Electric skillets are extremely useful, versatile and great time savers for the kitchen. Because they quickly heat up and hold a steady temperature, they’re ideal for whipping up a quick meal. Many of them also have excellent non-stick properties to ensure that they are quick and straightforward to clean. However, the presence of an electric cable can make knowing how to properly and safely clean an electric skillet a daunting task for some.
Read on as I explain how to clean an electric frying pan after everyday use. I’ll also share with you some tips to tackle those really stubborn stains.
Best Way to Clean Your Electric Skillet
What You Need
- Warm soapy water made with dish soap
- Non-scratch cleaning pad
- A soft cloth
- Paper kitchen towel
For the best results when cleaning your electric frying pan, follow these easy steps:
Unplug the Skillet
The first, and very important, step is to remove the skillet’s connector from the electric socket. Place the connector well away from you to ensure that it does not accidentally get wet whilst cleaning.
Remove Solid Food Debris
Next, carefully remove any solid food residue using a soft damp cloth. It’s very important not to use a metal pan scourer as this will easily damage and ruin the non-stick surface of the electric frying pan.
Clean the Inside of the Pan
Once any remaining food debris has been removed, clean the inside of your electric skillet with some warm soapy water and a non-scratch cleaning pad. Scrub the surface really gently with the pad to avoid any damage to the non-stick surface.
Rub the interior of the pan in light circular motions until all stains have been removed.
Rinse the inside of the pan with warm soapy water and once you are happy that it is clean, dry the inside using a paper towel.
Clean the Outside of the Pan
Once you’re happy that the inside of the pan is clean, it’s time to clean the outside.
Rinse the outside of the pan with warm soapy water and rub it gently with the non-scratch cleaning pad. Be very careful when you do this to ensure that there is no chance for water to get into the connector point – doing so can irreparably damage your electric skillet.
Clean the Connector
Clean the outside of the electric connector using a slightly damp cloth and extreme caution. Doing this will help ensure that the connector has no grease on it. If by any scraps of food have found their way into the connector, use a toothpick to very gently remove them.
Additional Methods for Deep Cleaning an Electric Skillet
Sometimes, no matter how careful you are when cooking, food does get burnt on to the non-stick surface. This can be very difficult to shift, especially as you want to avoid any damage to the non-stick coating.
Luckily, I have some handy methods to share with you that will help to tackle any food that is burnt on to your electric pan.
These methods are quick, easy and work really well.
Hot Water Cleanse
One simple way to tackle burnt food is to just use hot water to dislodge it.
First, fill the bottom of the pan with enough water to cover the whole of the surface, including the burnt area. Pop on the pan lid and set the heat control to 250°F.
Keep an eye on the water and once it starts to boil, turn off the heat, remove the connector from the electric socket and then remove the lid.
Gently clean the side and the bottom of the electric skillet with a plastic or wooden spatula. You’ll find that any burnt food comes off easily.
Once all food debris has been removed, carefully pour away the water. Rinse out the pan using warm soapy water and dry immediately using a soft tea towel or kitchen paper.
Use Baking Soda to Clean Away Grease
Everyone should keep a pot of baking soda in their kitchen cupboard as it is just so useful!
Baking soda can clean all types of kitchen utensils so easily without causing them any harm. If you’ve noticed a build up of grease or grime on your electric frying pan, some baking soda can help deal with the problem very quickly.
All you have to do is add a small amount of water to the bottom of the frying pan, making sure that the affected area is covered.
Sprinkle the area with baking soda and, using a soft pad or microfiber cloth, mix the baking soda and water to form a cream.
Spread this over the greasy areas and leave for about 30 minutes. Then, scrub the cream gently with the pad – you’ll find that all of the grease should come off along with the dried baking soda cream.
Gently wipe the area with a damp cloth and then dry with kitchen paper. Baking soda is really good for tackling all types of stains and will not damage the non-stick surface of your pan.
Use Powdered Cleanser for a Regular Deep Clean
If you feel your electric skillet has a build up of grease or dirt, it is best to give it a really good, deep clean. In my experience, you’ll tend to need to do this after every few uses.
When deep cleaning, you should use a non-abrasive cleanser that will not damage the non-stick surface of your pan. Never use a cleaner that contains bleach or chlorine.
To thoroughly cleanse your electric skillet, sprinkle cleaning powder over the inside of the pan. Add a little water to make a cream and gently clean the pan using a soft cleaning pad. Very gently use the pad in a small circular motion over the whole inside on the electric skillet. Once the pan is clean, rinse carefully and dry off.
Can You Submerge an Electric Skillet?
Simply put, no! You should never submerge an electric frying pan in water. This is because the electrical components will be damaged if they come into contact with water.
Can You Put an Electric Skillet in the Dishwasher?
Unfortunately, for exactly the same reasons, you can not put your electric skillet into the dishwasher.
However, some of the latest models on the market allow the skillet to be removed from the main unit. These models are labelled as dishwasher safe as the pan can be placed in the dishwasher without risking damage to any of the electronic components. Be sure to check the instructions for your model very carefully before placing in the dishwasher.
With all of that said, my advice would still be to hand wash your electric pan. This is because the abrasive action of a dishwasher can easily damage the non-stick surface of the pan, reducing its useful life.
How to Care for Your Electric Frying Pan
There are a number of steps that you can take that will help to keep your electric skillet in really good condition. By putting in a bit of effort and time to really look after your electric skillet, it will serve you well for years to come!
Here are my recommended tips for looking after an electric skillet:
- Wash your electric frying pan well before you use it for the first time. Rinse the pan thoroughly in warm, soapy water (being carefully not to get any of the electrical components wet) and then dry it with paper kitchen towels.
- Always give your electric skillet time to cool down before you wash it. The important point to remember is that putting a hot pan into cold water will damage the pan very easily.
- As your electric skillet has a non-stick surface, do not use any metal utensils when you’re using the pan as these will damage the non-stick coating. Always use plastic or wooden utensils with your electric frying pan.
- I hope it goes without saying, but once your electric skillet has cooled down after use, always remember to clean it! Wash the electric frying pan after every single use with warm, soapy water and always dry thoroughly to prevent any rust from forming.
- Always keep the electric connector and plug well away from the water – never ever let it get wet as this will ruin it and can potentially be extremely dangerous.
- Steer clear of any cleaning products that contain ammonia or bleach as these are not good for electric skillets.
