I've never owned an electric skillet, and neither did my mother. No one I've
ever cooked with has had one. The only one I've seen in action lately was an
ancient model in the home of someone who doesn't like to use her stove or
oven.

But now, a couple of people have told me how indispensable the electric
skillet it. Perfect for poaching fish. Even, easily adjustable temperature.
Great for pancakes, burgers, meatballs....Best thing ever... blah, blah,
blah.

Not having ever owned or used one, I guess I don't know what I'm missing. I
mean, I have a stove and oven and pots and pans that get a lot of use. Is
there something the electric skillet is particularly suited for that I can't
do as well on the stove or in the oven? Is it worth having one, or is it a
waste of space?

--
Donna

D.Currie wrote:
> I've never owned an electric skillet, and neither did my mother. No one I've
> ever cooked with has had one. The only one I've seen in action lately was an
> ancient model in the home of someone who doesn't like to use her stove or
> oven.
>
> But now, a couple of people have told me how indispensable the electric
> skillet it. Perfect for poaching fish. Even, easily adjustable temperature.
> Great for pancakes, burgers, meatballs....Best thing ever... blah, blah,
> blah.
>
> Not having ever owned or used one, I guess I don't know what I'm missing. I
> mean, I have a stove and oven and pots and pans that get a lot of use. Is
> there something the electric skillet is particularly suited for that I can't
> do as well on the stove or in the oven? Is it worth having one, or is it a
> waste of space?
>
> --
> Donna

I like to use mine for one-dish meals, like chicken paprika, Swiss
steak, or any entree that requires fairly long, slow simmering...the
temperature is nice and even. I also use mine for deep-frying things
that are fairly flat, like rosette cookies, onion rings, chicken
tenders, and the like.

I also like it because it frees up a large burner on the stovetop,
which I might want to use for something else. Mine is non-stick, so
it's easy to clean. It's your choice - don't feel guilty if you've
never seen the need for one - in your case, it would be just one more
thing to put away ;-)

N.

Nancy2 wrote:

> I also like it because it frees up a large burner on the stovetop,
> which I might want to use for something else. Mine is non-stick, so
> it's easy to clean.

Mine goes right into the dishwasher which is handy. Always get one that
is able to get wet.
Goomba

Goomba38 wrote:
> Nancy2 wrote:
>
> > I also like it because it frees up a large burner on the stovetop,
> > which I might want to use for something else. Mine is non-stick, so
> > it's easy to clean.
>
> Mine goes right into the dishwasher which is handy. Always get one that
> is able to get wet.
> Goomba

Mine is totally submersible, but I don't put it in the dishwasher - I
probably could, though.

I use a big flat electric griddle for pancakes - can't imagine being
confined to the electric frypan for those. I can do 6 good-sized ones
on the griddle. I use it for French toast, too.

N.

"Nancy2" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> Goomba38 wrote:
>> Nancy2 wrote:
>>
>> > I also like it because it frees up a large burner on the stovetop,
>> > which I might want to use for something else. Mine is non-stick, so
>> > it's easy to clean.
>>
>> Mine goes right into the dishwasher which is handy. Always get one that
>> is able to get wet.
>> Goomba
>
> Mine is totally submersible, but I don't put it in the dishwasher - I
> probably could, though.

The new ones all seem to be submersible. Which is good.

>
> I use a big flat electric griddle for pancakes - can't imagine being
> confined to the electric frypan for those. I can do 6 good-sized ones
> on the griddle. I use it for French toast, too.

We don't do pancakes or French toast very often, so that's not a big deal.
There was one skillet I looked at where the base was a griddle, then you put
the skillet unit on top of the griddle to use that. It sounds like a good
idea, but there are probably drawbacks to that arrangement that I haven't
thought of.

"Nancy2" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> I also like it because it frees up a large burner on the stovetop,
> which I might want to use for something else. Mine is non-stick, so
> it's easy to clean. It's your choice - don't feel guilty if you've
> never seen the need for one - in your case, it would be just one more
> thing to put away ;-)

Put away? You've seen my kitchen, then.

Things I use most often just live on the counters. And some things would
never fit, anyway, like the kitchenaid. No way would I be trying to put that
in a cabinet.

