Presto makes plain countertop appliances: griddles, fryers, poppers and electric skillets, most with a dial or a switch and no screen. A restaurant kitchen likes that kind of machine, since there is less to learn on a busy night. The harder question is which Presto is worth a spot on your shelf.
This guide is for buyers who already like the brand and want to choose by job, with seven different appliances, one for each. Presto’s stovetop pressure cookers are on our pressure cooker guide. We have not used these appliances for this guide. It rests on Presto’s own details and the independent reviews we could read, and we say plainly that most of these models have none.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.
Quick verdict: which Presto to buy
Most households should start with the 16-Inch Ceramic Electric Skillet, because it does the most dinners. Cook for one or two? Take the Liddle Griddle. If you want a single pot to fry and steam, take the Kitchen Kettle. For the best-reviewed griddle in the Presto range, go to our electric griddle guide, since independent praise for Presto centers on its larger griddles, and those are covered there.
Five Presto appliances side by side
One for each kind of cook, using the sizes and power Presto and its listings give.
| Presto appliance | Best for | Size | Power | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Presto 16-Inch Ceramic Electric SkilletBest overall
|
Big one-pan dinners | 16-inch pan | 1500 W | View on Amazon |
Presto Liddle GriddleBest small griddle
|
One or two servings | 8.5 x 10.5 in surface | Not stated | View on Amazon |
Presto Kitchen KettleBest multi-cooker
|
Frying, soups and steaming | 5 qt liquid | 1200 W | View on Amazon |
Presto Stainless Steel Compact FryerBest fryer
|
Small fried batches | 1 L oil | 1000 W | View on Amazon |
Presto SaladShooterBest for prep
|
Shredding cheese and lettuce | Handheld | Not stated | View on Amazon |
The other two picks, the PopLite Plus and the Stuffler, are covered below.
Our picks for the best presto kitchen appliances
Seven different appliance types, ordered by how many jobs each does. We picked one model per job and skipped Renewed listings.
1. Presto 16-Inch Ceramic Electric Skillet – One Pan for Most Dinners
If you buy only one Presto, start here, because it does the most jobs. Presto describes a 16-inch cast aluminum pan with high sidewalls and a tempered glass cover, rated at 1500 watts on 120 volts. The listing says it will roast, fry, grill, stew and bake, and the high sides are what let it do more than a griddle can.
For a Mexican dinner, a pan this wide gives you room to brown a pound of beef for tacos, cook peppers and onions for fajitas without crowding, or keep a pot’s worth of chile verde at a low simmer on the table. The coating is ceramic nonstick inside and out, and Presto says it is PFAS free. With the heat control removed the pan is fully immersible, which makes washing it in the sink easy.
We read no independent review of this exact model. The closest one we found is Food Network’s note on Presto’s 16-inch Foldaway skillet, a different model, which it says had an interesting design with a foldable base, but “didn’t win out for performance, aesthetics or price.” So this pick rests on Presto’s details and on how much the shape can do, and you should judge it that way.
Why we like it
- Sixteen inches of pan with high sidewalls, per Presto
- Tempered glass cover included
- Immersible once the heat control is off
- Ceramic nonstick inside and out, stated PFAS free
Key specifications
| Model | 06856 |
|---|---|
| Job | Fry, stew, roast, bake |
| Capacity or surface | 16-inch base |
| Power | 1500 W, 120 V |
| Cooking surface | Ceramic nonstick |
| Cleaning | Fully immersible with control removed |
| Size and weight | 22.25 x 12.25 x 8.25 in; 8.5 lb (listing) |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits a household that cooks one big pan of food several nights a week and wants the stove left free.
Skip it if you are short on storage, since at more than 22 inches by the listing it needs a real shelf.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Most versatile job list here
- Glass cover lets you watch without lifting
- Easy to wash in a full sink
Cons
- Bulky to store
- Ceramic coating needs gentle tools, as nonstick generally does
- No independent review of this model that we read
2. Presto Liddle Griddle – Griddle for One or Two
Presto’s large griddles are on our main electric griddle guide. The Liddle Griddle goes the other way. Presto gives it an 8 1/2 by 10 1/2 inch cooking surface and says it is sized for one or two servings. That is enough for a couple of quesadillas, a few eggs, or a small stack of tortillas to warm.
