Black+Decker SK1215BC Electric Wok: Full Review

The Black & Decker SK1215BC Family-Sized Electric Skillet is a versatile and convenient countertop cooking appliance designed for family meals and entertaining. It features a 12-inch nonstick surface with a tempered glass lid and stay-cool handles. The electric skillet has adjustable temperature controls so you can cook a variety of foods from fried eggs to chicken breasts. It's large enough to cook an entire breakfast, lunch, or dinner for the whole family. With its 12-inch cooking surface and 4.5 qt capacity, you can cook multiple foods at once or make large batches. The nonstick interior also makes cleaning a breeze. Overall, the electric skillet aims to provide a fast, simple way to cook full meals directly at your countertop.

Design and Features

The Black+Decker SK1215BC electric wok has a sleek and modern design with several useful features that make cooking easy.

• The wok has a durable nonstick coating on the interior that allows for easy food release and quick cleanup. Foods won't stick, even when cooking at high temperatures.

• A tempered glass lid is included to trap in heat and moisture. The lid has handle knobs that stay cool while cooking.

• The wok has stay-cool handles on either side for safe and comfortable lifting and stirring. The handles allow you to move the wok around on the stovetop without burning your hands.

• The exterior is made from a smooth, matte black plastic that wipes clean easily if any spills or splatters occur.

• The base is heavy-duty cast aluminum that heats quickly and evenly across the entire surface.

The combination of handy design features like the nonstick interior, tempered glass lid, and cool-touch handles make this electric wok very convenient and user-friendly for everyday cooking.

Another popular option is the Presto 06857, known for its reliability and efficiency. This electric wok features a spacious cooking area, allowing you to prepare large meals easily. It has an adjustable temperature control for versatile cooking options, from steaming vegetables to stir-frying meats. The nonstick surface ensures that food releases easily and simplifies cleanup, making it ideal for busy kitchens. With a robust construction, the Presto 06857 is a favorite among home cooks looking for a dependable appliance.

Size and Capacity

The Black+Decker SK1215BC electric wok has a generous 12-inch diameter cooking surface. This provides ample room to stir-fry veggies, meats, or other ingredients. With a 4.75 quart capacity, the wok can hold enough food to serve 3-4 people comfortably. Whether cooking a quick weekday dinner or preparing a more elaborate meal for guests, the size and capacity make this wok a versatile option. The wide base allows ingredients to spread out and cook evenly, while the deep bowl design helps contain splattering and makes tossing and flipping food easy. So if you need an electric wok that can handle cooking larger batches, the 12-inch size and 4.75 quart capacity of the SK1215BC are ideal.

Another great option to consider is the Nesco ES-08. This electric wok features an 8-quart capacity, making it suitable for family-sized meals or meal prepping. With an adjustable temperature control, it allows users to achieve the perfect heat for various cooking methods. The non-stick interior ensures easy clean-up and healthy cooking, while the glass lid lets you monitor your food without lifting the cover. The compact design is perfect for kitchens with limited space, making the Nesco ES-08 a fantastic addition to any kitchen.

Temperature Control

The Black+Decker Electric Wok SK1215BC allows you to precisely control the cooking temperature thanks to its adjustable thermostat. The temperature can be set anywhere from 200°F to 400°F to suit different cooking needs. Whether you want a low simmer or a rolling boil, you can find the right temperature.

The wok has a clear and bright indicator light that lets you know when the desired temperature is reached. This takes the guesswork out of preheating and helps prevent over or undercooking foods. The light turns off once the temperature drops below the set point, so you know when additional heating is needed.

Overall, the adjustable thermostat and temperature indicator light allow you to masterfully control heat while cooking in the electric wok. You’ll enjoy delicious results as you fry, sauté, simmer, and sear foods at just the right temperature.

Ease of Use

The Black+Decker SK1215BC electric wok is designed to be very user-friendly and easy to use. It has a simple dial temperature control that allows you to adjust the cooking temperature from warm all the way up to 450°F. The temperature adjustments are clearly marked on the dial, making it easy to select the right temperature for whatever you are cooking.

The nonstick surface ensures food doesn't stick while cooking, and also makes cleanup a breeze. Foods lift off the surface easily, so you won't have to scrub at stuck on residue. The nonstick coating is durable and lasts through many uses as long as you avoid using metal utensils which can scratch the coating.

Overall, the wok is designed to be convenient and hassle-free. The user-friendly controls and nonstick surface come together to create an appliance that is extremely easy to use from start to finish. You'll spend less time fussing with settings or scrubbing, and more time enjoying delicious stir-fried meals.

Safety Features

The Black+Decker SK1215BC electric wok has some useful safety features that help prevent accidents while cooking.

