Bottom line: After digging through thousands of verified-purchase reviews, the Presto 06857 16-Inch Electric Foldaway Skillet is our pick for anyone who wants one countertop skillet that genuinely replaces a stovetop pan for everything from Sunday pancakes to a full family stir-fry, without demanding a dedicated shelf to store it.
Why We Picked the Presto 06857
Electric skillets are one of those categories where the reviews split hard between “life-changing” and “why did I bother,” and the deciding factor is almost always heat consistency and storage. The Presto 06857 stands out on both counts: it holds a 4.7-star average across nearly 16,000 ratings, and the recurring theme in owner feedback is that it heats evenly across the full 16-inch surface rather than scorching in the middle and staying lukewarm at the edges. The fold-down handles and removable base — which nests inside the pan for storage — solve the single biggest complaint people have about electric skillets in general: that they’re bulky, oddly shaped, and hard to tuck away.
What Owners Actually Say
One verified buyer summed up the appeal directly: “The 16-inch cooking surface is incredibly spacious, making it perfect for everything from big family breakfasts to weeknight stir-fries. It heats evenly, cooks beautifully, and the temperature control is spot-on every time… the clever foldaway design makes storage so much easier than other bulky electric skillets.”
Another reviewer who compared it against pricier stovetop cookware after a year of near-daily use wrote: “We use it almost daily, sometimes twice a day… It cooks the food fast and evenly. If there’s a cold spot or a hot spot, we haven’t found it yet… I would definitely recommend this product, even over the more expensive options.”
One Thing to Check
Presto’s own included instructions state the 06857 is not dishwasher safe, even though it’s easy to assume otherwise since the base detaches and the pan looks dishwasher-friendly. One long-time owner learned this the hard way after regularly running it through the dishwasher: the coating began to break down and needed replacing roughly once a year under that routine, versus much longer with hand-washing. Hand-wash the pan and you should get considerably more life out of the nonstick surface.
Pros
- Large 16-inch surface with reported even heat across the whole pan, not just the center
- Foldaway handles and a base that nests inside the pan for compact storage
- Tempered glass, stay-cool-handle cover included
- PFAS-free nonstick coating, inside and out
- 4.7-star average across nearly 16,000 verified ratings
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe despite the removable design — hand-washing is required to protect the coating
- Nonstick coating wears with heavy daily use and may need eventual replacement (some owners report yearly under intensive use)
- Fixed 120V cord, not built for use outside North America without a voltage converter
FAQ
Can I use it for more than frying?
Yes — owners report using it to roast, bake, stew, and make casseroles in addition to standard frying and sautéing, thanks to the high sidewalls and glass cover that traps heat and moisture.
How long does the nonstick coating last?
It varies by use intensity. Reviewers using it multiple times a day report replacing the unit roughly once a year to keep the nonstick surface performing well; occasional users report the coating holding up well beyond that.
Does it run hot in one spot like cheaper skillets?
Multiple verified owners specifically called out even heat distribution as a strength, with one saying they hadn’t found a hot or cold spot anywhere on the pan after months of regular use.
For Specific Needs
Is it big enough to cook for a family?
Yes. The 16-inch surface with high sidewalls is repeatedly described by owners as sized for “big family breakfasts” and family-size meals, not just single servings.
Will it fit in a small kitchen?
The foldaway design is built for this specifically — the handles fold down and the base fits inside the pan, and owners note it “fits under the sink” or nests into a normal cabinet rather than needing dedicated counter or shelf space.
Is it safe to put in the dishwasher?
No. Despite the removable base making it look dishwasher-ready, Presto’s instructions specify hand-washing only; putting it in the dishwasher can cause discoloration and shortens the life of the nonstick coating.
Can I use it outside the US?
Not without a step-down voltage converter — it’s built for 120V North American outlets only.
Methodology
This recommendation is based on rigorous analysis of verified-purchase reviews and live Amazon listing data — cross-checked against the manufacturer’s own product specifications. We did not physically test this exact unit ourselves.
Check the current price on Amazon
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
How We Built This Guide
Our process: this is a research-based pick, not a hands-on lab test. We aggregate verified-owner reviews, professional test data where available, and real discussion patterns from communities like Reddit, then flag every estimate as such in the guide above. We do not accept sponsored placements.
Last checked: August 15, 2026