An electric skillet is a second stove you can carry. In a Mexican home kitchen it earns its place on the nights when every burner is busy: fajita peppers and onions for a crowd, a dozen eggs for huevos rancheros, a pan of chorizo con papas, or a pot of guisado held warm on the counter while people come back for seconds. The lid is what makes it useful for more than frying, because it lets you steam, braise and keep food hot.
This guide compares eight electric skillets that come with a lid, from a compact pan for two to a 10.5-quart pan for a party. We used each maker’s specifications and the Amazon listings; where a listing leaves out a figure, such as maximum temperature, we say so.
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Quick verdict: which electric skillet with lid to buy
The best electric skillet with lid for most kitchens is the Presto 16-inch Electric Skillet with Glass Cover: a big, high-sided pan, a tempered glass cover with a stay-cool handle, and a body that goes in the sink once the control is off. For big batches, choose the Elite Gourmet 10.5-Quart, the deepest pan here with a vented lid. If you want an exact temperature, the Nuwave Medley XL sets it in 5-degree steps.
Five covered electric skillets at a glance
Our five standout picks, one for each kind of cook, with the size, lid and temperature range each maker states. All eight skillets are reviewed in full below.
| Electric skillet | Best for | Size | Lid | Temperature | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Presto 16-inch Electric Skillet with Glass CoverBest overall
|
Most kitchens, parties | 16-inch, high sides | Tempered glass | Control Master; max not stated | View on Amazon |
Elite Gourmet 10.5-Quart Extra-Deep Electric SkilletBest for a crowd
|
Big braises for 6–8 | 16 x 13 in, 10.5 qt | Vented tempered glass | 200–400°F | View on Amazon |
Nuwave Medley XL Digital Electric SkilletMost precise
|
Exact temperatures | 7 qt | Glass | 100–425°F, 5°F steps | View on Amazon |
Hamilton Beach Durathon Ceramic Electric SkilletBest for serving
|
Serving at the table | 12 x 15 in removable pan | Tempered glass | 200–400°F | View on Amazon |
Proctor Silex Electric Skillet with LidBudget pick
|
Small households | 11.6 x 10 in | Glass | 200–400°F | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Specifications are as stated by each maker or listing; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best electric skillet with lid
These eight skillets cover the main choices: big and deep for party cooking, removable pans for serving, digital control for precision, a stainless pan for cooks who avoid coatings, and a small dishwasher-safe pan for two. Every one comes with a lid; each entry says what kind.
1. Presto 16-inch Electric Skillet with Glass Cover – Big Pan, Easy Serving
Presto’s 16-inch skillet is the classic covered electric frying pan, and it is still the one we would point most home cooks to. The pan is big, with high sidewalls, so a full batch of fajita peppers and onions or a dozen eggs for huevos rancheros fits without crowding. Presto says it doubles as a buffet server, so you can cook, turn it down, put the lid on and set it on the table.
The cover is tempered glass with a stay-cool handle, so you can watch eggs set without lifting it. The cooking surface is ceramic nonstick inside and out, which Presto describes as PFAS free, and the base is heavy cast aluminum that Presto calls virtually warp-proof. The Control Master heat control holds the temperature you set; the listing does not give the top temperature.
Cleanup is simple: Presto says the skillet is fully immersible once the heat control is removed. The listing does not mention the dishwasher, so plan on washing it in the sink.
Why we like it
- 16-inch pan with high sidewalls
- Tempered glass cover with a stay-cool handle
- Ceramic nonstick inside and out, PFAS free per Presto
- Fully immersible with the control removed
Key specifications
| Skillet | Presto 06852 |
|---|---|
| Size | 16-inch |
| Surface | Ceramic nonstick (PFAS free, per Presto) |
| Lid | Tempered glass, stay-cool handle |
| Max temp | Not stated in listing |
| Immersible/dishwasher | Immersible with control removed; dishwasher not stated |
| Heat control | Control Master, removable |
Why we recommend it
Families and party hosts who want one big covered pan for fajitas, eggs and guisados, and a way to keep them warm at the table.
