Written by Sara Ibrahim. Sara researches home and kitchen products for Cupindy.
Published November 2026 · Last reviewed November 3, 2026 · Cupindy is not affiliated with any brand on this page.
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Our quick pick
Presto 16-inch Electric Foldaway Skillet
A top seller among electric skillets on Amazon. Big 16-inch pan, glass lid, handles that fold down and a base that comes off and nests in the pan. Presto says the nonstick surface is PFAS-free.
See the Presto Foldaway skillet on AmazonThe drawback: Presto's site and listing call the coating PFAS-free ceramic, but Presto's own comparison chart says "premium nonstick", and a 2024 review listed it as Teflon. Details below.
Want a pan Presto labels ceramic? Presto 16-inch Ceramic skillet. No coating at all? CucinaPro stainless skillet.
The short answer
For most kitchens, a 16-inch Presto with a glass lid is the electric skillet to buy. If the coating is what you care about, pick the 06856, which Presto labels ceramic in every place we checked, including its own comparison chart. If you want no coating at all, a stainless electric skillet exists, but it costs more, sticks more and has a smaller following.
An electric skillet is a deep, square pan with its own heating element and a plug-in temperature dial. It gives you an extra burner when the stove is full, keeps food warm on a buffet table, and cooks pancakes, chops, stir-fries and one-pan dinners at family size. Most of what you can buy is a variation on the same design, so the real differences come down to size, the lid, and what the cooking surface is made of.
That last part is where the labels get confusing. Listings mix the words ceramic, nonstick, PFAS-free and PTFE-free, sometimes all on the same page, and they do not always agree with the maker's own charts. We read the listings, the maker pages and the 06857 manual, and compared them with what Food Network and the reviewers at Shouldit found. We have not tested these skillets ourselves, so every product claim comes from the maker, the listing or a named reviewer.
The 4 best electric skillets at a glance
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Coating names are the maker's own words, read on November 3, 2026.
| Skillet | Pan and lid | Coating, as the maker labels it | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presto 06857 Foldaway. Best overall. | 16-inch cast aluminum, glass lid, base comes off. | "Premium nonstick" in Presto's chart; PFAS-free per Presto. | Families, small storage space. | See it |
| Presto 06856 Ceramic. Best ceramic. | 16-inch cast aluminum, glass lid, fixed legs. | "Ceramic nonstick"; PFOA- and PTFE-free per the listing. | Buyers who want a pan labeled ceramic. | See it |
| Presto 06852. Best value with a glass lid. | 16-inch cast aluminum, glass lid, fixed legs. | "Premium nonstick" in Presto's chart; PFAS-free per the listing. | The classic Presto at a lower cost. | See it |
| CucinaPro XL. Best with no coating. | 16-inch 18/10 stainless steel, glass lid. | None named; polished stainless surface. | Cooks who want bare steel. | See it |
How we chose these skillets
On November 3, 2026 we pulled the top-selling electric skillets from Amazon's US product data, then checked each listing's pan size, lid, coating wording, care notes and category. We read Presto's product pages and its official 06857 manual, Food Network's electric skillet review, and the Shouldit test of the Presto Foldaway. Picks had to be easy to buy on Amazon and well reviewed by owners. The one exception is the CucinaPro, which is here because it is the only stainless electric skillet we found with a real following.
Food Network's list is worth knowing about. Its testers tried the Presto Foldaway and left it off their picks, saying it "didn't win out for performance, aesthetics or price." All of their picks are coated nonstick pans. We still lead with the Presto, because owners buy it in large numbers and it does the basic job at a fair cost, but you should know that one test kitchen disagreed.
Best electric skillet overall: Presto 06857 Foldaway
This is the most-reviewed Presto on Amazon, and the storage is a big part of why. The handles fold down, the pan lifts off the base, and the base nests inside the pan, so it fits in a cabinet that a fixed-leg 16-inch skillet would not.