It has a Control Master heat control, a built-in grease tray, and a heavy cast aluminum body with a PFAS-free ceramic nonstick surface. Remove the control and the whole griddle can go under water. Keep in mind what small means: if you are feeding four, you will cook in batches, and everyone eats at different times.
America’s Test Kitchen’s electric griddle review names a larger Presto, the Cool-touch Griddle/Warmer Plus, its Best Buy, and reports some hot spots near the power connection on that model. It did not review this one, so we can’t say how evenly the Liddle Griddle heats. We read no independent review of it.
Why we like it
- Small surface suited to one or two servings
- Built-in grease tray
- Heavy cast aluminum, per the listing
- Stores easily at about 3 pounds
Key specifications
| Model | 07211 |
|---|---|
| Job | Griddle |
| Capacity or surface | 8.5 x 10.5 in surface |
| Power | Not stated |
| Cooking surface | Ceramic nonstick |
| Cleaning | Fully immersible with control removed |
| Size and weight | 14.44 x 11.12 x 2.88 in; 3.3 lb (listing) |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits a single cook, a couple or a small apartment kitchen that doesn’t need a full griddle.
Skip it if you regularly cook for more than two: Presto’s bigger griddles on our griddle guide make more sense.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Takes little counter or shelf space
- Simple to wash
- Grease tray built in
Cons
- Batch cooking for anyone beyond two
- Wattage not stated on the listing
- Listing-only evidence
3. Presto Kitchen Kettle – Fries, Boils and Steams
The Kitchen Kettle is a deep electric pot with a 5-quart liquid capacity and a 1.75-quart oil capacity, at 1200 watts on 120 volts, according to Presto. The listing says it will deep fry up to six servings of french fries, make soups and casseroles, cook rice and pasta, steam fish and vegetables, and roast.
That wide list is why it earns a place on a brand page. It can make a batch of beans on a Sunday, fry tostadas or taquitos on a Friday, then steam vegetables. The surface is ceramic nonstick inside and out, stated PFAS free, with a heavy cast aluminum base and tempered glass cover. Fully immersible once the heat control is off.
Presto also sells a 10-quart Kitchen Kettle XL, which we cover in our electric tamale steamer guide. The 5-quart one here is the size for a small family, not a tamale party. We read no independent review of this model. One note on the listing: its one-pound weight field looks wrong for a pot this size, so we mark weight as not stated.
Why we like it
- Fries, boils, steams and roasts, per Presto
- 5-quart liquid and 1.75-quart oil capacity
- Tempered glass cover
- PFAS-free coating stated
Key specifications
| Model | 06006 |
|---|---|
| Job | Multi-cooker and steamer |
| Capacity or surface | 5 qt liquid; 1.75 qt oil |
| Power | 1200 W, 120 V |
| Cooking surface | Ceramic nonstick |
| Cleaning | Fully immersible with control removed |
| Size and weight | 12.25 x 8.75 x 9.25 in; weight not stated |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits a cook who wants one pot for frying and steaming and has room for only one extra appliance.
Skip it if frying is the main job, because a dedicated fryer with a basket and a lid made for frying is simpler to use.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Widest food range after the skillet
- Sensible family size
- Oil and liquid capacities both stated
Cons
- Jack of several trades, not a specialist
- Not large enough for big tamale batches
- Listing weight looks unreliable
4. Presto Stainless Steel Compact Fryer – Small Batches, Small Footprint
Presto makes many fryers, and others from the range are on our deep fryer guide. This one is the small stainless model. Presto gives it a 1-liter oil capacity, 1000 watts on 120 volts, an anodized aluminum interior and a brushed stainless exterior.