Skip it if you want a stated maximum temperature or a dishwasher-safe pan.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large, deep cooking area
- Doubles as a server, per Presto
- Immersible for cleaning
Cons
- Max temperature not stated
- Dishwasher use not stated
- Takes a lot of counter space
2. Elite Gourmet 10.5-Quart Extra-Deep Electric Skillet – Deep Walls, Vented Lid
When the job is a big pot of chile colorado or carnitas for eight, depth matters more than width. Elite Gourmet’s EG-6203 has a 16 by 13-inch pan with 3.15-inch sidewalls and holds 10.5 quarts, which Elite Gourmet says serves six to eight. A pour spout lets you drain off fat or juices.
The lid is vented tempered glass, which lets steam out and keeps splatter in. The temperature probe adjusts from 200°F to 400°F and cycles to hold the setting, and an M-shaped element is embedded across the pan floor. Elite Gourmet suggests letting the skillet heat and cycle two or three times on first use before adding food.
Cleanup is the easiest here: with the probe removed, the pan is fully immersible, and Elite Gourmet says the skillet and glass lid are dishwasher-safe on the top rack. The honeycomb nonstick coating needs wooden, silicone, nylon or plastic utensils.
Why we like it
- 10.5 quarts with 3.15-inch sidewalls
- Vented tempered glass lid and pour spout
- 200–400°F probe
- Skillet and lid dishwasher-safe, per Elite Gourmet
Key specifications
| Skillet | Elite Gourmet EG-6203# |
|---|---|
| Size | 16 x 13 in, 10.5 qt |
| Surface | Honeycomb nonstick |
| Lid | Tempered glass, vented |
| Max temp | 400°F |
| Immersible/dishwasher | Immersible; skillet and lid top rack dishwasher-safe |
| Heat control | Removable probe, 200–400°F |
Why we recommend it
Cooks who make big braises and stews and want the deepest pan and the simplest cleanup.
Skip it if you mostly fry eggs and want low sides to slide a spatula under.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Deepest pan on this list
- Dishwasher-safe pan and lid, per maker
- Pour spout
Cons
- Large to store
- Needs non-metal utensils
- Coating type not specified beyond “honeycomb”
3. Nuwave Medley XL Digital Electric Skillet – 5-Degree Digital Control
Most electric skillets have a dial marked in rough steps. The Nuwave Medley XL has a digital control that sets the temperature from 100°F to 425°F in 5-degree steps, and Nuwave says it holds that temperature. That range reaches low enough to keep refried beans warm and high enough for a good sear on fajita steak.
The pan holds 7 quarts and has high sidewalls; it comes with a glass lid. Nuwave says this version adds heat shields and an embedded M-shaped element to spread heat evenly. The display shows OFF when cooking is done.
The surface is Nuwave’s G11 Duralon ceramic nonstick, which the maker describes as PFAS-free and non-toxic; that is Nuwave’s claim, not an independent test. Nuwave gives a one-year warranty.
Why we like it
- Digital control from 100°F to 425°F in 5-degree steps
- 7-quart pan with high sidewalls
- Glass lid included
- Ceramic nonstick, PFAS-free per Nuwave
Key specifications
| Skillet | Nuwave Medley XL |
|---|---|
| Size | 7 qt |
| Surface | G11 Duralon ceramic nonstick (PFAS-free, per Nuwave) |
| Lid | Glass |
| Max temp | 425°F |
| Immersible/dishwasher | Not stated in listing |
| Heat control | Removable digital, 5°F steps |
Why we recommend it
Cooks who want an exact number on the dial, from a low hold to a high sear.
Skip it if you want a simple dial and the lowest cost.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Widest, most precise temperature range here
- High sidewalls
- Clear digital display
Cons
- Cleaning instructions not stated in listing
- One-year warranty
- Digital control adds a part to look after
4. Hamilton Beach Durathon Ceramic Electric Skillet – Pan Lifts Off the Base
Hamilton Beach’s Durathon skillet solves the cord problem at the table. The 12 by 15-inch pan lifts off the heating base, so you can carry it to the table to serve and leave the base in the kitchen. The pan is also reversible on the base, so the cord can come out on either side.