But I'm pretty good at finding space to put things away. I'm not sure how,
sometimes, but it all goes somewhere. Every time I go to the farmer's market
or do a big grocery shopping run, I come home and wonder if it will all fit,
but it always does....somewhere...

Donna

D.Currie wrote:
> "Nancy2" > wrote in message
>
> Things I use most often just live on the counters. And some things would
> never fit, anyway, like the kitchenaid. No way would I be trying to put that
> in a cabinet.
>
> But I'm pretty good at finding space to put things away. I'm not sure how,
> sometimes, but it all goes somewhere. Every time I go to the farmer's market
> or do a big grocery shopping run, I come home and wonder if it will all fit,
> but it always does....somewhere...
>
> Donna

I had to laugh - I remodeled my kitchen with an eye to gathering up all
the baking stuff that lived in closets all over the house and putting
that stuff in the kitchen cupboards -- which I did. Then, at the Home
Depot site, there are hints for kitchen organization, one of which was
"use all the closets in your home." Aarrrrrrrgghhhhhh!

N.

"Nancy2" > wrote in message
ups.com...
>
> D.Currie wrote:
>> "Nancy2" > wrote in message
>>
>> Things I use most often just live on the counters. And some things would
>> never fit, anyway, like the kitchenaid. No way would I be trying to put
>> that
>> in a cabinet.
>>
>> But I'm pretty good at finding space to put things away. I'm not sure
>> how,
>> sometimes, but it all goes somewhere. Every time I go to the farmer's
>> market
>> or do a big grocery shopping run, I come home and wonder if it will all
>> fit,
>> but it always does....somewhere...
>>
>> Donna
>
> I had to laugh - I remodeled my kitchen with an eye to gathering up all
> the baking stuff that lived in closets all over the house and putting
> that stuff in the kitchen cupboards -- which I did. Then, at the Home
> Depot site, there are hints for kitchen organization, one of which was
> "use all the closets in your home." Aarrrrrrrgghhhhhh!

Yeah, that's what I need...go looking for shoes and trip over a crockpot.

Except for the closet at the front entry, all the closets are upstairs, so
that would be annoying, hauling stuff up and down. And the entry closet is
where we keep coats, leave extra space for guest coats, and the vacuum
cleaner lives in there.

But the house has a weird little storage space on the main level that
probably exits just because there was nothing else to do with it. It's not
big enough to be a room, and it's not really a closet, either. But it's come
in handy for storing kitchen stuff that I don't use very often. Like the
collection of cookie cutters that are pretty much used just at Christmas.
Some bulky stuff, too. Like my roasting pans. Bulk paper towels...stuff like
that.

But if it wasn't for that space, my kitchen would be a lot smaller.

Donna

On Mon, 26 Jun 2006 12:21:05 -0600, D.Currie wrote:

> I've never owned an electric skillet, and neither did my mother. No one I've
> ever cooked with has had one. The only one I've seen in action lately was an
> ancient model in the home of someone who doesn't like to use her stove or
> oven.
>
> But now, a couple of people have told me how indispensable the electric
> skillet it. Perfect for poaching fish. Even, easily adjustable temperature.
> Great for pancakes, burgers, meatballs....Best thing ever... blah, blah,
> blah.
>
> Not having ever owned or used one, I guess I don't know what I'm missing. I
> mean, I have a stove and oven and pots and pans that get a lot of use. Is
> there something the electric skillet is particularly suited for that I can't
> do as well on the stove or in the oven? Is it worth having one, or is it a
> waste of space?

It depends on your needs. I managed to raise a family without one,
but my mother and grandmothers used theirs several times a week.
Consider them a big burner and pan combination. I like them because
the heat is evenly distributed. Get the big one and you can do 6 big
pancakes all at once and they won't have blonde sides. They are good
for making fried chicken, bacon - big batches of stuff.

If there are only two of you and you don't have much kitchen storage
room, forget it. If you have a place to store it and you live where
it gets hot and don't have air conditioning, you may like it because
you could do you cooking outside.

My grandmother had an electric saucepan. Now, I'd like one of those.
--

Ham and eggs.
A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.

sf wrote:

> Get the big one and you can do 6 big
> pancakes all at once and they won't have blonde sides.

I like that observation.


> My grandmother had an electric saucepan. Now, I'd like one of those.


Why?

