An electric skillet is a versatile powerhouse that can transform your kitchen capabilities. It functions as an extra burner, a slow cooker, and even a portable oven, making it ideal for everything from busy weeknight dinners to holiday feasts. The right model with a well-fitting lid can handle frying, sautéing, baking, and simmering, all while freeing up valuable stovetop space.
With so many options available, choosing the best one for your needs can be a challenge. This roundup simplifies your search by highlighting eight of the top electric skillets with lids, each offering unique features for different cooking styles and family sizes. Whether you need a compact option for small kitchens or a large capacity model for entertaining, there’s a perfect skillet waiting for you.
Our Top Picks for Electric Skillets
- Presto 11-Inch Electric Skillet
- Dash Family Size Electric Skillet
- All-Clad Electrics Stainless Steel Skillet
- BELLA Electric Skillet and Frying Pan
- Presto 16-Inch Electric Skillet
- Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Electric Skillet
- Hamilton Beach Electric Deep Fryer & Skillet
- Black+Decker Family Sized Electric Skillet
Presto 11-Inch Electric Skillet
This Presto 11-inch model is a classic for a reason, known for its reliability and versatility in handling everyday meals. Its high-sidewall pan and high-dome cover work together to offer greater food capacity, making it suitable for roasting, frying, grilling, and baking casseroles. It’s a practical tool that simplifies meal preparation for both daily family dinners and casual entertaining.
The skillet’s straightforward design and consistent performance make it a trusted choice for cooks of all experience levels. Whether you are making a stew or a one-dish meal, this electric skillet provides even heating and simple temperature control. It’s a fundamental kitchen appliance that consistently delivers results.
Dash Family Size Electric Skillet
Designed for large families or group gatherings, the Dash Family Size Electric Skillet boasts an impressive 20-cup capacity. Its 14-inch cooking surface and 2.5-inch depth provide ample space for preparing large batches of food, from pancakes and burgers to stir-fries and pizza. The rapid heating element reaches 450°F quickly, saving time compared to preheating a conventional oven.
A key feature is the tempered glass lid, which allows you to monitor your food without releasing heat and flavor. This proper sealing helps ensure your meals are cooked evenly and come out perfectly every time. It’s a powerful and spacious option that caters to feeding a crowd with ease.
All-Clad Electrics Stainless Steel Skillet
For those seeking professional-grade performance, the All-Clad Electrics Skillet offers superior construction and precise temperature control. Its 7-quart capacity and 1800-watt power allow you to cook large quantities of food at the exact temperature required. The bonded metal base is engineered for even heat distribution, preventing hot spots.
The cooking surface is coated with a safe, nonstick material, making cleanup simple. This skillet is also oven and broiler safe, adding to its versatility for recipes that start on the stovetop and finish in the oven. It’s a high-end choice for serious cooks who value consistent, restaurant-quality results at home.
BELLA Electric Skillet and Frying Pan
The BELLA Electric Skillet is a must-have for any cook, designed to handle everything from breakfast to dinner with ease. Its durable cast aluminum base and easy-to-clean tempered glass lid make it perfect for family meals or entertaining. You can roast, fry, steam, or even use it as a buffet server, offering nearly endless possibilities.
This skillet features an ultra-durable nonstick coating that is reinforced with titanium, making it eight times more durable than standard coatings. It also cooks up to 30% faster, saving you time in the kitchen. With a removable heating probe and cool-touch handles, it combines safety, durability, and performance in one stylish package.
Presto 16-Inch Electric Skillet
When you need even more cooking space, the Presto 16-Inch Electric Skillet delivers. This expansive skillet is excellent for preparing large meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or entertaining a group. It retains the same multi-purpose functionality as its smaller sibling, capable of roasting, frying, grilling, stewing, and baking.
The included tempered glass cover features a stay-cool handle, allowing you to check on your food safely. The large, flat cooking surface is ideal for making multiple grilled cheese sandwiches, a full breakfast spread, or a sizeable casserole. It’s a workhorse designed for volume cooking without sacrificing performance.
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Electric Skillet
Cuisinart is synonymous with quality, and their Chef’s Classic Electric Skillet lives up to that reputation. The hard-anodized construction provides exceptional durability and even heating across the 12-inch cooking surface. This material makes the skillet resistant to rust and corrosion, promising long-term reliability.
The nonstick interior ensures that food releases easily and cleanup is quick and simple. It’s a versatile piece of cookware suitable for a wide range of recipes, from searing meats to simmering sauces. This skillet is a solid investment for anyone looking for a dependable and high-performing electric skillet from a trusted brand.
Hamilton Beach Electric Deep Fryer & Skillet
This Hamilton Beach appliance offers a unique 2-in-1 functionality, serving as both a dedicated deep fryer and a versatile electric skillet. The 4-quart capacity is ideal for frying favorites like french fries and chicken wings, while the included lid allows it to convert into a skillet for sautéing, simmering, and more.
This dual-purpose design saves storage space and provides excellent value. It’s perfect for those who enjoy fried food but also want the flexibility of a standard skillet for everyday cooking. The convenient size makes it a great option for smaller households or for adding a specialized frying tool to your kitchen arsenal.
