My friend uses her stainless steel electric skillet daily.It sits on her island which overlooks the rest of the house making it ideal for daily cooking and entertaining.Did not think I NEEDED another gadget in my kitchen, as part of me was stuck on the traditional pots and pans (spent too much $$ to consider subtituting or replacing them) but after watching her cook up a storm, flawlessly, while keeping up a conversation and watching what's going on with everyone else in the room for years, I gave in.Where has this been my whole life?Really! Waitied till my kids left for college to try this?Clueless and stubborn!Actually, the smoking gun was, I needed something bigger then a crock pot and easy enough to carry to my son's college football tailgating parties whereas I could cook something, put it in the fridge, then my trunk for a 2-3 hour drive, then plug it into an outlet to heat and keep warm.Voila!!!
First, picked this one because it is stainless steel AND heavy duty, as both my friend and I are resolute on not using anything covered with chemicals or nonstick stuff because regardless of how well you take care of them, they wear down.I prefer to spend an extra few minutes washing something then to have teflon like particles in our food.Was not easy finding one that is stainless steel, as mass marketing big box stores favor all the non-stick stuff, which is likely cheeper to manufacture and is an easy sell to mass consumers who prefer "easy".Since I was in no hurry I checked them out at a few stores while shopping there Costco, Walmart, Target Sears, Macy's, Bed Bath and Beyond.Thought I could scoop one up quickly while getting a feel for what's out there, but most were light, flimsy and full of buzzwords like "nonstick and dishwasher safe", not what I was looking for. Really? Oh hail the "internet"!!! How did we ever survive without it?Who doesn't love being an educated consumer, not wasting time driving from store to store, and getting stuff fast without any shipping charges?
Second, it's easy to clean, just add a few cups of hot water when done, gently scrape the bottom with any non-metal spatula, then wash with a sponge.I never use harsh chemicals, powders, metal scrubbers, or the dishwasher to wash pots and pans as it wears down the coating, regardless what the manufacturer says.I think what makes it so easy to clean is mainly that it cooks so evenly and is made out of strong metals. I prefer natural staining as opposed to shining, spotless silent health risk gadgets...
Third, it's big, maybe too big for some folks, but I prefer the bigger size, even as an empty nester, as I can cook once and save for later.Easy to stir fry vegetables, then steam slightly, not overcook.Just spayed the bottom with extra light olive oil, using real OO poured into an aerosol container.Made chicken breast, first browned then steamed.WOW best quality cooking ever!!!Endless possibilities, leaves the stove top free too...Can't wait for my boys to come home for Thanksgiving!!!
Fourth, it's beautiful, because of the polished stainless steel it is not an eye sore when left on the counter.Great for entertaining as it looks like something you would see at a high end buffet restaurant or catering facility.
Finally, in summary, this one is safe, cooks amazingly great, heats fast and keeps food warm. It's a keeper!!!Promise to let you know if there are any durability issues down the road but so far, though nothing is perfect, this one is close.
Skillet is stainless steel and looks good enought to be used as a serving dish.Is not non-stick finish inside which we did not want since these surfaces don't last too long and have to have special care.All that is required is a little scrubbing on the cooking surface to keep it shiny.We're well satisfied.
Buy Precise Heat 16-Inch Rectangular Surgical Stainless Steel Electric Skillet Now
The stainless steel electric skillet works great just have to adjust to getting used to the way it heats for cooking as compared to the others that have that toxic coating in them.....cleans up nice...I noticed some people wanting to wash it in a dishwasher but with anything electric like this ...I would wash by hand...it's not gonna kill ya....food tastes great from it...I am pleased with it's function...looks...price....quality....and speedy delivery.
Read Best Reviews of Precise Heat 16-Inch Rectangular Surgical Stainless Steel Electric Skillet Here
This product looked hot when I got it, but then after a couple months it started to fail.First the thermostat didn't seem very accurate, then the indicator light failed, then it seemed to short in the dial.After that it heated only one part of the element, boiled one part of the pan while not heating the rest of the pan.Now the dial seems not to work at all.I bought this through an Amazon affilliate and now don't know where to go for warranty.One retailer stated it had a five year warranty, but I can't find manufacturer info stating the same.I am now quite cold about this cool looking but now not working electric fry pan.I am now looking to replace itWant Precise Heat 16-Inch Rectangular Surgical Stainless Steel Electric Skillet Discount?
