Cuisinart Electric Skillet CSK-150

The Cuisinart Electric Skillet CSK-150 is one of the few electric skillets covered in expert testing. At Fine Cooking magazine, it and seven other electric frying pans are run through a battery of cooking tests. Editors pick it as a favorite for its roomy 15-by-12-inch interior that holds up to 5 quarts and "offers a solid overall construction." The Cuisinart electric skillet has a maximum heat setting of 450 degrees Fahrenheit -- high enough for deep frying. Its glass lid has a steam vent (to release pressure build-up), and once you unplug the heating element, it's safe for the dishwasher. The three-year warranty is another plus. On the downside, this electric skillet is expensive. If you don't think you'll need to deep fry, the less costly Presto 16-inch Electric Skillet with Glass Cover (*Est. $40) has a 400-degree maximum temperature, which works well for pan frying and sautéing. The Presto electric fry pan doesn't have a vent in its glass lid and doesn't look quite as fancy, but like the Cuisinart electric skillet, it gets very high ratings in user reviews.

We found no shortage of positive owner opinions about the Cuisinart Electric Skillet CSK-150 at Cooking.com and Amazon.com. It receives a high overall rating from more than 100 owners at Cooking.com. More than half have written brief reviews that say this electric frying pan heats evenly, and the nonstick coating is durable. Another 100 or so owner-written reviews at Amazon.com say it doesn't have problems with hot spots over the heating element like other electric skillets they have used.