Presto 06857 Electric Wok: Full Review

The Presto 16-inch Electric Foldaway Skillet is an electric wok that provides a large cooking surface and even heat distribution to quickly and easily prepare stir-fries, sautés, and other one-pan meals. This versatile electric wok features a generous 16-inch diameter cooking surface yet can fold down for convenient storage. With an aluminum body and base, the Presto electric wok heats up rapidly and spreads heat evenly across the entire interior cooking surface. The tempered glass lid contains heat while cooking and the heat control removes for immersing and cleaning. Sturdy loop handles allow safe transport of the unit and contents to the table for serving. This electric wok provides an easy way to prepare great tasting stir-fry, sautéed dishes, and more.

Design

The Presto 06857 electric wok has a sleek, stylish design that looks great in any kitchen. It is made from heavy cast aluminum, which provides durability while also allowing even heat distribution.

This wok has a 16-inch cooking surface, providing ample room to stir-fry, saute, simmer, and deep fry ingredients. It weighs about 10 pounds, so while not extremely lightweight, it is still reasonable to move around and store when not in use.

The nonstick coating on the interior makes cooking easier by preventing food from sticking. The exterior has a powder coating that resists chipping and peeling.

Overall, the materials and dimensions combine to create an electric wok with a premium look and feel that also cooks food evenly and effectively.

In comparison, the GreenPan CC005092-001 features a ceramic nonstick coating that is free from harmful chemicals, making it a healthier option for cooking. Its robust construction ensures quick and even heating, while its 14-inch cooking surface is ideal for various dishes. This electric wok is lightweight and easy to handle, making it convenient for everyday use. Additionally, its sleek design and vibrant colors make it an attractive addition to any kitchen.

Temperature Settings

The Presto 06857 electric wok has a wide range of temperature settings, from a low simmer up to 400°F for stir-frying and deep frying. The adjustable thermostat gives you precise control over the cooking temperature. You can bring it to a quick boil or down to a bare simmer for delicate foods. The lower temperature settings are great for simmering sauces, steaming vegetables, and poaching fish. While the highest temperatures allow you to sear meats and stir-fry veggies with excellent results. Having such a wide range of temperatures to choose from makes this electric wok extremely versatile for all kinds of stovetop cooking. You'll appreciate how it mimics the heat control of a gas burner.

In addition to the Presto wok, the Holstein Housewares HH-09198003C is another excellent option. This electric wok features a nonstick surface that promotes healthier cooking with less oil, making it perfect for preparing a variety of dishes. With its generous capacity, it can easily accommodate family meals, and its adjustable temperature settings ensure perfect results whether you're sautéing, frying, or steaming. The unique design includes cool-touch handles that enhance safety during cooking. Both woks provide a fantastic cooking experience tailored to your culinary needs.

Cooking Surface

The Presto Electric Foldaway skillet has a large 16-inch diameter cooking surface that provides ample room for cooking family-sized portions. It is coated with a premium nonstick surface that allows food to easily slide around while cooking without sticking. This makes cooking and cleanup a breeze - food won't burn on and any messes can be simply wiped away with a damp cloth after cooking. The heavy cast aluminum base provides even heat distribution so you don't have to worry about hot or cold spots while cooking. The nonstick is durable and designed to stand up to daily cooking and cleaning while still delivering nonstick performance. Overall, the large nonstick cooking surface makes this electric skillet convenient and versatile for a variety of cooking tasks.

Handles

The Presto Electric Wok has cool touch handles on both sides that stay cool on the exterior even during cooking. This is an important safety feature that allows you to grab the wok without risk of burns. The handles have a curved ergonomic design and are made of plastic for comfort and grip.

Some users mention the handles could be slightly larger, but overall they provide a secure hold when lifting and moving the wok. Even when filled with a heavy amount of ingredients, the wok can be safely carried thanks to the dual handles. Their curved shape allows you to hold the wok close to your body for stability.

The cool touch design combined with the curved ergonomic shape makes the handles a standout feature on this electric wok. You get a good grip without sacrificing safety or comfort.

Tempered Glass Lid

The Presto Electric Wok comes with a sturdy tempered glass lid that allows you to monitor cooking without lifting the lid and releasing heat and moisture. The domed shape of the lid promotes even heat circulation, while the design allows for splatter-free viewing when cooking foods at higher temperatures.