I purchased two Precise Heat Electric Skillets and they are so similar that I will review both. I purchased thePrecise Heat 12in Round Stainless Steel Electric Skillet KTES3and the Precise Heat 16" Rectangular Skillets.If you buy both Be sure to label each cord becuase they look the same but are rated differently and you would not want to confuse them.I purchased them from an alternative online seller on Sears.com to compare them and return the one I liked less but found out after receiving them that there was a %15 restocking fee as well as $28 return shipping charges so I decided just to keep them both. My point is, know who you are buying from. Amazon is great, the alternative sellers on here...read the fine print. And NEVER order from alternative sellers on Sears.com., becuase you can not simply drop off items you want to return.
First the Pro's:
Out of the box these are very elegant and have a beautiful polished stainless finish.
They are not too heavy to manage even when full of food.
They are Stainless Steel which is much healthier than Teflon coated.
The hollow handles stay cool.
The lid handles get hot, but I used a washcloth to grab them while cooking to stir and that was enough protection.
While I did not let food burn in them, Washing was an absolute breeze. Much better than my Calphalon SS pans. Although it does help that I have a tall faucet in my sink.
No burn in smell the first time I used it.
The construction of these is very curious. There is a vented cover over the bottom and becuase of this the instructions say to not immerse in water. But that was no problem. I washed the inside of the pan at an angle in my sink. Had any food gotten on the outside I would have just wiped it off but not under running water. I noticed a little water did get on the bottom, so being curious I unscrewed the screws on the bottom plate to see how much water got in there. The screws are in the middle of each of four rubber feet. These came out easily. I did get a little water in there and wiped it up. I took pictures of the inside (of the 12" Round model which is similar you can see those by clicking on the link above) You'll see that the inner bottom of the skillet is just like the bottom of a flat electric griddle (like I use for pancakes). So, I am not sure of the purpose of the cover over the bottom, except to perhaps retain heat since the heating coil sits embedded in the aluminum core base which is attached to the bottom of the stainless skillet. Or, maybe it is to protect the counter from the heat? When you put the bottom back on, screw the two screws furthest away from the plug first. The holes do not align perfectly and I found that was the best way to make them match up again.
Now the Con's:
1UNEVEN HEATING: The bottom Stainless Steel portion of the pan is relatively thin. There is definitely a "hot spot" ring exactly over where the heating coil sits in the aluminum disk. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PAN FOR COOKING ANYTHING THAT SHOULD NOT BE STIRRED SUCH AS SUNNY SIDE UP EGGS. On the other hand it was great for ground beef and frozen green beans, since they need to be stirred. But watch out it heated up VERY FAST. Not like a regular thick bottomed stainless pan. Do not put food in it and turn around to do anything else. You should plan to use this on a much lower setting the first time you use it than the temp label would suggest, until you are familiar with it.
2TEMPERATURE CONTROL: There does not seem to be a Low Warming setting. After I cooked my ground beef, I wanted it to simmer with taco seasoning on low heat. I had to keep switching the temperature dial back and forth becuase it goes from off to higher heat than I would like basically boiling.
3 STAINING: The first time I used each one they stained. Now I don;t really care becuase they will always be full of food but I have never seen that happen before. It makes me wonder...what is this Stainless Steel made out of? And how can they call it "Stainless"?
4No GLASS LID to see throughbut the domed lid is very elegant.
Because of the first two problems I give this pan a 3 star rating. I think these are serious flaws especially at the price this is selling for. It this had sold for less than $45.00 I would have given it a 4 star rating.
On the other hand I am still glad to have it, it's pretty for serving guests, and as long as I keep my eyes on it it works. But I really think I should be able to take my eyes off of it and let food simmer or stay warm while serving. IMHO this is what we get since we stopped making quality items in the good old USA and now buy mystery quality items from China.
I do not expect these to last more than 3 years, even with limited use. I think there are problems with both of their thermostats/temp controls. I have read others say that they go out as early as in 3 months time. If you can buy a similar design made in the USA or Europe I recommend you purchase that and not this one.
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