On Mon, 26 Jun 2006 13:17:55 -0700, rupo wrote:

> sf wrote:
>
> > Get the big one and you can do 6 big
> > pancakes all at once and they won't have blonde sides.
>
> I like that observation.
>
>
> > My grandmother had an electric saucepan. Now, I'd like one of those.
>
>
> Why?

Mainly, just for nostalgia. I would put it to good use, but it's not
a necessary item.
--

Ham and eggs.
A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.

In article >,
sf > wrote:

> On Mon, 26 Jun 2006 13:17:55 -0700, rupo wrote:
>
> > sf wrote:
> >
> > > Get the big one and you can do 6 big
> > > pancakes all at once and they won't have blonde sides.
> >
> > I like that observation.
> >
> >
> > > My grandmother had an electric saucepan. Now, I'd like one of those.
> >
> >
> > Why?
>
> Mainly, just for nostalgia. I would put it to good use, but it's not
> a necessary item.

My question is, would it save electricity?
--
Peace!
Om

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch"
-- Jack Nicholson

On Mon, 26 Jun 2006 21:09:44 -0500, OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:

> In article >,
> sf > wrote:
>
> >
> > Mainly, just for nostalgia. I would put it to good use, but it's not
> > a necessary item.
>
> My question is, would it save electricity?

Saving electricty isn't even on the horizon when I think of it. I
didn't put in a full kitchen downstairs, so an electric saucepan and
an electric frypan may come in handy in the future.
--

Ham and eggs.
A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.

D.Currie wrote:
> I've never owned an electric skillet, and neither did my mother. No one I've
> ever cooked with has had one. The only one I've seen in action lately was an
> ancient model in the home of someone who doesn't like to use her stove or
> oven.
>
> But now, a couple of people have told me how indispensable the electric
> skillet it. Perfect for poaching fish. Even, easily adjustable temperature.
> Great for pancakes, burgers, meatballs....Best thing ever... blah, blah,
> blah.
>
> Not having ever owned or used one, I guess I don't know what I'm missing. I
> mean, I have a stove and oven and pots and pans that get a lot of use. Is
> there something the electric skillet is particularly suited for that I can't
> do as well on the stove or in the oven? Is it worth having one, or is it a
> waste of space?
>
No, you are not missing anything. Good cookware on the range top or in
the oven do just as well. I own an electric skillet -- Christmas
present one year. I use mine for steaming vegi's because it was setup
for that. My question to the world is does it use anymore or less
energy than a ranger burner?

-G

--

"Mr. G. D. Geen" > wrote in message
...
> D.Currie wrote:
>> I've never owned an electric skillet, and neither did my mother. No one
>> I've ever cooked with has had one. The only one I've seen in action
>> lately was an ancient model in the home of someone who doesn't like to
>> use her stove or oven.
>>
>> But now, a couple of people have told me how indispensable the electric
>> skillet it. Perfect for poaching fish. Even, easily adjustable
>> temperature. Great for pancakes, burgers, meatballs....Best thing ever...
>> blah, blah, blah.
>>
>> Not having ever owned or used one, I guess I don't know what I'm missing.
>> I mean, I have a stove and oven and pots and pans that get a lot of use.
>> Is there something the electric skillet is particularly suited for that I
>> can't do as well on the stove or in the oven? Is it worth having one, or
>> is it a waste of space?
>>
> No, you are not missing anything. Good cookware on the range top or in
> the oven do just as well. I own an electric skillet -- Christmas present
> one year. I use mine for steaming vegi's because it was setup for that.
> My question to the world is does it use anymore or less energy than a
> ranger burner?
>
> -G
>
> --

My parents had one that always seemed to be the tool of choice for making
bacon. I have no idea why. It was a bitch to clean because you couldn't get
the handle & plug area wet, and naturally, they got as greasy as everything
surrounding the skillet itself. Why they didn't just put a pan on the stove
is beyond me.

"JoeSpareBedroom" > wrote in message
...

>
> My parents had one that always seemed to be the tool of choice for making
> bacon. I have no idea why. It was a bitch to clean because you couldn't
> get the handle & plug area wet, and naturally, they got as greasy as
> everything surrounding the skillet itself. Why they didn't just put a pan
> on the stove is beyond me.