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Best overall
Presto 06857 16-inch Electric Foldaway Skillet
Good for: family breakfasts, holiday overflow cooking and serving straight from the pan, in kitchens without much cupboard space.
Why we picked it: it is a top seller among electric skillets on Amazon. Presto describes a heavy cast aluminum pan it calls virtually warp-proof, a tempered glass cover with a stay-cool handle, a pour spout that doubles as a spoon rest, and a Control Master heat control that holds the temperature you set. The pan measures about 15.75 by 11.87 inches and 2.87 inches deep (40 x 30 x 7 cm), per Presto's chart.
What to know: the cooking chart in Presto's manual tops out at 400°F (204°C). With the heat control and base removed, the pan and cover fit in most dishwashers, but the manual warns the bottom of the pan will likely discolor there, so warm soapy water by hand is the gentler route. The heat control, cord and plug must never go in water.
The drawback: the coating story is not clean (see below). Shouldit's testers found it slow to reach 400°F (204°C) for steak, said the warm setting did not hold well, and noted a lid that fits loosely and a short cord. The base is plastic. In fairness, Shouldit did praise its even heat and build quality.
See the Presto Foldaway on AmazonWhat is the Foldaway's coating, exactly?
Here is what we found, in order. Presto's product page describes a "PFAS-free ceramic nonstick finish, inside and out." The Amazon listing says PFAS-free and "ceramic nonstick", and its specs list PTFE-free, PFOA-free and BPA-free. But the comparison chart Presto placed on that same Amazon listing labels the Foldaway's coating "premium nonstick"; in that chart, "ceramic nonstick" appears only next to the 06856. Shouldit's 2024 review of the Foldaway listed the coating as Teflon, PFOA-free. And Presto's own instruction manual for the Foldaway (the 2021 edition) calls it simply a nonstick surface, without naming the material.
One way all of this can be true: the coating changed at some point, and the review describes an older pan. We could not confirm that from Presto, so we are not claiming it. What we can say is that PTFE, the material sold as Teflon, is itself a PFAS chemical, so a pan that is genuinely PFAS-free has no PTFE on it. If the coating matters to you, check the box of the unit you receive, or buy the 06856 below, which Presto labels ceramic everywhere we looked.
Best ceramic electric skillet: Presto 06856
A near-identical pan (about 15.75 by 11.75 inches, slightly shallower, per Presto's chart), the same lid and heat control as the Foldaway, but this is the one Presto labels ceramic everywhere, including its comparison chart. If you came here looking for a non-toxic electric skillet, start with this one.
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Best ceramic
Presto 06856 16-inch Ceramic Electric Skillet
Good for: buyers who want a ceramic cooking surface and a big pan, and do not need the fold-flat base.
Why we picked it: Presto describes a ceramic nonstick surface inside and out, and the listing says PFOA-free and PTFE-free. In the comparison chart Presto puts on its Amazon listings, this model is labeled ceramic nonstick, while the Foldaway and the 06852 are labeled premium nonstick. It has a heavy cast aluminum pan, high sidewalls, a tempered glass cover with a stay-cool handle, and the same Control Master heat control.
What to know: with the heat control removed, Presto says the skillet is fully immersible. The listing does not say dishwasher safe, so wash it by hand. Ceramic coatings tend to lose their slickness faster than PTFE, especially with high heat, metal tools and dishwasher detergent, so treat it gently and use a little oil.
The drawback: the legs are fixed, so it takes up more cupboard space than the Foldaway, about 22 inches (56 cm) wide with the handles. It also has fewer owner reviews than the other two Prestos.
See the Presto ceramic skillet on AmazonFor more on how ceramic coatings behave over time, see our guide to the pros and cons of ceramic cookware.
A grey ceramic coating next to a black nonstick one. The label, not the color, tells you which you have.
Best electric skillet with a glass lid for the money: Presto 06852
If you want the classic 16-inch Presto and do not care about folding it away, the 06852 is the same pan size with fixed legs, usually for less.
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Value pick
Presto 06852 16-inch Electric Skillet with Glass Cover
Good for: anyone who wants a big electric skillet with a glass lid and has room to store it.