A liter of oil is modest, which is the point. It heats less oil, needs less storage and suits a basket of fries, a few taquitos or a batch of churros for two or three people. The cover is vented and cool to the touch with a built-in spatter screen, and you fry with it closed to reduce odor and spatter. The thermostat is adjustable and a light shows it is on. Presto says to keep used oil in an airtight container, not in the fryer.
Hot oil deserves respect in any machine, and small pots mean you must fry in small batches so the temperature does not drop too far. We read no independent review of this exact fryer, so the case for it rests on Presto’s details.
Why we like it
- One liter of oil is easy to manage and dispose of
- Adjustable thermostat
- Fries with the cover closed
- Small footprint at about 8 inches square
Key specifications
| Model | 05470 |
|---|---|
| Job | Deep fryer |
| Capacity or surface | 1 L (1.1 qt) oil |
| Power | 1000 W, 120 V |
| Cooking surface | Anodized aluminum |
| Cleaning | Not stated on the listing |
| Size and weight | 8.63 x 8.25 x 8.25 in; 3.1 lb (listing) |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits two or three people who fry now and then and don’t want a big fryer on the shelf.
Skip it if you fry for a family, since a liter of oil limits each batch: look at the larger models on our deep fryer guide.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple controls
- Stainless exterior
- Uses less oil than bigger fryers
Cons
- Small batches only
- Cleaning details not on the listing
- Listing-only evidence
5. Presto SaladShooter – Shreds Right Into the Bowl
This is the odd one on the page, and the one a taco night might use most. The SaladShooter is a handheld electric slicer and shredder: you load food into the chute, point it, and the sliced or shredded food shoots out into whatever is under it. The listing suggests cheese for pizza and tacos, lettuce for tacos, and potatoes for hash browns.
It comes with interchangeable slicing and shredding cones, and the listing says there are no complicated parts to assemble. The motor base wipes clean and all other parts are dishwasher safe. It weighs about 2.5 pounds and Presto says it will fit almost anywhere, even a drawer. Compared with a full food processor, you give up capacity and a sealed work bowl, and you get far less to wash.
Be realistic about it, though. Our search for independent reviews turned up only listings and buyer comments, and we don’t treat those as evidence, so read a few recent buyer comments yourself. Keep fingers out of the chute and follow the manual.
Why we like it
- Shreds directly onto the plate or into the bowl
- Slicing and shredding cones included
- Parts other than the motor base are dishwasher safe
- Drawer-friendly size, per Presto
Key specifications
| Model | 02910 |
|---|---|
| Job | Slicer and shredder |
| Capacity or surface | Handheld, chute fed |
| Power | Not stated |
| Cooking surface | Not applicable |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher-safe parts; base wipes clean |
| Size and weight | 11 x 8.9 x 4.2 in; 2.5 lb (listing) |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who shreds cheese and lettuce often and doesn’t want to get out a food processor.
Skip it if you need large batches or uniform slices for serving, since a food processor or mandoline handles those better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- No bowl to wash on small jobs
- Light and quick to store
- Less to store than a processor
Cons
- Small capacity
- We found no independent review
- Wattage not on the listing
6. Presto PopLite Plus – Hot Air Popcorn, Butter Cup
Presto has several poppers and the classic PopLite is on our popcorn maker guide. The PopLite Plus adds an on and off switch and a butter melter with a metal cup. Presto says it pops up to 18 cups in about 2 1/2 minutes with hot air and no oil.
The cap measures the kernels and doubles as the butter tray. Add a tablespoon of butter while the corn pops, then pour it over once melted. The switch sounds like a small thing, but it means you don’t have to plug the cord in to start. Cleanup is a wipe of the base and chute, since there is no oil.
Presto’s claim of virtually no unpopped kernels is the maker’s own, and we read no independent review of this model to check it. Hot air popcorn is plain until you season it, so have your butter, salt or chile-lime seasoning ready. It has a single job, and for a kitchen that makes popcorn often, that may be all it needs.
