The electric skillet is a modern convenience that has been around for decades. It’s also known as the “skillet” or “hot plate”. Originally designed to cook food, it evolved into an all-purpose kitchen utensil. If you have one, you probably use it every day – but do you know how to get the most out of your electric skillet?
1. Tips on how to get the best results from your appliance!
1) Cleaning:
This may seem obvious, but people often forget that they need to clean their skillets after each use. The oil and other liquids will dry up over time and leave behind gunk which can ruin your next meal if not removed promptly. Just make sure you don’t leave any metal utensils inside the skillet while cleaning, as this can damage the surface.
2) Get a lid:
Skillets without a glass lid are harder to use since you have no way of checking on your food as it cooks. Make sure you get one with at least a see-through glass top so you can check if the food is cooked without having to remove the lid and letting all of your heat escape.
3) Heat control:
The electric skillet usually comes with a temperature knob that allows you to adjust the intensity of the heat. Be careful though, because turning it up too much can cause hot oil and other liquids to spill over onto your kitchen surface!
4) Oil temperature:
You must make sure that the oil in your skillet is hot enough before adding ingredients. This prevents it from soaking into your food, instead allowing it to seep out while cooking… which can develop into a tasty crust on the finished product!
5) Keep it clean:
Don’t pour cold liquids onto a dirty skillet because it can cause the oil to splatter all over your kitchen. You should always clean out your skillet first before you start cooking, and make sure it is completely dry before adding any oil (or other foods).
2. How to Clean An Electric Skillet
An electric skillet requires regular cleanups to get rid of the food debris and odors that tend to get accumulated over time. An unclean electric skillet can cause your next meal to taste bad, which is why it’s important to clean it thoroughly after every use.
Ways To Clean Electric Skillet:
1) Cleaning With Warm Water:
Add some mild dish soap and warm water in the electric skillet and stir this mixture with a soft sponge or brush . Thereafter wipe this down by using a moist cloth. Rinse off any remaining soapy bubbles with plain water before drying up completely with a paper towel or dry dishcloth.
2) Cleaning With White Vinegar:
Fill up your electric skillet halfway up with water and then add one cupful of white vinegar. Now turn on the skillet to medium heat. This will cause the mixture to produce steam, which in turn will break down the food particles, making cleaning much easier.
3) Cleaning With Baking Soda:
Baking soda is an excellent choice for removing stains from your electric skillet since it has mild abrasive action that breaks down dirt and grease efficiently. Place a cupful of baking soda in your skillet and add some water up to half its depth . The reaction you’ll get will be similar to that when using vinegar (i.e., steaming), which should make it easy for you to wipe out any debris stuck onto the bottom or sides of the pan.
4) Cleaning With Oven Cleaner:
You can also use an oven cleaner to clean your electric skillet. The chemicals in oven cleaners are very effective at breaking down grease, which will make it easy for you to wipe out the debris with a moist cloth or sponge. If you do choose this method of cleaning, then remember that applying too much pressure on the surface of the electric skillet might permanently damage its coating.
5) Cleaning With Baking Soda and Water Paste or Powder:
For more stubborn stains, mix together baking soda and water into a thick paste or powder . Apply this all over your electric skillet so it covers every nook and cranny. Leave this mixture on for about 15 minutes before repeating the process to make sure you’ve removed every speck of dirt.
3. How to Use An Electric Skillet
How can I use an electric skillet?
The best way to use the electric skillet is by filling it with water (around halfway up) and then turning on the heat using medium or low settings. This will cause steam to develop that will loosen any dirt or debris trapped onto the surface, which in turn makes cleaning a lot easier.
If your meal contains lots of oil, then there’s no need to worry because most skillets are designed so that bubbling oil won’t splash over the sides. However, you must watch out for hot steam rising from bubbles popping on top of your food since this can cause burns if you’re not careful.
How do I season my electric skillet?
Seasoning is an important process that makes your electric skillet more durable and longer lasting. A properly seasoned pan should allow you to cook with little or no oil, which is perfect for those wanting to cut down on their fat intake. Here’s how you can season your own:
1) Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2) Put a couple tablespoons of shortening in the skillet and move around so it coats all sides. Then add one tablespoon of salt or granulated sugar . The choice between salt or sugar will depend on your personal preference, since they both serve the same purpose – which is to up any epidermal layer so your skillet will be protected.
3) Place the skillet upside down on a cookie sheet and bake it for an hour so the shortening will melt and later seep into any pores or imperfections that were present on the surface of your electric skillet. It is important to note that you shouldn’t start this process until your oven has preheated, since waiting otherwise might give a bitter taste to your pan as a result of too much heat exposure.
4) Once finished baking, you should let it cool off before washing with warm water and mild dish soap . Make sure you completely rinse out all leftover residue from the salt or sugar using plain water before drying up with a paper towel. Then store in dry area away from sunlight where it won’t get stained by dust and grime.
FAQs:
Can I use an electric skillet to bake?
Absolutely! Some electric skillets are designed for baking, although not all of them. If yours didn’t come with a flat surface on top, then you’ll need to attach some aluminum foil around the edges (where the heat comes out) to ensure that juices won’t drip directly onto your heating elements .
Also, make sure you leave at least ½-inch space between food and edge since some hot air might escape if there’s more than this amount of space. Another thing to keep in mind is that baked goods contain lots of butter or oil which can cause bubbling up near the side of your pan. To prevent this from happening, I highly suggest you coat your skillet with cooking spray before adding in the batter.
How can I prevent my electric skillet from rusting?
The best way to protect your electric skillet is by coating it with oil after each use , although most people neglect this step because they’re usually in a hurry. Another thing you should remember is that most skillets are made of cast aluminum which means they’ll corrode easily if not properly cared for.
What’s the best way to clean an electric skillet with burned on grease?
If you find yourself in this situation, then there’s no need to fret since cleaning up isn’t all that hard. All you have to do is fill the pan halfway full of water and set it on low heat for about 15 minutes . This will cause the burned on grease to loosen its hold, which in turn will make scooping it out a whole lot easier.
Can you use metal utensils when cooking with an electric skillet?
It depends on your personal preferences and the type of skillet you have since some plastic or wooden utensils might melt if used in contact with heat .
If your pan is Teflon-coated , then I highly suggest you refrain from using sharp metal objects such as forks and knives to prevent scratching off the coating. Instead, opt for silicone utensils designed especially for non-stick skillets or just settle for plastic since they won’t cause damage even after extended use.
Conclusion:
After reading this article, you should know how to season an electric skillet like a pro! When it comes to cleaning and maintenance, make sure you keep all aforementioned points in mind. This way, your device will always function as intended and give you the best return on investment for many years to come.
