter. Many cooks own both for different jobs.
The verdict
Presto 06852 16 inch Electric Skillet with...
9.1/10
The Presto 06852 16 inch is the electric skillet most families should buy, with a big surface and glass cover at a fair price. The Zojirushi Gourmet d'Expert is the pick for premium tabletop cooking, while the Presto Foldaway suits kitchens short on storage.
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Our top pick, secure checkout via Amazon
Note: Availability and specifications change often. Always confirm the current details on Amazon before buying.