Why we picked it: it is a top seller in the category. Presto describes a 16-inch heavy cast aluminum pan with high sidewalls, a tempered glass cover with a stay-cool handle that lets it double as a buffet server, and the Control Master heat control. The pan is the same size as the Foldaway's, per Presto's chart.
What to know: with the heat control removed, Presto says the skillet is fully immersible. The listing says PFAS-free.
The drawback: the coating wording has the same split as the Foldaway's: the description says ceramic, while Presto's chart on the listing says "premium nonstick". The legs do not fold, so it is bulky to store.
See the Presto 06852 on Amazon
With the lid on, a 16-inch electric skillet doubles as a buffet server.
Best stainless steel electric skillet: CucinaPro XL
Truly uncoated electric skillets are rare. Most pans sold as stainless have a steel outside and a nonstick inside, including the All-Clad electric skillet that Food Network chose as its best stainless pick. The CucinaPro is the only one we found with a bare stainless cooking surface and a real following.
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No-coating pick
CucinaPro XL 16-inch Stainless Steel Electric Skillet
Good for: cooks who want no nonstick coating of any kind and are happy to cook with oil, the way they would in a stainless frying pan.
Why we picked it: CucinaPro describes polished 18/10 stainless steel, a 16-inch pan, a tempered glass lid, riveted handles and a removable temperature probe. The listing names no coating, and the materials list says stainless steel and tempered glass only.
What to know: bare stainless steel needs a good preheat and enough fat, or eggs and fish will stick. Our guide to why food sticks to stainless steel explains the trick. CucinaPro says to hand wash it or wipe it down with a damp paper towel.
The drawback: it costs noticeably more than the Prestos, and owner feedback is less consistent. A smaller 12-inch CucinaPro exists, but its listing calls it non-stick, so it is not the uncoated version.
See the CucinaPro stainless skillet on AmazonCeramic, PTFE or stainless: what the label does and does not tell you
Almost every electric skillet has a cast aluminum pan with a coating on top. The coating decides how easily food lets go, how long the pan stays slick, and what you are cooking on.
- PTFE nonstick (the material in Teflon) is the slickest and longest-lasting. It is a fluoropolymer, and that makes it a PFAS chemical, which is why many buyers now avoid it. Makers say PTFE is safe below about 500°F (260°C); Presto's cooking chart tops out at 400°F (204°C). Our guide to PFAS-free vs PTFE-free labels explains why those two claims are not the same.
- Ceramic nonstick is a sol-gel coating, mostly silica, with no PTFE. It releases food well when new but usually wears faster, especially with high heat, metal utensils and the dishwasher.
- "Premium nonstick" is a marketing phrase, not a material. When a listing uses it without naming the coating, ask what it is, or choose a model that states it.
- PFOA-free means very little today. PFOA was phased out of US nonstick production years ago, so almost every pan can make this claim, PTFE ones included.
- Bare stainless steel has no coating to wear off, but food sticks unless you preheat and use oil.
For pans on the stove, our non-toxic cookware guide covers the same materials in more depth, and our guide to frying pan materials compares how each one cooks.
Which size electric skillet do you need?
Electric skillets are sold by the length of the pan. An 11-inch pan is square; a 16-inch one is a long rectangle with half again as much surface.
| Pan size | Rough guide | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| 11 to 12 inch | A couple, or small batches | Fits a small counter. Presto's 11-inch 06626 comes with a glass cover. |
| 16 inch | Family meals | The most common size. Room for a full batch of pancakes or a family stir-fry. Needs a deep cupboard unless it folds. |
| Larger, or 5 to 7 quart deep pans | Big batches, braises | Heavier and pricier. Better for stews and hot pot than for frying. |
Measure the cupboard before you buy. The fixed-leg Presto 06856 is about 22 inches (56 cm) wide with its handles, and the lid adds height.
An 11-inch and a 16-inch skillet: the bigger pan has about half again as much cooking surface.