Why we like it
- Up to 18 cups, per Presto
- On and off switch
- Metal butter cup
- No oil to clean up
Key specifications
| Model | 04867 |
|---|---|
| Job | Hot air popcorn popper |
| Capacity or surface | Up to 18 cups popped |
| Power | Not stated |
| Cooking surface | Not applicable |
| Cleaning | Base and chute wipe clean |
| Size and weight | 14.25 x 9.25 x 5.75 in; 2.42 lb (listing) |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits a family that makes popcorn on movie nights and likes it quick, with little to clean.
Skip it if you want kettle-style popcorn cooked in oil: hot air won’t give you that flavor.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Quick, by Presto’s figure
- Simple to clean
- Butter melter built in
Cons
- One job only
- Hot air popcorn needs seasoning
- No independent review that we read
7. Presto Stuffler Waffle Maker – Fill Waffles Sweet or Savory
The Stuffler bakes a filling between two layers of batter. You pour in batter, add the filling, top with more batter, and rotate the unit 180 degrees to spread it evenly. Presto suggests fruit, pie filling, chocolate, cheese and meats. Think of it as a good excuse for a breakfast of cheese and green chile, or for a Saturday morning project with kids.
Built-in tongs lift out the finished waffle, the nonstick grid divides it into four sections, and the machine locks upright for storage with the cord stored in the base. Presto says to use pancake, waffle, cake or muffin mixes, and it includes recipes.
This is a treat machine, not a daily tool. Hot fillings can stay very hot inside the waffle, so give them a moment before anyone bites. For a plain everyday waffle, the FlipSide on our waffle maker guide is the simpler Presto. We read no independent review of the Stuffler.
Why we like it
- Stuffs fillings between two batter layers
- Rotates 180 degrees to spread batter
- Built-in tongs
- Stores upright with the cord in the base
Key specifications
| Model | 03512 |
|---|---|
| Job | Stuffed Belgian waffle maker |
| Capacity or surface | One waffle, four sections |
| Power | Not stated |
| Cooking surface | Nonstick grid |
| Cleaning | Not stated on the listing |
| Size and weight | 15.5 x 7.75 x 4.34 in; 4.72 lb (listing) |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
Why we recommend it
It suits a family that likes weekend breakfast projects, or anyone curious about savory stuffed waffles.
Skip it if you make plain waffles for a crowd, since one stuffed waffle at a time is slow going.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Something few other waffle makers do
- Upright storage
- Handy tongs
Cons
- Single-purpose treat machine
- One waffle at a time
- Hot fillings need a moment to cool
How the Presto range sorts out
Most Presto cookers use the same idea: a heavy cast aluminum pan with a removable heat control. Take the control off and the griddle, skillet or kettle can go under water. That removable control is the reason these are easy to clean, and it is the part to look after, since the pan doesn’t work without it. If you ever lose or damage one, check for a replacement before you buy a whole new pan.
Presto’s stock numbers are useful. Five digits identify the exact model, and similar names can hide different features. A “PopLite” and a “PopLite Plus” are different products, and the same goes for its several skillets and griddles. Match the number on the listing to the one you read about. The warranty on the models here is one year limited, per Presto’s product pages or the listing.
Where Presto falls short, and who to look at instead
- Top griddle results. America’s Test Kitchen’s February 2026 electric griddle review names the Ninja Sizzle Pro XL its winner, and rates Presto’s Cool-touch Griddle/Warmer Plus as its Best Buy with a Recommended rating, reporting some hot spots near the power connection. Presto is the value choice there, not the top performer.
- Skillets. Food Network’s electric skillet roundup, updated in February 2026, gives Best Overall to the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 5-in-1 skillet and says Presto’s 16-inch Foldaway “didn’t win out for performance, aesthetics or price.” That is a different Presto model from our pick, but it is the nearest independent reading we found.