One key feature is the cool-touch handles on both sides of the wok. These handles stay relatively cool while cooking, allowing you to move and handle the hot wok safely without worrying about burns. Even after cooking at high temperatures for an extended time, the handles barely get warm. This is a big upgrade from models with metal handles that can get dangerously hot.

The tempered glass lid is another nice safety addition. It lets you view the food while cooking, without needing to open the wok and risk splattering oil. The glass is specially treated to withstand high heat and prevent shattering. When closed, the lid also contains hot oil splatter inside the wok. The knob on the lid also stays cool while cooking so you can safely remove the lid to check on food.

Both the cool-touch handles and tempered glass lid make the Black+Decker electric wok much safer to use, especially for beginners and families with children. You don't have to worry as much about potential burns or other accidents that can happen when handling extremely hot cookware.

Performance

The Decker Electric Skillet SK1215BC performs very well for a variety of cooking tasks. The aluminum pan and tempered glass lid heat evenly, preventing hot or cold spots. This allows you to cook everything from stir fries to steaks with consistent results.

The electric skillet can reach up to 400°F, providing plenty of heat for searing and frying. Many users mention how well it browns meat and crisps the edges of stir fry veggies. The wide surface area gives you space to cook larger batches.

You can also use the electric skillet for steaming, simmering soups and stews, or even baking small batches of cornbread. The tempered glass lid traps in heat and moisture. One handy trick is to fill the base with a bit of water for steaming vegetables or seafood.

Overall, the performance is impressive for an electric skillet. It provides versatile, even heating whether you are cooking quick weeknight stir fries or weekend family meals. The size and power allow you to cook a wide variety of dishes.

Pros

• Versatile - The Black+Decker Electric Wok is very versatile, letting you stir-fry, deep fry, boil, simmer, braise, and more. Its deep bowl design and high sloped sides were made for stir-frying, allowing you to toss ingredients easily. But you can just as easily use it like a saucepan for boiling pasta, making soups or stews, and more everyday cooking tasks.

• Easy to Use and Clean - With user-friendly controls and dishwasher-safe parts, the Black+Decker Electric Wok is designed for convenience. The temperature probe provides accurate heat levels for consistent cooking results. The nonstick surface allows you to cook with little to no oil and makes cleanup a breeze. The lid, probe, and wok are all dishwasher-safe.

• Good Value - For an electric wok under $50, the Black+Decker offers solid performance and versatility. With its generous 12-inch size, durable nonstick coating, and 1200 watts of power, it's a worthwhile investment for stir-frying fans on a budget. The brand is also known for reliability.

Cons

The Black+Decker electric wok does have some drawbacks to consider.

• The nonstick coating may scratch and degrade over time with regular use. Some customers report the nonstick surface scratching or chipping after 6 months to a year of frequent cooking. Replacing the pan may be required every 1-2 years to maintain good nonstick performance.

• There is no warranty provided with the wok. So if any defects occur after purchase, you'd have to cover replacement costs yourself.

• The base is not flat, so the wok can wobble on flat surfaces. Using on a burner grate is recommended for stability.

• Temperature regulation could be improved. The thermostat lacks precise temperature settings, so adjusting heat levels requires some trial and error.

• The handles get hot during cooking. Potholders are essential to grip the pan safely when hot.

• It's not recommended for outdoor use or induction cooktops. The electric wok is designed for countertop use indoors.

• Some users report food sticking despite the nonstick surface, especially with inadequate oil/grease. Proper preheating and lubrication is required.

• The lid doesn't seal tightly, so moisture can escape during cooking. Slow cooking or braising liquids may be challenging.

• The 1400 watt heating element offers less power than some stovetop woks. Achieving an intense sear or stir-fry is difficult.

So the wok's limitations center around potential durability concerns, lack of warranty, temperature control, and constraints for certain cooking tasks. Weighing the pros and cons will determine if the wok's convenience outweighs these drawbacks for your needs.

Conclusion

The Black+Decker SK1215BC electric skillets offers a lot of value at an affordable price point. It's large 12-inch cooking surface and tempered glass lid allow you to cook for the whole family, while features like the TrueTemp heat indicator and adjustable temperature dial make it easy to get the desired cooking results.

The nonstick surface provides an effortless cooking and cleaning experience. And the dishwasher-safe lid and drip tray are convenient additions. Safety features like the cool touch handles ensure comfortable handling.

While the skillet itself is sturdy, some durability issues have been reported with continuous heavy use over time. But for the average home cook doing occasional frying, sautéing, and more, it should hold up well.

Overall, the SK1215BC is a versatile countertop appliance that makes an excellent addition to any kitchen. It's packed with useful features that perform as expected. For shoppers looking for an electric skillet with generous capacity at a reasonable price, the Black+Decker SK1215BC is easy to recommend.