Black+Decker Family Sized Electric Skillet
The Black+Decker Family Sized Electric Skillet provides a generous 16-inch nonstick cooking surface, perfect for preparing meals for the whole family. The large area allows you to cook multiple items at once, making it efficient for busy weeknights. The nonstick coating promotes healthy cooking with less oil and ensures easy cleaning.
Designed with family needs in mind, this skillet is a reliable and straightforward appliance for a variety of cooking tasks. Its spacious design is well-suited for making large batches of pancakes, bacon, stir-fry, or grilled sandwiches. It’s a practical and affordable solution for expanding your cooking capacity.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Electric Skillet with a Lid
When I started looking for an electric skillet with a lid, I quickly realized it wasn’t just about picking the biggest one. There are a few key things that make a huge difference in how useful it will be in your kitchen. Getting the right features means you’ll use it all the time, while the wrong choice might leave it sitting in a cabinet. Here’s what I think you should consider before buying one.
First, think about size and capacity. This is probably the most important decision. A 12-inch skillet is a great standard size for most families, comfortably fitting a few chicken breasts or a batch of pancakes. If you often cook for a crowd or want to make large one-pot meals, you might want to look at a 16-inch model. Capacity is measured in quarts. A smaller skillet around 5 quarts is fine for two people, but for a family of four or more, I’d recommend aiming for 10 quarts or more. It’s better to have a little extra space than not enough.
Next, pay close attention to the cooking surface. Non-stick coatings are incredibly common and make cleanup a breeze. They’re perfect for eggs, fish, and anything that tends to stick. However, they can scratch over time if you use metal utensils. Some higher-end models use ceramic non-stick, which is a good alternative if you’re wary of traditional coatings. The other option is a stainless steel cooking surface, which is very durable and can handle higher heats and metal utensils, but food is more likely to stick without proper preheating and oil.
The lid is more important than you might think. A tight-fitting glass lid is my personal favorite. It lets you keep an eye on your food without releasing all the heat and steam, which is crucial for recipes that need to simmer or braise. Some lids are domed, which gives you extra vertical space for dishes with more volume, like a whole chicken or a deep pot roast.
Finally, consider the controls and extra features. Basic models have a simple dial for temperature control, which works just fine. Digital controls offer more precise temperature settings and sometimes come with pre-programmed functions for things like frying or simmering. Look for a skillet with handles that stay cool during use and a power light so you know when it’s on. A removable cord is also a nice bonus for easier storage and washing. By thinking about how you cook most often, you can find the perfect electric skillet with a lid for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I cook in an electric skillet with a lid?
You can cook almost anything you would make on a stovetop. I use mine for a huge range of tasks. It’s excellent for searing meats like steaks and pork chops, because you can get a great crust on the outside. With the lid on, it becomes a mini-oven for braising tougher cuts of meat until they’re tender. I also make pancakes, French toast, and bacon for breakfast. It’s perfect for stir-fries, sautéing vegetables, deep-frying chicken or potatoes, and even making soups, stews, and one-pot pasta dishes. The lid is key for trapping heat and moisture for those simmering recipes.
Are electric skillets with lids easy to clean?
For the most part, yes, they are very easy to clean. The majority of modern electric skillets have a non-stick cooking surface, which means food residue wipes away easily with a soft sponge, warm water, and a little dish soap. It’s crucial that you never use abrasive scrubbers or harsh chemicals, as they can damage the non-stick coating. Always make sure the unit is completely unplugged and cooled down before you clean it. The base and controls should never be submerged; just wipe them with a damp cloth. If the lid is dishwasher safe, that makes the process even simpler.
Can I use my electric skillet as a slow cooker?
You can use it for slow-cooking style recipes, but it works a bit differently than a traditional slow cooker. A dedicated slow cooker is designed to cook at a very low, consistent temperature over many hours, often with less evaporation. An electric skillet can achieve a low simmer, but you’ll need to monitor it more closely as the heat can be more direct. It’s fantastic for recipes that normally take one to three hours, like a pot roast or braised short ribs. For all-day cooking while you’re at work, a standard slow cooker is still the better tool for the job.
How does temperature control work on an electric skillet?
There are generally two types of temperature controls. The most common is a simple analog dial, much like on a stovetop. You turn it to a desired setting, usually marked with both numbers and cooking terms like “Warm” or “Fry.” The other type is a digital control panel. These offer more precise temperature settings, allowing you to set an exact degree, like 350°F. Some digital models even have pre-set functions for specific foods. Both types are effective, but digital controls give you more accuracy, which can be helpful for tasks like candy making or precise frying.
Is an electric skillet with a lid worth the counter space?
As someone with limited kitchen counter space, I can confidently say yes, it is. An electric skillet isn’t a single-use gadget. It genuinely replaces a burner on your stove and can even stand in for your oven for some tasks. When you’re preparing a big holiday meal, it’s invaluable as an extra cooking surface. For small kitchens or apartments, it can be a primary cooking tool. Many of the best electric skillets with lids are designed with storage in mind, often having stackable components or removable cords, so they don’t take up much room when not in use. Its versatility makes it worth the spot it occupies.