Presto 16-inch Foldaway Electric Skillet Review

Intro

The Presto 06857 16-inch Electric Foldaway Skillet is a large, portable electric pan that the listing presents as a family-size, multi-use cooking appliance. The listing calls the body aluminum with a ceramic nonstick surface that is described as PFAS-free and PTFE/PFOA/BPA-free. It includes a removable base, a tempered glass cover, and a Control Master heat control with six settings. Owners repeatedly praise the quick, even heating and the roomy cooking area; recurring downsides in buyer feedback center on nonstick wear over time, possible dishwasher issues, and the risk of scuffing when the base nests inside the pan for storage. Below is a practical look at who this is for, how it behaves in day-to-day use, materials and safety notes you should check, and whether it’s a smart gift pick.

What it is / first look

At a glance the Presto 06857 is a 16-inch electric skillet built to roast, fry, grill, stew, bake, and serve one-dish meals. Key listing facts you should know up front:

• Pan/pan body material listed as: Aluminum (the listing lists Aluminum under Material).
• Cooking surface described as a ceramic nonstick coating and listed as PFAS-free; Material Type Free fields list PTFE Free, BPA Free, and PFOA Free (manufacturer/listing claims).
• Power: 1500 watts, Voltage: 120 (the listing specifies both).
• Control: Control Master heat control with 6 settings (listed).
• Size & weight: item dimensions 12" D x 20" W x 8.1" H and item weight 8.6 pounds; the listing cites pan size roughly 15.75" x 11.87" x 2.87" (manufacturer/listing specs).
• Included components: skillet, removable base, cover, heat control (listed).
• Cover: tempered glass with a stay-cool handle (listed).
• Storage feature: handles fold down and the base detaches and nests inside the pan for compact storage (listed).
• Warranty: 1 year limited (listed warranty description).

In short: it’s a big, feature-packed electric skillet that the listing positions as a multi-use, serving-to-table appliance with built-in temperature control and a nestable storage design.

Who this is a good gift for

Practical gift advice: the Presto 16-inch Foldaway Skillet is not a small, novelty present. Its strengths (large capacity, portability, quick heating) match specific recipient types and situations. Below are specific good fits and the assumption you should make before buying.

The big-family / batch-cooker

Why it fits: owners consistently praise the large 16-inch surface and high sidewalls for making pancakes, big breakfasts, stews, and family-size dinners. Assumption: the recipient actually cooks for multiple people and has the storage room for a larger appliance.

The host / entertainer

Why it fits: the listing and owners note it doubles as a buffet server (tempered glass cover, stay-cool handles) and holds steady temperatures — useful for parties or potlucks. Assumption: the host wants a portable, plug-in serving pan they can set on a table or serving station.

The apartment dweller or RV traveler who needs a plug-and-cook surface

Why it fits: listed as fully portable and owners report it heats quickly and is efficient compared to a stovetop. Assumption: the recipient’s living situation supports a 120 V, 1500 W appliance and they have counter space to use it safely.

The breakfast fan or pancake lover

Why it fits: buyers specifically report excellent pancakes and eggs cooked evenly across the large surface. Assumption: the recipient will use it often for breakfast or batch cooking rather than as a one-off gadget.

The practical gift for a new apartment or housewarming

Why it fits: it’s a useful, everyday appliance (listed components and removable base for storage). Assumption: the recipient needs functional kitchen gear more than decorative gifts.

In daily use

Owner feedback gives a clear picture of how this skillet behaves day-to-day. The pattern across many buyers: fast, even heat; easy release and cleanup early in life; convenience in storing and transporting; mixed long-term coating durability.

Heating & cooking

• Speed: owners repeatedly say it heats up quickly and reaches cooking temperature fast — the listing’s 1500-watt rating supports that behavior.
• Temperature control: the listing’s Control Master heat control with six settings is described as maintaining desired cooking temperature automatically; buyers report it holds heat well but recommend starting lower once preheated because it heats fast.
• Evenness & performance: multiple owners report even cooking across the surface — pancakes, eggs, pork chops, and fried rice are specifically mentioned as good outcomes.

Cleaning & maintenance

• The listing states the skillet is fully immersible and dishwasher safe with the heat control removed. Buyers are split: several praise easy hand-cleanups, while at least one owner reports the package instructions say NOT dishwasher safe and that dishwasher cleaning produced a grey powder residue and blackened fingers. That conflict is important — confirm the current manufacturer instructions before you run it in a dishwasher.
• Owners repeatedly advise using silicone or plastic utensils (one calls out avoiding metal utensils) to protect the ceramic nonstick surface.

