Have you ever tried to flip six pancakes at once and run out of room on the pan? That’s when an extra large electric skillet with lid works best. We’re talking about electronics you can bring to family reunions, weekend breakfasts, or even a midnight grilled cheese marathon. No judgment.

Look at the cooking surface first. If you want everyone to enjoy hot food at the same time, bigger is preferable. People talk about the Presto 06857 a lot. It’s big enough to hold enough chicken for an army and cooks up evenly. That implies that no one will get half-cooked sausage while someone else eats burnt toast. And let’s be honest: no one wants to spend hours cleaning up after a meal. It’s a blessing in disguise that this skillet is so easy to clean.

Now, let’s talk about warmth. A precise temperature dial can save your dinner. The Elite Gourmet EG-6203 gets it right with constant heat that goes from “gentle simmer” to “sear the steak.” Have you ever had a fajita party where the peppers took so long to cook that you thought about eating them raw? Don’t bother with that.

Some models, like the De’Longhi BG45, have glass lids that let you see inside without letting out a lot of steam. And the venting ensures you won’t mistakenly transform pot roast into soup. And those handles that don’t get hot? Every time, your fingertips will thank you.

The first time you pick up a weight, it could throw you off. But it’s not clunky; that’s what keeps it from sliding away when you stir scrambled eggs. The Black & Decker SK1215BC is a little lighter and includes pieces that come off so you can put them in the dishwasher. Honestly, who wants to spend Saturday night with their elbows in soapy water?

You don’t think about storage too much until the box gets there. If you don’t have a lot of space in your cabinets, search for models with fold-down legs or slim designs. This way, you won’t have to build an extra room just for your new skillet.

A huge electric skillet is a kitchen hero that doesn’t get enough credit. It’s great for feeding a lot of people or just for making leftovers. Think about how well it is built, how well it keeps the temperature, and how easy it is to clean so that you will use it again and again, not only when Aunt Mabel brings over the potato salad.