I always thought of them as something that was trendy way back when, but
apparently I just wasn't paying attention. Seems like they've been selling
them all along, and I just never got on that bandwagon.

The new ones all seem to be submersible, if not dishwasher-safe, so that's a
good thing. I remember the torture of cleaning an old crock pot I used to
have. The new ones with the removable inserts make a lot more sense.

Donna

"D.Currie" > wrote in message
...
>
> "JoeSpareBedroom" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>
>> My parents had one that always seemed to be the tool of choice for making
>> bacon. I have no idea why. It was a bitch to clean because you couldn't
>> get the handle & plug area wet, and naturally, they got as greasy as
>> everything surrounding the skillet itself. Why they didn't just put a pan
>> on the stove is beyond me.
>
> I always thought of them as something that was trendy way back when, but
> apparently I just wasn't paying attention. Seems like they've been selling
> them all along, and I just never got on that bandwagon.

Donna, there IS no bandwagon.

"JoeSpareBedroom" > wrote in message
...

>>
>> I always thought of them as something that was trendy way back when, but
>> apparently I just wasn't paying attention. Seems like they've been
>> selling them all along, and I just never got on that bandwagon.
>
> Donna, there IS no bandwagon.

Bummer. I guess the band has to walk then, huh?

;-)

Donna

On Mon, 26 Jun 2006 21:04:24 GMT, JoeSpareBedroom wrote:

> My parents had one that always seemed to be the tool of choice for making
> bacon. I have no idea why. It was a bitch to clean because you couldn't get
> the handle & plug area wet, and naturally, they got as greasy as everything
> surrounding the skillet itself. Why they didn't just put a pan on the stove
> is beyond me.
>
Because the pan that goes on the stove is round and the electric pan
is a square or rectangle. It means less fussing with the bacon, which
I hate to cook for that very reason.

--

Ham and eggs.
A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.

In article >,
sf > wrote:

> On Mon, 26 Jun 2006 21:04:24 GMT, JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
>
> > My parents had one that always seemed to be the tool of choice for making
> > bacon. I have no idea why. It was a bitch to clean because you couldn't
> > get
> > the handle & plug area wet, and naturally, they got as greasy as
> > everything
> > surrounding the skillet itself. Why they didn't just put a pan on the
> > stove
> > is beyond me.
> >
> Because the pan that goes on the stove is round and the electric pan
> is a square or rectangle. It means less fussing with the bacon, which
> I hate to cook for that very reason.

I hated cooking bacon because of all the turning and spattering.
Now I deep fry it. :-) 3 minutes and it's done, no turning, no
spattering!

It's not flat but who cares? ;-d

Looky he

http://tinypic.com/15waykw.jpg

That's a pic I'd not posted yet. Thick sliced deep fried bacon,
duck eggs and sesame lemon carrots...
--
Peace!
Om

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch"
-- Jack Nicholson

OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:

>
> http://tinypic.com/15waykw.jpg
>
> That's a pic I'd not posted yet. Thick sliced deep fried bacon,
> duck eggs and sesame lemon carrots...

carrot recipe if you please???

--
..:Heather:.
www.velvet-c.com
Poor Impulse Control.

On Mon, 26 Jun 2006 21:14:20 -0500, OmManiPadmeOmelet wrote:

> I hated cooking bacon because of all the turning and spattering.
> Now I deep fry it. :-) 3 minutes and it's done, no turning, no
> spattering!

Deep fried bacon, now I've heard it all! LOL
--

Ham and eggs.
A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.

D.Currie wrote:
> I've never owned an electric skillet, and neither did my mother.
<snip>
> Is it worth having one, or is it a
> waste of space?

I've never owned one or felt that I needed to for use at home, but I
have borrowed them from friends/family from time to time to use in an
area that does not have a regular kitchen. We often host a "thank you"
staff breakfast at work and I'll bring one in to make pancakes and eggs
to order. Comes in handy for that, and the non-stick version makes for
an easy clean up. They take up too much storage space for me, but I
know people who use them nearly daily instead of their stove....guess
it's all what you're used to. If you have a stove with good even
heating, you don't need one in my opinion.

