Presto 06857 16-Inch Electric Foldaway Skillet Review: Big Surface, Smart Storage
The Presto 06857 is a 16-inch electric skillet with a PFAS-free ceramic nonstick interior and a foldaway base that collapses into its own footprint when not in use. With over 15,900 Amazon ratings at 4.7 stars, it sits at the top of the consumer consensus for large-format electric skillets — and independent lab testing largely agrees. If you regularly cook for a crowd, this is the sub-$100 appliance most likely to earn its counter space.
Product Overview
The 06857 is Presto's flagship large-format electric skillet. The defining design choice is the foldaway base: both the cooking pan and the detachable stand collapse so the whole unit stores in roughly the pan's own footprint, handles and base tucked inside. For an appliance this size, that's a genuine storage advantage over fixed-handle models that demand a dedicated shelf or cabinet.
The cooking surface is PFAS-free ceramic nonstick over heavy cast aluminum — Presto describes the base as "virtually warp-proof." A clip-on Control Master heat control plugs into the side and maintains your target temperature automatically; remove it and the entire pan is fully immersible and dishwasher-safe. One small detail worth calling out: a built-in corner pour spout that doubles as a spoon rest, useful when draining bacon fat or sautéed liquid without moving the lid.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cooking surface diameter | 16 inches |
| Overall dimensions | 12"D × 20"W × 8.1"H |
| Weight | 8.55 lbs |
| Wattage | 1,500W / 120V |
| Nonstick coating | PFAS-free ceramic |
| Cover | Tempered glass |
| Included | Skillet pan, removable base, glass cover, heat control |
| Warranty | 1-year limited |
| List price | ~$89.99 |
Performance & Real-World Use
Heat distribution is where the 06857 earns its reputation. Shouldit's 2026 lab testing — using an infrared thermometer grid across the full cooking surface — recorded just 5.7% temperature variance on the Presto, the lowest of any large electric skillet in their test group. That translates directly to cooking: a pancake at the edge of the pan and one in the center should be done at the same time, which is exactly what you need from this category of appliance.
Not every reviewer lands in the same place. Culinary Hill notes uneven heating as a downside, and some cooks report a perceptible difference between the very center and the outer ring at lower temperatures. The balance of testing evidence leans toward solid heat distribution, but if edge-to-center consistency is a hard requirement, stress-test yours during the return window.
Preheat time is measurably slower than premium competitors. Getting to 350°F takes around 3 minutes and 50 seconds — adequate for most cooking tasks, but noticeably behind the Cuisinart CSK-150 and All-Clad electric skillets. On weeknights when you need heat fast, you'll feel that gap.
The 16-inch surface fits eight pancakes at once, six large chicken thighs, or a full rack of bacon without stacking or cooking in shifts. That's the honest best case for this skillet: a household that genuinely cooks for four or more people per session, where every inch of that 16-inch span gets used.
- Lab-verified heat distribution — 5.7% temperature variance across cooking surface, top result in 2026 independent testing among large skillets
- 16-inch cooking surface — accommodates full-batch cooking for families without crowding
- Foldaway base — handles fold down and pan nests into the base for compact, cabinet-friendly storage
- PFAS-free ceramic nonstick — food releases cleanly; avoids PFAS chemical concerns
- Fully immersible and dishwasher-safe — once heat control is removed — cleanup is fast
- Tempered glass lid — monitor cooking without lifting and losing heat
- Built-in pour spout — practical for draining grease or stock
- 15,900+ ratings at 4.7 stars — consumer validation at genuine scale
- Ranked top pick — by Shouldit in their 2026 electric skillet roundup
- Slow to preheat — roughly 3 min 50 sec to 350°F; premium models get there faster
- Short power cord — 31.1 inches; may require a heavy-duty extension cord depending on kitchen layout
- Two-prong ungrounded plug — a 1,500W appliance on a two-prong plug is a concern for some cooks and electricians
- Lid does not seat firmly — glass cover sits loosely on several production units rather than resting snugly
- No-frills appearance — black plastic base and utilitarian controls; not a good-looking appliance when it's sitting on the counter
- Some reports of edge-to-center heat variation — contradicts lab data but appears in user reviews; possibly more pronounced at lower heat settings
The Presto 06857 is the best large-format electric skillet under $100, and it's not particularly close. Independent testing confirms the heat distribution claim, the foldaway design is a legitimate storage advantage, and 15,900 Amazon reviewers don't settle on 4.7 stars for a bad product. The slow preheat, ungrounded plug, and imperfect lid are real limitations — none of them are dealbreakers for a family kitchen. If you cook for four or more people regularly, this skillet is the right tool at the right price.