Unlike some cheaper electric woks, the tempered glass lid on the Presto is shatter-resistant and can withstand the demands of wok cooking. The lid fits securely on the wok with a stainless steel rim that locks in heat and moisture. Having a reliable lid is key when stir-frying meats and vegetables, as it helps promote caramelization and allows food to cook faster.

The see-through lid is a useful feature when deep frying foods like wontons or egg rolls, as you can peek to check their progress without dropping the oil temperature. It also enables you to keep an eye on simmering stews or braises without needing to remove the lid repeatedly. Overall, the quality tempered glass lid improves functionality and safety when using this electric wok.

Heat Distribution

The Presto Electric Foldaway Skillet has a wraparound element that distributes heat evenly across the entire interior cooking surface. This allows you to cook foods thoroughly without hot or cold spots. The heavy cast aluminum base also helps distribute heat evenly for optimal cooking performance.

Whether cooking a stir fry, frying up eggs, or searing a steak, the heat is dispersed uniformly so food cooks evenly. You don't have to worry about some parts being overcooked while others are underdone. The skillet heats up quickly and maintains an even temperature for consistent cooking results.

Some electric skillets have hot spots right under the heating element which can lead to scorching. But the Presto distributes heat so well across its entire base that food cooks uniformly. This is especially helpful when cooking larger batches of food. No need to constantly stir and flip to prevent burning.

The wraparound heating element and heavy aluminum base allow the Presto electric skillet to mimic the heat distribution you'd expect from a stovetop skillet. Food cooks without any spot overheating or undercooking.

Ease of Use

The Presto Electric Wok is designed to be very easy to use right out of the box. Initial setup simply involves attaching the heat control to the wok and plugging it in. There are no complicated controls - just an adjustable thermostat that allows you to select temperatures ranging from warm to 400°F.

The nonstick cooking surface and tempered glass lid make cooking and cleaning a breeze. Food slides right off the nonstick surface, so cleanup is as easy as wiping the wok out with a sponge or damp cloth. The tempered glass lid fits tightly to seal in heat, moisture, and nutrients. And since it's transparent, you can monitor cooking without having to remove the lid.

The handles stay cool while cooking, allowing you to move and lift the wok safely. And the electric heat element neatly folds into the base for convenient storage when not in use. Overall, the simplicity of the design and lack of complicated features make this an incredibly easy-to-use electric wok. Just add your ingredients and turn the dial to start cooking a delicious stir fry, soup, or other one-dish meal with minimal hassle.

Safety Features

The Presto Electric Wok prioritizes safety in its design. It has several features that help prevent accidents while cooking:

• Auto Shutoff - The wok automatically shuts off if it overheats, giving you peace of mind if you forget to turn it off. This prevents potential fires or damage to the wok.

• Cool Touch Exterior - The sides and lid stay cool to the touch even when cooking. This prevents burns if you accidentally touch the sides when moving or stirring food. The handle is also designed to resist heat and remain cool.

• Tempered Glass Lid - The lid is made of tempered glass, meaning it is extremely durable and heat resistant. It won't crack from the high heat like regular glass. The tempered glass allows you to monitor cooking safely.

• Secure Locking Handles - The lid locks securely onto the wok with sturdy metal handles. This prevents the lid from suddenly popping open and hot food or steam from splashing out.

The safety features allow you to cook with confidence and prevent potential accidents. You don't have to worry about forgetting to turn it off or getting burned from touching hot surfaces. Presto prioritized creating a safe cooking experience.

Pros and Cons

• Pros - Large 16-inch cooking surface - Easy to use temperature settings - Tempered glass lid allows monitoring cooking - Cool-touch handles for safe handling - Even heat distribution for thorough cooking - Foldable legs and handles for compact storage

• Cons
  - Heavy weight may make moving difficult - Slow preheating - Potential for scorching if not stirred regularly - Cannot cook extremely small portions
  - No removable cooking plate for easy cleaning

The Presto 16-inch Electric Foldaway Skillet has many convenient features for simple electric cooking, but its large size makes storage and cleaning more difficult. The spacious cooking surface enables cooking for groups, while the various temperature settings allow versatility to prepare different dishes. However, the heavy weight and lack of removable plate present some downsides. Overall, this electric skillet provides an easy cooking option for many basic recipes if the space and cleaning demands fit your needs.