It has 180 square inches of cooking surface and a tempered glass lid, and the temperature adjusts from 200°F to 400°F. Hamilton Beach suggests the low setting for keeping food warm, handy when the arroz is done before the guests arrive.
The Durathon ceramic nonstick is PTFE and PFOA free, according to Hamilton Beach, which also claims it is four times more durable than traditional nonstick; that is the maker’s comparison. The listing does not say whether the pan is dishwasher-safe.
Why we like it
- Removable 12 x 15-inch pan for serving
- Reversible pan so the cord goes either way
- Glass lid; 200–400°F
- Durathon ceramic, PTFE and PFOA free per Hamilton Beach
Key specifications
| Skillet | Hamilton Beach 38531 |
|---|---|
| Size | 12 x 15 in, 180 sq in |
| Surface | Durathon ceramic nonstick (PTFE/PFOA free, per maker) |
| Lid | Tempered glass |
| Max temp | 400°F |
| Immersible/dishwasher | Not stated in listing |
| Heat control | Adjustable, 200–400°F |
Why we recommend it
Hosts who want to cook in the kitchen and serve from the same pan without a cord trailing across the table.
Skip it if you need a deep pan for big braises; this is a wide, shallower skillet.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Serve straight from the removable pan
- Cord on either side
- Keep-warm use on low, per maker
Cons
- Cleaning method not stated
- Shallower than the Elite Gourmet
- Durability claim is the maker’s own
5. Zojirushi Gourmet d’Expert Electric Skillet – Flat Plate, Deep Pan, Steamer
Zojirushi’s EP-RAC50 is three cooking surfaces under one tempered glass lid. It comes with a titanium-ceramic nonstick flat plate for grilling, a deep-dish inner pan for soup or fondue, and an adjustable-height steaming plate. The 1,350-watt base has an adjustable temperature control and stay-cool side handles.
For a Mexican kitchen that means quesadillas and flour tortillas on the flat plate, a pot of caldo or albóndigas in the deep pan, and tamales reheated on the steaming plate, all at the table. Zojirushi includes recipes.
The listing gives the size as 15 by 17-1/2 by 8-1/8 inches with the pan, and a one-year limited warranty. It does not give a maximum temperature or say whether the parts are dishwasher-safe.
Why we like it
- Flat plate, deep pan and steaming plate included
- Tempered glass lid
- 1,350-watt base
- Stay-cool side handles
Key specifications
| Skillet | Zojirushi EP-RAC50 |
|---|---|
| Size | 15 x 17.5 x 8.1 in with pan |
| Surface | Titanium-ceramic nonstick flat plate; deep pan |
| Lid | Tempered glass |
| Max temp | Not stated in listing |
| Immersible/dishwasher | Not stated in listing |
| Heat control | Adjustable |
Why we recommend it
Cooks who want one tabletop appliance that grills, simmers and steams.
Skip it if you only need a big frying pan; the extra plates take up storage.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Three cooking surfaces
- Good for tabletop cooking
- Steaming plate for tamales and vegetables
Cons
- Max temperature not stated
- Cleaning not stated
- More parts to store
6. Dash Family Size Electric Skillet – Three Settings, Lid Rest
Dash keeps it simple. The Family Size skillet has a 14-inch cooking surface that holds 6 quarts and serves up to eight, per Dash, and a single dial with three heat levels: low, medium and high. Dash suggests high for searing meat and pancakes, medium for stir-frying, and low for onions and poached eggs.
Dash names fajitas as a one-pan dinner it suits. The tempered glass lid has its own built-in rest on the skillet, so you are not looking for a place to set a dripping lid, and the rest doubles as a spoon rest.
The nonstick surface is meant to release eggs and cheese, and Dash recommends a quick hand wash. There is no numbered temperature scale, so it suits cooks who cook by eye.
