Presto 12-inch Electric Skillet Review

Intro

This Presto 12" Electric Skillet (model 07117, Control Master heat control) is one of those appliances that owners repeatedly call a workhorse. The listing shows a heavy cast aluminum pan, a tempered glass cover, a single automatic temperature control, and a nonstick finish. Owners' reports reinforce those claims: many praise even heating, easy cleanup, and long service life. At the same time, the listing includes a chemical disclosure and a few owners point out assembly or wear issues worth flagging. This review walks through what the skillet actually is, how it performs day to day, build and safety details you should know, and who should (and shouldn’t) consider buying one.

What it is / first look

The Presto 07117 is a 12-inch electric skillet designed to replace or supplement a range burner. The listing names these headline features:

• Heavy cast aluminum pan
• Tempered glass cover with a stay-cool handle
• Premium nonstick surface (inside and out)
• Control Master heat control that automatically maintains cooking temperature
• Fully immersible and dishwasher-safe pan once the heat control is removed
• Built-in pour spout that doubles as a spoon/spatula rest

Key specs from the listing: the skillet weighs 5.9 pounds, measures 12.13"D x 15.75"W x 7.58"H, runs on 120 volts at 1250 watts (wattage listed as 1250 W), and is sold in a 12-inch size. Included components are the skillet, two legs, the glass cover, and the Control Master heat control. The item is listed in color Black and comes with a limited warranty.

Out of the box you’ll find a square-ish 12" pan with higher sidewalls and a matching tempered glass lid. The listing emphasizes buffet use and serving convenience—owners echo that the lid makes it easy to monitor food while it cooks.

In daily use

Owners use this skillet for a surprising variety of tasks: frying bacon and eggs, browning meats, making casseroles, stews, and even serving at buffets. The listing itself lists roast, fry, grill, stew, bake, and casseroles as intended uses; owner feedback shows people do all of these regularly.

Small kitchens, apartments, and dorms

For cooks in compact spaces, the Presto is an obvious alternative when you don’t want to fire up the range or don’t have one. Owners repeatedly note it’s easy to put on an island or counter and that it’s portable enough to use outside during remodels. Because the skillet plugs into 120 V and lists 1250 watts, expect it to draw similar current to other counter appliances; the listing’s wattage and voltage are the best guides for circuit planning.

Family meals and buffet-style serving

The skillet’s higher sidewalls and 12" cooking surface make it practical for serving multiple portions. The listing and several owners specifically point to buffet use—the tempered glass cover and the built-in pour spout/spoon rest are features that support that role. Owners who use it for family meals praise the capacity and even heating. One longtime owner reported this model lasted about eight years under heavy use before the nonstick surface eventually wore out.

Everyday cooking — breakfast to dinner

Owners consistently say the temperature control is responsive and accurate for breakfast fare (eggs, bacon), pan-fried meats, and one-pan dinners. The listing’s Control Master heat control is described as automatically maintaining the desired cooking temperature, and owners echo that it heats evenly across the pan. If you cook a lot on a single surface or want to limit stovetop cleanup, many owners say this skillet becomes their go-to appliance.

Cleaning and storage

The listing states the pan is fully immersible and dishwasher-safe once the heat control is removed. Owner feedback reflects that the nonstick surface is easy to wipe clean; several experienced users prefer handwashing to extend the life of the coating, while others appreciate the dishwasher-safe convenience. Note that the listing includes the heat control as a removable component—remove that piece before you immerse the pan.

Materials & build quality

The listing calls out a "heavy cast aluminum pan" and a "tempered glass cover with a stay-cool handle." It also describes the surface as a premium nonstick finish "inside and out" and lists the material type free as "PTFE Free." At the same time, the full product description contains a disclosure stating, "This product contains: Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)," and points buyers to the manufacturer's California-safe-food disclosure for more details. Those are listing-level statements you should weigh together; I do not have independent lab results—these are the claims that appear with the product. Verify the current listing/manufacturer documentation for any updates.

Owners often describe the skillet as well-made and sturdy. Recurrent owner themes:

• Even heating and accurate temperature control (several owners praise the Control Master)
• Lightweight compared with similar cast aluminum pans but still solid-feeling (listing weight: 5.9 pounds)
• Nonstick performance lasts for years under normal household use, though wear is reported after extended heavy use
• Tempered glass lid praised for visibility and utility as a serving lid

One owner describes dropping the skillet and breaking a foot; that’s not a materials failure per se, but it’s a real-world durability point: plastic or molded feet can crack from impacts. Another owner notes some minor assembly is required out of the box and that a Phillips screwdriver is useful, which suggests a small bit of setup before first use.

Safety considerations

Kitchen safety is primary when a product gets daily use. Pulling only from the listing and owner feedback, here are the key safety and hazard points to mind before you buy or use this skillet.