- Delicate foods. GearLab’s December 2025 review of the Presto Ceramic 22-Inch griddle praises “near-perfect heat distribution,” and also says delicate foods such as scrambled eggs can leave a film on its lightly textured surface. Our ceramic picks may share that trait, though nobody we read has checked them.
- Thin review coverage. We read no independent review of any of the seven picks on this page. If proof matters more to you than the brand, buy from a guide where the top pick has been reviewed.
- Precise control. These are simple machines with a dial or a switch. None of the seven lists a digital temperature readout or timer.
How to choose among Presto appliances
1. Start with the job, not the name
Ask what you make every week. A family that cooks fajitas and chili gets more from the skillet. A family that wants chips and churros fresh may want the fryer. The most satisfying appliance is the one you take out without thinking about it.
2. Check your counter and shelf
The skillet is over 22 inches long by the listing. The Liddle Griddle and SaladShooter fit almost anywhere. Measure before you buy, and be honest about where the machine will live.
3. Check your circuit
The skillet draws 1500 watts and the Kitchen Kettle 1200 watts, per Presto. Avoid running either on a shared kitchen circuit with a toaster or coffee maker, which can trip a breaker.
4. Decide how much you care about the coating
The griddle, skillet and kettle here use a ceramic nonstick surface that Presto says is PFAS free. Treat it gently with wood or silicone tools. The fryer has an anodized aluminum interior instead.
5. Remember what you are buying
Presto’s strength is simple function. Don’t expect these machines to replace a heavy pan or a dedicated specialist tool. Expect them to do one or two jobs, with few parts to fail.
How we chose these seven Presto appliances
We started from the in-stock Presto listings the Amazon API returned on November 3, 2026, kept those sold new with a plain in-stock status, and chose one model per appliance type. Exact listings already picked on other pages here are not repeated, which is why the popular griddles, the FryDaddy, the GranPappy and the classic PopLite appear on other guides, not this one. We left stovetop pressure cookers and canners out of the seven because the two listings we read, the 01241 cooker and 02153 digital canner, state no safety certification, and we left out the ProFry fryers because of their enameled pots, since we could not find a Presto lead-free statement. We read Presto’s product pages where we could open them, America’s Test Kitchen’s electric griddle review, GearLab’s Presto Ceramic griddle review and Food Network’s skillet roundup. Our web search for reviews of the SaladShooter, Liddle Griddle and ProFry found only listings and buyer comments. Nothing here was tested by Julia’s.
Presto questions, answered
Which Presto griddle should I buy?
For a full-size griddle, read our electric griddle guide, which covers the larger Presto models. If you cook for one or two, the Liddle Griddle on this page takes far less room.
Are Presto appliances dishwasher safe?
It depends on the model. The SaladShooter’s parts other than the motor base are dishwasher safe, per the listing. The skillet, griddle and kettle are described as fully immersible with the heat control removed, which is not the same claim, so check your manual.
Have Presto appliances been recalled?
Yes, some have. The CPSC recall database we searched on November 3, 2026 shows a 2021 recall of Presto Indoor Electric Smokers, models 0601304 and 0601405, for an electric shock hazard, and a 2001 recall of CoolDaddy deep fryer basket handles, models 0544404 and 0544504, which could detach. None of those models is on this page. The current CoolDaddy we saw on Amazon, stock number 05442, is not one of our picks either. Search cpsc.gov for your model if you already own one.
Where are Presto’s pressure cookers?
On our pressure cooker guide, along with other makers’ models. They are a different kind of purchase, with safety features and instructions that deserve a close read.
What should I make first for a Mexican dinner?
Fajitas in the skillet are hard to beat. Our guide on how to eat fajitas covers the serving side, and charro beans vs refried beans helps you choose what goes next to them.
Our final pick from the Presto range
Buy the 16-Inch Ceramic Electric Skillet if you want one Presto that handles the most meals, and pick the others only for the specific job they do. If proven results matter more than the name, look at our griddle and pressure cooker guides first. And if tonight is a night for someone else to do the frying, call to order from Julia’s at (346) 546-8283.