Presto 06852 Electric Wok: Full Review

The Presto 06852 16-Inch Electric Skillet is a powerful and versatile countertop cooking appliance suitable for a wide range of food preparation tasks. Sometimes referred to as an electric frying pan or electric wok, this 120V 1500-watt model features premium aluminum construction with a deluxe non-stick surface and high walls for extra capacity. The Presto electric skillet can replace several other small appliances in the kitchen thanks to its ability to fry, sauté, grill, bake, roast, simmer, steam, warm, and more. With user-friendly fully immersible and dishwasher safe parts, consistent regulated heat, and family-sized 16-inch cooking surface, this Presto model aims to provide an all-in-one cooking solution for quick weekday meals, easy entertaining, and simplified cleanup.

Design

The Presto 06852 Electric Wok has a sleek and streamlined design that is meant to save counter space in your kitchen. It has a rectangular shape that measures 7.1 x 19.1 x 11.4 inches, giving it a nice compact footprint without sacrificing cooking surface area.

The wok itself is made from heavy cast aluminum, giving it excellent heat conductivity and durability. The exterior is finished in a brushed stainless steel that gives it a nice modern look and makes it easy to clean. Altogether, the wok weighs just under 10 pounds, so it's relatively lightweight and easy to move around.

The handle is made from phenolic resin that stays cool to the touch. There are helper handles on either side for lifting, and the wok has non-skid rubber feet to keep it stable on your countertop. Overall, the materials and design are high-quality while still keeping the wok compact and convenient for home kitchens.

Another excellent option is the CucinaPro 1453, which features a unique round design that allows for even heat distribution. Its 1500-watt heating element ensures quick and efficient cooking, making it perfect for stir-frying and steaming. The CucinaPro 1453 also comes with a tempered glass lid, providing a peek into your cooking without losing heat. With its sleek appearance and user-friendly design, it adds both functionality and style to any kitchen.

Temperature Control

The Presto 06852 electric skillet features precise temperature control for excellent cooking results. It has an adjustable Master Heat Control that allows you to dial in temperatures between 200-400°F. This gives you a wide range of heat settings for anything from simmering to fast searing.

The heavy cast aluminum base does an excellent job distributing heat evenly across the entire 16-inch cooking surface. You don't have to worry about hot or cold spots when cooking. The skillet heats up quickly and maintains the temperature consistently while cooking thanks to the fully embedded heating element. This allows you to cook at the ideal temperature needed for the recipe without fluctuation.

Whether you need a low simmer or high sear, the Presto delivers reliable, uniform heating. The adjustable thermostat and quality heating element provide excellent temperature control for versatile cooking.

In addition to the Presto, the Hamilton Beach 38531 electric skillet also offers a fantastic cooking experience. Known for its large 12-inch cooking surface, it features a nonstick cooking surface that ensures easy food release and effortless cleaning. With its adjustable temperature control, you can confidently prepare everything from stir-fries to pancakes. The removable cool-touch base adds an extra layer of safety, making it ideal for busy kitchens.

Cooking Surface

One of the key highlights of the Presto Electric Wok is its cooking surface. The interior consists of a heavy-gauge aluminum base with a premium DuPont Teflon nonstick coating. This ensures even heat distribution and prevents food from sticking.

The nonstick coating is high quality and designed to be long-lasting. It's resistant to scratches and damage from metal utensils. Customers report the nonstick holding up well over many months of regular use without deteriorating. The surface makes cooking and cleaning up a breeze. Food slides right off without leaving residue behind.

The base is made of cast aluminum which conducts heat efficiently. This allows you to sear and stir fry at high temperatures needed for authentic Asian dishes. The flat bottom also provides stability on stove tops. Overall, the cooking surface is built to deliver excellent cooking performance for years before signs of wear.

Ease of Use

The Presto 16-Inch Electric Skillet 06852 offers great ease of use in various aspects:

Controls

The skillet has a convenient master heat control that allows you to adjust the cooking temperature precisely. This makes it easy to maintain the perfect temperature for cooking different foods. The dial allows selecting heat settings from warm all the way up to 400°F.

Cleaning

Cleaning the electric skillet is simple thanks to the fully immersible and dishwasher safe base. The tempered glass cover and die cast base can be submerged and washed in the sink or dishwasher. The nonstick surface also prevents food from sticking, so cleaning up after cooking is minimal.