Sandy

> wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> D.Currie wrote:
>> I've never owned an electric skillet, and neither did my mother.
> <snip>
>> Is it worth having one, or is it a
>> waste of space?
>
> I've never owned one or felt that I needed to for use at home, but I
> have borrowed them from friends/family from time to time to use in an
> area that does not have a regular kitchen. We often host a "thank you"
> staff breakfast at work and I'll bring one in to make pancakes and eggs
> to order. Comes in handy for that, and the non-stick version makes for
> an easy clean up. They take up too much storage space for me, but I
> know people who use them nearly daily instead of their stove....guess
> it's all what you're used to. If you have a stove with good even
> heating, you don't need one in my opinion.

The even heating thing is where I might find it useful. I've got a flat-top
electric stove (it came with the house...) and on the lower settings, it
doesn't go to a lower heat, it turns on and off and on and off. Which is
fine for some things, and some pans, but I'd rather be able to just adjust
the heat and have it stay there.

Donna

Oh pshaw, On Mon 26 Jun 2006 02:14:10p, D.Currie was muttering about...

>
> > wrote in message
> oups.com...
>>
>> D.Currie wrote:
>>> I've never owned an electric skillet, and neither did my mother.
>> <snip>
>>> Is it worth having one, or is it a waste of space?
>>
>> I've never owned one or felt that I needed to for use at home, but I
>> have borrowed them from friends/family from time to time to use in an
>> area that does not have a regular kitchen. We often host a "thank you"
>> staff breakfast at work and I'll bring one in to make pancakes and eggs
>> to order. Comes in handy for that, and the non-stick version makes for
>> an easy clean up. They take up too much storage space for me, but I
>> know people who use them nearly daily instead of their stove....guess
>> it's all what you're used to. If you have a stove with good even
>> heating, you don't need one in my opinion.
>
> The even heating thing is where I might find it useful. I've got a
> flat-top electric stove (it came with the house...) and on the lower
> settings, it doesn't go to a lower heat, it turns on and off and on and
> off. Which is fine for some things, and some pans, but I'd rather be
> able to just adjust the heat and have it stay there.
>
> Donna

Electric frypans have a thermostat that will maintain a pre-set
temperature. However, they do cycle on and off in doing so.


--

Wayne Boatwright
__________________________________________________ ________________________

I often wonder ...
What do people mean when they say the computer went down on me?

"Wayne Boatwright" <wayneboatwright_at_gmail.com> wrote in message
28.19...
> Oh pshaw, On Mon 26 Jun 2006 02:14:10p, D.Currie was muttering about...
>
>>
>> > wrote in message
>> oups.com...
>>>
>>> D.Currie wrote:
>>>> I've never owned an electric skillet, and neither did my mother.
>>> <snip>
>>>> Is it worth having one, or is it a waste of space?
>>>
>>> I've never owned one or felt that I needed to for use at home, but I
>>> have borrowed them from friends/family from time to time to use in an
>>> area that does not have a regular kitchen. We often host a "thank you"
>>> staff breakfast at work and I'll bring one in to make pancakes and eggs
>>> to order. Comes in handy for that, and the non-stick version makes for
>>> an easy clean up. They take up too much storage space for me, but I
>>> know people who use them nearly daily instead of their stove....guess
>>> it's all what you're used to. If you have a stove with good even
>>> heating, you don't need one in my opinion.
>>
>> The even heating thing is where I might find it useful. I've got a
>> flat-top electric stove (it came with the house...) and on the lower
>> settings, it doesn't go to a lower heat, it turns on and off and on and
>> off. Which is fine for some things, and some pans, but I'd rather be
>> able to just adjust the heat and have it stay there.
>>
>> Donna
>
> Electric frypans have a thermostat that will maintain a pre-set
> temperature. However, they do cycle on and off in doing so.

Hmmmm...well, there goes that theory. Maybe it works better than I imagine
it does, but that burner stays off for quite a while at low settings.

Donna

Oh pshaw, On Mon 26 Jun 2006 02:38:57p, D.Currie was muttering about...