How to clean an electric skillet
- Unplug it and let it cool. Presto's manual says to unplug the skillet and let it cool before cleaning.
- Take the heat control out first. The dial and probe hold the electrical parts. Wipe them with a damp cloth and never put them in water.
- Then wash the pan. Presto skillets are fully immersible with the heat control removed. The Foldaway manual says the pan and cover fit in most dishwashers but the pan bottom will likely discolor, and it says not to soak the pan for more than two hours. Warm, soapy water by hand, then a thorough rinse and dry, is the simple option.
- Skip abrasives. No scouring pads or harsh cleansers on a coated pan. Use heat-resistant nylon, plastic, wooden or rubber utensils, as the manual says; metal can scratch the nonstick surface.
- Dry the socket area. As a precaution, make sure the socket on the pan is dry before you plug the heat control back in.
For the spatulas and spoons that will not scratch a coated pan, see our list of non-toxic cooking utensils.
Heat control out and on a dry towel before the pan goes in the water.
The bottom line
For most homes, get the Presto Foldaway: it is big, simple, and it stores flat. If you want the surface labeled ceramic in plain words, get the Presto 06856 instead. If you want no coating at all, the CucinaPro is the stainless option, as long as you cook with oil.
See the Presto Foldaway on Amazon
Questions people ask
What is the best electric skillet?
For most people, the Presto 06857 16-inch Foldaway: a top seller on Amazon, with a glass lid and a base that comes off for storage. If you want a surface the maker labels ceramic, choose the Presto 06856. For no coating at all, the CucinaPro XL stainless skillet.
Is an electric skillet the same as an electric frying pan?
Yes. The two names are used for the same appliance: a deep pan with a built-in heating element and a plug-in temperature control. Some brands say skillet, some say frying pan.
Are electric frying pans any good?
They are good at even, steady heat for pancakes, chops, stir-fries and slow simmering, and they free up a burner during big meals. They are not as hot as a stovetop for searing; Presto's cooking chart tops out at 400°F (204°C).
What is the most non-toxic electric skillet?
The safest bet on labels alone is a bare stainless steel skillet such as the CucinaPro XL, because there is no coating at all. Among coated pans, choose one the maker names as ceramic, such as the Presto 06856, over one sold only as "premium nonstick".
Can you put an electric skillet in the dishwasher?
Only the pan, and only if the maker says so. Presto says its skillets are fully immersible with the heat control removed, and the Foldaway manual says the pan and cover fit in most dishwashers, though the pan bottom will likely discolor. The heat control must never get wet.
What can you cook in an electric skillet?
Presto's product page and manual name roasting, frying, grilling, stewing and baking, plus casseroles and one-dish meals. Pancakes, eggs, fajitas, meatballs and stir-fries all work well. Do not deep fry in it: Presto's Foldaway manual says the skillet is not intended for deep frying.
Is an electric skillet worth it?
If you cook for a family, host holidays, or have a small stove, usually yes. It adds a burner, keeps food warm on the table, and Presto says it is more efficient than a range burner or oven. If you cook for one in a well-equipped kitchen, a good frying pan does the same job.
What we left out and why
- The All-Clad 7-quart electric skillet, Food Network's best stainless pick. Its steel is on the outside; the cooking surface is PTFE nonstick, and it costs far more than the Prestos.
- GreenPan electric skillets. They use ceramic nonstick, but the models we saw in Google's shopping results had far fewer owner reviews than the Prestos have on Amazon.
- Beautiful by Drew Barrymore and BELLA, Food Network's top two. Food Network's review covers both in detail; we built this page around the Presto line and one uncoated option, and did not check their Amazon listings.
- Electric griddles. Flat, open griddles are a different tool, better for pancakes in bulk than for anything with a sauce.
Building out a kitchen? Our guide to the best pots and pans sets covers the stovetop side.
Sources (opened November 3, 2026). Product facts come from each Amazon listing on the same date. Manual details come from Presto's own 06857 instructions (form 72-959E).