Storage & portability

• The removable base and fold-in handles allow the base to nest inside the pan for compact storage (listed). Practical note from owners: nesting the base inside the pan can scrape the cooking surface; some owners put a dishcloth between the pieces, but that’s extra handling and not always convenient.
• Weight and size: at 8.6 pounds and roughly 12" x 20" x 8.1" overall, it’s portable for moving around a kitchen or taking to a host’s location, but it still needs dedicated storage space.

Typical uses owners report

• Large breakfasts (pancakes, eggs), fried rice, stir-fries, pork chops, stews, casseroles, and other family meals.
• Buffet/serving use — owners and the listing describe it doubling as a buffet server thanks to its cover and stay-cool handles.

Materials & build quality

Stick to listing language and owner experience when judging materials and finish.

• Material: the listing lists Aluminum as the material. The cooking surface is described in the listing as a ceramic nonstick coating.
• Claims about chemical composition: the listing specifically lists PFAS-free and also has fields that say PTFE Free, BPA Free, and PFOA Free. Phrase these as listing/manufacturer claims; they are not independently verified here.
• Cover: the listing describes a tempered glass cover with a stay-cool handle.
• Construction: the skillet includes a removable base and detachable handles that fold for storage (listed). Owners call the build solid and say it feels durable in hand.
• Finish/longevity signals: early owner impressions repeatedly praise the nonstick surface for easy cleanup and release. However, multiple owners also report the coating will wear with frequent use over months/years — one buyer said they replaced the unit roughly every year under heavy weekly use, another reported a previous unit lasting about four years with near-daily use. Expect good initial performance but plan for gradual wear depending on use and care.

Safety considerations

Safety is primarily about heat, the coating, and electrical use. Stick to the listing and owner reports.

• Heat & handling: the listing says the handles are stay-cool, and owners generally describe them as comfortable. At the same time, owners say the skillet heats quickly and can run hotter than some stovetop cookware, so adjust settings downward once it’s preheated to avoid overheating or splatter.
• Electrical & immersion: the listing says the skillet is fully immersible and dishwasher safe with the heat control removed. Several owners warn that the printed instructions packaged with the unit may state otherwise (not dishwasher safe) and that dishwasher detergent can produce a grey residue. Because this is an electrical appliance with a removable control, follow the current manufacturer instructions exactly. Verify the latest care instructions before submerging or putting it in a dishwasher.
• Nonstick/coating wear: owner feedback is consistent that the nonstick performs well initially but shows wear over time with regular use. Any flaking, chipping, or powdered residue reported after dishwasher use or prolonged use is a safety/maintenance concern to track; owners advise avoiding metal utensils and following the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to prolong the surface.
• Storing with the base nested: owners warn that placing the base inside the pan for storage can scuff or scratch the cooking surface unless you pad it first. That’s a durability and safety-for-food-contact surface issue worth noting.

Who should skip it

• If the recipient has a tiny kitchen or no room to store a 16-inch skillet, skip this — the unit is large and needs storage space.
• If the recipient insists on dishwasher-only cleanup and will ignore manufacturer cleaning warnings, skip or at least confirm the current dishwasher guidance from the manufacturer; owner feedback contains a clear dishwasher-safety conflict.
• If the recipient prefers cookware that is oven-safe or wants cast-iron-style searing/griddle performance, the listing does not specify oven compatibility (the listing doesn't specify oven safety), so choose a different gift targeted to those needs.
• If you need guaranteed long-term nonstick performance for heavy daily use without replacement, consider that several owners reported the nonstick eventually wears and one described yearly replacement under heavy use.

Verdict

The Presto 06857 16-inch Foldaway Skillet is a practical, workhorse-style electric skillet that delivers on what the listing promises: a roomy 16-inch cooking surface, fast heating (1500 watts, 120 V), and a removable base for easier cleaning and storage. Owners praise its quick, even heat and serving convenience. The two practical caveats that come up often in buyer feedback are 1) coating longevity under heavy use and 2) conflicting dishwasher-care guidance between the listing and at least some buyers who report the included instructions say not dishwasher safe and that dishwasher cleaning can cause a grey residue. If you’re gifting to someone who will use it frequently and can follow hand-wash care, this is a smart, practical pick. If the recipient wants a maintenance-free, dishwasher-safe pan or has no room for a 16-inch appliance, it’s a riskier gift.

Check before you buy — quick checklist

• Confirm the recipient has storage space for a 16-inch skillet and is comfortable with a roughly 8.6-pound appliance.
• Verify the latest manufacturer care/dishwasher instructions on the current listing or manual (the listing says fully immersible and dishwasher safe with the heat control removed, but some owners report the package instructions say otherwise).
• Assume you should use plastic/silicone utensils to protect the ceramic nonstick; avoid metal tools.
• Consider padding (a small dishcloth) if you plan to nest the base inside the pan for storage to reduce scuffs to the cooking surface.
• Keep the 1-year limited warranty in mind and check the seller/manufacturer return policy if long-term durability is a concern.