>
> "Wayne Boatwright" <wayneboatwright_at_gmail.com> wrote in message
> 28.19...
>> Oh pshaw, On Mon 26 Jun 2006 02:14:10p, D.Currie was muttering about...
>>
>>>
>>> > wrote in message
>>> oups.com...
>>>>
>>>> D.Currie wrote:
>>>>> I've never owned an electric skillet, and neither did my mother.
>>>> <snip>
>>>>> Is it worth having one, or is it a waste of space?
>>>>
>>>> I've never owned one or felt that I needed to for use at home, but I
>>>> have borrowed them from friends/family from time to time to use in an
>>>> area that does not have a regular kitchen. We often host a "thank
>>>> you" staff breakfast at work and I'll bring one in to make pancakes
>>>> and eggs to order. Comes in handy for that, and the non-stick
>>>> version makes for an easy clean up. They take up too much storage
>>>> space for me, but I know people who use them nearly daily instead of
>>>> their stove....guess it's all what you're used to. If you have a
>>>> stove with good even heating, you don't need one in my opinion.
>>>
>>> The even heating thing is where I might find it useful. I've got a
>>> flat-top electric stove (it came with the house...) and on the lower
>>> settings, it doesn't go to a lower heat, it turns on and off and on
>>> and off. Which is fine for some things, and some pans, but I'd rather
>>> be able to just adjust the heat and have it stay there.
>>>
>>> Donna
>>
>> Electric frypans have a thermostat that will maintain a pre-set
>> temperature. However, they do cycle on and off in doing so.
>
> Hmmmm...well, there goes that theory. Maybe it works better than I
> imagine it does, but that burner stays off for quite a while at low
> settings.
>
> Donna

Donna, I guess it matters most about what you use it for. I use it for
pancakes and French toast, as well as typical frying chores (of course,
that's at higher temperatures). I have also used it successfully for
cooked stuffed cabbage rolls, which I cook at around 225 degrees. At the
lower temps I do notice the contents alternately bubbling and not bubbling
with the cycling of the heat, but it hasn't caused a problem.

--

Wayne Boatwright
__________________________________________________ ________________________

I often wonder ...
What do people mean when they say the computer went down on me?

In article >,
says...
> Not having ever owned or used one, I guess I don't know what I'm missing. I
> mean, I have a stove and oven and pots and pans that get a lot of use. Is
> there something the electric skillet is particularly suited for that I can't
> do as well on the stove or in the oven? Is it worth having one, or is it a
> waste of space?
>
>

You are not missing much. Electric skillets are useful when you want to
cook at the table. Otherwise they are at best a convenience.

--
Peter Aitken
Visit my recipe and kitchen myths pages at www.pgacon.com/cooking.htm

"Peter A" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> says...
>> Not having ever owned or used one, I guess I don't know what I'm missing.
>> I
>> mean, I have a stove and oven and pots and pans that get a lot of use. Is
>> there something the electric skillet is particularly suited for that I
>> can't
>> do as well on the stove or in the oven? Is it worth having one, or is it
>> a
>> waste of space?
>>
>>
>
> You are not missing much. Electric skillets are useful when you want to
> cook at the table. Otherwise they are at best a convenience.

I'm not above doing things because they're convenient....

Donna

D.Currie wrote:

> Not having ever owned or used one, I guess I don't know what I'm missing. I
> mean, I have a stove and oven and pots and pans that get a lot of use. Is
> there something the electric skillet is particularly suited for that I can't
> do as well on the stove or in the oven? Is it worth having one, or is it a
> waste of space?
>

I always like having one to fry things in outside on the patio.
Sometimes I just don't want that frying smell in the house when I do a
big egg roll or fried chicken supper.
They're also handy to dry heat tortillas up at the table as you want them.

Oh pshaw, On Mon 26 Jun 2006 01:36:03p, Goomba38 was muttering about...

> D.Currie wrote:
>
>> Not having ever owned or used one, I guess I don't know what I'm
>> missing. I mean, I have a stove and oven and pots and pans that get a
>> lot of use. Is there something the electric skillet is particularly
>> suited for that I can't do as well on the stove or in the oven? Is it
>> worth having one, or is it a waste of space?
>>
>
> I always like having one to fry things in outside on the patio.
> Sometimes I just don't want that frying smell in the house when I do a
> big egg roll or fried chicken supper.
> They're also handy to dry heat tortillas up at the table as you want
> them.
>

That's the main reason I have one, as I don't do any major frying indoors.
It's perfect for cooking fried chicken or chicken fried steak, and all the
mess stays outdoors.

--

Wayne Boatwright
__________________________________________________ ________________________

I often wonder ...
What do people mean when they say the computer went down on me?

