Presto 06620 Electric Wok: Full Review

The Presto 06620 Electric Wok is an 11-inch electric skillet designed for stir frying, deep frying, steaming, and more. It features a tilt-away control panel for easy storage, a built-in spout for draining liquids, and a tempered glass lid for monitoring cooking. The non-stick surface provides an ample 11-inch diameter cooking area that can accommodate family-sized portions with stir frying convenience. This electric wok aims to bring the stir-frying experience of a traditional round bottomed wok to a convenient countertop appliance.

Design

The Presto 06620 11-inch Electric Skillet is designed with a brushed stainless steel finish that gives it a sleek, modern look suitable for any kitchen decor. It has a compact, low profile with the following dimensions:

• 20.2 x 11.5 x 6.5 inches
• Weighs just under 5 pounds

The entire unit is made from heavy-duty aluminum, ensuring even heat distribution and durability. The base has a cool-touch exterior to protect countertops from excess heat. The stay-cool handles provide a secure grip without getting hot.

Overall, the skillet features a smart design that maximizes cooking surface while maintaining a lightweight and easy to handle product. The materials make it sturdy for daily use and simple to clean up after cooking.

Temperature Control

The Presto 06620 electric wok features an adjustable thermostat with a wide temperature range, allowing you to precisely control the cooking temperature. The lowest temperature setting is 200°F, while the highest is 400°F. This gives you a lot of flexibility to cook foods at a simmer, low heat, medium heat, or high heat as needed.

The thermostat knob makes it easy to adjust the temperature. Just turn it to the desired temperature and let the wok preheat. Once it reaches the set temperature, the heating element turns on and off automatically to maintain a steady, even heat. This takes the guesswork out of temperature control compared to stovetop cooking.

The ability to precisely regulate temperature gives you better control when stir-frying meats and vegetables. You can start ingredients at a higher heat to sear them, then turn the temperature down to prevent overcooking. For dishes like congee or stew that require long cooking times, the low setting lets you simmer without scorching. Overall, the adjustable thermostat lets you customize heating levels for perfect results.

Cooking Surface

The Presto 06620 electric skillet features an 11-inch diameter cooking surface coated in heavy-duty DuPont Teflon Select nonstick finish. This high quality nonstick coating allows you to cook with little or no oil, and makes clean up a breeze. Foods slide right off the surface with minimal sticking.

The nonstick surface is designed to be long-lasting and scratch resistant under normal usage. It's safe to use with metal utensils. However, to maximize the life of the coating, it's still best to use plastic, silicone or wooden utensils when cooking.

After each use, allow the skillet to fully cool before cleaning. Simply wipe out any crumbs or debris with a paper towel, then wash with hot soapy water. Avoid abrasive scrubbing pads or cleaners, as these can damage the nonstick over time. The surface cleans up easily, even when cooking sticky or greasy foods. With proper care, the nonstick coating will provide many years of excellent cooking performance.

Heating Element

The Presto 06620 Electric Skillet features an impressively powerful 1500-watt stainless steel heating element. This high wattage allows the skillet to heat up quickly and maintain an even cooking temperature across the entire non-stick surface. Based on customer reviews, the skillet heats from room temperature to 350°F in just under 10 minutes. This rapid heating time makes it easy to get started cooking without having to wait a long time for the skillet to preheat.

Additionally, the heavy cast aluminum base combined with the powerful 1500-watt heating element distributes heat evenly across the cooking surface. There are no hot or cold spots, allowing you to sear or simmer ingredients perfectly. The skillet maintains selected temperatures consistently so you don't have to worry about temperature fluctuations or cooking inconsistencies.

Ease of Use

The Presto 06620 electric skillet is designed for convenience and ease of use. The controls are simple with just an on/off switch and a temperature dial. The skillet heats up quickly and maintains an even temperature across the entire cooking surface.

The glass lid fits tightly to lock in heat and moisture. It has a vent hole to allow steam to escape. The stainless steel handles stay cool while cooking. They are riveted on for durability. There's a spout on the edge of the skillet to simplify pouring out liquid.

The nonstick surface makes cleaning up after cooking a breeze. Food doesn't stick and any messes can be wiped away with little effort. The skillet and lid are fully immersible so you can soak them in the sink or dishwasher.

Overall, the Presto electric skillet provides a user-friendly cooking experience. The intuitive controls, tight-fitting lid, stay-cool handles, pouring spout, and nonstick surface come together to maximize ease of use.

Safety Features

The Presto 06620 electric wok incorporates several important safety features. This allows you to cook with confidence knowing you and your family are protected.

The most notable safety feature is the automatic shutoff. If the wok overheats or tips over, it will automatically shut itself off. This prevents potential fires or other damage.

The stay-cool handles are another great safety feature. The handles are designed to resist heat transfer so they remain cool to the touch on the outside. This protects your hands from burns while cooking.

The tempered glass cover is see-through so you can monitor cooking, but it's also shatter-resistant for added durability and safety.

Finally, there is a master on/off switch conveniently located on the handle. This allows you to quickly cut power to the heating element if needed.

Overall, the multiple safety features allow you to use this electric wok with confidence and peace of mind. The automatic shutoff and stay-cool handles are especially noteworthy.

Accessories

The Presto 06620 electric wok comes with some handy accessories that enhance the cooking experience. Right in the box, you'll find a spatula and a tempura rack.

The spatula has a long, sturdy handle that keeps your hands safely away from the heat. The head is made of durable nylon that's heat-resistant up to 400°F. This allows you to stir and flip foods easily without damaging the wok's nonstick surface.

The stainless steel tempura rack is perfect for frying up lightly battered tempura veggies, shrimp, chicken and more. It allows oil to circulate under and around the food for even, crispy results. The tall legs on the rack keep foods suspended above the bottom of the wok so they don't sit in the oil. And when finished cooking, simply remove the tempura rack and food and drain excess oil back into the wok.

These included tools help you make the most out of the electric wok right away without having to buy anything extra. The spatula and tempura rack conveniently store in the base unit for quick access anytime inspiration to wok strikes.

Warranty

The Presto Electric Wok has a limited 1-year warranty that covers product defects and workmanship only. This is a standard warranty duration for electric appliances but some other brands offer multiple year coverage. The warranty is only valid if purchased from an authorized dealer, and does not include damage from misuse or normal wear and tear. So while Presto will repair or replace defective parts for one year, any issues outside of materials and workmanship are not covered. Make sure to register your wok within 30 days of purchase and follow the instructions for submitting a claim. For such a sizeable investment in your kitchen, some customers wish Presto offered more protection beyond 1 year, especially compared to other electric multi-cookers. But the warranty provides basic protection against early failures. Just be sure to handle your wok with care and inspect it thoroughly upon arrival.

Pros and Cons of the Presto 06620 Electric Wok

Overall, the Presto 06620 electric wok has more pros than cons for most users.

Pros

• Large cooking surface and high sloped sides allow you to stir fry and cook plenty of food at once.

• Quick heating thanks to the high-wattage heating element. Gets up to temperature fast.

• Tempered glass cover helps retain heat and moisture.

• Nesting base allows for compact storage.

• Detachable probe lets you control and maintain precise temperatures.

• Nonstick surface prevents sticking and allows for easy cleanup.

• Cool-touch handles stay cool while cooking.

• Master heat control maintains consistent cooking temperature.

Cons

• Not induction compatible, so requires a stovetop burner or dedicated outlet.

• Nonstick coating may scratch over time with metal utensils.

• Shape and sloped sides can make tossing food a bit tricky. Requires some technique.

• Heating element may fail over time with heavy use.

• Does not come with serving utensils or recipes included.