Storage

The skillet has helper handles and a compact rectangular shape for easy storage. The stay-cool handles allow lifting and moving the skillet safely. When not in use, the electric skillet can be stored upright to save cabinet space. The glass lid fits securely in place for storage to prevent spills or messes.

Safety Features

The Presto 06852 electric skillet comes equipped with several useful safety features. One of the most notable is the cool touch handles, which stay relatively cool to the touch even during cooking. This allows you to pick up and move the skillet without worrying about burning your hands. The handles extend over the sides, providing ample space to get a solid grip from multiple angles.

In addition, the skillet has automatic temperature control to prevent overheating. A built-in thermostat maintains the chosen temperature setting so you don't have to constantly monitor it yourself. If the heating element gets too hot for any reason, it will automatically shut off before reaching unsafe levels. This prevents potential fire hazards and gives peace of mind when cooking longer dishes or simmering sauces.

Together, the cool touch handles and automatic temperature control make the Presto electric skillet a very safe and user-friendly option. You can cook with confidence knowing the skillet is designed to prevent accidents and burns. These handy safety features let you focus on the cooking rather than worrying about potential hazards.

Performance

The Presto 06852 electric skillet performs very well when it comes to heating time, cooking evenness, and versatility.

• Heating Time - This skillet heats up quickly, reaching desired cooking temperatures in just minutes. The 120V and 1500 watts of power allow it to rapidly get hot enough to start cooking. You won't be waiting around for ages for it to preheat.

• Cooking Evenness - The thick cast aluminum base does an excellent job of distributing heat evenly across the entire cooking surface. Food cooks uniformly with no hot or cold spots. The Tempered Glass cover also helps lock in heat and moisture for consistent results.

• Versatility - With its spacious 16-inch diameter cooking surface, this electric skillet can handle anything from eggs and pancakes to burgers, steaks, chicken, stir fries, and more. The high sides keep splatter contained. You can use it for all kinds of one-pan meals. It's great for family dinners but also gives you the flexibility to cook small portions.

Accessories

The Presto 06852 electric skillet comes with a few handy accessories to help you get cooking right away. In the box, you'll find a stainless steel spatula and a stainless steel basket that allows you to boil, steam or fry foods.

The spatula is thoughtfully designed with a silicon grip and edges to protect the nonstick surface of the skillet. It flips and serves food with ease.

Also included is a temp probe you can insert in food or liquid to get an accurate reading on the internal temperature. This helps ensure your dishes are cooked to perfection.

Having these key accessories included right in the box makes this electric skillet ready to use out of the packaging. You don't have to hunt down tools and extras to start cooking. Everything you need is right there.

Pros & Cons

The Presto 06852 16-Inch Electric Skillet has several positives as well as some negatives that are worth considering.

Pros

• Large 16-inch cooking surface allows you to cook for multiple people or large meals
• Embedded heating element provides even heating across the entire cooking surface
• Tempered glass lid seals in moisture and heat
• Variable temperature control (200°F - 400°F) makes it easy to adjust heat as needed
• Nonstick surface is durable and easy to clean
• Handles stay cool while cooking for safety
• Separate heat-resistant plastic spatula included

Cons

• Heavy and bulky, not ideal for moving around frequently
• Takes up significant counter space even when stored
• Short 36-inch power cord may require extension cord
• No pouring spout for draining grease or liquids
• Not dishwasher safe
• May get scratched over time if metal utensils are used

Conclusion

The Presto 06852 16-Inch Electric Skillet is a highly versatile and useful kitchen appliance for the modern home cook. With its spacious 16-inch cooking surface, convenient tempered glass lid, and fully immersible detachable base, it enables easy cooking and cleaning.

The nonstick surface provides excellent food release, and the proprietary Control Master heat control maintains precise temperatures during cooking. The skillet heats up quickly and retains heat evenly across the entire surface for consistent cooking results. The skillet and lid are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

Overall, the Presto 06852 Electric Skillet is an excellent option for families, holiday gatherings, dorm rooms, or any situation where extra cooking surface and flexibility are needed. It's comparable to other top products like the Cuisinart CSK-150 1500-Watt Nonstick Oval Electric Skillet and the Nesco ES-12 Extra Deep Electric Skillet with Glass Cover. However, the Presto offers the best balance of quality, performance, and value in its price range.

With its versatility for pan frying, sautéing, baking, roasting, and more, along with useful safety features and accessories, the Presto 06852 Electric Skillet will make an indispensable addition to any kitchen. It receives my strong recommendation for an electric skillet that can handle all your cooking needs.