> > D.Currie wrote:
> >
> >> Not having ever owned or used one, I guess I don't know what I'm
> >> missing. I mean, I have a stove and oven and pots and pans that get a
> >> lot of use. Is there something the electric skillet is particularly
> >> suited for that I can't do as well on the stove or in the oven? Is it
> >> worth having one, or is it a waste of space?

Molly Katzen has published two or three cookbooks for children, and she
swears by them. It's supposed to be a good way to let four year olds
cook. Safer I guess. But she has no recipes for frying... instead it's
things like carrots cooked in butter with cinnamon and brown sugar, or
"zucchini moons" - rounds of zukes, which the kiddies cut with dinner
knives and your help, cooked in the electric skillet and then tossed
with parmesan.

I considered buying one, then thought I'd wait. Now the whole teflon
thing has me concerned. (I don't have teflon otherwise).

But we did have an accident with a splattered butter pat in the cast
iron skillet - two kids, two pats of butter, Kid One tosses his in,
stands there watching while Kid Two tosses *his* pat in, which
splatters the first, melted pat into Kid One's face. Oh God I felt
terrible about that mishap. He wasn't seriously burned, but he could
have been. This would have happened even with a "safer" electric
skillet - Mom was just not able to foresee the problem. Two kids are
more than twice as hectic...

L.

"Goomba38" > wrote in message
. ..
> D.Currie wrote:
>
>> Not having ever owned or used one, I guess I don't know what I'm missing.
>> I mean, I have a stove and oven and pots and pans that get a lot of use.
>> Is there something the electric skillet is particularly suited for that I
>> can't do as well on the stove or in the oven? Is it worth having one, or
>> is it a waste of space?
>>
>
> I always like having one to fry things in outside on the patio. Sometimes
> I just don't want that frying smell in the house when I do a big egg roll
> or fried chicken supper.

Hmmm... I can see plugging it in next to the grill and not having to run
inside to check on stovetop items.
> They're also handy to dry heat tortillas up at the table as you want them.

Now, that would be useful. We eat a lot of stuff with tortillas, and it's
always a guess as to how many we're going to need. Either I heat too many
and they're not as good re-reheated the next day, or I don't have enough and
somebody's heating an extra tortilla or two.

How low does the low setting go? Things tend to cool off pretty rapidly here
(high altitude and low humidity) and sometimes by the time someone's
reaching for seconds, the food is cold (ish). I'm thinking it might be handy
at the table, just to keep things warm.

Donna

On Mon, 26 Jun 2006 15:19:41 -0600, D.Currie wrote:
>
> "Goomba38" > wrote in message
> . ..
> > D.Currie wrote:

> > They're also handy to dry heat tortillas up at the table as you want them.
>
> Now, that would be useful. We eat a lot of stuff with tortillas, and it's
> always a guess as to how many we're going to need. Either I heat too many
> and they're not as good re-reheated the next day, or I don't have enough and
> somebody's heating an extra tortilla or two.
>
> How low does the low setting go? Things tend to cool off pretty rapidly here
> (high altitude and low humidity) and sometimes by the time someone's
> reaching for seconds, the food is cold (ish). I'm thinking it might be handy
> at the table, just to keep things warm.
>
Are you talking about tortillas? Can't you find tortilla keepers in
your grocery store? They keep tortillas hot a long time.
http://www.toptastes.com/store/cookw...1.MZZZZZZZ.jpg
--

Ham and eggs.
A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.

"sf" > wrote in message
...
> On Mon, 26 Jun 2006 15:19:41 -0600, D.Currie wrote:
>>
>> "Goomba38" > wrote in message
>> . ..
>> > D.Currie wrote:
>
>> > They're also handy to dry heat tortillas up at the table as you want
>> them.
>>
>> Now, that would be useful. We eat a lot of stuff with tortillas, and
>> it's
>> always a guess as to how many we're going to need. Either I heat too
>> many
>> and they're not as good re-reheated the next day, or I don't have enough
>> and
>> somebody's heating an extra tortilla or two.
>>
>> How low does the low setting go? Things tend to cool off pretty rapidly
>> here
>> (high altitude and low humidity) and sometimes by the time someone's
>> reaching for seconds, the food is cold (ish). I'm thinking it might be
>> handy
>> at the table, just to keep things warm.
>>
> Are you talking about tortillas? Can't you find tortilla keepers in
> your grocery store? They keep tortillas hot a long time.
> http://www.toptastes.com/store/cookw...1.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

No, I'm muddling two thoughts together. Heating tortillas at the table
sounds good, but also, keeping things hot at the table. Some things seem to
cool off astonishingly fast.