Why we like it
- 14-inch, 6-quart pan
- Three clear heat settings
- Built-in lid rest
- Tempered glass lid
Key specifications
| Skillet | Dash DRG214BK |
|---|---|
| Size | 14-inch surface, 6 qt |
| Surface | Nonstick |
| Lid | Tempered glass, built-in lid rest |
| Max temp | Not stated (low/medium/high) |
| Immersible/dishwasher | Hand wash, per Dash |
| Heat control | Removable probe, 3 levels |
Why we recommend it
Cooks who want a large covered skillet with no learning curve.
Skip it if you want to set an exact temperature for frying or holding food warm.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very simple controls
- Lid rest keeps the counter clean
- Big enough for a family
Cons
- No temperature numbers
- Hand wash
- Coating type not specified
7. Proctor Silex Electric Skillet with Lid – Dishwasher-Safe, Three-Year Warranty
The Proctor Silex 38526 is the small, inexpensive way into a covered electric skillet. Its nonstick surface is 11.6 by 10 inches, 116 square inches, enough for eggs and chorizo for two to four people or a side of calabacitas.
The temperature adjusts from 200°F to 400°F, and Proctor Silex suggests the low setting to keep food warm. The handles stay cool, and the glass lid fits snugly to hold in heat.
Cleanup is easy for the price: with the cord removed, the skillet and lid can go in the dishwasher, per Proctor Silex. The warranty is three years, longer than most skillets here.
Why we like it
- 200–400°F adjustable temperature
- Skillet and lid dishwasher-safe, per Proctor Silex
- Cool-touch handles
- Three-year warranty
Key specifications
| Skillet | Proctor Silex 38526 |
|---|---|
| Size | 11.6 x 10 in, 116 sq in |
| Surface | Nonstick |
| Lid | Glass |
| Max temp | 400°F |
| Immersible/dishwasher | Skillet and lid dishwasher-safe with cord removed |
| Heat control | Adjustable, removable cord |
Why we recommend it
Small households and first-time buyers who want a covered skillet that goes in the dishwasher.
Skip it if you cook for a crowd; the pan is the smallest here.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Dishwasher-safe pan and lid
- Three-year warranty
- Small enough to store easily
Cons
- Smallest cooking area here
- Coating type not specified
- Too small for a party batch
8. CucinaPro 16-inch Stainless Steel Electric Skillet – Stainless Pan, No Coating
Every other skillet here has a nonstick coating. CucinaPro’s 16-inch round skillet is polished 18/10 stainless steel, for cooks who would rather avoid coatings or want a pan that tolerates metal utensils and a good scrub.
It has an adjustable, removable temperature probe, a tempered glass lid, and riveted handles for carrying it from counter to table. CucinaPro says the pan suits a family of four or more.
Stainless steel is not nonstick: eggs need fat and a properly heated pan, or they will stick. CucinaPro recommends hand washing. The listing does not give a temperature range; the warranty is one year.
Why we like it
- 18/10 stainless steel, no coating
- 16-inch round pan
- Tempered glass lid
- Riveted handles
Key specifications
| Skillet | CucinaPro 1454 |
|---|---|
| Size | 16-inch round |
| Surface | 18/10 stainless steel |
| Lid | Tempered glass |
| Max temp | Not stated in listing |
| Immersible/dishwasher | Hand wash, per CucinaPro |
| Heat control | Removable probe |
Why we recommend it
Cooks who want a large covered electric pan without any nonstick coating.
Skip it if you cook a lot of eggs and want easy release; a nonstick pan is easier.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No coating to wear out
- Large 16-inch pan
- Looks good on a buffet
Cons
- Food sticks without enough fat and heat
- Temperature range not stated
- Hand wash only
How to choose an electric skillet with a lid
1. Size and depth
Measure by what you cook. For eggs and quesadillas, cooking area matters most: a 14- to 16-inch pan holds a family breakfast. For braises, beans and guisados, depth matters: Elite Gourmet’s 3.15-inch sidewalls and 10.5 quarts hold far more than a shallow pan of the same width.
