Electric skillets?

[eleny]

I've never had one and don't know where to start. Cooks.com seemed like a place to check out an array and then I can get it locally. But the prices can be really high.

Anyone have good experience with a lower to mid priced brand? I won't be using it every day as I have been broiling and roasting more these days. But it would be nice to have one to make things like greenbriar's finger licking chicken recipe once in a while!

[Shakespeare]

1. I used to have one (a Rival, I think) I got at Target for $24.

Worked like a champ, and was my preferred way of cooking fried chicken (because you can keep the oil temp uniform).

[eleny]

6. Thanks - I'm thinking of going for less pricey and seeing how it goes

Rival has been around a long time.

[Warpy]

2. First, what do you want it for?

If you're going to use it to serve hot items at a buffet, it can come in handy. Otherwise, it eats up storage and counter space and doesn't do anything the top of the stove won't do.

I've had two, was given both of them. One was a fairly expensive heavy aluminum model with great heat distribution that was pretty good for pancakes and the above mentioned buffet service. The other was a cheapo from a discount house, light and tinny, with poor heat distribution. It was OK for the buffet but wouldn't do pancakes without having part burnt and part nearly raw.

I'd say that unless you had a trophy kitchen with storage space galore or unless you entertain a lot, save your money and use the stove top.

Some gadgets are worth the money. This one should be used in a dorm room or by frequent entertainers. It's not worth the money for the rest of us.

[eleny]

4. I'm lousy at getting the temperature right when I cook in the regular frypans

The electric skillet will take the guesswork out of it. It's one of the pitfalls of cooking at high altitude after cooking at sea level for decades. I often jump the gun which results in waste or poor results for the first batch of some things. Nothing like trying to flip a slice of breaded eggplant that won't budge because the oil wasn't hot enough to begin with.

I hardly have a trophy kitchen. :rofl: But I do have the space in my pantry now that I'm reorganizing the shelves.

Thanks for your input.

[Stinky The Clown]

5. We use ours for frying.

It has more precise temperature control than the stove and its safer (no flame).

We don't use it much, but when we do, it does the job we need perfectly. We store it in the basement (to indicate how infrequently it gets used).

[sandnsea]

9. I have an electric griddle

specifically for Christmas morning breakfast. Sometimes the right tool is the right tool, even if it's only used once or twice a year.

[eleny]

10. I have a couple of stovetop griddles and one has warped

The tried and true one is the Magnalite anodized. I've even used it for eggs and it's easier to flip them for over-easy since there are no sides. But eggs is one of those "avoids" these days.

[Stinky The Clown]

15. "specifically for Christmas morning breakfast"

That's how our electric fry pan gets used, mostly ........ for very specific menus and meals. On Christmas Eve we make fried dough as an appetizer. The electric fry pan is even better than my countertop fryer for that.

We use it for a few other things, but mostly it stays on the shelf in the basement laundry room.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. We have a Rival

It was inexpensive. Ours is a rare bird, though ........... no teflon. My son actually found it online and gave it to us for Christmas a few years back. It replaced a teflon one we had.

[eleny]

7. I've noticed how many are the non-stick

And the all metal can be pricey. I'll keep looking. I'm trying to avoid the non stick these days when I can.

[Stinky The Clown]

12. This is the one we have ...... I see it might be discontinued.

http://www.amazon.com/Rival-SS166-Stainless-Electric-Tempered/dp/B00005UWH3

[sandnsea]

8. I had a West Bend

It is nice for frying chicken. I also have never been able to get a roast to turn out quite the same as it does in an electric skillet. It's just me and hubby now, and we aren't supposed to eat any of that anyway, so I don't have an electric skillet anymore. I had one of the larger oblong ones and it was great for a family.

[NMDemDist2]

16. I have a 14 year old West Bend too. I use it for fried chicken and that's about it.

very occasionally I make a chuck roast in it, if I didn't have time to set the crockpot in the morning.

[sandnsea]

18. Potatoes and carrots brown nicely

in them. I've never been able to get them to brown quite the same otherwise.

[NMDemDist2]

19. so true! they carmelize and the stuff in the bottom makes the BEST gravy! n/t

[eleny]

24. Now that sounds so tempting!

[housewolf]

11. I had a Farberware for years

Loved it. I used it for lots of things.

[grasswire]

13. may I suggest trying for a second-hand piece?

A good thrift shop, or a really good estate sale? Perfectly good appliances are easy to find there, for next to nothing. You've reminded me that I need to get one to use for paper crafting because they are used to melt beeswax for certain glazing, and I've been meaning to try that. I happily used an electric skillet for meals for many years. Maybe I'll get one for cooking, too. I saw one just the other day at a tag sale up the street.

[eleny]

14. I'm going to check my thrift shop

I don't check the appliances often. My store allows returns if it doesn't work out.

[NMDemDist2]

17. If you wanted a griddle, I send you my round Rival for the cost of postage

but I'm not quite ready to give up my 3" high sided square one just yet......

[eleny]

20. So the high ones like your 3 incher are really useful

No splatter?

Thanks for the offer! I'll check my thrift first to see what I can find. I have to start checking out the electric appliances. I remember the discussion around roasting coffee beans in popcorn poppers. Who knows what will turn up there.
:pals:

[NMDemDist2]

22. it's not that, it's just sometimes (like with fried chicken) you want a

certain level of oil in there

[Tab]

21. Are you talking a skillet or a griddle?

Skillet:


Griddle:
http://bp0.blogger.com/_8U5YGYinltk/R5GLWH0FfcI/AAAAAAAABRc/tknL_7g6HIU/s400/Presto+07046+BigGriddle+Cool-Touch+Electric+Griddle.jpg

I can live without a skillet (unless I lived somewhere where a stovetop was impractacle), but there's really no substitute for a griddle for pancakes, french toast, or whatever.

[eleny]

23. Skillet

I have an anodized Magnalite griddle that's more versatile than expected. I love it and wouldn't be without some form of griddle - electric or not.

I'm going to try and find an electric skillet to be able to make some fried chicken once in a great while. and I see how people use it for other things like rice dishes. Also, I'd like to be able to use it outdoors both at home in hot weather and with the camper when we travel.

[Dover]

25. I never owned one, but our Japanese friends used it all the time right at the table.

It was the center piece of the dinner table at their house, and they had pre-chopped raw meats and vegetables placed on plates around it and would just keep throwing things onto it as needed.
Thinly sliced beef, sliced scallions, chopped cabbage, etc. It was always delicious and piping hot!
Between that and a rice steamer, I don't recall them using much else.