Even if you scour every inch of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, you won’t locate the anonymous gift given to the institution by an unknown donor because it’s not currently on display.
But if you’re curious, you might ask a curator to let you see the cast aluminum electric fry pan that represented that era’s most sophisticated appliance back in 1972. Yes, electric skillets have been around for nearly half a century.
The electric skillet in the Smithsonian is yellow—-an extremely popular appliance color in the 1970s—-and the dome cover is large enough to prepare a side of beef with room left over for potatoes and carrots.
A rare treasure? It was back in the day, so if you fast forward to today’s electric skillet models, you could find some of them to be so sophisticated, perhaps they will share display space within the museum’s Domestic Furnishings collection some day. Will those modern-day models be Osters? Hard to say. But Oster has been around long enough to be considered a national treasure, so it's understandable why you're limiting your search to electric frying pans made by this company alone.
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PRODUCT | SPECIFICATIONS |
|---|---|
 Oster 12" x 16" Titanium Infused DuraCeramic Electric Skillet | Size: 16" Material: Multi Non-Stick?: Yes Lid: Tempered Glass Dishwasher Safe?: No Steam Vent?: Yes Stay-Cool Handles?: Yes Temp. Range: Simmer to 420°F Warranty: 1 year Limited |
 Oster Model #CKSTSKFM12W-ECO | Size: 12" Material: Multi Non-Stick?: Yes Lid: Tempered Glass Dishwasher Safe?: No Steam Vent?: Yes Stay-Cool Handles?: Yes Temp. Range: Simmer to 420°F Warranty: 1 year Limited |
 Oster Titanium Infused Duraceramic Skillet, 12", Black | Size: 12" Material: Titanium-Infused DuraCeramic Non-Stick?: Yes Lid: Tempered Glass Dishwasher Safe?: No Steam Vent?: Yes Stay-Cool Handles?: Yes Temp. Range: Simmer to 420°F Warranty: 1 year |
Serendipity? You Decide
John Oster was only 15 when he emigrated to the U.S., but he quickly established himself as a tool and die maker before moving from Chicago to Racine, Wisconsin. He and three associates became so skilled at producing blades for hair clippers that they set up shop in 1921 and never looked back.
Never one to run out of innovative ideas, Oster bought patents for a number of products, none of which had anything to do with hair. He also bred cattle and remained such a legend, he was inducted into the Barber Hall of Fame in 1972—the exact year the aforementioned yellow Smithsonian relic was first introduced to the housewares market.
Before producing household appliances, Oster made motors for military airplanes, buying the Stevens Electric Company in 1946. With the name, he became the owner of products Stevens had designed, including a liquefying blender which unleashed a long list of products that ultimately included electric skillets. An odd journey? Not for John Oster whose state-of-the-art products continue to make life easier for cooks to this day!
12 Things to Look for When Choosing an Oster Electric Skillet
They’re big and they’re small. Round and square. Colors run the gamut from black to apple red. If anything, today’s electric frying pan comes in so many permutations, it's smart to assess your needs before you peruse our Oster electric skillet reviews so when you shop, you find exactly the one that's right for you.
- 1Choose a size. If storage is an issue, measure the area you can dedicate to your appliance before buying.
- 2Determine your price range. Are you looking for versatility or is simplicity your buying ethos?
- 3What do you cook most often? Will you prepare food for crowds or just for yourself?
- 4Do you prefer a specific skillet shape? Square and oblong models hold more food than circular ones.
- 5Will you deep fry food? If so, your skillet must be capable of operating at temperatures over 350 degrees F.
- 6Are soups and stews family favorites? The higher the sides the better your ability to prepare these dishes.
- 7Does the model you’re considering have a heat-resistant handle? These are safer and more convenient.
- 8Are you partial to stainless steel or aluminum; non-stick coating or not?
- 9Will a solid metal lid suffice, or do you prefer a glass lid that allows you to monitor your foods?
- 10Does the skillet have a steam vent? Without one, liquids could boil over the sides and make a mess.