2. The lid
Glass lets you watch eggs set and rice steam without lifting the lid. A vented lid, like Elite Gourmet’s, lets steam escape so food simmers rather than boils over. Look for a stay-cool handle and somewhere to rest the lid; Dash builds a rest into the skillet.
3. Temperature range and control
Most skillets here run from 200°F to 400°F. Nuwave goes lower and higher, from 100°F to 425°F. A stated low setting matters if you plan to hold food warm; a stated high matters for searing fajita meat. Several listings do not give a maximum, so check the manual if that matters to you.
4. Surface
Most electric skillets are nonstick. Presto, Nuwave and Hamilton Beach use ceramic nonstick and describe it as free of PFAS or PTFE and PFOA; those are the makers’ claims. Use wooden, silicone or nylon tools on any coating. The CucinaPro is plain stainless steel, which needs fat and preheating but has no coating to wear.
5. Cleaning
On most of these skillets the control or cord comes off before washing. Elite Gourmet and Proctor Silex say their pans and lids are dishwasher-safe; Presto says its skillet is immersible; Dash and CucinaPro say to hand wash.
Fajitas, eggs and guisados in an electric skillet
For fajitas, heat the skillet to its highest setting, sear the meat in batches with the lid off, then add peppers and onions. Our guide to how to eat fajitas covers the fillings and how to build one. For huevos rancheros, warm the salsa in the pan, crack the eggs into it and cover with the lid until the whites set. For a guisado or beans, simmer covered at a low setting and leave it there, lid on, to serve.
Tortillas are the other half of the meal. An electric skillet can warm them, but a tortilla warmer keeps a stack soft at the table, and an electric tortilla maker handles fresh ones. For a full spread, our taco bar supplies guide shows how the pieces fit together.
How we chose these eight skillets
We did not test these skillets. We compared what each maker states in its Amazon listing: pan size and depth, lid type, surface, temperature range, cleaning and warranty. Every pick comes with a lid and was in stock on Amazon when we wrote this. We searched the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s recall database for each brand and found no recall listed for these skillets. We left out listings that did not clearly include a lid, and unbranded pans with near-identical listings.
Electric skillet questions, answered
What is the best electric frying pan with a lid?
For most kitchens, the Presto 16-inch with its tempered glass cover. For big batches, the Elite Gourmet 10.5-quart; for small households, the Proctor Silex.
Can you make fajitas in an electric skillet?
Yes. Use the highest setting, cook the meat in batches so it browns rather than steams, and keep the lid off until the vegetables go in. Dash names fajitas as a one-pan dinner it suits.
Can an electric skillet keep food warm for a party?
Yes; Presto says its skillet doubles as a buffet server, and Hamilton Beach and Proctor Silex suggest their low settings for keeping food warm. For several dishes at once, a buffet server or chafing dish is easier.
Are electric skillets dishwasher-safe?
Some are. Elite Gourmet and Proctor Silex say the pan and lid can go in the dishwasher once the control or cord is removed. Others are immersible but should be washed by hand. Never immerse the control.
Is a ceramic electric skillet better than traditional nonstick?
Ceramic coatings are sold as free of PFAS or PTFE, and makers such as Hamilton Beach claim theirs last longer. Those are maker claims. Either type lasts longer with non-metal utensils and moderate heat.
Our pick for a covered electric skillet
Buy the Presto 16-inch if you want one covered skillet for weeknight eggs and party fajitas. Choose the Elite Gourmet for deep braises and dishwasher cleanup, the Nuwave for exact temperatures, the Hamilton Beach to serve from the pan, and the Proctor Silex if you cook for two.
More countertop cookers we’ve covered: slow cookers, pressure cookers, rice cookers, sous vide circulators, air fryers, deep fryers.
Related guide: Best ceramic electric skillet.
For a stovetop pan that can go from searing to the oven, see the best cast iron skillet. And if you would rather someone else made the fajitas tonight, see the menu or call to order.