Chemical/material disclosures

The listing gives two material-related statements that need to be read together: Material Type Free is listed as "PTFE Free," while the full product description includes a manufacturer disclosure that the product contains PFASs. Those are listing claims—if the presence or absence of specific fluorinated chemicals is an important factor for you, verify the current listing or contact the manufacturer for up-to-date documentation. The listing itself directs buyers to the manufacturer's California-safe-food disclosure for more information.

Heat and electrical safety

The skillet runs on 120 V and the listing lists wattage as 1250 watts. That wattage puts it in the range of other high-draw countertop appliances; make sure the circuit you use can handle the load. The listing emphasizes the heat control is removable and that the pan is immersible only after the control is removed—follow those instructions exactly when cleaning to avoid electrical hazards. Owners report reliable temperature control and even heating, and one owner contrasted this positively with cheaper electric skillets that only had an on/off behavior.

Handles, lid, and moving parts

The listing describes the lid handle as "stay-cool"—owners generally report it works as intended for normal serving and stirring tasks. The built-in pour spout doubles as a spoon/spatula rest, which is handy but also a minor point to watch: resting a ladle across the spout leaves a utensil bridge that could get hot. One owner’s account of the foot breaking after a hard drop is a reminder that external plastic or molded components can fail if the skillet is dropped or jarred; avoid putting stress on feet, and inspect any replacement or glued repairs carefully before reusing.

Coating wear and long-term safety signals

Owners report long usable life for the nonstick surface with normal household care; several note the coating eventually showed wear after years of heavy use but did not describe flaking. That pattern—nonstick performance that degrades with time rather than catastrophic flaking—is common with many coated pans. Still, if you have specific safety standards for food-contact materials, rely on the manufacturer documentation and the listing disclosure about PFASs.

Who this is for / who should skip

Think about your kitchen, cooking habits, and priorities. These recommendations are grounded in the listing and repeated owner experiences.

Best for

• Cooks in small apartments, dorms, or kitchens who want an independent stovetop replacement and a portable cooking surface.
• Families or hosts who want a buffet server: the listing emphasizes buffet use and the tempered glass lid and higher sidewalls support that role.
• Home cooks who want a versatile single-pan appliance for frying, stewing, casseroles, and one-pan dinners—the listing lists all of these applications and owners echo that variety.
• Users who value straightforward temperature control—the Control Master is described as maintaining desired temperature automatically and owners consistently praise the even, responsive heating.

Skip this if

• You must avoid products that contain PFASs—the listing includes a PFAS disclosure, so verify the current documentation if this is a requirement.
• You need multiple precise or manual temperature settings—the listing lists Number of settings as "1," relying on the Control Master to regulate heat automatically rather than offering a range of discrete manual settings.
• You want an appliance specifically certified or documented beyond the listing’s material claims—verify current manufacturer documentation if third-party certifications or lab results are necessary for your purchase decision.

Verdict

The Presto 12" Electric Skillet (07117) presents a strong value proposition: a heavy cast aluminum pan with a tempered glass lid, an easy-to-use Control Master heat control, a built-in pour spout, and dishwasher-safe convenience (with the heat control removed). Owner feedback reinforces the listing: many people find the unit heats evenly, is easy to clean, and lasts for years—one owner even reported eight years of heavy use before the nonstick surface finally showed wear. Practical features like the lid, spoon rest spout, and the ability to serve directly from the skillet make it especially useful for family meals and buffet-style serving.

Two important caveats to weigh: the listing includes a disclosure that the product contains PFASs while also listing the material type as PTFE Free—read the manufacturer's current documentation if fluorinated compounds are a deciding factor for you. Second, a handful of owner notes highlight minor durability or assembly issues: one reports a foot cracked after being dropped, and another notes a small amount of assembly with a Phillips screwdriver is needed out of the box. These are not widespread failure modes, but they’re real-world signals that matter for long-term ownership.

Check before you buy

• Confirm the material and chemical disclosures on the current listing/manufacturer documentation if the presence of PFASs or specific coatings is important to you.
• Note the wattage and voltage (listing: 1250 W, 120 V) and ensure your intended outlet/circuit can support it.
• Decide whether automatic temperature regulation (Control Master) with a single setting fits your cooking style—this model does not advertise multiple manual heat settings.
• Prepare for light assembly: some owners needed a Phillips screwdriver to attach legs or parts.
• Plan cleaning: the pan is listed as fully immersible and dishwasher-safe only with the heat control removed—remove that component before washing.
• Inspect feet and base after delivery for damage—one owner reported a broken foot after a drop; consider careful handling during unpacking and placement.

Overall, for home cooks who want a reliable, easy-to-use electric skillet for family meals and occasional entertaining, this Presto model stacks up well on features, daily practicality, and owner-proven longevity. If chemical composition or the absolute absence of PFASs is non-negotiable, follow up on the manufacturer's disclosures before purchasing.

FAQ

The FAQ below pulls only from the listing and owner feedback.