Donna

"D.Currie" > wrote:

>Now, that would be useful. We eat a lot of stuff with tortillas, and it's
>always a guess as to how many we're going to need. Either I heat too many
>and they're not as good re-reheated the next day, or I don't have enough and
>somebody's heating an extra tortilla or two.

Myself, I heat 'em to order over one burner of my gas stove. (Right
on the grill above the burner.) Takes about 30-40 seconds each.

D.
--
Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh.

-Resolved: To be more temperate in my postings.
Oct 5th, 2004 JDL

Derek Lyons wrote:
> "D.Currie" > wrote:
>
>> Now, that would be useful. We eat a lot of stuff with tortillas, and it's
>> always a guess as to how many we're going to need. Either I heat too many
>> and they're not as good re-reheated the next day, or I don't have enough and
>> somebody's heating an extra tortilla or two.
>
> Myself, I heat 'em to order over one burner of my gas stove. (Right
> on the grill above the burner.) Takes about 30-40 seconds each.
>
> D.
How do you enjoy YOUR meal if you're doing short order for everyone else
though?

Goomba38 > wrote:

>Derek Lyons wrote:
>> "D.Currie" > wrote:
>>
>>> Now, that would be useful. We eat a lot of stuff with tortillas, and it's
>>> always a guess as to how many we're going to need. Either I heat too many
>>> and they're not as good re-reheated the next day, or I don't have enough and
>>> somebody's heating an extra tortilla or two.
>>
>> Myself, I heat 'em to order over one burner of my gas stove. (Right
>> on the grill above the burner.) Takes about 30-40 seconds each.
>
>How do you enjoy YOUR meal if you're doing short order for everyone else
>though?

By making mine last - nobody else gets one after that until I've
finished mine or someone else does it. Not to mention that some folks
believe that the service that accompanies a meal is an important
component of hospitality.

D.
--
Touch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh.

-Resolved: To be more temperate in my postings.
Oct 5th, 2004 JDL

Hi there.. Yes they are very convient.. I live in a very small apt and
space is not convient for a stove for me and my significant other..
I use my electric fry pan quite a bit.. Good for lots of things.. and I
am very happy with it..
I would love to nock a wall out for the use of a stove and oven.. But
not possible right now..
And, sometimes when we BBQ we take it outside for other things to
cook.. Makes meal preparing go quick..
angel_crafter aka Portia/California USA
Goomba38 wrote:
> D.Currie wrote:
>
> > Not having ever owned or used one, I guess I don't know what I'm missing. I
> > mean, I have a stove and oven and pots and pans that get a lot of use. Is
> > there something the electric skillet is particularly suited for that I can't
> > do as well on the stove or in the oven? Is it worth having one, or is it a
> > waste of space?
> >
>
> I always like having one to fry things in outside on the patio.
> Sometimes I just don't want that frying smell in the house when I do a
> big egg roll or fried chicken supper.
> They're also handy to dry heat tortillas up at the table as you want them.

In article >,
says...
> I've never owned an electric skillet, and neither did my mother. No one I've
> ever cooked with has had one. The only one I've seen in action lately was an
> ancient model in the home of someone who doesn't like to use her stove or
> oven.
>
> But now, a couple of people have told me how indispensable the electric
> skillet it. Perfect for poaching fish. Even, easily adjustable temperature.
> Great for pancakes, burgers, meatballs....Best thing ever... blah, blah,
> blah.
>
> Not having ever owned or used one, I guess I don't know what I'm missing. I
> mean, I have a stove and oven and pots and pans that get a lot of use. Is
> there something the electric skillet is particularly suited for that I can't
> do as well on the stove or in the oven? Is it worth having one, or is it a
> waste of space?

They're definitelyh not a waste of space. Particularly if in the way of
Alton Brown, they serve more than one purpose.

A good electric skillet can be used to re-flow solder on circuit boards.
Can't beat that.