- 11How much effort will be involved in cleaning your skillet; must it be dishwasher friendly?
- 12Does the skillet you like best come with a repair and/or replacement warranty that covers you if you're not happy with your purchase?
The Pros and Cons
PROS
CONS
Why Choose an Oster Electric Frying Pan?
There are plenty of electric frying pans on today’s market that will set you back some serious dollars, but you can count on Oster to keep prices in the affordable range, so they don’t bust a family’s budget.
Read enough Oster duraceramic electric skillet reviews and you’ll conclude that this type of surface is both practical and efficient. Whether you need a larger surface to prepare meals for crowds or a small one designed to conserve space and energy, you should find what you seek in this collection.
Although we’re featuring affordable models in this review--you’re going to find plenty to love about the branded appliances profiled below.
The Reviews
1. Oster 12" x 16" Titanium Infused DuraCeramic Electric Skillet
Sleek, black and featuring a 16- x 12-inch body, this affordable electric skillet serves a multitude of purposes while taking up relatively little room on counter tops or in cabinets.
The tempered glass lid will trap moisture and heat to accelerate cooking time and there’s a temperature probe control that’s easy to set and adjust before or during the cooking process.
Cool-touch handles are a boon to cooks who can forget to grab potholders and mitts while hustling to get a meal on the table.
PROS
CONS
2. Oster 12" Electric Skillet - Model #CKSTSKFM12W-ECO
Small but mighty, this black, 12-inch square electric appliance comes with a full complement of Oster’s bells and whistles: a tempered glass lid, adjustable temperature control probe, non-stick interior and exterior surfaces for fast clean-up and the brand’s signature cool-touch handles that help cooks avoid accidental burns. This product is a lifesaver for folks living in small quarters.
PROS
CONS
3. Oster Titanium Infused DuraCeramic Electric Skillet - Model #CKSTSKFM12MR-TECO
If you pride yourself on a stylish kitchen and have the room to leave it out and wait for compliments, this 12-inch black electric frying pan will do the trick.
There’s more to love: This stylish appliance also has an integrated pour and strain lid with 2 different sizes so you can strain liquids easily. The thumb-pads protect your thumbs from the hot lid while draining.
No worries about cooking surfaces because the PTFE- and PFOA-free ceramic coating surface cooks up to 30% faster than ordinary nonstick surfaces. There’s a steam vent in the tempered glass lid to displace pressure and the cool-touch handles are stylish and practical.
PROS
CONS
Conclusion
Have you identified the Oster electric skillet that’s right for you? If you’re a fan of the option to strain liquids easily and directly from the skillet, the Titanium Infused Black 12: DuraCeramic Electric Skillet is right up your alley. On the other hand, if you're cooking for a larger gathering and a spacious appliance is your idea of the perfect electric frying pan, your choice is clear with Oster’s 16-incher.
Of course, the second model in this trio checks off boxes cited earlier in this article: it’s a great substitute for a plethora of other appliances, gives you precise cooking temperatures and comes with desired safety features. You’ll find plenty to like about the glass lid that gives you a peek into your recipe’s progress and the small amount of space it takes up.
The difference between Oster skillets is unacceptable. The titanium 12" skillet served me well for over two years until the collar broke on the lid top an d the non stick coating started wearing badly. I replaced it with the plain 12" skillet. This skillet's temperature control is vastly different and inaccurate. Example #1:. Cooking eggs in the titanium skillet was super easy and consistent. I would put the temperature control on simmer and the eggs would slowly cook to desired doneness. With my newer plain skillet, on the same setting my egg edges immediately cook and the middle remains liquidity. Example 2: To go with my eggs, I generally cook some sausage. The titanium skillet did a nice job at 300- 325 degrees. The plain skillet completely burned the sausage over the same time and temperature. If you buy an Oster skillet, do not buy the plain one, get the titanium infused skillet for just a couple dollars more.
Thank you for your insight, Don.